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Ask anyone who knows me what my favourite colour is. I guarantee you that I’m probably one of the few 45-year-old women where a majority of people who know me (they don’t even need to know me that well) know what my favourite colour is. When I write that down, I suppose that’s a pretty silly characteristic to be known for but, as I often say, at least it makes me easy to shop for and of the many descriptors that have been bestowed upon me throughout my lifetime, being a purple girl has never felt anything other than befitting and something I’ve embraced with arms wide open.
You can imagine my delight by the resurgence of purple in the recent past fuelled by the eponymous movie The Colour Purple and the newly-thin Oprah Winfrey’s PR machine paving the way for purple prowess in 2023 and well into this calendar year. From Emily Blunt to Lady Gaga, the red carpet was stained with all manner of the colour most dear to my heart: lilac, orchid, deep violet, tyrian, plum, mulberry, amethyst (oh dear amethyst!), indigo, magenta, grape, fuchsia…the list goes on. The stars spun around in all their glory, showcasing bags as utterly fabulous as the Dior Saddle Bag in Mulberry, with its ultra-smooth calfskin and legendary saddle/stirrup strap design, this bag adorned the biggest stars as the cameras flashed over and over and TMZ tried to grab them for an interview to ask, “So who are you wearing?”
But if a lead actress really wanted to steal the show, what better way to do that than pair an on trend cut-out silhouette gown in satin or chiffon or, as Ye’s wife prefers, barely bloody there with a pair of the most spell-binding Christian Louboutin extra RED high-heels and the Christian Louboutin Loubi54 Clutch in Parme, gold logo shining on the red carpet, paying homage to the world renowned trademark red soles of its familial shoes. But purple isn’t just thriving on the red carpet for a stylist to take all the credit.
I lived in Los Angeles for a long time and while I wouldn’t really consider myself a starstruck stalker kind of gal, the purple girl in me would definitely turn around and follow anyone I pass on Beverly Blvd wearing the Bvlgari Serpenti Forever Crossbody Mini Bag. Talk about being photogenic! This incredible mini comes in sheer amethyst lilac (I told you dear amethyst earlier!) in a Gleamy karung skin with primrose quartz pink nappa leather lining. This bag is ultra-sumptuous with a captivating magnetic snakehead closure in light gold-plated brass, embellished with black & pearl pinkish lilac enamel scales and black onyx eyes. You would be burned at the steak for not adoring this insane piece with the miniest of dresses and the highest of heels, making sure you get the part one way or another…just don’t leave your bag behind.
I could wax philosophical about the power of purple all day long, how it can be simple and direct - kind of like the Leather Mini Bag by Marc Jacobs in Wisteria, which boasts the most personality of any mini bag I’ve ever seen and a price point that makes you want to pick up a spare. The beauty of purple is it won’t stay in one lane, it can be bold and high fashion like the Dolce & Gabbana Small Devotion top-handle bag in metallic purple or you can be classic & elevated traditional holding proud to the Aspinal of London Mini Mayfair Bag in Deep Shine English Lavender. I know I’m going to be that 60-year-old woman who still dyes her hair purple and, with some luck, I will still be wearing the same amethyst engagement ring, but I will always be looking at ways to change up my handbag collection and there is no better colour to fill my closets with that the one closest to my heart. See, you don’t even know me but you know what my favourite colour is.
An iconic Maison Christian Louboutin design, the Loubi54 clutch features sleek lines. This model is adorned with a CL monogram and crafted in smooth Parme Light lilac calf leather. This bag is the epitome of class, it’s muted but gorgeous lilac colour will highlight your outfit and I see this bag sitting with me at the table in a central London restaurant and me sashaying to a swanky bathroom doing my makeup, as the bag is plenty roomy to keep enough touch up bits that my look will never be less than fabulous.
While the price tells me that this bag should be under security at all times, the design and the lush colour say, “Take me out now!”. The unique design of this original Dior masterpiece gives tribute to horse lovers and really elevates the standard evening bag to a new level. Crafted in mulberry ultra-smooth calfskin, the legendary design features a Saddle flap with a D stirrup strap and magnetic pull, as well as an antique gold-finish metal CD signature adorned with tonal leather on either side of the handle. Equipped with a thin, adjustable and removable strap, the Saddle bag may be carried by hand, worn over the shoulder or crossbody.
In an era of mini bags, this Marc Jacobs mini bag stands out not just because it’s got an amazingly affordable price tag, but the Wisteria colour is the jolt of pastel we all need. Very much in line with the phrase “Mini bag, Major personality”, the Marc Jacobs mini bag is the ultimate mini bag to take with you to lunch or to lend its sense of fun and fancy to a club - perfectly dressing up that super cute mini dress you’ve been wanting to show off in. This crossbody silhouette is inspired by Marc Jacob’s best-selling tote and is finished with the words "my other bag is the tote bag" embossed on the inside. Crafted in full grain leather, each bag is designed with the namesake branding and features one slip pocket and eight card slots. Carry it as a clutch or attach the adjustable, removable logo webbing strap for hands-free styling. This mini bag has big potential.
Ever the quintessential English brand, the Midi Mayfair bag in Lavender is a perfect addition to their iconic library. The Mayfair offers refined vintage styling with a contemporary flair, perfect for transitioning from weekday meetings to evening events. The compact top handle bag design features Aspinal’s recognisable signature shield lock which opens to unveil a luxurious grosgrain lining with a central zipped compartment and open pockets to either side. Handcrafted from the finest full-grain leather, in faux-croc design, this bag is an instant classic and deserves to complement the finest of wardrobes.
Coach is the purveyor of much purple magic in my life, from full coloured bags to cheeky lavender accents on zippers or charms, Coach has got their careful and sophisticated use of my favourite colour down to a tee. One of the bags that I use the most in my day-to-day life is my backpack and in curating this collection, I came across this season’s backpack from Coach and, knowing full well I will be buying it (and I don’t get freebies), I would be remiss not to share it with you. As I own many versions of this bag I can personally attest to their endurance, the quality with which they’re constructed and how they make you look trendy and stylish even when you’re rushing to a meeting with your laptop shoved hastily in your backpack. The backpack holds up to a 16” laptop, has great storage compartments and adjustable straps - mine goes with me wherever I go and one of them is going on ten years old with only a hint of day-to-day wear. In purple, this backpack is a little bit of me (I mean a lot).
Ralph Lauren is one of those designers who possess an unbelievable talent for taking what would be a rather ordinary bag and making it something to behold. The Polo ID Suede handbag is no exception to that and with its soft, supple suede exterior in a contemporary crescent shape lends itself to both daytime and evening occasions. With no problem transitioning as a shoulder bag to a wristlet, the Italian quality craftsmanship really shines through and is finished with a brass plaque showcasing the silhouette of the signature Pony cut.
There is absolutely nothing subtle about this bag - in true D&G style, even though it’s small, the Devotion bag in purple isn’t a wallflower of a bag and certainly isn’t made to be held on the sidelines. This bag belongs with the prom queen, and it deserves to be worshipped. Boldly crafted in Grained nappa lambskin top handle bag, shining in metallic purple tone, the Devotion bag features big brassy signature logo hardware in rusted gold with rhinestones. It can carry with the top handles or comes with a sturdy chain shoulder strap and, if I were carrying it, it would be housing a stun gun because this is the type of bag people want to get their hands on - NOT MY DEVOTION! There’s nothing ordinary about this bag, I can hear Dolce yelling at Kim, “if I open the flap top and inside there’s plenty of room for a gorgeous scent to accompany my stun gun.” Handle with care - carrying this bag is like having a spotlight on you.
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