Balmain, French purveyor of clothes for rock stars and the models who spend their money, has not had great success in its meager attempts to create lust-worthy handbags. The clutches? They were bad. The messenger bags? Worse, if only because they were more expensive for the exact same schtick. But just in time for fashion to get sick of the glam military aesthetic, Balmain might have kinda-sorta gotten its handbag game together.
The Balmain Glitter Top Handle may not be a great handbag, but it’s a very Balmain one, which rights most of the wrongs with the company’s previous accessories designs. Not only were the bags not particularly cute, but they didn’t have any of the edge or joie de vivre of your average Balmain piece.
Balmain hasn’t shown much ability to move forward with its aesthetic since Christophe Decarnin’s designs became celebrity favorites several seasons ago, but if you’re still itching to add some of the brand’s signature gritty glamour to your wardrobe, this bag is a solid, functional way to do it. The golden exterior is dotted with Swarovski crystals and topped with a huge metal doctor-bag closure to complete the tonal look. This sort of design is highly taste-specific, so if this look is your thing and you have an extra six grand, grab this limited-edition bag while it’s around. If I were to spend that much money on a handbag, though, this isn’t the one I’d buy. Pre-order through Luisa Via Roma for $5916.
I really like the crystal lovers collection of LuisaViaROma…It’s such a great idea…But I think that now Balmain, with Decarnin, has a new “range” of prices that are only for celebs and fashiond irector. SO it will be a brand that will be so far from the “Normal people” and so it’s useless to speak abotu their price…crazy price (evene if the clothes and accessories are amazing…)!
http://fashiondoesntexist.blogspot.com/
I’d spend 6k on something else. This bag is just too in your face.
Love it! And yes, I am a total magpie. (But I would never spend that kind of money — if I had it — for anything other than Chanel or Hermes.)
PS: You know I have to say “satchels of gold,” right? 🙂
one word: beautiful!!!!
Love this extravagant idea – very Balmain! Who knew that such massive, studded frame with heavy-duty fasteners (widely used in luggage and doctor’s bags during Victorian-Edwardian era) would look so enchanting mixed with glamorous gold and shimmering crystals. A great gift for a lady who has everything…
You’re so right about this being actually Balmain.
http://red-soledfashionista.blogspot.com/
Not to my taste actually. Sure I love sparkle, but would prefer a Judith Leiber clutch rather than a large solid frame bag.
How can they charge those prices? Does anyone actually buy something like that? I’d rather have a Hermes bag or Bottega that I could wear every day.
Oh yes, people do buy things like this handbag or a $1,000,000 bra!
This Balmain is wonderful eye candy however I have a hard time seeing anyone actually buying or carrying this bag. It looks very heavy and unpractical. I can’t say I’m a fan.
for this kind of money i expect he will screen a skull or something like that on the mesh. Looks like something i could get from the night markets in vietnam.
yes,i like it ,but now the money is not money,I can’t say I’m a fan.
It’s something that one of the RH would wear! (ipad)
This goes much better with the rest of the line. I like it, but I wouldn’t carry it. (ipad)
I definitely see what they were going for but it came out a little gaudy, I think. Too flashy, but definitely a huge step up from their previous attempts! (ipad)
This is too flashy for my taste! (ipad)
why is it that i’m having a feeling that madonna could be rocking this bag? (ipad)
this is the money bag (ipad)
just like a disco ball in gold (ipad)
Gorge! (ipad)
Fit for a rock star (ipad)