Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.

If you’re a ten-year-old girl – this is your time! Bag charms are back! Not just a smart, sophisticated and demure add on onto your bag, your charm should be completely out there – the more abstract the better. 

Miu Miu, Fendi, Loewe have all added in bag charms into their collections for the last year or so. We have seen brands showcasing the charms as gimmicky, unique and fun. Fendi have released a few fantastic designs including a lolly pop holder charm, a fortune teller charm and a Fendi cup charm. They all cost around £400 which yes, it is extremely expensive for something that will just hang as an accessory off your bag. Loewe have been playing around with these types of accessories for years and have established themselves as a key player in the ‘fun luxury’ market. For the past few seasons, we have seen them develop their offering of fruit style charms, playing on different social trends which has been a fantastic marketing push. 

Some other brands like Anya Hindmarch, which have always been well known for cute accessories have really been able to capitalise off this trend. With her designs including small animals, grocery items such as a cola can or chocolate biscuit packet she is No 1 at doing unique products. 

For me, I am here for this trend. On my wish list is the Louis Vuitton croissant which is exactly what you think it is…. a bag charm which is a croissant! Now if this isn’t worth the £695 Louis are charging… I don’t know what is! Oh, the croissant actually works as a mini bag as it has a zip around it so you can technically see this as a practical purchase. 

 This bag is a sentimental one. When this bag was first released, I fell in love. I would visit the Balenciaga space and just lust after it. I used to tell my Mum that this is the bag I’m going to buy when I’m older. However, I was only 12 so by the time I was older and could afford a designer bag the city bag wasn’t exactly on trend. 

However, during my youth, I was obsessed and I would daydream about owning this bag one day. The bag just felt like me, the edgy and distressed style with strong studs to detail across the bag. It wasn’t a girly handbag either, it was a perfect bag to wear with anything, no need to wear a flowing dress, just pick it up and go. I also loved the fact it looked better the more it was used. The worn leather looks soft and discoloured but it suits the styling of the bag.

So, I was disappointed that when I initially started my luxury handbag collection, this bag wasn’t ‘in fashion’ anymore. Now I could have brought vintage at the time, but I was older and fell in love with a new selection of bags so the Balenciaga city bag got bumped off the wish list. 

Turning to 2024, I was very pleased to see the Balenciaga City bag have a revival and a new following behind it. The fashion house has released new versions and colours and the resale market has thousands for sale. I can definitely predict going into 2025 this bag is going to continue to become even more popular. 

I can safely say this bag has returned to my wish list. My question is do I buy a new bag or a vintage bag? I’ve seen the small new version styled so nicely it’s tempting me to get a box fresh bag. At least then I can wear and tear it and know it will age well. 

This is a new bag which has come to my attention and it’s the first Alaia bag I’ve seen in the last few years that I may want to purchase. Alaia is one of those timeless brands which have such elegance, grace and class in their ready to wear collections, but their bags have never stood out to me. For example, the Le Teckel was the hottest bag out there over the past 6 months, but I just saw it as an oddly shaped small bowling bag. The Le Coeur ‘heart’ shaped bag is just hideous in my opinion, it looks as if my eleven-year-old niece designed it therefore it lacked the sophistication and maturity to which I feel like the brand represents. The latest spring/summer 25 catwalk was full of elegant shapes and styles, with a stunning near naked wrap around dress but zero bag designs which are worthy to discuss. 

Now the Le Demi-Coeur bag is a fabulous small over the should bag which comes in three colours including black, white and red. The shape is like a doughnut and it seems to be the brands new offering which can be compared to the Prada over shoulder or Fendi baguette. It’s an easy and classic wear. The gold hardware is what I believe adds to the elegance to the bag, otherwise it can be quite forgettable. However, the bag is timeless and can be used across each season. 

For now, this bag is on my wish list, but it’s probably quite low down compared to the other bags I have my eye on. 

This brand wasn’t on my radar until they opened Spring/Summer 25 New York Fashion Week. The moment I saw this show I became obsessed! Who is Willy Chavarria? Where did they come from? What are the previous collections? 

