Basically an updated variation of an old-school doctor’s frame bag, it was intentionally kept minimal, sans all the usual bells and whistles. Even the name of the bag is such; it is simply known as the Céline Handbag. Short and sweet. No long, complicated names, no tongue twisters, which in a strange way just adds to the allure of it all even more.

Available in 2 different sizes (the shorter and slightly taller Frame, as well as the longer and shorter Long Frame), it will come in a variety of colours and finishes, including smooth calfskin, satin calfskin (which I suspect is haircalf shaved really tightly to achieve that smooth, shimmering finish) as well as exotics like python skin.

Prices will start from SGD3600 in Singapore, and up to SGD6300 for the ones in exotic skins. Others, like the ones in satin calfskin (shown above) will retail for SGD4000 a piece. All of which will be available in Singapore at their Ngee Ann City boutique in the coming weeks.

Images: Céline

YOU SHOULD SEE: Update – Céline Luggage Phantom
YOU SHOULD SEE: Céline Tartan Luggage Tote
YOU SHOULD SEE: F/W11 Womens Céline

Here are the final 7. Sorted alphabetically, of course.

01. Burberry Small Leather Document Holder
However you look at it, you can’t really fault the handsome leather folio that is the Burberry Small Leather Document Holder. 37 cm wide by 28.5 cm in height, the slim (and I do mean thin) folio is detailed with an oversized zip pull and also sports two flap pockets on the front. You may not be able to lug a laptop around in it, but it will fit the iPad or the 11″ Air just fine. The worst bit about it though? Picking from one of the 3 gorgeous colours it comes in.

SGD775 | Available now at Burberry boutiques island wide

02. Céline Luggage Phantom
Much has been said about the new line of bags from the woman-who-can-do-no-wrong (no, not he-who-must-not-be-named). Phoebe Philo is guaranteed another hit with the Luggage Phantom totes, the largest ones sporting a base that’s almost squarish and definitely too big for any woman to tote around without looking like she is lugging her kitchen sink. In other words, the boys will love it.

SGD3900 | Available soon at the Céline boutique at Ngee Ann City

03. Coach Bleecker Legacy Canvas Weekender
Totally unexpected, but absolutely deserving. May I present one of the best workhorses of the F/W11 season, the Coach Bleecker Legacy Canvas Weekender that’s large and roomy. Ruggedly handsome and available in a wide variety of colours, the canvas bag (which comes with loads of pockets and slots on the inside, by the way), is topped with longer leather handles you can comfortably tote over the shoulder.

USD398 | This bag won’t be available in Singapore. Try checking out Coach boutiques overseas

04. Givenchy Rottweiler Backpack
The boldest statement you can make this season is to get the  Givenchy Rottweiler Backpack, which also happens to be Riccardo Tisci’s animal of the season for F/W11 mens. Sure, you can get the tees, or even the pullover that every other person will be wearing as well, or get the backpack. Large, with another pair of roomy pockets at each side, it is one of those pieces you’ll use over and over again, long after the tees fade or become out of shape. You can put yourself on the wait list here where it will sell for SGD3300 in Singapore, or pre-order it online.

EUR1650 | Pre-order it online via Luisaviaroma

05. Louis Vuitton Cuir Indra Portfolio
Quite possibly the single, most beautiful bag to come out from Louis Vuitton this season, the Cuir Indra Portfolio is absolutely breathtaking. Named after an Indian demi-god and made with calf leather that’s embossed to look like elephant hide, the oversized clasp in gold-tone hardware seals the deal for me, the only detail that’s needed for this sophisticated (and might I add please, stunning) portfolio.

TBC | Available soon at Louis Vuitton boutiques island wide

06. Mulberry Rockley Satchel
First, the bad news. The Mulberry Rockley Satchel will not be available in Singapore. Now for the good.  You can head online and get it for GBP775. Made of smooth leather, the 38 cm by 31 cm satchel is great for both work or play. Use it during the weekdays for the necessary work files and the laptop, use it during the weekends if you’re heading overseas for a quick jaunt. Either way, it works. Also comes in Chocolate, besides the one in Gunmetal shown here.

GBP775 | Available online at Mulberry

07. Prada Saffiano Luggage Bag
It’s made of Saffiano leather, it’s sky blue, it’s roomy. Seriously, what more can you ask for? Hot off the runway and one of the key pieces from their new travel collection, the Prada Saffiano Luggage Bag sports zips that go round the bag for immediate gratification. Sure, it’s on the pricey side, but think of it this way. You will never look at any other travel carry-on bag the same way again once you own this baby.

