Valentino Handbags

Forget everything I said recently about how bad things come in threes and that means that there would soon be another bad Valentino bag for me to snark on soon. I have never been more utterly and profoundly wrong on this blog before, at least not that I can remember, because I can’t help but drool all over the Valentino Kaleidscope Stone Tote. Who needs a man – I love this bag so much that I would gladly cuddle with it at night instead.

I fully realize that some of you may look at this thing and think that this is indeed the completion of the trio of bad Valentino purses that I had foretold, but hear me out on this. If all of the sewn-on rhinestones were the same color or the same shape, then I’d be ready to dismiss it a tacky and cheap-looking. But the subtlety of the ombre color change and the seemingly random variance in stone shape (but not size, so that they look somewhat uniform) gives this bag a level of sophistication that perfectly balances its over-the-top shine. I love a statement bag more than anything else in fashion, and this one might rank as one of my all-time favorites. Buy through Neiman Marcus for $2995.

If the old adage that bad things come in threes is to be believed, then there is one more terrible Valentino bag out there that’s I’m going to have to hate on before the brand returns to it’s normally fabulous self. First, a few days ago, there was the Valentino Petale Satchel, which was too squished and not the right color. There was also the Valentino Bow Shopping Tote that Anna didn’t like, but I’m not counting it in my personal list of unfortunate bags since I didn’t write about it (although perhaps it does count cosmically, I don’t know if the powers that be consider bylines when dealing with triads of bad bags). Regardless, my next entry in my list of three is the Valentino Houndstooth Fleur Bag.

I think I understand what they were trying to accomplish here (theoretically, that would be a bag that Charlotte from Sex and the City would wear with some pearls), but the combination of the tightly wound patent leather flowers and the woven nylon houndstooth (I died a little bit typing that) fabric is not luxurious in the least. In fact, it strikes me as almost costume-y, although I’m not sure what costume it would go with…maybe if you’re going as a WASP this Halloween. Buy through Nordstrom for $1395.

I like to laugh. But for obvious reasons, laughing at a bag it not usually a good sign. Nor is the flurry of mental activity that accompanies the single thought, “What was she thinking?” This is pretty much what went though my head when I saw the Valentino Bow Shopping Tote. Now I admit, I once succumbed to a patent leather bag in order to emulate Lilly from the kid’s book Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse (maybe this is why I’m into bags?). But that bag did not have an obnoxious bow on the front as this Valentino does.

This huge bow is unlike cute bows on purses- it is wrapped around the front of the tote in such a way that it looks like a wrapped-up present. The gathering, the red, the bow, the patent- it’s like Valentino was trying to enter the bag in a pageant. Now, this is all assuming the bag is red, but notice that is also comes in black. It’s decidedly less ridiculous, but I still can’t see this bag hanging casually off someone’s shoulder. At least it solves the perpetual problem of what to wear on a rainy day- the glossy coated canvas does look as though it could repel water. Buy through Saks for $895.

It pains me to write this since I normally adore Valentino bags, particularly those that play on their ever-popular rose theme. But, as far as the Valentino Petale Satchel goes, I just can’t get on board.

A lot of their bags are ruffly and fluffy and plush in a way that few other designers are able to execute with any level of skill at all, but this one is just sort of flat. And I mean that both literally and figuratively. In the physical sense, it looks like this bag was shipped in a box stuffed with a few too many of its brothers and sisters. Instead of big and fabulous, the flowered front looks squashed and flat. And it’s not just the picture – the bag looks like that in person too, or maybe like someone cut off the big petals at the base, and this is all that’s left. As a result, the bag doesn’t have the personality that most of the similarly themed Valentino bags have, and I’ll have to take a pass on this one. Buy through Saks for $2495.

One thing that I really respect about the bag designers at Valentino is that not only do they know their theme (flowers), but they seem to try everything they can to work their theme in as many ways as possible. They’re one of very few large, well-known design houses that continue to put out things that are actually interesting to look at instead of just bags that will appeal to huge numbers of people and sell a lot of units. They may make less money on their accessories division that way, but I certainly appreciate their efforts with things like the Valentino Glamorous Tote.

In real life, for the average woman, spending thousands of dollars on a bag covered in thousands of cream-colored petals is not a practical thing to do, but this bag lives firmly in the realm of fantasy. I saw it in person not too long ago, and the Glamorous Tote is just that – glamorous, and a creamy confection of a bag that is girly to the nth degree. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, and I have no idea where one would carry this bag, but I think you have to agree that it’s way more interesting and innovative than another black leather tote. Someone must have some kind of idea about how to carry it, though – Bergdorf Goodman is backordered. Buy through Bergdorf for $2995.

