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Simple yet gorgeous and if you have a soft spot for buttery soft leathers, touch at your own risk as you might just end up purchasing the Loewe Nappa Viento 38. Then again not many could actually resist anything from the Loewe Nappa line. This gorgeous shoulder bag is the one of the latest models from Loewe Nappa line. Boasting simple yet elegant and timeless design in Loewe’s most amazingly soft Nappa leather, the Viento 38 is a must-have bag for any Loewe collectors or not. The bag is available around GBP1,050.I also love how the contrasting color tassel and metal tag add extra details to the bag. Featured here is size 38 in Orange, the bag is also available in size 30 and in other colors such as Summer gold, ash, black and turquoise.

Image is courtesy of Loewe

The Loewe Lola is a beautiful handbag. Now at GBP742, down from GBP1,060 for the size 35, you should consider getting one. Available at Loewe.com

Image is courtesy of Loewe

Do not even bother to finish reading this entry. Just click here and buy this bag now! What a beautiful leather and color and a nice bag to perk up your summer style. If you are gonna be sweating, might as well be seen carrying this beautiful Hobo bag, don’t you think? Price is SGD726.4 only if you ship directly from Nordstrom. Custom duties will be a separate charge.

Image is courtesy of Nordstrom

Something from Hermes is never wrong as a gift even if it is just a simple silver heart-shape pendant (with a reference to “H”) with red silk cord. It costs USD500. Not too bad for an Hermes pendant as a Valentine’s gift for your loved one.

Image is courtesy of Hermes

I am not head-over-heels with the design of this McQueen bag but I am very much into blue now so this is a pretty nice bag. It is a little too trendy for my liking though but if you have USD1,450 to spare for a bag that lasts for a season only, why not? It is now “IN”.

Image is courtesy of Saks

If it is not bling-ing and over the top, it is not a Judith Leiber. A Leiber clutch (a minaudiere, actually) is a must-have for every woman and while not all the clutches are within a comfort range of elegance, some such as this one is a masterpiece. This baby commands a price tag of GBP3,033. I am not sure if this is categorized as reasonable in the Judith Leiber’s world but it is a must-have should many be no concern at all. Ship it to yourself via net-a-porter.

Image is courtesy of net-a-porter

In the world of luxury bags today, the next step to go beyond buying off-the-rack is personalizing. While the ultimate goal is to get a bag bespoken from scratch just for you to fit your needs and wants, apparently it is not accessible to anyone just yet. Hermes’ charge starts from USD11,000 in 2007 (might be more expensive now) for a bespoke bag and one famous client is Cameron Silver, the owner of Decade.

Anyway, for those like me who still needs to work for a living, your very own initials on your bag is a good start. Louis Vuitton has offered the Mon Monogram service since last year and Goyard has a similar service too. Another French house who offers this service now is Longchamp and it takes it to another level for its Le Cabas bag. Instead of painted or stamped on, your initials will be perforated onto the body of the leather bag, making it uniquely yours, You get to choose the size and colors for both the body and lining of the bag too prior and all that for only USD480. I say it is definitely worth it.

Image is my very own Le Cabas, should I decide to get myself one, courtesy of Longchamp.

Valentine’s Day is happening again in about 2 week’s time and for those who celebrate the Lunar New Year, you must be aware that it the first day of the new Lunar New Year falls on the 14th Feb this year too. Louis Vuitton heart-shape coin purse in striking red Monogram Vernis is perfect for both occasions, being red and in a heart shape so it is flying off the shelves in no time. Who actually needs an expensive coin pouch? Then again, gift giving is not always about needs, especially when what you are giving is a luxury item. This lovely pouch doubles up as a charm for your bag too. Buy this from your nearest Vuitton or online store as a gift just for GBP265.

Image is courtesy of Louis Vuitton

Until recently, the only Longchamp bag we could instantly associated with was only the Le Pliage but flip through any fashion or gossip magazine now and you will likely see at least one of Longchamp Gatsby variations toted by a celeb or supermodel. Time to get yourself one too, don’t you think? Unlike most  other design houses, this IT bag is mostly priced with a three-digit tag. The classic Gatsby start from USD890.

Image is courtesy of Longchamp

Get out Marc!!! Marc by Marc Jacobs is back and on fire!!!! You can’t beat this bag easily at SGD726.4. Try as you might but if you can’t beat it, buy it now! This bag is available in black, brown, off-white and the one featured here is eggplant.

Image is courtesy of Nordstrom

I do not really get patchwork anything. While some might view it as artistic, it always comes across as a representation of poverty to me. Well this Balenciaga does not look as bad as what I had expected maybe because the leather patches chosen are all in warmer tones so they do not scream “CHEAP”, which they better not because it costs USD2,345 before Bluefly’s 20% off to USD1,876. The bag is trimmed with wild boar skin.

Image is courtesy of bluefly.com

What could you get for USD199 these days? Apparently a beautiful full leather Hobo bag from Tano is one. The bag is available in either hot red or black. We say, get the one in red. It is sizzling at that price and it looks twice as expensive. Tano is available at Bergdorf.

Image is courtesy of Bergdorf Goodman

Taking lamb skin and croc-embossing it is such a brilliant idea. Lamb skin is soft and smooth by nature and the croc-embossing gives a more luxurious feel to the otherwise-plainer bag. I am loving this bag a lot and at USD450, there is no reason you should resist.

Image is courtesy of Bergdorf Goodman

Is it me or the Chloé Paddington looks hot again here? Maybe it is the gold color which makes it suddenly looking shiny and new but it does remind me of why the bag became the IT bag when it first came out. It is now a classic and Chloé staple bag. Get one from Nordstrom for SGD2,724. Nordstrom ships worldwide now.

Image is courtesy of Bagthatstye.com

The Balenciaga Work is the most favorite bag I have owned so far and it is indeed hard to top it given its quality, leather and attitude, let alone its unique color as once it sells out, there is no way you would be able to find the same color in another season (except for Nero color, maybe). Also, the texture of the leather feels distinct from season to season, which explains why Balenciaga bags are collectibles. The point is; if you do come across a color and leather you like of a Balenciaga bag, you should just go ahead an get it, which I did and I am a very very happy customer.

For the pre-spring/summer 2010, the color choices are already out since November last year and the bags are now out in selected stores around the world (including in the Hilton Singapore outlet since early this month). The colors available are Black, Truffle (dark brown), Anthracite (dark grey), Pommier (dirty green), Cyclade (soft dirty blue), Sang (blood red), Sorbet (soft pink), Sahara (dirty beige), Tomate (orangy red) and Outremer (shocking blue). Some of the colors are already available in Barneys. Balenciaga Work bag is priced at USD1,595 at Barneys.

Images are courtesy of Barneys