I’ve been trying to figure out for some time now exactly what it is that makes me love Valentino bags oh so much, particularly since Shannon called me out on it last week. It’s not like no other designer has ever done ribbon and flower motifs – that, in and of itself, is not what sets the brand apart. And it’s not the shapes or colors they use, either – the vast majority of their bags are traditional shapes like hobos and totes, decorated intricately but in usually neutral shades.
I’ve been trying to pinpoint why I like them so much for a while, and as best I can tell, it’s because they feel like clothing to me. Instead of creating something that’s tough and somewhat exterior to an ensemble, Valentino’s accessory designers seem to put as much thought and detail into things like the Valentino Tulle Rosette Bag as they would into an evening gown destined for the red carpet. In a marketplace full of mass-produced bags, a lot of the bags that Valentino turns out still manage to feel and look special.
Admittedly, this bag is probably too fragile for almost any setting and certainly a tad over-designed. When you see it, however, you instantly get a sense of the workmanship and attention to detail that goes into one of the brand’s bags, something that may be slightly harder to articulate with a leather canvas. Indeed, the pleating and folding would be right at home at the sort of swanky awards show to which most of us will never go, but a lack of need for couture doesn’t mean that we can’t all own a piece of the Valentino magic.
The brand’s bags seem more cohesive with the line’s overall aesthetic than a lot of other options in a similar price range, and you still get the femininity and painstaking attention to detail that you would get from one of Valentino’s far more expensive (and less functional) evening dresses. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $2790.
This bag is really elegant, i agree that this bag can pull off any red carpet event.(fb)
i check the detailing of this bag on Net a porter and this bag is for me hehhehe, i like the size of it, i really love big bags that i could dunk in a lot of things, specially for me a pair of Havainas, when my legs and feet hurts with those killer heels! The tulle carefully arrange to create such very feminine but not “braty feminine” bag. Its perfect for anything specially on those days that we want to be overly girlish.(fb)
pretty, i like the detailing! (fb)
Don’t quite care for the handles somehow – though this is still a beauty! I can imagine this design working well in a clutch.
The handles look a lot like Goyard, but I love the details.
An absolute beauty…..I love, love, love it! I could use it for dressy occasions and I could also imagine wearing this gem with a jean jacket! lol (fb)
Amanda, your reasoning for liking this brand has made me reasses my own opinion of them. You brought up some wonderful points that I never considered, like the couture element and feeling like cloth. I’ve always been a fan of leather and I haven’t given other materials a real chance. Thank you for giving me some “food for thought”. 🙂
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Indeed this is very pretty…almost sweet looking like a fragile ballerina or something of the like! Not sure how comfortable I would be carrying this around since I really like the durability of leather vs. cloth! (fb)
Beautiful bag, I really love the colour (fb)
I LOVE this bag! So cute :]
Very, very pretty but I would be afraid to carry it for fear of ruining it in its first use. Much too delicate for me, but it is gorgeous. (fb)
Beautiful bag with beautiful detailing. It is like a piece of art. (fb)
A bag so beautiful it makes me want to set it on my bed as an accent pillow (I mean that in a GOOD way!!!) ‘(fb)’
Too delicate for me. I’d be so afraid of snagging the tulle on something the first time out! And I’d almost prefer all pleating on it as well. The rosettes just look to squished on to me. (fb)
I agree with one of the previous posters about it being too delicate for everyday. I am a wife, mother of two football playing boys, and a teacher. There’s no way I could wear it.
Besides, it’s not very pretty to me. I love Valentino bags but not this one.
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This looks more like a decoration than something I would carry. Pretty but not practical. (fb)
There is just too much going on with this bag for my taste. (fb)
Very pretty, but I so do not have the lifestyle for this bag. (fb)
This bag is beautiful. Love the details…it really does look like a piece of art. Not for everyday use for me, but lovely nontheless. (fb)
wow
i love this bag!
its gorgeous (fb)
WANT. I adore everything about this- the color, design, detail. It reminds me of a professional ballet costume, because some of them can be so intricate. (fb)
I actually really like that! It’s definitely not my usual taste, but it’s so feminine and perfect I can’t stand it!!!! Wish I had a spare $2700!! (fb)
I`ve come to the conclusion that I don`t like medium bags and this one looks like a medium. Either it`s a small clutch, either it`s a big handbag like my latest LV Artsy GM.
Not my cup of tea. (fb)
i don’t really like this. it’s too limiting. can’t wear it with more than one outfit (fb)
I agree it seems over-designed. I love the color, and I do imagine all the work behind this bag, but I don’t get the sense of seeing something impeccable, or neat, maybe I’m a neat freak. A bit too much for my taste. (fb)
This is beautiful but I would be to scared to get it stained or prevent the fabric from fraying (fb)
It’s a beautiful bag and I can see some people pulling it off but I’m more of a dress down type of person.
Definitely a beautiful bag but definitely not an everyday bag for almost $3000. (fb)
I really don’t like it at all. Just too much… too much. (fb)
Maybe a bit too much, but pretty (fb)
ugly. nothing but ugly. (fb)
I love it! Love the details, even if it looks like a throw pillow. (fb)
The colour is fantastic but the details go overboard. (fb)
I would never wear this. Ugly. (fb)
Very pretty. Very girl – I like it. (fb)
That’s an ultra-feminine, girly girl purse if I’ve ever seen one. Not my cup of tea, but I can see it on the red carpet or at a wedding. (fb)
I usually love Valentino but this doesnt do it for me (fb)
They are always beautiful more than practical. Admire the work in them. (fb)
Cute, and I love the color. (fb)
ugh no, it’s just overdone this time =/ (fb)
Very pretty! (fb)
So feminine. I really like it (fb)
I like!
It’s gorgeous!
But with the wrong outfit, it might not look as flattering, but still love 🙂
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really? (fb)
i normally love Valentino but this bag is a mess and not worth the money (fb)
I don’t like the design at all. (fb)
looks like wadded up panty hose