SGD4330 | Available soon at Prada boutiques island wide

Images: Burberry, Céline, Givenchy, Louis Vuitton & Mulberry

For those of you eyeing the roughly A5-sized pouches (seen above with the fox tails), they will retail from SGD530 and up, depending on the combination of materials as there will be quite a few variations available.

For those of you who are set on the Luggage Phantom in stamped exotic but think the one in Medium (measuring around 38 cm by 40 cm) will be too big for you, there will be carbon copies of the bags available in the smaller size, Mini. If you’re still puzzled about the sizes they come in, here’s a post for you to check out.

Besides everything I’ve mentioned above, do stay tuned for more posts on other forthcoming F/W11 Céline bags like the Trapeze, the Triptyque, as well as the uber-luxe iPad clutch that will retail for a whopping SGD3800.

Images: Céline

Also new is the additional dangling leather zip pull in the front, which in my opinion just adds to the quirkiness of the piece. Something else I left out the last time, on the inside the bag is lined with suede, a nice luxurious touch to an otherwise already gorgeous bag.

As far as Singapore is concerned, the one in stamped exotic croc (shown above) is expected to launch in July 2011 and will retail for SGD3900, lower than my earlier estimate of SGD4500.

Smaller versions in different colours and material variations (have a look here) will also be available, and they will start from SGD2300 apiece.

If you’re looking for something more traditional, here’s the original Luggage Shopper that will be available in tartan tweed for F/W11. Available in 2 sizes, they will retail for SGD2500 and SGD2000 for the Medium and the Mini respectively. If the Cabas is more your thing, they’ve also got one in tartan and it is finished at the bottom with smooth calfskin which will retail at SGD1300. The Cabas, not the Luggage Tote, just so we’re clear.

Images: Céline

YOU SHOULD SEE: Céline Luggage Phantom
YOU SHOULD SEE: Céline Tartan Luggage Tote

It could be the fact that he somehow managed to pull it off and made it work for him, or the fact that he was wearing something made originally for the ladies. Either way, I was intrigued (and disturbed) enough to head down to Céline Ngee Ann City to have a look at the Céline ‘Kanye’ Shirt for myself.

Beautiful up-close (the workmanship and attention to detail is exquisite), it is not definitely not something for everyone (yes, even most ladies will have difficulty pulling it off). And seeing that it will cost you SGD3800 just to bring it home, definitely not something most wallets can afford either. What do you think?

Images: Céline

I did see most (if not all) of the F/W11 pieces for myself while in Paris in March, but I didn’t see these 3. From the Pre-Fall 2011 collection, they will be released before the main collection, and one that I’m looking forward to is this one, the gorgeous Luggage Phantom in stamped croc calfskin.

Intentionally exaggerated with oversized side flaps and long leather tassels, it does look like a phantom of sorts, in this case, a scary bat or something. Even the face’s mouth is given a longer than usual tassel, like a tongue that sticks out at you, albeit rudely.

And just when you’re about to write it off as a crazy bag that only someone like me can love, you can actually tie the sides inwards and it looks almost like the original Luggage Shopper, all prim and proper.

Other variations include this one in olive suede, a divine combination if you ask me.

Last but not least, another stunner with a black suede front and sides in shiny pebbled leather. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that all 3 will be made available for sale in Singapore come August (or September 2011) and if my estimates are correct, they should retail for around SGD4500 and upwards apiece.

Definitely a want. A huge want.

Images: Céline

Simply known as the Céline Fox Tail Key Ring, I was initially torn when I first discovered them online. I knew they would be really expensive but my mantra is as always: if you want something bad enough, you’ll just have to save for it.

To make things worse, I would picture baby foxes frolicking in the woodlands without their tails, which made me feel really guilty. I’m no animal activist, but I would like to think I have some semblance of a heart (with a dash of conscience) buried somewhere within me.

Conflicted, and with a heavy heart, I decided to send an email to the local press office. I had a hunch, but it needed to be proven.

The reply came soon after. Besides the fact that the key rings will come in 3 colours (Black, Khaki and Natural), they will retail for SGD420 a pop. Which only meant one thing. There was no way the key rings could be real fur given the price; I could get any (or all) of the key rings (and my conscience would still be intact. I could use it as a key ring, dangle it off a bag, but will never hook it to my belt loop. I was born without a tail and I would like to stay that way.

The key rings will be launched in Singapore come August/September (no, it is never too early to start wait listing or saving) and they will be available at Céline Ngee Ann City.

