The Balenciaga First, also known as the 'Lariat' is also the first Balenciaga to make it into our countdown but you can bet it won't be the last! The brand has become one of the hottest an most celeb-friendly in the universe since the start of the century. and its immediately recognisable styles are coveted the world over. So what's the deal with the First?
Handbag History: Launched in 2001, the First is pretty unusual to still be doing so well ten years down the line, when fashion tends to get bored. Far from looking dated, the style is still one of the freshest around, and Balenciaga recently launched a 10 year anniversary collection celebrating the history of its iconic bags, featuring an absolutely stunning animal-print First, pictured below.
In Our View: Balenciaga bags are all fairly similar (the First if often mistaken for the City and work bag) but each has its own subtly different character, and the First is probably the most fun. It's a cute, compact design with plenty of character, thanks to the positioning of zips, studs and that famous detachable mirror.
In common with its siblings, the First has all the benefits of Balenciaga's current accessory offer, namely exquisite quality goat-skin leather with an unmistakable shine, striking geometric design sense and a wide range of eye-popping colour choices. It's got the seal of approval of almost every fashion-loving celeb going, and is neat and highly practical to boot. What's not to love?
Celeb Fans: Tori Spelling, Tila Tequila, Heidi Montag, Ashley Olsen, Mary-Kate Olsen, Dannii Minogue, Paris Hilton, Nicky Hilton, Carmen Electra, Sienna Miller, Nicole Richie, LeAnn Rimes, Lily Aldridge, Molly Sims.
Get the Look: The 'First' refers a range of bags, so be sure you know which one you want before taking the plunge. The First Classic is available in black for £795 at Browns. You will also find it from about £800 on Ebay.
The oversized 'Giant' First is available in pink, also from Browns at £1,025, or for the same price in black at Matches Fashion.
