5 fashionable handbags to carry you into fall
Changing seasons demand fashionability and flexibility — count on these five ultra chic handbags to transition as effortlessly as you will
As summer hastens toward fall, choosing the right handbag means striking the right balance — a bag that glides seamlessly through the changing of the seasons, melding classic with daring, sophistication with fun.
Selected by Christie’s handbags specialist Rachel Koffsky, the five bags below each attain that perfect harmony, from a daring denim update on a Chanel icon, to a one-of-a-kind Birkin with an exquisitely unexpected interior. Each is available online from 10 August at the Christie’s Handbag Shop.
Hermès Special Order 40cm Horseshoe Shiny Amethyst & Bleu Electric Porosus Crocodile Birkin Bag
Savvy collectors know that the rare Horseshoe stamp found beneath the flap on this Birkin distinguishes it as a truly one-of-a-kind creation — a Holy Grail for the serious handbag enthusiast. This striking example typifies the craftsmanship and exoticism that sets Hermès apart from other luxury brands.
At 40cm, this model is the largest Birkin Hermès makes, and it is exceedingly rare to find such immaculate Crocodile skin at this size. The Porosus Crocodile hide is buffed with an Agate stone to a highly lustrous finish, and its rich, jewel-toned Amethyst hue is a canonical Hermès colour.
But what really sets this already unique Birkin apart is its vibrant Bleu Electric interior. The contrast it poses with the bag’s classic, polished exterior is as striking as it is elegant — the perfect illustration of Hermès’ peerless mastery of colour and texture.
Hermès 30cm Terre Cuite Ostrich Birkin Bag
Ostrich Birkin bags occupy a unique space in the Hermès aficionado’s collection. The most delicate of all exotic Birkins, the Ostrich bag is for Hermès enthusiasts with only the most refined sense of style. Regular, punctuated Ostrich pores create a beautiful, graphic surface with matte finish, perfect for every day, all-season wear.
The newly-introduced colour Terre Cuite (French for ‘terra cotta,’ an Italian term for ‘baked earth’) is a light, dusty rose — an extremely difficult hue to create, requiring a highly technical and rigorous dying process. These factors, in addition to the increasing scarcity of Ostrich Birkins, contribute to the immense collectability of this beautiful and rare handbag.
Hermès 25cm Blue Paradise Swift Leather Birkin Bag
The 25cm Birkin Bag is the most petite member of the Birkin family, and the diminutive size of this model makes it perfect for a late summer luncheon or a night on the town.
This adorable Birkin is crafted in the recently introduced Blue Paradise colour, already an Hermès fanatic favourite: a powdery, sky blue with lilac undertones that’s both subtle and smart. The combined charm of the petite size and this exciting new colour make this Birkin a must-have collectible.
Hermès 32cm Feu Epsom Leather Sellier Kelly
Feu, the French word for ‘fire,’ is a contemporary re-imagining of the classic Hermès Orange — the colour made famous by the house’s unmistakable shopping bags and boxes. How fitting, then, that the original Kelly bag gets a modern makeover here in this smouldering Feu Epsom hue?
The Sellier construction, with its exterior seams and hard edges, gives this bag a particularly chic and stylish appearance. Meanwhile, the bag’s 32cm size makes it the perfect size for everyday wear. An heirloom bag with a modern twist, this Kelly is ideal find for new collectors and seasoned connoisseurs alike.
Chanel Denim Medallion Flap Bag
In 1955, Coco Chanel created the first Chanel Flap Bag, liberating haute women’s accessories with the hands-free convenience befitting a modern woman’s lifestyle. In the spirit of that revolutionary woman, this modern interpretation melds high fashion with the cheeky luxury of denim.
Present are all the iconic symbols of the classic Chanel Flap, updated with creative director Karl Lagerfeld’s contemporary innovations — like the ‘CC’ turnlocks and the chain strap. But don’t let this easygoing bag fool you — this is a Flap Bag for the serious fashionista with a serious sense of fun.
Want to see more? Browse and buy these and other luxury handbags at Christie’s Handbag Shop.