Custom Design

Fall is all about fur and one of the other fall trends is lace. Of course Valentino released countless lace items, from shoes to clothing to bags. Seeing as how Valentino has perfected the art of feminine designs, it is only fitting for Valentino to tackle lace. As far as this bag goes however, it just isn’t quite cutting it for me.

The Valentino Day Lace Medium Duffle features a familiar shape (Louis Vuitton Speedy anyone?) with a black floral vine lace over.

I have absolutely no doubt that this Valentino bag, like all others, is of premium quality. But I always always find lace over leather to look a bit cheap. Like vinyl. I know part of that is personal preference and part comes from seeing many designers do this in vinyl, it just never strikes a chord with me. The tubular leather top handles have a 5″ drop, so the bag will be hand-held. Dimensions are 10 1/2″H x 12 1/2″W x 7″D. Buy through Neiman Marcus for $935.

Are you feeling this lace trend on handbags?

Original post by Megs Mahoney Dusil

While the staff at Loewe has been working tirelessly to perfect its grocery bag handbags, designers at Valentino have been plying their trade at the opposite end of the spectrum. The Valentino aesthetic has always been feminine, detailed and utterly glamourous, and the brand has chosen to take those ideas to their absurd extreme with the Valentino Glam Zebra Tote. You have to give them points for just calling this bag what it is, even if the name gives me the mental image of a zebra dressed up as a drag queen (which is not an altogether unpleasant image, admittedly).

This bag is what the Fug Girls would refer to as a “scrolldown fug.” I’m loving how silly and shiny this bag is until we get all the way down to the bottom quarter, at which point things go seriously awry and the bag seems to grown some very shiny porcupine quills. One the one hand: they’re shiny! They fit the motif, whatever it might be! On the other: WTF.

I’m not sure why Valentino thought that silver-and-black sequined leopard print would become monotonous before everyone’s eyes got to the bottom of the bag and it needed something to break it up, but for better or worse, that was the decision that was made. If the bag had been entirely covered in sequined zebra, I would be totally on board for this shining example of in-your-face fashion fun. As it is, I’m only three-quarters of the way there. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $3495.

Original post by Amanda Mull

I’ve never had much of a problem forming an opinion, but for some reason I have yet to make up my mind about the Valentino Aphrodite Satchel. Is it great, or is it ever-so-slightly off? Do all of the elements work together, or does it look like two disparate bags joined into one?

After the jump, I’ve listed the design’s pros and cons and also provided a convenient poll for your voting pleasure.

Pros:

1. Color and pattern: Lovely! The origin of the print is somewhat indeterminate (although it’s clearly some sort of cat), but the cream and black combination makes the overall effect a bit more ladylike than leopard. For the shape and design of this bag, it was the perfect choice.
2. Scale: The size of the pattern relative to the size of the bag is bold and graphic, just as modern animal print should be.
3. Shape: “Lady scale” bags are the new ish, apparently, and this bag fits fall’s 60s trends perfectly.
4. The Bow: It adds an unexpected twist to the bag and makes the design distinctively Valentino.

Cons:

1. The Bow: Is it a pro or a con? I can’t decide. This entire poll is really just a referendum on the bow. The color doesn’t appear elsewhere in the design, which is what gives me pause. Does the bow throw you off as well, or does the contrast add something?

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post’s poll.

Buy through Nordstrom for $2795.

Original post by Amanda Mull

Confession: I don’t watch Mad Men. I know that I should. I know that I’d love it and become utterly and completely obsessed with Joan. I believe all of the people that tell me how great the show is. I have no excuse.

Thankfully, it appears as though Valentino’s accessory designers aren’t as behind the times as I am. Mad Men’s midcentury style has influenced designers far and wide since the show’s advent in 2007, and with the fourth season set to debut on AMC this Sunday, the show’s fashion caché is unlikely to subside anytime soon.

Fall runways saw a nearly universal embrace of 60s style, including shoes and accessories like the Valentino Jolie Framed Patent Bag. This prim, streamlined handbag would be right at home on Betty Draper’s gloved arm.

This design is a product of an era when women had few social responsibilities beyond their families and appearances. At just an inch deep, Valentino has hardly created an everyday bag for a mom on the go, yet it’s still too big to be used convincingly as a clutch. This is the bag you reach for if you’re truly dedicated to creating a retro look, but for most women, it will still only be a once-in-a-while kind of treat. Buy through Saks for $1895.

