It didn’t take long for python to make itself known as the biggest handbag look of Fall 2011; as trends go, exotic skins aren’t exactly subtle. They’re also not affordable, so if you want to buy into a piece of one of the runway, start saving your pennies now. To help motivate you, we’ve put together a non-comprehensive compendium of some of Fall 2011’s snakeskin looks, all the way from slouchy, comfortable pink Dior to rigid, bright yellow Gucci.
Valentino Fall 2011: Structured, multicolored and big enough to use as an everyday bag. If your style is traditional, this is the python purse for you.
Dior Fall 2011: Big, slouchy, baby pink. Ladies with a very feminine sensibility will want to use this bag to lend their ensembles a sense of girlishness. With a heavy dose of luxury, of course.
Louis Vuitton Fall 2011: Petite and refined, with a clochette that snakes away from the handle like a cartoon devil’s tail. The effect is even more pronounced in the red version.
Bottega Veneta Fall 2011: For snakeskin, it doesn’t get much more neutral and functional than this bicolored Bottega tote.
Bottega Veneta Fall 2011: Part of the brilliance of snakeskin accessories is that they give you another texture to mix into your outfit. This particular bag does that within one design, pairing the skin with orange suede.
Gucci Fall 2011: If you’d rather stick with the structured, sharp ladybag trend, Gucci gives you just that with a very exotic twist. Plus it’s bright yellow, which makes it a trend double-whammy.
Chloe Fall 2011: Chloe didn’t have a great show at Paris Fashion Week, but its python offerings that didn’t include the animal’s actual head are certainly in keeping with the season’s prevailing trends.
Dries Van Noten Fall 2011: Of all of the python-embracing collections of the fall collections, the quirky, directional feel of the Dries Van Noten accessories was my favorite. Many of the bags combined python with textures like velvet, but this color blocked clutch stole the show.
Photos via Vogue.com. Photo at top center is Prada Fall 2011.
Normally I am all in for exotics but these purses aren’t doing it for me….some are just to out there…some are not out there enough…i don’t know.. 🙁
Some of these bags are good…..most are too busy for my taste. Mostly, I am suddenly curious about where all these snakes come from, how they are raised and/or caught and who wrangles and slaughters them?
We have alot alot at Indonesia. Since we still have lot of forest here such as Sumatara, Borneo and Papua… TRUST ME !
They’re farmed like other animals that are used for their skins, although the process for obtaining python skin is often considered less humane than the processes used for non-exotic leathers.
I’m not a huge lover of python in general, so my opinions on the specific bags are a bit split as well. I imagine that most of them will get more in-depth design reviews when they start hitting stores. I like the Dior, Dries and both Bottegas, and I’m sort of digging the Gucci as well. The rest, meh.
OMG…..now I have to imagine “less humane”…..I guess I’ll go for the embossed python……
I’m usually into exotics too but I’m beginning to feel worried for the python population. The point of snakeskin or croc used to be they were special. I don’t want to see them churned out by all kinds of designers in this number.
I’m terrified by snakes, and carrying a bag made out of the skin of a dead one doesn’t make me feel any better. It just creeps the bajeezus out of me, especially since, to come up with a piece big enough for a bag, it would have to be a rather large snake, no?
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Oh, joy. Exotics. I quite like snakes, actually, I prefer them alive.
Most of them look kinda tacky…and I like snake skin…
Yep prefer more pythons in the wild, not on my hip. Will look for embossed leather versions, not true exotic skins. The only bag here that is appealing is the Gucci one. Small, petite and not overly garish.
why no share button to link this post on twitter??
I’ve never been a fan of python (not my style) however, I do have a great Jimmy Choo satchel (yellow/gold) with python trim—edgy but subtle. Glad to see it will be in style again!
I also bought a red python-embossed MJ Stam just this last winter. It was on the sale table, and no one was giving it a second thought, but I love it. A fun twist on the original.
I like the Chloe bag minus the fringes, though they do remind me of serpent tongues. Is that supposed to be the point? I’ve no idea. It’s kind of elegant and dangerous looking at the same time.
I love slouchy pink-very cute!!
I love the pink Dior and the yellow Gucci.
I am not really a fan of python or snake skin, and it has nothing to do with the way that the skins are harvested. I don’t even like embossed versions.
Love almost every one of them. And, remember, the only good python is a dead python.
This is one of the most disgusting comments I’ve ever read. Regardless of whether or not you like a particular animal, they naturally have just as much right as anybody to be here *and* alive.
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love all the bags… i used to be very scared to wear one.. but now i’m using it even making the bag… my suggestion try the faux snake skin first then cobra snake skin before you try phyton as it less scaly…as now it comes in many colors it is less scary
I think I prefer phytons and snakes in the forest or zoos….
I like most of them especially the Gucci one!
loooooove that pink Dior purse! casual but luxurious!=)
what are your thoughts on the coach python? madison embossed python sophia satchel? would love feedback!! thanks