Drunken Falchi
Well this is certainly interesting.
What we have here is a satchel from Carlos Falchi, made in a soft metallic gold leather with gold hardware and an extremely bunched-up front flap.
It’s this front flap that interests me of course — the rest of the bag is beautifully designed and crafted, with antiquated studs and stitching and a really pretty shade of gold. The front flap — well, I’m not sure. What exactly is going on here? It almost looks like the craftsman was slightly intoxicated while making it and got a little crazy with the flap, then pretended that’s just how he meant to have it all along.
I’m going to let you make up your own minds on this one. I personally can’t decide whether I would ever buy something like this — perhaps I’m being a complete philistine here and not appreciating the edgy <i>uniqueness</i> of the purse…
Decisions decisions!
SRP $425
Botkier Blues
I know that technically the gift buying season is over and done with — hopefully it was a success. It pays to bear in mind though that there are birthdays year-round, not to mention a little something called Valentines Day creeping up on us from the not-so-distant February.
This purse would make a lovely gift in any occasion – the Hobo Stirrup bag from Botkier, in blue (or, as they call it, "Metallic Twilight"). It’s made of leather, with suede tassels which are attached to real pockets rather than just decorative ones. The hardware is silver and the strap is adjustable.
The only minus point might be that the top is open (with a magnetic closing) which means you have to be slightly more careful with it.
Otherwise, it’s a great hobo in a gorgeous colour (also available in chestnut brown).
SRP $660
Coach Butterfly
This beautiful little iPod Shuffle case is from Coach’s current collection of MP3 and PDA holders. It’s a hardy little thing in eggshell blue, with the Coach logo discreetly stamped into the bottom.
This design is far and away the best of the collection — it’s so simple, yet so pretty. Blue case, delicate little butterfly: it’s perfect.
It’s also very sold out, which means there are a lot of women out there who were very happy with at least one of their Christmas gifts.
Happy Holidays everyone!
Chanel Does Tweed
If there’s one thing Chanel always excel at, it’s putting a fresh twist on classic concepts and thereby reclaiming them — this purse here is a perfect example of that.
It’s the tweed classic flap bag, from their current collection, and it stands out from all the other Chanel flap purses because of the way the tweed manages to look so gorgeous in that green — normally tweed is a very dated look, suitable only for English ladies of a certain age and lifestyle.
This purse, however, wouldn’t look out of place on the starriest of young starlets — and if you can get the matching bracelet too, then you’re a very lucky girl!
Crayon Candy
I don’t think I have ever wanted to hug a purse more in my whole life.
You’ll know that that’s saying something, if you’ve seen some of the almost unbearably cute purses we’ve featured here on ArmCandy. But this particular purse pictured is in a class of it’s own.
It’s the Mini Barrel Satchel from the Dooney & Bourke Hearts collection: the outside material is a hardy white cotton with leather trim, with a heart charm. The lining is eggshell-blue and the outside print is exactly what you see — bright, cheerful crayony hearts, childish and vibrant and happy.
I love this purse for that very innocence and charm — it’s just the most adorable, sugary little thing in the world.
Your (inner) little girl wants it now!
RRP $85
Trendi
I think that today, in honour of the festive season, ArmCandy should spread some cheer and all-round goodwill. Today, we are giving that goodwill to those controversial Italian fur-celebrators and leather-makers at the ever-luscious House of Fendi.
Now, those of you paying attention may recall one ArmCandy referring to a certain Fendi bag as being "One of the most disgusting things ever created".
Well today, we’d like to feature a Fendi bag that is neither bizarre nor atrocious — I am talking, of course, about the Metallic Mini Chef bag pictured here.
It’s made of a meltingly soft leather, with gold hardware and a zucca-print design, a nice comfortable shoulder strap and a chunky Fendi logo swinging away. It also comes in a very funky metallic lilac.
Considering that Fendi bags are among the most faked purses in the world, I would really love to see how anyone pulls off an accurate representation of this one. It’s so detailed and carefully made that anyone even attempting it would have a real job on their hands.
This purse is just about decadent enough to make a lovely gift and not quite decadent enough to blow a crater into your bank account.
Two thumbs up to Fendi - or, perhaps I should say, two mince pies. Well done!
Public Displays of Burberry
There are so many of these designer PDA/iPod cases around it would take a long while to cover all of them; as it is, sometimes one or two just catches your eye - like this one here from Burberry.
It’s a bronze-and-cream canvas material with brown leather trim and the Burberry Equestrian knight stamped firmly on the front. The brown leather stay also has the Burberry logo stamped (albeit discreetly) on the front.
I have to admit it, I love this holder. It’s very classy and sophisticated - luxurious without being either cheap or ostentatious.
Perfect stocking filler!
Jaunty Italian
This handbag is one of the most unique purses I’ve seen so far this year: t’s known as the Orchid and Shell Print Hobo, from our good friends at Versace.
It’s made of a canvas material with cowhide handles and trim, and gold hardware. The print itself — the part I love most — is a gorgeous orchid and shell print, reminiscent of all those old-fashioned glam resorts like Hawaii or Monte Carlo. The lining is pinkish suede, and instead of a clasp it has a cute drawstring.
The whole thing is wonderfully refreshing on the eyes, and so very different with its jaunty nautical air. All in all a stunning accessory, just what we would expect from Versace.
Bello!
Marc Gets My Goat
I’m coming to greatly appreciate the careful thought that goes into the design of almost every single Marc Jacobs purse I see. Somehow, they always manage to hit the mark with me — instant love-at-first-sight purses rather than hmmm-this-is-growing-on-me purses.
You can see why with this funky little tote from the new Drummed Leather collection: a very moreish goatskin leather with canvas lining and brass hardware. That buckle in front (which, charming as it undoubtably is in appearance, might not be quite practical in todays permanent rush-hour world) is actually just a very convincing front for a hidden push-lock underneath.
It’s small but still roomy enough for essentials, both classic and refreshingly edgy in design. Technically it’s a tote rather than a shoulder bag but hey, a rose by any other name, right?
Durable, stylish, gorgeous. Merry Christmas to you, Marc!
Every Cloud…
I am quite willing to give my heart to any clutch that doubles as a shoulder bag, but this particular clutch would be lovely even without the shoulder chain.
It’s the Swarovski Roll Clutch from Judith Leiber - a hard, hand-finished gem of a purse with gorgeous leather silver lining to set it all off.
It’s a great party purse of course: very shiny and sparkly and crystalicious, but what I love most is that it comes with the most adorable little coin purse to put all your spare change in.
It will cost you a (pretty) penny but it’s oh-so-worth it!
