One of the new releases from Net-A-Porter, the 22 cm by 16 cm gold dot-embossed glossed calf leather is definitely big enough to double up as a party clutch. One that would be great for the slew of festive parties you’ve got planned from now till New Year’s Eve. Affordable too, at GBP120.

If, however, you’re looking for something a tad more sensible in the form of a purse (4 card slots, a coin pouch and a bill slot), then check this out, priced at GBP170.

So who’s ready to party?

Image: Net-A-Porter

Most everyone brought different bags for different shows (I really need to find out how they managed to pack it all in), but these were the ones they were carrying when they attended the F/W11 Céline show.

Question is, can you match them to their owners? Fine, I shan’t tease.

First up we’ve got Kenneth’s Bottega Veneta clutch portfolio (Harper’s Bazaar Singapore) and Jonathan’s The Cambridge Satchel Company + Comme des Garçons collaboration bag.

And here we’ve got Sharon’s well-loved (and well-used) Coco Cocoon tote (Style Singapore), Denyse’s lovely Chanel 2.55 (Her World Singapore) and last but not least, Daphne’s stunning bejewelled Prada clutch (Elle Singapore).

Aren’t they all gorgeous?

Image: Bagaholicboy

Besides stocking the main line, other lines to be housed in the store include Homme Plus, Shirt, Shirt Girl, Play and Black. This also means coveted items like the Play tees, wallets and fragrances will now be available at this one-stop shop.

Some of the merchandise available at the new store will include these tees from the Comme Des Garçons Shirt collection, priced at SGD290 and SGD190 respectively.

But if you’re looking for something more festive, this Play tee might be the perfect solution, and it retails for SGD180. Or check out the ones in bright Red (a guaranteed hit with the elders) which will retail for SGD140 each and available in sizes for both the boys and the girls. Happy shopping!

Images: Club21

Agnès b. X’mas Qee Bear Collection
I’ve got a pair of them from the 2009 collection, and this year I hope to add a couple more. The Agnès b. X’mas Qee Bear collection is totally cute and a must-have collectible, and they only cost SGD35 each. Getting the whole set of 6 bears (available at Agnès b. stores island wide) will only set you back by SGD210, with enough left over for some tubs of Ben & Jerry’s. Yum.

Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas Key And Change Holder
As far as I know, almost everyone owned one of these growing up. Considered an entry-level item, the Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas Key And Change Holder is not only incredibly useful, it is also very, very affordable. Retailing for SGD240 each, it holds keys, coins and cash pretty well. You could also hang it from your bag (as a bag charm of course), or safely tucked in your back pocket, either way it works. Besides Monogram Canvas, it also comes in Damier Ebene (brown checks) and Damier Azur (blue and white checks).

Goldheart Elise Pendant
Everyone loves bling, and if your loved one wants something dazzling under the Christmas tree this year, check out the Goldheart Elise Pendant that retails for only SGD198 as part of their ongoing X’mas promotions. Crafted with rose gold, white gold and a trio of brilliant white diamonds, check this (and other lovely pieces) out at Goldheart boutiques island wide.

Loewe Leather Keyring
Simple, elegant and classy, the Loewe Leather Keyring (SGD190) would be one of my last resorts for the man who has everything. Besides being really affordable, the 5 cm by 5 cm textured calf leather key ring can also be used on its own with the car key, whereas I prefer to use mine to hold my banking dongle. Available in a wide variety of colours, check them out at Loewe Ngee Ann City or Isetan Scotts.

Triwa Karelen Chrono
Before we go any further, here’s a quick disclaimer. In Singapore, Triwa watches typically retail from SGD230 to SGD285, and while I’m not exactly sure if the Triwa Karelen Chrono is under SGD250, there will be many other models (in loads of other colours) that are. Hailing from Sweden, they are in my personal opinion a little less common than Toy Watch and loads prettier. Check them out at Blackjack or at authorised retailers across the island. Do also note that I’ll be giving one Triwa watch to one lucky reader/follower/fan in December so keep your eyes peeled!

Comme des Garçons Wallet
The most basic of all Comme des Garçons wallets, this little zip-around number packs a centre slot that allows you to wrap your cash around, and in the middle of the slot is where you put your credit cards. Available in variety of bold, bright colours, you can pick them up for SGD130 each at the CDG pop-up store at Como House along Orchard Road.

Marc Jacobs Bang
Peppery, woody and spicy are 3 words that come to mind when describing the new fragrance from Marc Jacobs. Retailing for just SGD130 for the 100 ml EDT spray, add on the after shave balm (SGD80) or deodorant stick (SGD40) and you’ve got a lovely enough X’mas gift for the man in your life. I’ll also be giving away the fragrance, along with a tote bag and a mini portfolio from Marc Jacobs Bang, so remember to check back often during the month.

Diane von Furstenberg Mariela Laptop Case
Another laptop case, but with a difference. Short of recommending yet another case from Marc by Marc Jacobs, here’s a pair you can consider from DvF. Retailing for USD135 at Shopbop (around SGD177 after conversion), the Diane von Furstenberg Mariela Laptop Case comes in 2 designs (Autumn Leaves Black or Arabesque White). Made of PVC and great for laptops up to 17″, Shopbop also offers free international shopping for orders above USD100 and it is guaranteed to reach you in 3 days or less. How’s that for fuss-free shopping?

