Balenciaga just got serious. The words that come to mind upon first impression of this top-handle tote? Incredible. Beautiful. Classic. Decadent. This is, of course, Balenciaga’s big answer to the Birkin, but knockoff or tawdry imitation it isn’t. Thanks to their signature tube-shaped hardware, it’s merely a dutiful nod to the holy grail of bags, one that shows nothing but respect. (Creative Director Alexander Wang was apparently inspired by a trip to Balenciaga’s archives in Getaria, Spain, but he was clearly equally inspired by Hermès.)
Now, I’m not sure it’s what I would choose when it comes to investing this kind of money – we are talking almost seven grand here – but the Tube Round L bag in luxe ostrich is quite impressive. Ostrich has taken a backseat as of late when it comes to exotic skins, but with the proliferation of crocodile and alligator, this is a nice way to distinguish yourself from the pack. So is Balenciaga’s take worth the investment? That’s for you to decide. Balenciaga Tube Round L at Barneys New York for $6,750.
Pair with: Periwinkle-gray ostrich would look great offset by a bracelet that pops. Like Delfina Delletrez’s silver and yellow gold-plated watch-style jewel, punctuated by a jade-green burst of quartz. At MATCHESFASHION.COM for $1,470.
Gorgeous bag! To me, ostrich is a little more youthful and fun than croc and alligator. For any of you Snobs who don’t want to spend a crazy amount but love the skins, check out a company I discovered in South Africa: Lugro Ostrich (lugro-ostrich.co.za).