Cool to be kind
Had enough of killer heels that you can’t walk (let alone dance) in and handbags so heavy that even She-ra would have trouble lifting them? Me too. But hang in there because the totes they are a-changing. After the giant bag trend came the absurdity of the superclutch and then the even more ridiculous micro-clutch. But now designers have finally decided to give us something that we actually want: lightweight, roomy and practical bags that do a job and look good.
Mulberry’s creative director Emma Hill is at the forefront of the movement, telling Vogue, “When I pick up a bag that’s heavy when empty, I don’t want it,” and creating a line of lightweight bags for spring-summer devoid of weighty hardware. Alexander Wang’s soft-n-slouchy suede Dorothy sac (below) marries his signature laidback luxe look with a utilitarian twist – my litmus test is whether it will take a copy of Vogue as well as my umbrella, diary, sunglasses and purse without slopping out of shape like an unwieldy sack of potatoes. It passes with flying colours.

The luxury leathergoods-makers Valextra are keen to join the party. Valextra have softened the lines of their trademark bags and introduced the half-moon Namasté which weighs in at a featherweight 600g and can carry up to 15kg without putting your back out of whack. “We worked on it for months to balance it so the weight falls on your hip,” chairman Emanuele Carmiati Molina told the FT, “We threw away over 25 prototypes”. (The price is also less painful at under €1000, that’s cheap for Valextra.)

Not to be outdone, everyone’s favourite Marc Jacobs muse, Sofia Coppola has unveiled her capsule collection for Louis Vuitton consisting of predictably fuss-free day bags and classy clutches. She also rejected the first prototype for being too heavy, finally signing off a collection that is classic, chic and ultimately useful.
Now to swap those plat-heels for something a little more manageable, perhaps these Sofia-for-L-V wedges for starters…

Pics:
Alexander Wang, Dazed Digital, The Fashion Spot

The luxury leathergoods-makers Valextra are keen to join the party. Valextra have softened the lines of their trademark bags and introduced the half-moon Namasté which weighs in at a featherweight 600g and can carry up to 15kg without putting your back out of whack. “We worked on it for months to balance it so the weight falls on your hip,” chairman Emanuele Carmiati Molina told the FT, “We threw away over 25 prototypes”. (The price is also less painful at under €1000, that’s cheap for Valextra.)

Not to be outdone, everyone’s favourite Marc Jacobs muse, Sofia Coppola has unveiled her capsule collection for Louis Vuitton consisting of predictably fuss-free day bags and classy clutches. She also rejected the first prototype for being too heavy, finally signing off a collection that is classic, chic and ultimately useful.


Pics:
Alexander Wang, Dazed Digital, The Fashion Spot
23 March, 2009 @ 10:52 pm
I wonder if you can find anything in that Wang bag. It looks very nice though.
24 March, 2009 @ 4:15 am
Re the bags: my sentiments exactly. I love my roomy bags but the shoulders and back never quite recover after a long day out. Not sure i’d give up the killer heels yet though… but if my knee continues to act up, then perhaps I should :(
24 March, 2009 @ 8:06 am
Note the SC’s LV collaboration doesn’t have a hint of logo on it and her wedges are based on her not wearing high heels.
24 March, 2009 @ 8:13 am
I love those purple bag..;D
Hope to see you on my blog too.=)
24 March, 2009 @ 9:02 am
Thank God
24 March, 2009 @ 4:13 pm
Those handbags made me squeal with delight!
24 March, 2009 @ 6:11 pm
Ah, perfect! Now seeing as they’ve catered to our needs how about a little snip off of the price tag?..
It was worth a try!
X
24 March, 2009 @ 10:25 pm
Ah! Those wedges are BEAUTIFUL! Sigh.
I’m always stuck on shoes, as having odd ankles, I’m not allowed to wear flat-flats or trainers as they put too much stress on my buggered knee, but having now destroyed my ankle too, I can’t wear high heels either!
I’m looking forward to a slightly lower heel level being back en-vogue sometime soon ;-D
Xxxc
http://clothestohealabrokenheart.blogspot.com/
25 March, 2009 @ 6:44 am
Alexander Wang has been ruined for me by Erin Wasson and “Rumi.” Just as well, since I can’t afford his stuff any more.
7 December, 2009 @ 9:11 pm
That first photo is hilarious. Bags are made for carrying a few key items that may be helpful as we move about through the day. Of all the photos that makes no sense for such an item, a woman in her sexy underwear is pretty high on the list :)