Original post by Amanda Mull

Animal print is one of the subjects that divides our readers the most – some people think it’s fun and glamorous, others think it’s cheap and tacky. I for one am in the first group, so much so that I wore floor-length leopard print to a wedding this weekend. That’s hardly the only example of the pattern that I have in my closet, and I find that adding it to almost any outfit garners lots of compliments (and probably a few unimpressed glances, but luckily, those people usually keep their opinions to themselves).

Despite my love for leopard I don’t have a bag in the pattern, but it looks like there are more than a couple of designers that are trying to fill that wardrobe gap for me. We’ve covered similar bags from Alexander Wang and Rebecca Minkoff before, but since more designers than I can count on one hand have debuted leopard looks recently, I think it’s time to officially call it a trend and discuss a few of my favorite examples.

Dolce & Gabbana Miss Sicily Satchel

There can be no discussions of leopard print accessories without starting with Dolce & Gabbana. They use the print nearly every season in one way or another, whether or not it’s fashionable at the moment, and they probably deserve a good bit of the credit for inspiring the trend that we’re seeing now. This bag is quintessential Dolce – attention-grabbing, luxurious and unmistakably sexy. Buy through Luisa Via Roma for $2283.

Lanvin Mini Pop Leopard Print Bag

Lanvin’s approach to leopard is a bit more subtle and ladylike, as is appropriate for the staid French house. If you’re looking to add just a touch of print to your wardrobe, something like this bag is perfect – it won’t overtake your outfit and can be used day and night for maximum versatility. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1555.

Jimmy Choo Daphne Clutch

Alternately, if you’re looking for purely an evening bag, Jimmy Choo has you covered. I personally prefer the yellow version of this clutch, but for the purposes of this post, the orange has more leopard print. I particularly like the way that neon and leopard print look together, but for most people, that combination might be a tad much. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1495.

Valentino Spotted Haircalf Tote

If you want to go as classy as possible while still buying in to a slightly wild trend, this Valentino bag is the way that you want to go. It’s very structured and bold while still managing to keep things a bit elegant, and that can be hard to do in the face of animal print. Also, if you thought that leopard was purely a trend for the very young, this bag might convince you otherwise – a woman of any age could carry it. Buy through Saks for $2990.

Yves Saint Laurent Leopard Print Roady Hobo

Of all of the available options, this Yves Saint Laurent hobo is my favorite. It’s slouchy and casual, but the haircalf pattern is so rich that it doesn’t skew too far toward the jeans-and-tees crowd. I could easily see this bag dressed up or down. Buy through Luisa Via Roma for $3571.

Original post by Amanda Mull

Lace tends to be synonymous with romance, and rightfully so. There is something entirely alluring about seeing beautiful lace work. But lace is very situational-occasion oriented. When most people think of lace they think of weddings. I fall into the category of most people. My wedding dress was made with a beautiful lace overlay, one that resembled a vintage design.

Just because I do not embrace wearing lace for day-to-day wear, does not mean I can not add some accent pieces into my wardrobe. And this is where Valentino comes into play. Valentino is known for their feminine and romantic accessories, and this pair of shoes and clutch do not fall short.

If you want to add some lace into your life, the Valentino Lace Clutch and Valentino Peep-Toe Lace d’Orsay Pumps give the perfect romantic touch. When I think of lace I think of white lace being used for weddings, which is pure, simple, and elegant. But these two items feature black lace, which amps up the design, showcasing the lace not as delicate but as feminine and sexy.

The Valentino Lace Clutch is a design we have seen from Valentino before finished with black lace. The clutch also shows off a large bow, which is ubiquitous with the brand. And then there are the shoes! The Peep-Toe d’Orsay Pumps are also a well-known design from Valentino. Here they are in black lace, with a bow detail on the front, and I just adore them. These two items are sexy and sassy while remaining romantic and beautiful. When you are looking to add lace into your life, opt for accessories with lace detailing. Buy the clutch for $845 via Saks and the shoes for $885 via Saks.

Original post by Megs Mahoney Dusil

Drawstrings are totally the thing right now. It seems like every designer is trying to incorporate into their bags in some way, but let’s be clear: just because drawstrings are trendy doesn’t mean every bag needs one. Sometimes adding in a drawstring for no reason seriously screws up a bag’s lines and structure, which looks to be the problem with the Valentino Sequined Satchel.

Normally, when you put the words “Valentino” and “sequins” in the same phrase, you can go ahead and sign me up for the bag – nine times out of ten, I’ll love it. This particular bag, however, is that tenth time. The drawstring makes the design look oddly flat and circular, like it could be used as an enormous, luxurious frisbee if it were only a bit more rigid. What’s worse is that the vortex pattern of the sequins (they claim it’s a rose – looks like a vortex to me) seems to indicate that they intended the bag to look like that.