Say what you want about the ideas behind Valentino’s designs – love them or hate them, I can almost always look at a new bag and know immediately if it’s one of theirs. They have an over-the-top, textured aesthetic that is more or less all their own in today’s handbag market, which says a great deal about the creative team that is designing and producing their purses. As a result, when I first came across the Valentino Rose Vertigo Leather Shopper, there was no doubt in my mind who had made it. Modern interpretations of flowers in bright colors is a trademark of the Valentino look, and it gives them a ruffly, girly quality that few other brands try to achieve. Also, if you have the opportunity to grope one of their bags in person, take it – almost all of them are made out of the softest, most touchable leather I’ve ever encountered in my life. So, while this isn’t a bag I’d necessarily go out and buy, I can completely admire Valentino’s commitment to their aesthetic idea and the amount of craftsmanship that goes into making such a beautiful bag. Buy through Nordstrom for $2395.

All of the sporadic posting time and lack of updates is because of this little thing we are planning, that I like to call our wedding. I assured myself that I was not going to be overwhelmed by my wedding and that it could be a breeze if I wanted it to be. Not that that is a complete lie, but it is tremendously harder than I imagined. Every little detail needs to be thought about, re-thought about, and then confirmed, and thought about one last time. And each process costs more than the next. I would share so many more of the details of our wedding, but don’t want to give away too much for all those that read our site and will be attending. Today I got my shoes (LOVE THEM!) and started to narrow down who I will be using for hair and makeup. This seems to be a tedious process for me and not at the top of my favorite list. And what I found myself doing was checking the makeup bags while browsing makeup in Saks. I am a true lover of bags, it shows time and time again. Read full article...

Oh, Valentine’s Day. It’s coming soon, I think. What? Less than a month. Oh, ok. So, really soon. Time to start trying to poach yourself a man, ladies! Or, for those that already have a man (or simply prefer the love of a beautiful handbag to a man), Valentino (what an appropriate name!) has created one of the most Valentines-appropriate bags I’ve ever laid eyes upon.

The Valentino Floral Applique Satchel is more than just a theme-y bag, however, and it may be pure coincidence that it should come on the market right now (although, probably not. Marketing people know better than to not exploit the holiday opportunity with a design like this). Entirely covered in tightly-packed silk roses, the construction of the tote’s exterior is amazing, and the finishing is ever so slightly rough, lending a fashionable edge to something that could very easily become a bit twee. Or really twee. The ombre finish of the silk roses gives a depth of color that also help avoid the kitsch and make the tote wearable more than just 1 day per year. Handbags of this type are where fashion teeters between function and art, and I’m more than comfortable toeing the line. Be one of the first people to own this handbag, pre-order through Nordstrom!

Tisk, tisk, tisk. To me, this bag is just all wrong. I really don’t know what the designers were doing over at Valentino when they came up with this idea. The Valentino Petale Tote doesn’t just hurt my eyes, but it also would undoubtedly hurt my wallet. The layers of black tulle make this handbag look cheap and simply thrown together haphazardly. Not only that, but could you imagine how the tulle would feel as it rubs against your arm as you run around trying to take care of errands? I doubt it would feel good. I guess one good thing is that when it comes to how you can carry the bag, you have options. There are double patent leather handles and a detachable patent shoulder strap. Now of course, don’t hesitate to let me know if you think I am off base here, but for the price, is there anything about this purse that is worth it? Buy through Saks for $1,495.

Do you ever find yourself in a situation where you hear about something and then for the next few days that something keeps popping up? This is where I am right now. Last week, I kept reading about how bows are back; in fact, I wrote about a fabulous Kooba Clutch on Purse Blog Savvy which boasts a great bow accent. And now, I have another great bow inspired clutch to share, the Valentino Bow Clutch. I absolutely love this clutch and really want to add it to my clutch rotation. Sigh. With the holidays quickly approaching, I am constantly on the look out for an fun, chic, and eye catching handbag. I think I’ve found it. The brown metallic pearlized nappa leather looks amazing. Then add how the material is gathered and pleated into a side bow and you have a knock out clutch. The thing I love about a clutch like this is that although the bow is fairly large, it doesn’t overwhelm the rest of the bag. Just imagine how many great nights you could have carrying this clutch! I might have to splurge and treat myself to a nice gift! If you want to do the same, for you or for someone else, you can buy through Saks for $895.