Milan Fashion Week: Gucci S/S 09 handbag collection

I'm not normally the biggest fan of Gucci's handbags. Not that I have anything against them, it's just that I most likely wouldn't consider them my first-choice stop when bag shopping (although, apparently that's not the same for everyone, with Gucci coming out top in a poll earlier this year of favourite luxury brands).

However, I'll be the first to put my hand up and say I am feeling this new spring/summer '09 collection in a big way. Rich jewel colours - ruby red, amethyst purple and aquamarine - and sumptuous skins played a big part in my desire, but so too do the braided edges and dangling tassels, which give the bags a boho chic feel.