Thanks to everyone who sent in questions - I have been searching high and low to find the answers you've been after. Some I do in fact have the answer to... but some I don't I'm afraid. This could be because the bags have long since sold out, or your description was perhaps a bit too vague for me to figure the solution out from (the more info you provide, the more likely I can help). Either way, I will try to give an alternative or at least point you in the right direction of where you can continue your search. Oh, and if you are reading this and think "hang on, I can ID that bag", then please do help us out by leaving a comment!
* hi, would you know about designerexposure? are all their bags authentic? ive been seeking for advice on this because i havent tried purchasing from them and would like to know if this site is reliable and all handbags being sold are authentic. Would u perhaps know? thanks in advance :) - Nyck
Hi Nyck, thanks for your question. While I could never put a 100% guarantee on any authenticity myself, I personally would gladly buy a designer piece from Designer Exposure. I know that the owner Maria Williams visits the sources directly in their homes (these sources include everyone from Hollywood actresses to Spanish royalty) and picks through only the best pieces to resell. I have been to their flagship store in Auckland, so can safely say they are legit! I also know they spend a lot of time researching and authenticating so I think if you are after vintage designer online, they will be a safer bet than many other vintage resellers (especially those on eBay). However, as with anything you buy online, there are always risks in not being able to see, touch, and inspect. But also bear in mind Designer Exposure have a very good returns policy, if you are still worried. Hope this helps!
More questions answered after the jump...
* hi kelly,
i have a question for you since you are the only expert in bags that i know of. i have recently acquired a black hermes bag, which is 20-30 years old if not more. the reason i do not know for sure is because i bought it from an auction selling goods that belonged to the family of the Romanian dictator Ceausescu. anyway, the bag is brand new, i don;t think his wife ever wore it and with a set of shoes, which are also new but a bit old in style. i am confident this is quite an important piece, both for the history of hermes as well as for its symbolical value.so, could i send some photos so that you tell me where i stand with this? thank you. - Ramona
Hi Ramona, wow you lucky thing managing to get your hands on what sounds like a very exciting and valuable piece of Hermès! I think your best bet for finding out the history and value of this bag, would be to firstly visit your local Hermès boutique, who will be able to identify the make and year of the bag, possibly have further details such as how rare the bag is (it might have been one of very few in that particular colour for example) and give you specific care instructions for how to best preserve it's condition. Secondly, I would recommend you organise an appointment with an auction house such as Christie's (I'm not sure of your location so you might need to find one closer to where you are.) They will have a team of specialists who will not only know about the bag, but also the history of it's owner, which I think is your main interest here. This will be a costly exercise, but would definitely be worthwhile in the end by the sounds of it! Good luck, and let me know what you manage to find out.
* Please can you help me track down the big tan leather slouch bag, used by Sara in Prison Break :) - Allie C
Allie, I have been searching everywhere for this as I know exactly the bag you mean! I remember so clearly how she threw it in the bin right after she cut her hair in Season 2... Unfortunately, screengrabs with her holding the bag haven't been the easiest thing to find so it's hard to identify it just on memory (but if you end up buying the DVD, this particular episode was number 13 "The Killing Box" in Season 2). I have a funny feeling though, this will just be a 'no-name' bag, since she wasn't supposed to be the most glamorous of characters so would hardly be toting a designer bag. I have tried to find something similar here in the UK, which has, surprisingly, been quite tricky. Below are bags from River Island (£59.99), Faith (£35) and Ted Baker (£220) which I hope you might like. I will keep on the case though, and see if I can track the real thing down!
* Kelly...I know its been awhile since the Moschino Borsa Tracolla Clutch (Olive Oyl Money Bag) has been around, but would you have any suggestions as to where I might be able to find to buy? Thanks. - Heather
Because this bag was around at the beginning of last year Heather, I haven't been able to track it down, sadly. Such a cute clutch was always bound to sell out though! I can only suggest you become a regular on eBay and hope one day it crops up (I've done this sort of thing before, and it does actually happen! You'd be surprised...) Otherwise, I'd hop on forums such as The Purse Forum and even The Fashion Spot and post a Wanted/Looking For post with a pic - it's amazing the response you get when you put the word out. There's nothing worse than a "woulda-shoulda-coulda" moment when it comes to shopping, so I hope you do manage to track one down :)
Stay tuned for more answers in our next 'Ask the Bag Lady' session. And if you have a burning question, then feel free to get in touch! Same goes if you can help someone out (do YOU have a Moschino Borsa Tracolla Clutch you're looking to sell!?) - let me know by emailing kelly (at) shinymedia.com with 'Ask the Bag Lady' in the subject line.
