It was a bit of a Bagsnob reunion in Beverly Hills last Thursday, as Tina and Kelly (fresh back from Asia) and Liza (fresh back from the grocery store) convened at Bottega Veneta on Rodeo to check out the trunk show for Spring 2010. Liza spent much of her time in the dressing room trying to wrestle her way into samples of the chalky silk, Karate-influenced dresses (which were gorgeous, inventive and ingeniously constructed), but from what she could see through cracks in the doors, Tina and Kelly found plenty to add to their ever-growing Bottega wish lists. Of note: An insanely beautiful, bright blue crocodile doctor’s bag ($24,000). Made from impeccable skin, the color strikes an ideal balance of electric vibration and aquatic depth. To ground the brightness, the bag is structured, simple, timeless, with a rigid top and double handles. The overall effect pulls focus from fifty feet away but somehow remains serene, drawing the eye with an almost centrifugal force. There are no images of the bag in that color, so you’ll have to go see it in person for yourself (or jump to see the Twitter shot Tina took).
The Orchid Esperanza Ayers clutch (above left- $1,980), with brightly contrasting chartreuse zipper pull lends lightheartedness to the usual Bottega sophistication. The Ebano Intreccio Nuance Bag (above right–$1,480) is reminiscent of the Hermes Picotin, but much more supple and intricate with functional interior pockets. There is a larger size in perky yellow and white (Tina’s note: but we think the smaller is much cuter).
The signature Cabat bags (which, in the large size, are truly ample enough to carry a large baby or medium-sized dog) come this season in a light straw color leather (Paille shiny calf $7,800) which was ingeniously treated by leather craftsman to sound (crinkles and crackles to the touch) and feel like… straw (except it’s leather, kind of the reverse Stella thing). Come spring, it will be a nice stand-in on those days when you just don’t feel like taking your Birkin to the farmer’s market. Call Bottega in BH to order- 310-858-6533! Bottega bags also available at Net-a-Porter.com
I LOVE BOTTEGA VENETA!!! This is a very Young Sophisticate Collection and I love it!!! It’s a welcomed surprise!!! It’s still very Classic, but done in a way that is not DOWDY or MATRONLY!!!! I cannot say it enough how much I LOVE IT!!!!!
I feel the same way, Steven! I ordered the Nuance bucket tote in Ebano (looks like a cup of latte)… can’t wait!
ummmm. vermillion is red. the zipper pull is more like a bright apple green.
If you need a GREAT SA, call Sonia….she is the greatest!!
Maybe she meant chartreuse?
APOLOGIES and thanks to kayonyc and anyone else who caught that misnomer. Wish I could say, “I meant to say virescent” but I don’t know what I was thinking!
I’ll fix it for you, told ya to have that glass of wine with me 😉
This collection is gorgeous and so vibrant! Sounds like you gals had a fun time!
I am quite taken with the Nuance Bucket Tote but as it looks like it has crisscross straps, how does this affect the functionality of the bag i.e. when putting things in/getting things out?
When BV first came up with their woven leather bags, I was amazed. And they still do the job best. Somehow, I still like the earlier ones more. Wish they would come up with totally new designs too.
That blue croc is gorgeous!
Hi Sam
it is actually quite handy to have the criss cross, things don’t fall out as much and getting things out was not a problem, I stuck my big wallet in it to test it at the store and it was fine. Plus you can drop one of the straps inside and use it as a single strap! Genius and loooooooove the colors! tres adorable!
I finally found my Cervo in Copper and bought it. Now I have a new one to lust after: The Ebano Intreccio Nuance Bag! Only $1480 for all that weaving! What is the size?
Hi Kimberly
The small nuance is around 28cm if I had to guess… I can get the dimensions for you!