NYFW 2013 Bags Review

Rag & Bone Bags available at Holt Renfrew Canada.

Since this week is New York Fashion Week, I would like to share my review of Bags from American Luxury Brands. This started one day, while shopping with one of my Best Friends, she mentioned to me that I am biased towards European Luxury Brand bags particularly the luxury brands from Paris, Milan and London. Actually, I own some bags from American Luxury Brands. Both bags from Marc Jacobs and Tory Burch as I admire their style and collections very much. So I thought to share with you here my Top 3 Bags from American Luxury Brands. Please note that these bags I have actually tested and examined in my own way. I do not receive any free stuff from any Brands that I feature here on my blog. I feature these Brands on my blog in my own free will and also because I like them. 

The first one on my list is the new bag from Rag & Bone as featured on my photos above. These bags are brand new in the market as they were only launched last year. The Rag & Bone Collection is designed by two British Gentlemen, Marcus Wainwright and David Neville. They may be British but Rag & Bone is very much a New York brand representing a very cool and highly stylish downtown New York style. I love this brand as they are just the epitome of cool right now. Models, Fashion Editors, Socialites, Hollywood stars love to covet their collections. Their Soho Store in NYC is a must place to visit as you  would just want to buy everything there from their skinny jeans, Newbury Boots and most of all these Bags. 

The story about this bag was that Anna Wintour, Editor in Chief of US Vogue mentioned to both Marcus and David  that she thought they should design a Bag for their brand. Good thing they listened and launched their new bag last Fall 2012. The Rag & Bone bags are #1 on my list because it was designed using the Men's messenger square bag with an added pleated pockets in the front to make it more feminine. The designers would like to call it Military Style with a feminine touch. It has a shoulder strap which is perfect to carry the bag on the shoulder or across the body.The leather is thin and very soft which makes the bag light to carry. The bag has lots of compartments inside for the mobile phone and other things we carry in our bags. The price is also less than $1M which in my books is great for a leather bag that is Made in Italy. This bag is perfect to carry for travel, shopping and also for work. Watch their interview here, Behind The Seams: Rag & Bone and their Collections at Rag & Bone Collections.

3.1. Phillip Lim Pashli Bag.

Honestly, when I first saw this bag I thought to myself that this bag looks like the Celine Luggage Tote because of their similar square shape. But the Pashli has zippers in front which allows the bag to expand for more space or close the zipper up to make the bag more tight. I carried this bag when we were in Barneys NYC and to my discovery, the leather was also so thin and soft which makes it very light to carry. The only drawback is that it is handheld and no shoulder strap. But for a working lady like me, it is perfect to carry all of my gadgets,  my notebook/diary for schedules and to write down my inspirations, even add in a book and other stuff. In the USA, I saw these bags sold at Barneys NYC and Barneys Co-op at The Grove in L.A. 

The 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli in Red.. Just perfect for Valentine's Day. Isn't this bag beautiful in Red? I thought this will look good wearing denim pants or even black pants. View here the 3.1 Phillip Lim Collection.

Proenza Schouler PS1 Bag

Photo credit: Mytheresa.com
Another confession I have to make is that when I saw this bag, it reminded me of the Balenciaga City Bag because it has the same shape and style. The only difference is that the PS1 has a longer shoulder strap which allows for the bag to be carried across the body and has less metal hardware. It is a simple bag, made with soft lamb leather, also light to carry, has lots of compartments inside and well Made in Italy. This bag belongs to what I call discreet luxury bags group because it is totally brandless, no monograms and no hardware. It is my third choice only because it is more expensive than the two other bags above. It cost over the $1M. This is a Bag to consider for those who like flap bags and love this rectangular shape. Its close competition will be the Balenciaga City Bag and the Mulberry Alexa bag. 

A perfect Red bag for Valentine's Day.
The Proenza Schouler collection is designed by the duo Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough.
View here the Proenza Schouler Collections. So which Bags are your Top 3 from American Luxury Brands? Photo credit: Mytheresa.com


May you all have lots of Love and Joy this week!