Images: Céline

Even though this is technically a bag for the fairer sex, how many women do you know will actually carry this? Maybe this is just Philo’s way of reaching out to the boys, making select pieces that she knows the guys will go for (like the Racer Stripe Luggage Tote).

And for that I’m very thankful.

Image: Céline

What I am more interested in is the new Céline Clasp, a S/S11 addition. Basically a large shoulder bag that can also be used as an oversized clutch, this SGD3800 calfskin leather beauty is lined with lambskin on the inside, which also explains the price tag.

Here’s another Clasp, featured in a different colour in the ad campaign.

Last but not least, an obligatory image of the now famous Céline Luggage Shopper in exotic python and black leather trim. And even though they are still selling out the moment they hit Singapore, I think Phoebe Philo understands the need for reinvention, which is why I’m excited about the new variations for F/W11.

There are only so many ways you can keep selling different colour/material combinations before the masses start getting jaded, so the logical thing to do is to excite them with new possibilities. And having seen them for myself up close, I’m looking forward to the day when they are launched for sale.

Images: Céline

Loewe showed a variety of handbags, shoulder slings and tiny trunks (meant for cosmetics) on the runway, they were all good. And in my heart I know Stuart Vevers will have a winning season for the Fall-Winter 2011 Womens Loewe collection as far as the bags are concerned. After all, who can resist the reinterpreted May that’s now boxy and adorable?

Besides the boxy May, there is also a May shoulder sling, and another in gorgeous blue crocodile. Stunning if you ask me.

Louis Vuitton (and in particular Marc Jacobs) does it again with a spectacle of bags that ran the gamut of styles. Featuring the reinterpreted Lockit (just as some seasons ago we saw the reinterpreted Speedy), they came down the runway in various shapes, some covered in the lushest of exotics.

Besides the ones in exotic skins, other reinvented Lockit bags also included some with a clasp frame (very ladylike), a tiny clutches, oversized clutches, and even some covered with fur. Not that I’m into S&M or whatever, but the runway show also featured leather bracelets doubling up as handcuffs, as a nod to Marc’s themes of fetish and fashion for the Fall-Winter 2011 Womens Louis Vuitton collection.

Phoebe Philo can seem to do no wrong. Her pared-down runway bags for the Fall-Winter 2011 Womens Céline collection are set to become huge hits, even if they only consist of a doctor’s bag, a clutch and an iPad case. Having seen them all during the resee, they are truly magnificent, with the iPad case being my favourite of the 3.

Besides being visually understated, it also packs a secret on the inside which I can’t yet reveal. I also saw the other bags from Céline’s F/W11 collection and they are stunning! In addition, I took snapshots of the new totes (Luggage Shopper Phantom and the Jelly Cabas) but that’s as much as I can say for the moment.

Now on to Chanel. Karl Lagerfeld didn’t show as many bags as I would have liked for the Fall-Winter 2011 Womens Chanel runway presentation, but that’s ok. Those that did appear weren’t too bad, one a shoulder bag that came with a new clasp design and thick heavy chain in colours like black, white and bi-coloured in shades of grey.

A piece that I liked were the round, little, quilted hand purses, just big enough for your bare essentials, and definitely big enough to make that Chanel statement. Right where all your jealous friends would be able to see it.

Next, we’ve got the Fall-Winter 2011 Womens Dior runway pieces (which will also now be officially known as John Galliano’s swansong collection). While I’m not sure if his sudden departure had to do with what was finally presented on the runway, it seems that when shown together, they looked to be an absolute mess.

Instead of showing a totally new bag and reinterpreting another, there seemed to be more styles than the variety of macarons available at Ladurée, which is not always a good thing. The Lady Dior looked only minimally reworked, the shoulder bag uninspiring. The huge hobo with the huge bow tied in front? Now don’t even get me started on it.

Last but not least, Miu Miu. Miuccia Prada presented huge granny clasp purses for the Fall-Winter 2011 Womens Miu Miu runway show which I really adored. Held under the arm, they came down the runway in various colours and materials, all topped off with a giant gold-tone clasp. Unexpected, but divine.

What did you like (and from whom) the most?

And before I forget, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all 6 houses (Céline, Chanel, Dior, Loewe, Louis Vuitton and Miu Miu) who extended show invites to me in Paris. It’s a great honour and an experience I won’t soon forget.

Images: Style

YOU SHOULD SEE: F/W11 Women Chanel
YOU SHOULD SEE: F/W11 Womens Céline
YOU SHOULD SEE: F/W11 Womens Loewe: Backstage Snapshots
YOU SHOULD SEE: F/W11 Womens Dior