I first saw this clutch at Fred Segal and was going to buy it until I saw a pair of Prada shoes and got sidetracked. Just looking at the picture, you might not think too much of it but let me just tell you up front why this is so appealing, this alligator clutch is only $800. The reason for the low price is that it is not entirely alligator, the back and side panels, as you can see, is actually leather. But for effect, the clutch is seemingly an alligator clutch. I think it's brilliant. Everyone is doing exotic trim and that supposedly makes things exciting but this is way more than just a trim, the most important and focal point of the bag is alligator. The other interesting thing is that all the skins used are taken from old bags, thus the "vintage". So not only is this a fabulous classic envelope clutch in alligator for way cheap, it is also eco-conscious! Reuse, recycle, rejoice!!! =) This is a great size, too, it is 8" x 13.5" and has a 1" gusset so you can definitely use this during the day. The exciting thing for those who don't live in LA is that it is now available at Luxcouture! I told Sari at Luxcouture that this will sell out once I put this up so you better get moving!! Did I mention, it is only $800!!! You can thank me later for this scoop! =)
Sorry, Kelly. This looks cheap.
ITA
Only 800 dollars? Please, Bagsnob girls. Eight hundred dollars is not "cheap" - it is a lot of money. I believe most of us who read this blog need to work for our bag money. Sometimes spending 2000 dollars or more on a classic tote is a smart investment. But I see no point in throwing money on a clutch like this.
I have to agree with Merit. I'd rather spend the $800 on a proper bag, not pieced together with trash.
I'd rather wait and save more money to buy a clutch that is all made in crocodile... Nancy Gonzalez (saks.com) Adriana Castro (adrianacastroonline.com) , Carlos Falchi (neimanmarcus.com) and my other designers offer clutches in the $1,000 - $1,500 range...I 'll keep saving ;)
I agree with the above comment (s), and let's not forget the fab
clutches of Marcela Calvet (www.marcelacalvet.com), which I simply
adore. Whereas I cannot say this particular clutch is very original,
the mere fact that it has leather on it would make me think twice
about spending that kind of money; especialy when last
week I indulged and bought a gorgeous Marcela Calvet clutch
entirely in alligator and handmade for $1100. Money is money
and it does matter.
I agree with the above comment (s), and let's not forget the fab
clutches of Marcela Calvet (www.marcelacalvet.com), which I simply
adore. Whereas I cannot say this particular clutch is very original,
the mere fact that it has leather on it would make me think twice
about spending that kind of money; especialy when last
week I indulged and bought a gorgeous Marcela Calvet clutch
entirely in alligator and handmade for $1100. Money is money
and it does matter.
This clutch looks like it was stitched together from old bags. Vintage is one thing, craptastic is another. I'll pass.
I love the textured look, as it inspires an old world feel to ne world manufacturing. I'd call it my poor-man's Gonzalez, but the sizing is throwing me off a bit. I often wish designers would photograph some styles with models (i.e. as seen on Net a Porter). When I clicked on the image, I was a bit surprised at the 13" measurement. Perhaps a bit too boxy for my taste with such dimensions.
That is why I mentioned Marcela Calvet's clutches
which are so great. In fact, they even come
with detachable shoulder chains which are so well
designed because the chain attaches on the inside
and this way you use as a bag or a clutch. Mine
is simply perfect in every sense.
With most of the individuals who have commented, I am not fancying this clutch at all.
The pieced-togetherness is quite, well, unpleasing to the eye (at least mine, I mean).
The size seems quite all right, though, which is good (however, I'm sure it would work with slightly taller women, as a shorter girl may look over-powered with the nature of this clutch).
Also, this handbag seems to be a little too Hermès Baccara clutch inspired (even down to the size, sans the gusset size, if I remember correctly).
The idea of reusing vintage alligator is a wonderful thing, though I'm sure the handbags that existed before being turned into this frankensteinesque clutch was ever more chic.
I give Fred Segal an A for effort, but slightly lower marks everywhere else.
Just my two cents, Ladies.
I don't like the sliding tab at the front. It looks all right, but I can imagine the wear after after a while. I think, for the price, it's good for everyday use (it's amazing what people can do with a few spare scraps of alligator), but the front sliding tab is a stickler for me in the sense of functionality.
I love your posts, Kelly, but anything made from alligator is not eco-conscious. :(
Am I the only one who finds the colour of this a bit of a downer? It's not a rich, sumptuous chocolate, it's just...brown.
I'll be the lone admirer.I quite like this clutch-I think it looks uniques and different.The price is too steep for me, but if it were cheaper I would certainly buy it.
Not that original Marisa; and yes, expensive. And I agree with DK,Katherine and everyone.
I am quite familiar with vintage clutches and I have seen several vintage ones recently including Gucci, Calvet, Hermes which look very similar to this one. In fact, you can find Gucci, Calvet and Hermes vintage if you search the net. Jeez, Nancy Gonzalez is always getting inspired by vintage pieces and so is Marcela Calvet; but here is great news: Marcela Calvet will be incorporating a vintage area within her showrooms and website, where one can get a real vintage Calvet or some other great brands in legitimate alligator, crocodile, etc. for a fraction of what any new bags from these brands cost. That is a really great idea because it makes it affordable for people like me, to buy such incredible bags for a lot less than $800. Really, if someone is going to recycle an original piece like this one and charge $800 for it, should it not be ALL in alligator? Because this one is expensive in my opinion. Agreeing with Chiffre, Just my two cents.
I was confused too, and agree with the majority of the posts. $800 is a good amount of money! Does it have a luscious interior like a Kale bag? The photo is screaming more than vintage.... it's screaming "eBay" IMO.
i personally feel that the clutch would look better if in an eye catching color, and the lines a little bit more feminine.
I disagree to most of the comments. I happen to own two parker ochs handbags. One just purchased at theodore in beverly hills. Its amazing. I just got a big tote in chocolate and it is very rich in color, and i own the vintage clutch in black and love it. I happen to know that it is not made out of old handbags but made from amazing aligator skins. I bought it at Madison in beverly hills. They DON'T sell junk. I happend to have paid $1200. Worth every penny! Everyone stops me wherever i go.
If you need to download new movies and games, visit http://loadingvault.com It is the best rapidshare search engine in the internet.
Parker Ochs may not have the gaudy Nancy Gonzalez namesake yet, but they are on the rise.
I bought this bag last week, and haven't gone a day without it!
You naysayers have got it all wrong. I bought this piece at Madison, and they told me the bag is "vintage inspired" not vintage pieces. It isn't "frankensteined," rather artistically manufactured.
The bag is far from "craptastic." Inside and out, Parker Ochs' bag is impeccable.
And to the ignorant griper who said the bag's color is a "downer," Parker Ochs makes this clutch in Yellow and Green. Far from banal.
You can't judge a book by it's cover and you can't judge a handbag from an online photograph.
Go to Madison in Beverly Hills and see for yourself.
Peace and Love,
Miriam
Then please accept my apologies for thinking it was a vintage bag that was recycled.
The description of the clutch made us all think that is precisely what it was. But
nevertheless, I have seen real vintage clutches that look just like this one so it is not
that original honestly. But if you are happy with yours, then show it off. And I do
agree with you on this one: I do not know why they celebrate Nancy Gonzalez so much
because her bags are not that original either and I even heard (read rather), that she exploits her workers in Colombia big time. That is disgusting and all the department stores should drop her immediately. I would never buy one of her bags.