The Great Bag Debate

Five years later and I find myself with the same problem.

I'm looking for the perfect day bag and I can't find one.

It was five years ago the same problem prompted me to start Tiger Tem in the first place. Looking back, I appreciate what an ambitious venture it was, but what's life without some huge challenges?

My criteria this time round...remains spookily the same.
1. I'm not a fan of the status bag. The whole notion of a status bag, says too much about too little and is just a little too chav-tastic for me. Snob? Moi...you betcha.

2. I'm a leather lover

3. I'm open to colour.

4. I'm looking for an east-west bag (i.e. wide as opposed to tall), one that's roomy enough to fit my laptop

5. And I want something that has enough pockets to help keep my life in order.

6. Under $500. Credit crunch ain't no joke.




I am in love with this Alexis Hudson bag! I love the deep, dark, sexy bordeaux leather, I love the vintage inspired shape and I love the twist lock on the front. Dayum, I think I might have lucked out from the start. And the best bit?
Its reduced from $625 to $375 www.bluefly.com





Hmmm, another very understated bag that appeals to me a lot. This is by Brazilian designer Elisa Atheniense. I love the fusion of the snakeskin straps, the contrast overstitching and the buttery soft leather.
$443 www.tobi.com





This bag toes the line between a nice touch of glam and trying a little too hard so the jury's still out. But I like the soft grey leather and the stud details which toughen up the butterfly design on the front. The added touch of snakeskin looks great in the picture but I suspect there might just be a little bit too much going on for my liking.
Betsey Johnson Butterfly Bling (and they just had to kill it with the name).
$395 now $222 www.bloomingdales.com





This shade of orange is usually best left to Hermes but you know what, it works. I love the shape, size and colour of this bag. Its an absolutely fabulous $56 from www.baghaus.com but the only rub...its not real leather.




Who knew Badgley Mischka had launched a line of handbags? And all very moderately priced too. I'm liking the 'Sofia' a lot. Not crazy about the colour though. But its a great shape and size for everyday use. $455 www.saksfifthavenue.com







I love the star patchwork detail and embroidered handle on this Tracy Reese bag. I love the deep denim blue and the contrast the handle offers. Very, very cute.
$365 down to $179...just made it a whole lot cuter! www.smartbargains.com





Ohhh, I fell in love with Liberty all over again last year. Its always been of my favourite underdogs and the genius behind their new own brand accessory line has worked their magic with this Ianthe print leather bag. Love it, need it, want it.
395 for the mini, 450GBP for the small and 550GBP for the medium
www.liberty.co.uk




Another lesser known brand JJ Winters offers up this piece of fabulousity. Ok, the blue is a tad bright to get much play but I love it anyway. More of a posh beach bag truth be told than an every day bag, but we all need posh beach bags too. $460 www.shopharmony.com





Furla certainly seem to have a new design team in place since the last time I gave them so much as a glance. I hated that hard, stiff leather they used for their bags. It works great for the little leather make up bags and jewellery cases but otherwise...nah. But this, supersoft, chocolate brown bowling bag...I am loving. 335GBP.





But I have to say I'm still madly in love with this Tiger Tem baby from 2005.


And still even more in love with the Goldfinger. Which has hands down been the best selling bag we've launched. New plans in store for this year with the bags. The new Ikoyi spot should FINALLY be ready by easter...ok, lets just say by summer right?!

Anya Hindmarch for Target

Anya Hindmarch is quite possibly one of the best know bag designers. The London based designer saw great success with the launch of her Be A Bag line which involves printing one of your personal photos onto a canvas bag. Genius. People were lapping that stuff up and many a Hugo/Charlie/Ben/Will/Alex/Poppy/Lottie/Apple/Liberty found their baby pics immortalised on their Yummy Mummy's arm.

She started her first boutique on Walton Street at the tender age of 19, and now has a bag empire consisting of over 60 stand alone stores worldwide. And she's been designing those wash bags for BA First class for over 7 years. Now I know I haven't had that privilege since I became a full fare paying member of society and I know a lot of other people don't have that privilege anymore or just yet, but somehow EVERYBODY seems to have so many of those washbags kicking around at home. Interesting.

If you really want one for yourself, I'm sure you can find one for pennies on ebay otherwise, hop over the the BA retail site
www.highlifeshop.com where they are currently reduced from 65GBP to 19.80GBP.


In 2007 Hindmarch, in collaboration with the global social change movement We Are What We Do, designed the global sell out tote bag I’m Not A Plastic Bag, using her influence in a positive way to make it fashionable not to use plastic bags. The limited edition canvas totes sold for £5, launching in four limited edition colours around the world, and were selected by Vanity Fair to be included in their "Oscars" goodie bags.100,000 customers registered online to try to buy I’m Not A Plastic Bag, while 30 people in Beijing, China were treated in hospital after being caught in what was described as a scrum. AND the bags are still being traded on ebay for around $60+. Not bad.




And now she's set to become even more of a household name with her new collection for Target, the budget chain across America. www.target.com

Their sales pitch tell us...

"Timeless designs add the perfect polish. Anya's internationally acclaimed collections are worn by the world's top celebs.

Her trademark is her craftsmanship, sense of humour and knowing exactly what women want.

Her new designs for target give every woman the chance to see that for herself."

So let's have a look then shall we.....

Anya Hindmarch for Target Large Shoulder Bag $49.99


Anya Hindmarch for Target Large Python Shoulder Bag $49.99



Anya Hindmarch for Target Clutch $19.99



Anya Hindmarch for Target Tote in Black, Chocolate and Gold $49.99




Anya Hindmarch for Target Medium Python Satchel $44.99




Anya Hindmarch for Target Small Python Hobo $34.99



Anya Hindmarch for Target Small Flap Bag $29.99

Let me know your thoughts.


UPDATE:

For those in the UK that are interested. Ebay. Found some good options with fair prices, if you like them, just email the sellers and confirm shipping costs.

Enjoy

If for some reason, they're not working as links so just copy and paste.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220299887595


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370104383282


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item= 120329470471


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item= 350115234918


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item= 350115251848


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item= 120329470471

The Audra - Do We Love It?

While I'm back to my full time bag obsession, I found one I'd like to share with you.

My regular readers know I'm a big time GoldenBleu fan, so much so, I've made Tiger Tem their first African stockist. Bold move to stock another brand of handbags but the proof was in the pudding as we sold over 85% of our GoldenBleu stock the day we launched it.

So new collection, new dilemmas on what to choose.

Ladies and Gentlemen I present, The Audra.






Its cute and perfectly formed with quilting reminiscent of Chanel (and Marc Jacobs), the signature gold finishings add a touch of bling and this raspberry colour patent leather and fuchsia suede lining looks good enough to eat.

The chainlink shoulder strap is detachable so it has the versatility to be used as a shoulder bag or a clutch depending on your preference. And the little coin purse bit at the front is detachable which is fabulous (and yes it attaches very securely, I've checked) as if you decide to separate them you've got a cute little coin purse too.



Your opinions please.