Products of an Old School

For the past year, I've functioned without a "proper" camera.  Opting to snap at whim with my Sony Ericsson Xperia, it's been a tedious waiting game for Canon's S95 successor to launch *drop that price darn it*  Considering I have a blog going (some of the time, anyway), Guy M is convinced I have my priorities thoroughly muddled.  

Trust handmade leather accessories to be the tipping point for me - especially after spending a Spetember morning enthralled by Hermes' Festival des Metiers.  It brought me back to happy days in William Street, Sydney, where I diligently cut patterns, pleated leather and harnessed the sewing machine in the name of local cordwainer pride. 

Closer to home, the charm of cottage industry is precisely why the collaboration between Tiong Bahru babies Nana and Bird and the equally Singaporean J.Myers Company has all the natural earthiness you'd expect of bespoke merchandise.  The decision to keep the camera strap (S$150) untreated shouts out to the most famous untreated leather handles, but also promises a sentimentality that could only come from naturally aging a strap through years of globetrotting.  Cue: Garance ambitions. 

Also catching my eye is the Conway cuff (S$85) - their less-adorned take on Balenciaga wrap bracelet, which may be a more practical badge of honour if you're as keen to support these local artisans as I am.

{pc: nanaandbird; jmyer on fb}

Skip The Wait List: Moda Operandi x Vintage Hermes

I interrupt this regrettable lull in posts to alert anyone suicidally desperate to secure a Hermes Birkin or Kelly.  Moda Operandi has 21 vintage Hermes bags at its latest trunk show - which means you could waltz past the wait list for that black Birkin and the local Hermes SA can withdraw the restraining order she has against you. 

The piece that's got me chucking my credit card into the freezer and holding a chopper over my right hand is the vintage wine hued Rouge H Kelly (US$4,950).  The price is - to me at least - still kind of insane but I like to imagine it once belonged to Victoria Beckham, and she's selling these bags to give back to poor or make space for baby Harper.  Makes it vaguely more justifiable... I say that with an almost straight face.

Well, if you're not saving for an apartment, Moda Operandi's selection (until 18 August) includes:

• Birkin - Eclat, Brighton Blue Crocodile, Graphite Clemence, Ebene Ostich and JPG Shoulder
• Kelly - Blue Jean, Horse Canvas, Chocolate Swift, Black Epsom and Miel Crocodile

[pc: streetchiclebanon; socialitelife]

All About Perspective: Hermes @ Bluefly

It's more or less a dead giveaway that a brand has hit the epitome of luxury marketing when an otherwise paltry 10% discount is heralded on Bluefly like the second coming. Erm. Right. So now Hermes is supposed to be remotely affordable?  In my dreams...  The prices on these are so beyond my realm of comprehension, they're blurring into lightyears. 

Collapsible silk tote - USD864

Indigo 'Dog' studded belt - USD1125

Wool perforated 'H' carry-on bag (main pic) - USD3285

Tan leather 'Victoria' travel bag - USD4005

Weekend Project: Hermes

Ahh... finally a version of the Hermes Collier de Chien Cuff Bracelet I can procure without resorting to a life of crime. 

London Sample Sale: Hermes

Hermes is having a sample sale in London; my wallet is relieved it's in Singapore.  For those in the correct continent: 

15-16 Jan (9am to 7pm)

The Music Rooms, South Molten Street

Mayfair W1K 5AB

Valextra : The "New" Hermes

My gal pal M has long been a BIG fan of Valextra, the understated Milanese luxury leather house. One of the discussions we've had was about how their bags are better designed and actually made from full leather - think an LV Speedy but with small slit pockets at the side, and not icky coated canvas.

The problem, perennially, was whether it was worth spending that much money on a brand which most people hadn't heard of, despite being extremely well-constructed and revered as it is in Italy.


I like to think of Valextra as the Rupert Sanderson of leather bags. I've also always tended to champion under-the-radar brands so, naturally, Valextra gets a tick in my book. But it appears that this brand won't be unknown for long... TWO of their styles have turned up on the arms of tabloid faves Jennifer Aniston and Posh Spice!

The Babila (on Jen) and the Borsa Series S (on Posh) are just two of their classic styles. I'm personally looking forward to their new half-moon-shaped Namasté - a shoulder sling style that apparently weighs a mere 600g but can carry up to 15kg of stuff without the accompanying backache! This appeals to my "everything but the kitchen sink" tendencies. Also, it'll apparently retail for under €1,000, which appeals far more to my budget :)

DIY Hermes

DIY Version : US$12 or less...

This is absolutely brilliant - the keyring costs only as much as the materials you decide to use!

Original Hermes Keyring : US$195

If I wasn't baking Chinese New Year goodies all weekend, THIS would definitely have been my weekend project!