Valentino has an enviable thing: a bag line so beloved that it doesn’t have to reinvent the wheel every season. For Resort 2017, though, the brand charts the most new bag territory we’ve seen from it in a while, clearly in search of a way forward from the Rockstud staples that have sustained it for years. Not only does that mean new bag shapes with an updated feel, but it means bag charms, apparently. Lots of them. Lots of parrots. And yet, like most other things Valentino does, it all works pretty well.
Instead of picking a new aesthetic theme for the collection, Valentino mostly remixes the African and American Indian themes it has explored in the recent past, with a heavy dose of the American West in the form of tooled leather and the return of the turquoise-dotted Rolling Rockstud. The familiar themes play out on some new shapes, most notable in the form of squared, structured shoulder bags on long straps. They’re not quite saddle bags, not quite Chanel-style chain flap bags, but somewhere in between.
Valentino has a tendency to be playful with its bags, and for resort, that comes through in the addition of numerous tropical-themed bag charms, which extend the collection’s feeling of newness beyond the previous seasons’ themes. They’re pretty cute, even if it feels a tad late to be getting into the bag charm game. Check out the collection below and judge for yourself.
[Photos via Vogue Runway]
wow, I usually don’t like bag charms but that palm leaf one is very cool.
Valentino is one of my favorites and overall this collection is amazing. I am not a big fan of the tooled and DIY looking bags but the more basic shoulder and satchel are great with the minimal addition of the rock studs on the handle/strap. Did you see the shoes, swoon!!
I like the ones with the smaller studs throughout, although I am weary to buy one because I thought the studs moment has passed. As far as some of the others, I’m surprised that designers are still creating so many novelty bags. With consumers being more cautious about their money, I would have thought brands would attempt to create classics. Things that could be worn for years to come without looking dated, but feel new today. Spending thousands of dollars for a bag with a parakeet hanging off of it is just not where I want to spend my money.
I like numbers 9, 24, and 39. The rest are okay. Not sure how this will go over because it’s definitely for a very particular/niche customer.
Some of the bags are cool but the charms are just far too much!! I can understand when the bag charms are bigger than the bag itself (foxy charm with LOUIS VUITTON bags back in 2008 and the original Karlito) but these ones look like those tags you tie to the luggage or one of those scented pieces you hang under the back mirror in the car
You know what? Valentino can be classic and inventive/new at the same time (maybe Coach can take note) but the charms are absolutely unnecessary for these classic bags which shine on their own
I like the development of the RockStuds in the red bags. Getting more design for your money.
I don’t like the tooled leather or the beaded bags. Remind me of souvenir shop merchandise front he 60’s.
Once again my references due to my age put me off some designs. Targeted to people under 40 I guess.
I’m done with bag charms, but I like the handbags themselves.
I love the parrots and palm leaves – and I think I’ll love them all the more when i find them secondhand in three to five years, for pennies on the dollar…
They are unique and attractive, but they already look a bit dated.
I like the bags but these oversized charms just make them look cheap. Don’t think I’d pay over a grand for a bag and then make it look like a X-mas tree dangling everything and the kitchen sink of it.
Valentino should have been done with rockstuds long ago. Instead they came up with another variant with round turquoise ones in between. Not a way to go.
I love the turquoise!
Oh, definitely putting that beaded fringe bag on my list!!! I purchased the new style rolling rock bag and another strap but don’t particularly like the bag that much. Going to send it back and wait on that beaded one!!! It sure fits in with the new clothes for 2017. Agree on those big charms. Too much unless the bag is really big!