Fortunately for the bag, the sequined pannel is actually quite lovely. The subtle pattern gives the bag a luxurious feel, and such close attention to detail is characteristics of the brands better bags. If it was just the sequined pannel and regular side gussets, I’d probably be giving this tote a passing grade.

But the weird end parts can’t be ignored. They’re oddly wide, which is a problem in and of itself, but they’re also pulled in at the top by a completely unnecessary drawstring, which gives the bag its odd, disc-like shape. It would have been marginally better without the drawstring and light years better without the side panels at all. Buy through Saks for $2620.

Original post by Amanda Mull

You know why I love finding handbag looks for less? Sometimes it is the less expensive bag that catches my attention and that is a double wow. I can’t say that with today’s Look for Less though. Valentino is a handbag favorite on the PurseBlog team. If you see their bags in person, it is easy to see why. The designs are feminine, sexy, and luxurious.

One of my favorite designs from Valentino lately is their 360 Handbag, which features feminine touches on a large slouchy body. But at $1,400, it is not the most affordable bag. And that is why I have found a look for less with the Elie Tahari Pebbled Melrose Tote.

For some reason, I thought the Valentino 360 Handbag would cost much more than the asked for $1,395. If you go into the store and try the bag on, you will fall in love. Their quality is superb and Valentino has a way to make every woman feel gorgeous and glamorous when wearing their bags. This specific bag suits every aspect of a bag I like (and comes in bright pink!!). Buy the Valentino 360 Handbag via Saks for $1,395.

If you love the look of the Valentino bag but it does not fit into your budget, the Elie Tahari Pebbled Melrose Tote may be a great look for less option. While the body of the bag is very similar to the Valentino bag, there are additional ruffles along the top. The black distressed leather looks lovely and the self ties extending from the handle are reminiscent of the bow detail on the Valentino bag. A great look for a more manageable price. Buy through Neiman Marcus for $498.

Original post by Megs Mahoney Dusil

First, thing first: Amanda’s going to kill me for writing about this bag before she does. Ok, now that I’ve stated what you PurseBlog readers might already know, I can move on.

As soon as I saw this Valentino Raised-Rose Tote I knew I had to write about it. I mean, look at it! It is such a statement piece. Typically I consider evening bags to be more “statement piece-y” than larger bags. But this time, let’s call a spade a spade and agree that it is a statement piece. If you reach into your closet and come out with this bag as the one you are going to carry, you know you are making a statement – a fashionable statement.

I actually love this bag so much that I’ve already mentally planned outfits I’d carry this bag with. It is simply gorgeous. Yes, the raised tonal petal detailing is in your face, but that’s the point. As I’ve already mentioned, this bag is meant to make a statement and that it certainly does. There is absolutely no way that you could go anywhere without some one staring and/or commenting on this bag. I love the nude shiny napa leather, silver hardware and buckled shoulder straps. Clearly, you’d need to pair this bag with an outfit that is rather understated so that you can let the bag do the talking, but that is doable. I’m just so thrilled to see Valentino capitalize on an ever-popular design and take it to the next level. Buy through Bergdorf Goodman for $1595.

Original post by Shannon Mahoney

I’ve been trying to figure out for some time now exactly what it is that makes me love Valentino bags oh so much, particularly since Shannon called me out on it last week. It’s not like no other designer has ever done ribbon and flower motifs – that, in and of itself, is not what sets the brand apart. And it’s not the shapes or colors they use, either – the vast majority of their bags are traditional shapes like hobos and totes, decorated intricately but in usually neutral shades.

I’ve been trying to pinpoint why I like them so much for a while, and as best I can tell, it’s because they feel like clothing to me. Instead of being something that’s tough and somewhat exterior to an ensemble, it seems as though Valentino’s accessory designers put as much thought and detail into something like the Valentino Tulle Rosette Bag as they would into an evening gown destined for the red carpet. In a marketplace full of mass-produced bags, a lot of the stuff that Valentino turns out still manages to feel and look special.

Admittedly, this bag is probably too fragile for almost any setting and certainly a tad over-designed, but you certainly get a sense of the workmanship and attention to detail that goes into one of the brand’s bags that may be slightly harder to articulate with a leather canvas. Indeed, the pleating and folding would be right at home at the sort of swanky awards show to which most of us will never go, but a lack of need for couture doesn’t mean that we can’t all own a piece of the Valentino magic. The brand’s bags seem more cohesive with the line’s overall aesthetic than a lot of other options in a similar price range, and you still get the femininity and painstaking attention to detail that you would get from one of Valentino’s far more expensive (and less functional) evening dresses. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $2790.

Original post by Amanda Mull