Authentic and raw. This is how I would describe the S/S 25 collection. Throughout the collection you can see Chavarria’s inspirations which he has stated as “United Farm Workers Movement, the Civil Rights Movement, the women’s liberation movements”. He wanted to show community and change through fashion. America’s culture has been challenged over the past few years which has left the country extremely divided, Willy Chavarria seemed like he wanted to re-establish and re-define America’s fashion scene. He was quoted stating that his designs are “all stylistic interpretations of America through the eyes of an immigrant”. His background was another inspiration which is felt throughout his designs with the Mexican Hispanic styling including oversized bombers and pants, long shirts and athletic jerseys. The collection is edgy and strong, it feels so different from what we are seeing from any other brand. Even the ‘cooler’ brands out there aren’t presenting this type of ‘I don’t give a fuck’ image. 

The second part of the show included Chavarria’s collaboration with Adidas which kept the same vibe but included more sports styling including jerseys, hoodies, co-ords and tracksuits. 

After looking further into Willy Chavarria, he started his own label in 2015 and has always merged fashion and politics into his collections. He has created a name for himself with his distinctive interpretation of mixing fashion with race, politics and sexuality. As well as running his own label Chavarria is the current Senior Vice President of Design for Calvin Klein. 

Lacoste S/S 25 runway needs to be spoken about. 

Yes it’s not the brand which is going to make the most noise when you think of Paris Fashion Week. But the brand performed. The last few collections have been exceptional and I can see Lacoste over the next few years establishing itself as the ‘new’ Ralph Lauren with more edge. 

It’s an area of fashion following on from the quiet luxury trend, it’s focused on lifestyle. You don’t own a yacht or go to a country club? At least you can now dress as if you do. 

Since Pelagia Kolotouros stepped into the creative director role in 2023 the brand have just gone leaps and bounds ahead with their creativity. They have really established themselves as a show to watch out for each fashion week. They showcase a lifestyle of luxury but this is ‘cool kids’ luxury. 

However, I do question how they bring the runway collection into the mainstream stores. After visiting a store it was the same old school Lacoste, there was no essence of change which makes me question how will they revamp this brand not only on the runway but completely change the ethos of the brand at a everyday level?

Sunglasses are my weakness. 

Always have been, always will be. 

Yes I have to many pairs. I find a new pair, then wear them constantly for about 6 months then I get bored and then guess what…. onto a new pair. 

I have a problem. I know. 

Sooo my next pair I need are arguably one of the best sunglasses designers…Chanel. 

The sporty but slick design is perfect. The white edging across the whole length of the sunglasses allows them to be perfectly bordered, it adds as a highlighting affect for the whole thing. The bright white against the black just makes them even more of a statement. The cherry on top is the bold statement of the CC logo on the side, perfection. 

The question is how long until I cave? 

The Ralph show was impeccable. It was just pure elegance. It just oozed money, luxury and more money. Let me tell you, if I had the money I would buy every piece in this collection. 

The collection was shown in the Hamptons which was the most perfect location. The guests were stunning in the most gorgeous outfits, with one of the best dressed guests being Usher. He wore a crisp lemon coloured outfit which screamed 'Italian Riviera.'

The collection had some fantastic colours including ocean blues, sandy tans and the brightest whites, ending with the brightest spectrum of colours. The collection had it all; great tailoring, relaxed casual fits, evening classics and a fabulous fringed number. 

To top off the show they had supermodels Christy Turlington and Naomi Campbell walking. 

The fascinating thing about Ralph is how they have turned the brands popularity around. Over the past few years it defined itself to be a key player in the 'quiet luxury' brands. They now have moved into the timeless era and once again established themselves as a key heritage luxury brand. 

I have always really appreciated Chloe as a brand. 

They are a brand which has a strong understanding of who they are, what they represent and who their audience is. I remember going into their Paris showroom as a girl and falling in love. 

However, as a woman I am not someone who would naturally wear the brand. The whimsical, flowing and boho designs just don’t suit me, but I can always appreciate the beauty of the garments. In regards to the bags, I’ve not seen a bag which I actually enjoy yet but each season I stay open minded. 

