When Niche Brands Venture into Handbags

Because Jimmy Choo designs more than shoes...

I was scrolling through Instagram last week when I spotted the most beautiful turquoise bag on a morning talk show host that I follow. When I zoomed in on the photo, I was fairly shocked when I realized her bag was from Tiffany and Co. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big fan of Tiffany and Co. (does anyone ever NOT want to see the little blue box when receiving a gift?), but my knowledge is pretty limited regarding their handbags and I’ve never seen one in person. The designs are nice and I am such a sucker for the turquoise color, but the price tag is hard to swallow. Don’t get me wrong, I think the bags are definitely priced fairly given the materials, the fact that they are made in Italy, and come from a luxury brand such as Tiffany and Co., but I still am not sure I could drop $1,500 on a Tiffany and Co. tote when I associate the brand so deeply with jewelry. Frankly, I’d rather get something sparkly for my wrist. Seeing that stunning bag on one of my favorite Instagram accounts just might have changed my mind and has brought Tiffany bags onto my radar, especially since Tiffany blue is one of my all-time favorite colors. Although admittedly it will be really hard for me to associate the brand known for sensational jewelry with incredible handbags. Is it just me?

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Just when I was changing my tune on Tiffany and Co. bags, I was perusing my usual sites for camera bags earlier this week (I still am on the hunt for the perfect one…), and my eye was instantly drawn to a pretty silver camera bag embossed with “CHOO” on the side. I really liked the design of the bag, but I must confess that I had almost forgotten that Jimmy Choo designs bags since the brand is synonymous with fabulous shoes. Then I remembered a time when the Jimmy Choo Ramona bag was a huge it-bag (a decade ago!). I always really wanted a Ramona bag back in the day, but alas it was never meant to be. For a while the momentum of Jimmy Choo handbags was full steam ahead, but it seems to have waned in recent years and the brand hasn’t produced an it-bag since the Ramona. I know that Jimmy Choo is a luxury brand that sells shoes, bags, and fragrances, but I always tend to associate them exclusively with shoes. I’m worried I am being short sighted here and would like to open up my mind to the idea of Choo bags, but the mind is a tricky thing and I cannot break the notion of Choo = shoe. Same goes for an iconic brand like Christian Louboutin, the master of luxury shoes. I am not inclined to search Louboutin’s brand for a handbag, I go to them to elevate my shoe game. What can I say? I’m more drawn to their heels. Maybe it will just take the perfect design to change my mind, but it hasn’t happened yet.

I fully acknowledge that most, if not all, of my favorite handbag brands do not exclusively design handbags but also sell shoes, jewelry, clothing, and other various products. So why am I so internally conflicted by a shoe or jewelry company designing a luxury handbag? If a brand like Jimmy Choo makes high quality crafted shoes, it’s safe to assume that they will also produce wonderfully made bags (and I love some of the designs I have seen!). I would never hesitate to purchase a pair of Louis Vuitton or Gucci shoes just because those are my go-to brands for handbags, so I don’t understand my own hesitation. At the end of the day, the brands all fall into the luxury market, so for that reason, I think I may need to give them a chance. That Tiffany and Co. blue tote may just be where I start!