Mulberry Horseshoe Coin Purse
An iconic staple for Mulberry, the handsome Mulberry Horseshoe Coin Purse is a good way to stop the blight that is the jingling and jangling of men’s pockets when they are full of coins. Besides being unsightly (is that really the bulge we want people to notice), you always almost lose a couple of coins when it slips out of the pocket when you’re seated. My solution, get the SGD230 coin purse, put all your wayward coins into it, and the problem goes away immediately. Look for it at Mulberry Hilton Shopping Gallery or Takashimaya Department Store.

Kate Spade BlackBerry Pouch
This pouch doesn’t cost SGD250. Nor does it cost over SGD100. In fact, the Kate Spade BlackBerry Pouch is only SGD55. So why is it even in this line-up? Well, many of you have been telling me since I only love the iPhone (that’s not completely true, I also love Nokia by the way), I never seem to cover anything for BlackBerry owners. Well, fret no further. Available in 2 different colours (Pink and Green), you can even get both at a go, have them nicely boxed (I’m a big fan of their packaging by the way) and give it to your loved one for Christmas.

Images: Agnès b, Dover Street Market, Goldheart, Kate Spade, Loewe, Longchamp, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Mulberry, Shopbop & Triwa

If you’re looking for something more substantial, check out the zip wallet which packs in 4 credit card slots, a coin pouch and a slot for cash, and retails for GBP118. All in all, there are 8 different styles available online, but if you want to check them out in person, then head on down to Como House before they are all sold out.

Images: Dover Street Market

And I think it certainly helps that Christopher Bailey himself is very active on the brand’s Facebook page, with short videos explaining his various collections and taking time out to answer some of his fans’ questions.

In other words, an achievement well-deserved.

Club21 will be opening their pop-up store at Como House in December with the theme Merry Happy Crazy Colour for X’mas. Besides loads of Play tees, you will also find many Comme des Garçons items including candles, fragrances, sneakers and a whole lot more. Check them out at 6B Orange Grove Road or ring 6304-1328 for more enquiries.

Besides the Mode Studs collection that I’m pretty psyched about, Goldheart also released the Mode Wire collection which comprises 4 different pieces in rose gold, white gold, or a combination of both with brilliant diamonds. Retailing from SGD1588 and up (usual prices start from SGD2848), these will also make great stocking stuffers this X’mas.

First announced yesterday on Sweden’s The Local, CEO of H&M Karl-Johan Persson said that come 2011 they will be opening their first South-East Asia store at Orchard Building, which currently houses California Fitness and is just beside Mandarin Gallery.

Singapore, your prayers have been answered!

Images: Burberry, Club21, Goldheart & H&M

While some will regard them as just another wallet, having seen them for myself in Tokyo certainly changed my personal opinion of Comme des Garçons’ range of wallets and SLGs. Besides being extremely affordable in Japan (they start from around SGD60 or so), they come in a huge variety of finishes, from Colour Embossed to Luxury Group (shown above), to ones not even available online at DSM, including some I picked up that had embossed croc and python skins.

And that’s not even half the fun. The fun is tracking them down, because in Japan Comme des Garçons is huge, and almost everywhere you go, you will find them in little corners in departmental stores, stand-alone shops and even special collaboration counters. You hit one place, you see a couple of designs. You hit another place, you see a little more.

As for me, I’ve already amassed quite a haul, yet somehow I know I’m not nearly done. And because I’ve not seen collections like Manga or Tartan in person, yet, the quest continues so please wish me luck. Besides, if I get lucky, one of you may get lucky too if I decide to do a quick giveaway either on my Facebook fan page or on Twitter. So do keep your eyes peeled!

Image: Dover Street Market

Fans of Comme des Garçons’ small leather goods will no longer need to email me lamenting the lack of variety and styles available in Singapore. Perhaps one of the net’s best kept secrets (so secret in fact I only realised it myself today), you can now get your CDG fix online at Dover Street Market which stocks full collections of everything from their Manga collection (shown above) to classic collections like Polka Dots and Classic Plain.

And speaking of the Comme des Garçons Manga collection, it’s also my current favourite of the lot. Available in 3 different colourways and designs, prices start from GBP100 for the zip-top wallet case (shown above).

Another collection worth checking out is Luxury Group, which comes in a smattering of gorgeous hues including the one in blue that’s shown above. Measuring 14.5 cm by 10.5 cm, this cowhide leather case retails for GBP90.

A classic in itself, check out the Colour Embossed B collection, which features this particular fiery-red wallet that’s both loud and sassy for GBP53.

So there, the secret’s out. And yes, Dover Street Market ships internationally so what are you still waiting for?

Go!

Images: Dover Street Market

No, none of us here really needs it.

But I sure do want it.

Image: Colette

Fans of everything Comme des Garçons will be pleased that temporary label Black has officially reopened at Hilton Shopping Gallery (#02-39/40, 6304-1362), initially started by Rei Kawakubo as a response to the recession. Priced lower than her main line, it was her way of turning morosity into positivity.

Another stop for me to make this weekend. And looking forward to it.

Image: Club21