So as mentioned, I’m not a Chloe girl so to have a Chloe piece on my wish list is shocking. But this piece is just stunning! It comes in two colours brown/deep tan and black. The waistcoat is 100% leather with pockets, a belt and the most stunning gold buttons piecing each side together. It’s perfect. The deep tan is so timeless, it is honestly a piece which you can bring out season after season. 

The only problem I have now is… I can’t find it anywhere! 

The Balmain S/S 25 runway was fabulous! I think of Balmain as a brand with a great creative director but if I’m honest, it’s not a brand I identify with. However Balmain have been pushing boundaries and designing pieces which are completely out there, they are not just stunning, they are exciting, creative and unique. The recent designs are more like couture pieces you will hang in your wardrobe and just stare at on a rainy day - you can’t help but smile. 

I have discussed in a previous article the beautiful pieces which was created for the brands collaboration with Disney's The Lion King. I’m actually very confused it wasn’t as spoken about in the way I thought it deserved. The pieces seem so special and unique they should have been shouted about everywhere. 

The recent S/S 25 runway showcased some amazing pieces. The collection was filled with embellishments and shoulder pads. There was a few designs which I felt were outdated and not exciting in any way, but the stand out pieces were the items which were clearly celebrating females. The bold imagery of a woman’s lips across a dress was stunning whilst the more subtle but still striking was the images of a woman’s face embellished over a dress was captivating. These pieces are like art, celebrating the beauty of a woman. 

Another unique take on capturing the beauty of a woman was the dress which was seemingly made out of pink clay and had the outline of a body across it, as if it was a molding of a woman’s body. It was stunning.  

It was a great collection to bring life into the luxury market again. 

Perfect sands, yes you are the perfect colour.

Every year Goyard releases limited edition colours which always end up being a hit. They always sell out and you can guarantee your bag will be worth more than you paid for it the moment you leave that shop. I’ve seen the prices double on the resale market.

Goyard over the past few years have transitioned into a more house hold luxury name, rather than the quiet luxury space they were in previously. Unfortunately I don’t necessarily see this as a positive thing. When you start to see a brand transition into being widely known and hugely popular you loose the exclusivity and credibility it once held. For example, I now see my green Saint Louis PM bag literally everywhere. The sad thing is I love the bag, I love the colour but I’m completely put off by the fact I see it everywhere.

In regards to the brand, however popular it’s become, I will always love it and value the craftsmanship and beauty of the pieces. So the exclusive colour drops are a perfect choice if you want to purchase a timeless piece from the brand.

Spring/summer 2024 we have seen two colour releases. It started with the turquoise which is a stunning blue which resembles the clear ocean water. This colourway is now transitioning away and moving over to the new release. Perfect Sands. And yes it’s all in the title. It’s the light colour dusting of the purest sand and it’s just perfect.

This colour can bring that neutral tone but the brightness all outfits need. I’ve never seen a colourway which is more me.

If you're lucky enough to get your hands on a limited edition colour-way, enjoy your unique and exquisite purchase because you definitely won’t have to worry about how many people you spot holding the same bag as you when you pop to the shops.

Back to Bottega.

So this is my second Bottega article about a bag I want. Ideally Bottega will be my next big purchase as I’m so keen to own a piece for my collection. I honestly believe Bottega bags are truly the most quality and exquisite pieces you can buy on the luxury market.

If it’s not the fact they are all handmade, it’s the quiet luxury style and to top it all off, they offer a lifetime guarantee. So yes, you can purchase that one bag at £3-4k but that will literally last a lifetime.

So the bag I wanted to review today was the new Andiamo bag, specifically the small size. It has the Bottega weaving shaping the whole bag into a small bucket like shape with a soft structure. However, the handles are the main reason I want to purchase this bag. The rounded handles are the perfect size to hold on your arm and potentially over your arm if needed. Three of the ends of the handles have a chunky knot tying it together with the body of the bag. This knot gives it an edge and makes the bag a lot more interesting. The forth handle has the gold hardware tie knot connecting the handle and the bag, which completes the look of the bag as a whole. This piece of gold hardware is the perfect design and perfect extra to define how luxurious this bag is. Its shape, structure and design are perfect.

