Oh, Target...how enviously we look on your dirt-cheap prices and hot designer collaborations...how frequently we pester our US-bound friends to purchase your products when they try and jet off for a well-earned holiday. The bargain store has done it again, it seems, this time with one of our favourite home-grown brands: Mulberry.
The hotly-awaited collaboration of eminently affordable bags is due to reach stores in October, and is bound to sell out extremely quickly. The pieces, all designed at Mulberry, have distinctive trappings of the brand we know and love but at a fraction of the cost: shown above are Mulberry for Target Quilted Denim Large Satchel, $49.99 (approx £32) and Mulberry for Target Black Patent Satchel, $34.99 (approx £22). It is probably not an exaggeration to say that you could book a plane ticket over to the states AND buy one of these bags and still spend less than you would on one full price Mulberry bag. Tempted? ;-)
I'm not sure who "Disa" is, but I'm betting that when she asked her friends for a Mulberry Alexa for her birthday, this probably wasn't what she meant. But frankly, I think I'd be every bit as thrilled with the edible version as I would with the real thing (which might even go out of fashion before the cake reached its use-by date; the satchel look is a bit 'everywhere' isn't it?) and the work that's gone into baking it is phenomenal.
It was made by Felicia, a self-taught baker and Mulberry lover from Singapore. The detailing on the edible bag is just amazing, particularly the care and attention that's gone into creating the gold hardware. We couldn't resist sharing a picture of the bag's interior, which almost certainly like it tastes every bit as great as it looks!
See how she did it in each and every delicious stage, here!
It's no secret that The Bag Lady is a huge Mulberry fan, and Fearne Cotton is currently one of the brand's biggest 'ambassadors'. Most of the time she wears the bags well enough, but I have to say, we're becoming a bit tired around here of seeing Ms. Cotton laden down with several pieces of the luxury luggage (and no, it's not just jealousy talking!) in a way that does them no favours at all.
Taken individually, these bags are lovely items to cherish, but 'cherish' is the key word that's being willfully ignored here: Fearne seems more intent on battering the bags around and testing their strength with what looks like ten tons of groceries from one of those ill-advised, empty stomached trips to Waitrose. There are baked beans in that Bayswater, I'm sure of it. And while we're at it, we're not too sure about those socks, either.
So what do you think? Match made in heaven, or is this a partnership that's gone on way too long?
Here at the Bag Lady, we weren't too sure about Mulberry's new 'Neely' range when we first saw it photographed: there are two versions of it pictured above right - the Shoulder Bag (£650), top right and Tote, £784. The range is named after the lead character in Valley of the Dolls, and is being rolled out in a number of different fabrics and shades.
In isolation. I'd have to say that both styles are a little uninspiring, but carried with a chic outfit like this one worn by Gossip Girl's Blake Lively, they do begin to come into their own, showing the classic Mulberry simplicity of style that we've come to love over the years. I'm a Mulberry nut and it's unusual for me not to fall for one of their styles immediately, so I'm hoping this one will be a grower! What stands out most is the obvious quality and beautiful colouring of the leather, which looks like it's about to get a bit of a dowsing in this recent photo!
Check out the full range at Mulberry.
A new word has entered the Bag Lady's vocabulary thanks to Mulberry this week: 'plange' (despite sounding rather rude) is a variety of lambskin that apparently 'ages beautifully and acquires a vintage look'. Mulberry has used the fabric to make its 'Hayden' totes, which are available either in black or 'drizzle', the colour we've shown you here (mostly because we like how it sounds!).
The Hayden itself is a fun and young-looking bag for Mulberry, with a rebelliously slouchy and laid-back look about it. We like what they've done with the straps which give a slight military chic look and are printed with a subtle embroidery pattern. Hot to trot.
Alexa Chung inspired Mulberry to create a bag, and Mulberry inspired Peacocks to create a very similar bag that most women could afford. It comes as no surprise to the Bag Lady to hear that sales of that bag have now gone through the roof, and that Peacocks - home of the dirt cheap designer imitation - have had to order tens of thousands more of the £14 tan satchels to satisfy demand.
Hundreds have already put their names down on a waiting list for Peacock's version of the Alexa, which is scheduled to hit stores at the end of the month. When you consider that the original style is priced at £695 and above, it's no wonder the style is proving so popular. Satchels are, of course, huge business at the moment -- but this looks more like the Alexa than any other high street 'homage' we've seen. What do you think: we'll you be reserving one?
Contrary to popular belief, sales do happen at Mulberry once in a blue moon. It's the perfect opportunity to grab yourself that extra special treat you've been wavering over, and while the sale itself is small, you might find a big saving.
These 'crazy horse' purses stole our hearts when they came out during Mulberry's flirtation with the fairground, and they are still absolutely red hot chic. You can get this darling little pouch from the range at the reduced price of £49, and match up its vibrant geometric prints with all your favourite outfits.
Oh, Target...how enviously we look on your dirt-cheap prices and hot designer collaborations...how frequently we pester our US-bound friends to purchase your products when they try and jet off for a well-earned holiday. The bargain store has done it again, it seems, this time with one of our favourite home-grown brands: Mulberry. 
digg this |
del.icio.us this
| 
Stumble It!
