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It’s that time again where fantastical meets fabulous in the fashion world thanks to the annual Met Gala, hosted by the formidable Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of Vogue magazine, the Met Gala sets the stage for A-list stars to showcase their most daring fashion choices in accordance with a specific theme.
Months of meticulous preparation go into designing the perfect Met Gala dress. Fashion designers collaborate closely with celebrities and their stylists to bring their vision to life. From selecting the finest fabrics to intricate detailing and fittings, every aspect of the dress is carefully curated to make a bold statement on the iconic red carpet. The goal is not just to capture attention but to create a lasting impression that resonates with the theme of the event.
I don’t know about you, but this event is an opportunity to see the stars at their finest and while I’m not a regular attendee to galas, the Met Gala offers me an opportunity to gain inspiration and look at emerging trends in fashion that will set the pace for the year to come. As we all know, accessories can make or break an outfit and while the opulence of the Met Gala doesn’t lend itself to carrying a handbag (not when you’ve got branches coming out of the top of your dress and netting, like Lana Del Ray’s Alexander McQueen look this year), we can look to the extravagance of the Met Gala and draw inspiration for our accessories.
For years, the clutch bag has been at the forefront of fashion when it comes to high end events of this nature and there are some really exquisite choices to be had this year. There is a lot of buzz around gold embellished dresses and suits, offering that extra bit of bling to your wardrobe. A perfect handbag to compliment this trend is the Gold Metallic Nappa Mini Bag by Jimmy Choo. This stand out mini is Italian crafted in standout gold metallic nappa leather, the perfectly petite bag features a light gold chain drawstring fastening and a light gold metal bracelet top handle. Prepare for mini proportions and maximum impact.
Another multi-purpose handbag that is the perfect companion to a gold embellished outfit is the Ted Baker Glitzet Evening Bag, coming in at an affordable £150. A real statement piece, this mid-sized evening bag is adorned with studded detail, the sparkling embellishment on this clutch steals the show whilst the branded detailing accentuates the design. This bag can be paired with a really showy dress or used to dress up a pair of jeans and snazzy shoes.
Another resounding takeaway from last night’s festivities was a move towards pearlescent satin and cream flowing fabric (take a look at Kylie Jenner’s sweeping ensemble by renowned designer Oscar de la Renta). If I were to choose a bag inspired by this look it would have to be the Burberry rose grained-leather clutch bag. This new clutch bag from the quintessentially British brand’s SS24 collection is crafted from grained leather and artfully sculpted to resemble the romantic flower. Fitted with one main compartment for your daily essentials and finished with gleaming silver-toned hardware, it's sure to garner nods of appreciation as you traverse the bustling streets of The Big Smoke.
Another great clutch that fits the cream and satin trend is the Anya Hindmarch Bow Clutch. With a unique tie in the front, it is a traditional clutch size and will boost the look of your dress with class and elegance.
I personally love a bag that can complement evening wear but be the main focal point of a casual outfit. As I prepare my wardrobe for an impending trip to Paris, I am moved by all the glitz and glamour of the Met Gala, but also know that for my own purposes, simple is sometimes better. A bag that rises to both occasions without effort is the Prada Crystal-embellished satin shoulder bag which comes in an array of beautiful colours. Shaped to a 90s-style hobo silhouette, this dazzling shoulder style is sculpted from smooth satin and dotted all over with radiant crystals that are set to sparkle under the light of the moon.
One cannot overlook the appointed theme of the evening which was “Sleeping Beauties: Re-awakening Fashion.” This theme was interpreted in a myriad of different ways on the red carpet, from a plethora of nude outfits with barely a nipple covered to the most extravagant of outfits, which had to be led by Zendaya’s gargantuan ball gown made of black satin and enhanced with an ornate floral head piece that was almost as big as her head. The floral theme is something that we can easily look to this year’s luxury handbags to complete our own equally decadent floral display (although we may not need 4 handlers to rearrange our skirts). A fantastic example of a bag that sings the praises of the sleeping beauty floral theme is the Christian Louboutin Floral Satin Clutch. Extolling the virtues of spring and summer with its beautiful floral design embossed on the fabric, this bag would fit perfectly alongside the cream & satin trend we saw last night or add to one of the more extravagant outfits of the evening.
Either way, the world awaits the Met Gala, not just the event itself but for all the stories of how the designers toiled, the stars had to lose 15lbs and squeeze into a 19” corset and how a last-minute wardrobe malfunction almost caused chaos. It’s not a world I exist in, but I like to take some inspiration and I like to dream about a day when 20 umbrellas cover me on my way to the car as the world waits in anticipation for my arrival. A girl can dream, can’t she?
Add a sparkling touch to your evenings with the Sicily Mini shoulder bag from Dolce & Gabbana. It’s expertly crafted in Italy from pink satin and features gleaming hardware, subtle branding, and a shimmering layer of crystals.
This Amberley Clutch features our distinctive Rider's Lock. The chain strap is detachable, allowing it to be worn as a chic shoulder bag or held as a streamlined clutch. It has an optimised interior for its small size, offering a main compartment, zipped pocket and credit card slip pockets.
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