As a final plus, the colourways which have been released are stunning. There is a black, brown, white and turquoise. The turquoise is the most vibrant splash of colour to brighten up and add a little fun into your bag collection. However I have my eye on the white. The bright white against the gleaming gold is just the ultimate feel good bag. The white can transition through both summer and winter and instantly will elevate a look.

Well done to Bottega, the piece is perfection.

I came across the jacket as I walked through Selfridges browsing the sale.

I knew it was a good jacket because not only had it caught my eye, another two women were drawn to it also!

One woman was trying it on and the other looked at the price tag and then walked away. The woman who tried it on looked fabulous! She tried it on top of her causal tee and jeans, and she made it look good! 

The jacket works. It’s a piece. A piece that will stay in your wardrobe for years and years. It will be a timeless classic which you can pull out across all seasons. I could see a Parisian woman wearing this jacket as she leisurely went for coffee. The gold buttons enhanced the jacket to another level and took it from a denim jacket to a statement.

After admiring the jacket and firmly adding it onto my wishlist I continued to look at the rest of the collection. Some of the items were lovely, with amazing quality materials, but some were quite boring and items which we have seen year on year from the brand. This jacket is the standout piece.

I now need to order it ASAP!

Ok why have I only just discovered Ferrari fashion?

So I’m casually looking through social media and it pops up as a suggested page. I click and wow, I’m intrigued, I like, I like.

I dip in and out of watching the F1. Sometimes I’m an avid fan and keep up with all the races and then other times, I completely forget it’s on and usually use the Netflix show to catch up on everything happened that season. The one thing about F1, it brings the luxury, it brings the fabulousness, it brings the fashion. I’m obsessed with seeing what the wives, girlfriends and guests wear during the event.

But if I’m honest apart from the standard F1 merchandise I didn’t think any of the car companies expanded into clothing that’s actually wearable. The latest F/W Ferrari collection is interesting. Grey, black and white tones with a few other subtle colours through the collection. The jackets were fantastic. A washed grey relaxed fit bomber gives off edgy soho vibes whilst a glossy leather waistcoat which synchs in the waist is full power vibes! Match the waistcoat with the same material long line skirt and you have a winner. Some of the pieces are quite standard and actually quite boring, which also confuses me, this car brand is trying to be cool and edgy with their fashion but some of the pieces on the website are quite ‘working Mum’ vibes.

The other items which I loved were the sunglasses, they are all quite unique and interesting and really could be a great purchase to enhance your sunglasses collection.

Overall I’m pleased to have stumbled upon the Ferrari collection, I will be keeping a close eye going forward for future collections.

This is by far the most exciting, innovative and creative collection I’ve seen in a long time.

This is a collection full of colour, design and art. Apart from a few pieces with the cartoon images this collection is a fabulous rendition of how the Lion King is interpreted to fashion. The pieces were shot in the desert with winds blowing as the models walked up a sand dune. The pieces were full of creative textures and exotic prints. They are truly stunning. 

The unfortunate elements of this collection is the gimmicky commercial pieces for sale on the brands website. I do understand that profits need to be made but it takes away from the actual beauty of the pieces which were presented in the campaign. 

Olivier Rousteing has delivered many successful collaborations in the past and this is a great way of celebrating 30 years of the Lion King. I wonder what Disney film will be used as inspiration next?

Wow. wow. wow. Not sure why I’m surprised how amazing this collection is, Schiaparelli is art. It is the creation of fantasy into reality. 

Monday 24th June saw another show stopping couture collection. The show kicked of Paris couture week with a guestlist like no other. Not only was the most famous of famous in attendance, the outfits were on another level. They were kitted out with key pieces of the collection which made the fantasy believable. Kylie Jenner wore a baby pink corseted dress embellished with tiny gems all over and a thin net like headdress across her face, which actually looked very beautiful, like her beauty was hidden or disguised. The piece which I felt elevated her look and brought it all together was the satin pink overthrow which she arrived in. This piece was delicate but powerful and it commanded attention. It had a puff ball shape but it looked effortless rather than structured as it draped below her shoulders acting as a backdrop for the dress. However, there seemed to be more attention on the veil and dress but this jacket was the star for me! 

