Rihanna has been pretty consistent in providing TEH GLAM recently, and here she goes again with a bag that we'd all love to dangle from our arms. She's wearing it in just the way these pieces work best: as a day bag that gives just enough sparkle to an everyday outfit to add interest, but without completely overpowering her look.
If you like this bag, it's available at Farfetch now and being made from polypropylene fabric, it's a little cheaper than what we'd expect from Givenchy (though still by no means 'cheap'). This could make it a good bet for those who want to add a little designer to their day, as the style itself is so versatile it should be wearable for some time yet!
£550 at Farfetch
Related: Accessorise it: Rihanna's 'bandaged' look
Here at The Bag Lady, we recently got the chance to speak to one of our all-time greatest handbag heroes: Jackie Cawthra, designer of the beautiful, artisan-made Belen Echandia bags.
We'd been dying to find out more about the work that goes into making the collection as high-quality and desirable as it is, and were delighted that Jackie could take time out of her busy schedule to enlighten us on the process. Read on for the interview.
TBL How long does it take to create one of your popular bag styles from start to finish?
BE: It really depends. Creating a BE bag can be a long process or an incredibly quick one in terms of actual design and production, but the real time is spent over months beforehand sketching ideas and visiting shows to see new colours and materials. In the end, nothing that we do at BE is quick. Everything is carefully considered and thought out, sampled and tweaked for what seems like months, tested out to see what works and what doesn't. And then just when we think we've finished, we catch something else and change yet another detail. The average time overall is about 6 months.
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On the high street, so many practical bags are ugly, and so many interesting bags are impractical. Here's one from French Connection which I think manages to get the balance just about right, so I'm sharing it with you as a bit of a rare find.
The suede fabric is a real plus, as it tones down the bright red colouring slightly, making it more bright and fun than dazzlingly bold. It's a soft, squishy bag that could happily be crammed to the gills without losing its shape, and we love the tassel and studs. This is a bag for all seasons, and our High Street Pick of the Week.
£160 at ASOS
We're loving these cheery, spring-like clutch bags by Tila March, each one a visual delight with its chunky clasp, and well-chosen fabric. The 'basket' and white leather clutch (top left) is particularly on trend, while the dark leather is a real classic. The pale blue and striped versions, meanwhile, will be absolutely perfect for summer.
There's something unmistakably French about every bag in this range, and this is no coincidence: Tila March was created from the « Rencontre » between a French fashion editor and a marketing executive in the leather luxury goods business. The results are tres chic...
£117 (approx) at Colette
I do have to wonder who buys these crazy charms. Liberty's display cases can sometimes look like the cabinets of a toy shop, so jam-packed they are with funny little friends to adorn the handbags of the seriously rich.
I had to smile at these two, however, which could provide a quick and easy way to let your luggage know that summer's coming. The crab and 'sea monster' charms (the latter looking entirely like a Koosh ball) are both emblazoned with the See by Chloe logo and the crab can be used as an external purse. I guess that's one practical reason to spend £70 on it, but you'll be on your own if you want to argue the case for the sea monster...
Both available at Liberty.
While we're on the subject of shabby-chic and vintagey looking accessories, I thought I'd pick out something a little more affordable than Marni's runway delights from the high street. Fenn Wright Mason's satin devoré bag, with its lovely, contrasting chrysanthemum design is a great example of a time-honoured look that's been brought right up to date with clever styling - and I love it. Ideal for those planning on a summer of garden parties and weddings...
Pick it up for £49 at John Lewis
Finally, a label that's dared to bring a little brightness into its winter collection! Marni is well known for its bold, contemporary designs and tendency towards lightness, and I really like what its designers have done with the A/W collection for 2010.
The perforations on the fabric bring a touch of modern sophistication and add a pleasingly decorative effect to the old-fashioned shopping totes, which look like they'd hold a multitude of sins. Everything in the range has a slightly shabby-chic, re-purposed vintage look about it, which we can't get enough of around here:
There's a touch of the Lulu Guinness here - all very prim and proper. Well done to Marni for escaping the winter blues!
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