Bye Bye Bye

"Hi, my name is _ and I am a Bagaholic." [Applause, please.] Apparently it runs in the family. My brother is an unabashed bagaholic too.

I have to throw my black Tod's bag away. It's really horrible. To start with, the design wasn't awesome. Everytime I wanted to carry it with the long shoulder strap, the insides would be pulled out. And then it was the beginning of the end. First, the handles started splitting. Then, the inner pocket tore. I swear I didn't even put anything in it. Gee. I got those repaired because the bag was a rather handy size. Now, the entire handle is threatening to come off! UGH. The outside leather is completely broken and it's hanging on by a sliver of inner leather? What the hell, I know I'm not going to buy a Tod's again anytime soon. Thank goodness it was a gift *shudders at the thought of the price tag* Otherwise... I'd probably kick up a huge fuss at the store.

Anyway, I'm going to "inherit" one of my mom's old bags soon (: long ago, she wanted to discard it but her sister (my aunt, mother of the bride) said it was still good, what a waste. Therefore my mother passed the lot of bags over. Although I think some may have been thrown away, one of them remains kept nicely and unused (she didn't like it because it was "slim"), so she's going to return it! Heehee. I've been told it's a Gucci, but it doesn't matter to me.

My aunt was commenting that her bag (a very lovely crocodile leather handbag in the style of the '06 Lanvin I so covet) cost only a few hundred but now costs tenfold. Mother and I were guessing it was a Kwanpen since there wasn't any logo or tag. Mmm. Must try to get my hands on one sometime. It's been compared to Hermes before in articles. Bag Snob has featured it before, and Life! (the Straits Times) recently had a write-up a couple of months ago (here) and an even earlier write up a couple of years back (here). Resemblance, much?

As you can see, the bags are pretty and well-made. Although I concur that it is similar to an Hermes, I feel it is unjust to call it a knock-off or imitation (as I have found in a forum I came across while googling the label). The brand is receiving much endearment overseas, why not here where it calls home? Perhaps I will pay a visit to an outlet here, before I pop over to Hong Kong (yay, the trip is quite likely to materialise now) but I'm pretty sure it'll be cheaper here. The bags, exported, are really quite expensive elsewhere, being way up there with other luxury labels. I don't mind owning one. It costs about the same as a Balenciaga, I guess, but is so much more structured and clean. Professional looking, no? Go local!

Also, my aunt said that the Longchamps in Paris were cheaper (I think I calculated savings of about 15-20%?) and the colours were very nice so she bought 4 small "cute" bags (should be in leather). "Chocolate-coloured", she said. "If you want, I'll ask _ to buy for you." (My cousin is going to Europe for her honeymoon.) To which Mother promptly said "Ya, for her. Please, she's so... [makes a face and gestures at me where I am expressing silent indignance]" -.-

I'm still loving Paloma Picasso and this blue convertible handbag/clutch is great. Oh me oh my.

An ivory Lanvin handbag that looks so soft it makes me melty. I feel like screaming in joy/excitement. No reserve and starting at USD 99.99. Bid away!

xxx


(Images from Google and eBay)