Dojo cat attended the show and continued her streak of wearing the houses fabulous designs. The outfit which has been called ‘the blonde bird’ on Schiaparelli’s Instagram was a feather designed blazer with a stunning detailed corset underneath. The blazer held a rigid structure with its perfect tailoring and was decorated with hand painted velvet rose petals which were adorned by crystals. If this is not art, I do not know what is! 

The collection itself was filled with corsets, leather, high shoulders, metallic, feathers, satin, lace and fringing. The monochromatic collection was embellishment and structure, with giant bedazzled earrings finishing off most of the looks. I always like to interpret how the couture designs will be transitioned into wearable items for the general public. Such as the corsets at the top with a larger skirt below, this is something which brings that perfect amount of sexy elegance but comfort. The high shoulders of the satin blazer and shirts gives a new direction for power dressing in the workplace. The fringing is a fun way of adding something to your outfit, I could easily see this working on blazers and dresses. 

Overall this was a powerful start to haute couture fashion week. I will now forever be dreaming of that satin puff jacket of dreams….

Bottega! You kill me. 

I have two Bottega Veneta bags on my wishlist right now. If I could advise on any luxury brand to suggest to purchase its Bottega. With their handcrafted items and off for a lifetime warranty, it is the best offering on the market. 

The Bottega Andiamo clutch in the colour Barolo. Now seriously this bag just oozes fabulousness. A east west size with a classic woven threading across the body of the bag and a gold knot for the closure. This bag is trending  and has sold out several times since it’s launch. 

The only handle is the top handle, which keeps the bag quite restricted for its use to only a evening bag. This bag is the perfect staple for an evening out but I think I would have loved to see this bag with a cross body long strap. I think the long strap opens up this bag for a more sophisticated day look. 

Another sold out piece which I have my eye on from the Bottega family is the vanity case bag. This is a piece which has replicated across the high street and some could say the idea has been ‘stolen’ from Loro Piana who actually launched a similar sold out style. I love the Bottega version because it looks like it would last forever! It looks like the perfect bag to throw on everyday with your phone, keys and lipbalm, this bag looks like it can be dropped a million times and still look fresh. The gold hardware and tie knots to connect the cross body strap brings a subtle luxurious quality to the bag. 

Which bag would you choose? 

On Monday 10th June Jacquemus celebrated their 15th anniversary by hosting a show stopping catwalk in the beautiful hills of Capri. 

‘La Casa’ was a event which was extremely beautiful not just for the fashion but for the spectacular surrondings to where this was held. The show was streamed live and as I watched I was transported to Capri, it was completely captivating. The bright blue ocean was the backdrop against the hills of the terracotta houses and gracious greens of the mountain sides of Capri. Jacquemus is known for the unbelievable locations which host their catwalk shows and the marketing is always pushing boundaries. The branding is second to none and it brings a fabulous light hearted and fun way of showcasing the fashion. 

The June show was a fabulous moment to launch their new collection. The guests had to walk up to the top of the mountain to take their seats, this led to some great shots during the live streaming, but one has to question how they all weren’t drenched with sweat by the time they made it up the stairs? 

As the catwalk started models came from either end of the space with the opening look being a dramatic robe. The fashion was filled with bright colours such as turquoise, blues, reds and greens alongside powerful neutrals such as pale grey, cream, whites and browns. All the looks were very Italian. I could imagine a breathtaking Italian woman walking across a courtyard in Capri to attend lunch with some fabulous people. The collection was elegant and timeless and delivered a great result for the celebration of the brands 15th year. 

Over the past 5 or so years the buzz for Jacquemus has really stepped up. They established themselves on the luxury market and as mentioned their marketing has kept them memorable. I think the challenge Jacquemus faces is the saturation of their bags. Over the past few years the bags were seen everywhere and anywhere and more importantly on anyone! With the price point being lower, it meant it was more easy to purchase which has led to this saturation. Now I’m not saying the price point was wrong to be lower, as its great there are some reasonable alternatives on the luxury market. It just means the brand is bracketed amongst the ‘lower level’ luxury brands. 

As it stands, this latest show of elegance and timelessness does not represent the same crowd purchasing the brands bags. Maybe and hopefully this will see a new direction for the bags and accessories so Jacquemus can establish themselves as a more exclusive and ageless luxury brand.