PHOTO COURTESY OF LORO PIANA
New for the season, Loro Piana has a bundle of joy that's simple yet sophisticated. Meet the Bale, a chic bucket-style bag that exemplifies the savoir-faire of the Italian fashion house. Perfect for those who shy away from bold logos and loud monograms, its standout feature is its soft, luscious leather. Paying homage to luxurious cashmere that is stored in bales, the shape of the bags is similar to bucket hold-alls.
Prefer a smooth finish? Then go for the natural nappa-like leather in Warm Tan, carrying with it a silken coating for a delicate touch. Alternatively, there’s also fine-grained leather available in various colours. These range from lighter hues such as Light Mastic and Whisper White to darker shades of Dark Lichen Green and Navy Blue. A tumbled treatment helps to make the leather resistant to scratches, while keeping it soft and supple.
PHOTO COURTESY OF LORO PIANA
While unnoticeable from the front, the Bale features an extra leather loop detailing at the side. Besides mimicking the cords that bind the bales of cashmere, it also serves as a placeholder for the long strap. This allows you to carry the bag across the body or sling it over the shoulder.
The Bale comes in two sizes, the Micro Bale (SGD3810) and the Large Bale (SGD6180). They measure 23 cm by 16 cm and 36 cm by 28 cm respectively. The padding and lining, which support the leather exterior, get extra points for helping to retain the bag’s shape over time. The suede interior is another nice touch, as are the hand-stitched handles, which ensure a perfectly round fold. Not loud, not flashy, but soft, warm and inviting, like the Mongolian dessert in summer.
