The Material Boy #118

Gucci Zip Top Medium Tote

Another item that caught my eye while shopping at DFS Scottswalk today. I never thought I could taken a liking for Gucci's monogram bags, but apparently, this zip top medium tote made from dark brown guccissima leather is pure eye candy! The rich dark brown colour is expensive looking, but most of all the size and shape of the bag is just so right! The tote is roomy and yet not overpowering to be cumbersome for daily use. Next, the shape is very elegant. If you look at the tote bag from the side, you can see it is triangular. So that means the top part tapers down to a broader base. I love trapeze shape bags and this bag looks really nice in this format. The tote bag also comes with a zip top closure to ensure security of contents.

This bag will definitely be one of the considerations for my fall winter 2008/2009 bag purchases. Furthermore, Guccissima leather range is known to rarely go on sale until probably many seasons later. But I sense this shape will be one that could be a recurring classic and hence probability of it being markdown in six months time is low.

However, I cannot guarantee as much for the same bag in monogram canvas. This tote also comes in a beige and ebony canvas and brown GG fabric version (the same colour as the runway bags for fall winter 2008/2009). The brown fabric version has an extra bag charm attached to the bag that is reminiscent of the russian runway styles. Both versions are not available in Singapore stores yet.

For me, I will pick the Guccissima leather option anyday as leather is much more luxurious than canvas and the debossed effect on Guccissima leather is more subtle. Plus, the leather verison costs slightly lesser (10 Euros) than the fabric version. Can you believe it? Ridiculous. Why would I pay more for fabric if I can have leather.:-P

Retail price:
1) Guccissima Leather Version: Euro $645
2) Brown GG Fabric Version with bag charm: Euro 655
3) Beige And Ebony GG Canvas: Euro $470
Where to buy: Gucci Boutique at DFS Scottswalk (For Guccissima Leather Version)

The Material Boy #117

Hermès 'H' Buckle Belt

End of season sales is a great time. It is good for the first few weeks, where you rushed to snapped up all the items that you have been eyeing for at a markdown price. Yes, it is a great feeling to shop the sales. But when it gets passed 4-5 weeks, I am getting 'overdose' of sales and felt really bored with what's in the stores. What you have wanted is already bought and nothing new interest you anymore.

So this is the time when I fall back on classics. I go check out merchandise that never goes on sale. Or brands that never or rarely have a sale. The top 2 brands that comes to mind...Louis Vuitton and Hermès. Today after the horribly boring and trashy movie 'Hancock', I decided to check out DFS Galleria at Scotts Road since it is a while I have set foot on that place. I do not really like shopping there as they usually just stock all the tourist yucky designs even for the luxury labels. I could seldom find anything I fancy there. To my surprise, there was a huge revamp at DFS Scottswalk. Oh my, the uppermost floor has been revamped to house many new brands in a store in store concept. Among them are Bottega Veneta, Mulberry, Celine, Chloé etc. But what was most memorable was my visit to the Hermès shop. I spotted the very beautiful 'H' buckle belt in a colour I have been wanting...bright blue! WOW...I could work this belt with a nice pair of whites shorts or jeans and it will look ultra elegant. The blue will spice up any outfit with a dash of bright blue. Furthermore, I have been thinking of getting the 'H' buckle belt for a long time now...so the belt became extremely tempting.

Made from really nice calf leather, the belt and the buckle are sold seperately and is reversible and interchangable should you acquired other colours or designs. Very interesting. What is left now is to think it properly...as the price tag is huge for a plain belt like this. I would love to get the cyan blue one or even the signature Hermès orange.

Retail price: SGD $920 (Belt and Buckle). Where to buy: Hermès Boutique at DFS Galleria, Scottwalk

The Material Boy #116

Louis Vuitton Monogramoflage Limited Edition Bag Charm

While browsing thru bagaholicboy's blog, I was alerted to another accessory that I will be drolling over. And surprise me...it is from Louis Vuitton again:-) I did not expect me to like LV stuff this much, but this accessory, the limited edition Louis Vuitton Monogramoflage Bag Charm is a good combination of bling and military glam! Imagine, how butch and yet showy this would look on your bags. :-P I love dog tags. Have a special thing for all things military looking. Okay, maybe with a bit of glamour on them, not your typical yucky army gear.

What I like about this bag charm is you can dismantle it and use it seperately as a dog tag necklace. How cute!:-) And it screams LV and limited edition, what more could you ask for?

I want! Now what is left is to find out the price. Hopefully within budget and not cost me the GDP of a small developing nation.

Retail price: SGD $730. Where to buy: Louis Vuitton Boutique at Ngee Ann City

My MANy Bags Trendspotting #07

Fashion Starts Young In Paris

When did you start getting into designer goods? Well, apparently the Sartorialist captured this young boy wearing his Pierre Hardy shoes and skinny jeans:-) Cool eh? No wonder the french are so stylish, they start young:-P

Source: www.thesartorialist.blogspot.com

The Material Boy #115

Prada Beijing Olympics 'Limited Edition' Sports Bear Merchandise

Alerted to this batch of incredible limited edition merchandise, ranging from bags, bag charms, pouches, T-shirts by Jay (aka. Shoeholic, avid Prada fan:-). I was supposed to keep mum about these sweet little treasures until it was officially launched in Singapore. Jay managed to snag himself a nice tote bag and bag charm and according to him, pretty much everything was sold out. Lucky him! Was sick yesterday and today, the attack of the influenza bug:-(...so I am not able to go check out the limited edition merchandise myself. Gonna have to miss it for this time.

But I love the use of teddy bears playing all kinds of Olympic sports in this new range. They look so adorable. I especially like the bag charms and the blue tote featuring the hockey bear. Love the 3-dimensional hat on the bear! I want that!

Anyways, these are very limited so you should call your SAs in Prada anywhere you are if you want to get your hands on them!