Ari's Bag Collection

[ariluvya21]

I've always LOVED bags. The start of my love came when Kate Spade became the hottest bag to have when I was in middle school. I quickly graduated to Prada, Gucci and Fendi. Bottega Veneta was introduced to me with it's gorgeous woven leathers, as well as Chanel. And finally, the peak of handbag and leather perfection, Hermes. I now consider myself a complete Hermes addict although I still use many of my other bags depending on the occasion (I am obsessed with Lauren Merkin's Louise clutch for evenings). This thread is for me to showcase my collection.

I'm going to start with the Hermes bags, since that's what I currently have photos of. Over the next few days and possibly couple of weeks, I'll photograph the rest of my collection which not only include the premier and luxury labels mentioned above, but also contemporary pieces by Lauren Merkin and Foley & Corinna!

Please feel free to comment or just look around and if you have any questions about where to find the bags I own, or about the bags themselves, please don't hesitate to ask on the thread or pm me.

Every bag has a story behind it (some of them were more of an impulse) but I'll do my best to tell the story of why I purchased each bag.

Here it goes...

 

[ariluvya21]

I'm going to start with my first Hermes bag.

Hermes Harnais

I purchased this at JFK airport in June 2004. I was waiting for a flight to depart and was bored so went wandering around. I ended up in the Hermes boutique and thought this was such an adorable summer bag. I still occasionally use it on summer weekends but it's not the most functional as it is strictly hand carry.

I love the bag and would never dream of getting rid of it. However, I'm a little upset I don't have a box for it (at the time, I opted for no box since I was leaving the U.S. for vacation in Germany).

The front

The inside

From the side

 

[ariluvya21]

My second Hermes bag

Birkin 35 in black Fjord with Palladium harware

I never thought I'd be able to get a Birkin in a store so I went through Luxwear for my dream everyday black bag. Although originally I thought I wanted togo, I researched further and found out that Fjord is the most durable of all Hermes leathers. It is pretty much weather-resistant, which is great. I realized that since I was spending significantly above retail price, I wanted to make sure the bag was durable and would last. I would have done the same if I were buying it directly from Hermes. The bag arrived, brand new with the plastic still on the hardware. This bag has come traveling with me and to work. It has carried lots of different things over the past two and a half years and I hope to have it for the rest of my life, and pass it down to my daughters and/or granddaughters one day! I have never regretted this purchase.

The front, closed

The back

From the side

How I normally wear her - open at the top with the flap tucked into the back

Her interior

 

[ariluvya21]

My third Hermes bag

Kelly 32 in Fuschia Chevre with Palladium hardware

This Kelly bag was also purchased in January 2008, however, she was spotted in December 2007. While lunching during business hours near my office in the Flatiron District of NYC, I wandered to 18th Street and stumbled upon luxury consignment boutique Fisch for the Hip. I walked in and couldn't believe my eyes with all of the new and pre-loved Hermes bags, silks and small leather goods. My eyes quickly darted to this Kelly bag, which was in the glass case, and it was love at first site. At the time, I didn't think spending $6,300 on a fuschia bag was justifiable. I couldn't keep my mind off her and a month later went back to the shop. She was still sitting there. I knew immediately that it was meant to be. Although I don't take her out very much, I love when I do get the opportunity to use her. She always puts a smile on my face and I always get compliments.

From the front, closed

From the back

From the side

How I normally carry her

Her interior

I recently dressed her up in a plume Twilly to protect her handle from wear and tare

 

[ariluvya21]

My 4th Hermes bag

Lindy 34 in Raisin Clemence with Palladium hardware

Ahhhh, raisin. One of, if not THE, most stunning of all Hermes colors. Although purple, it is quite neutral due to it's richness. It reminds of a royal purple, something the queens and kings of England the 1500s and 1600s might wear. I had originally been looking for an Evelyne in Raisin but when I called the Manhasset boutique (they knew me from small leather goods and silk purchases) they said they didn't have Evelyne but they did have a Lindy. I told them I'd be right in (at the time, I was working locally and could drop by during lunch). There was no question. I saw it and loved it. I purchased it and was back to work within the hour, extremely excited at my new bag! I couldn't wait to remove her from her box and begin using her! This was in April 2009.

Note that the colors in the photos look different. It was very dependent on the angle at which I took the picture and how the flash hit the bag. But all pictures are of the same bag!

From the front, closed

From the side

From the back

From the front, open

Her interior

From the top

I like dressing her with a Twilly bow...

 

[ariluvya21]

My 5th Hermes bag

Garden Party Brown Negonda

I had purchased a brown Chancel tote bag at Saks in Brown but the brown had been so dark, it looked black. I hated it. I sold it to a friend of mine and began my search for a new brown bag. I walked into Hermes Manhasset and there she was, calling my name. The Garden Party is one of Hermes' best priced bags. Wearable on my shoulder without a coat, and wearable has a hand carry or arm carry during the winter with a coat, it was perfect. It's durable and fits everything I need, and more, for my day to day needs. I love her! She is the PERFECT brown!

From the front (and back)

From the side (with snaps closed)

With side snaps open

The interior

Dressed up in her Twilly bow

 

[ariluvya21]

The 6th Hermes bag

SilkyPop

This SilkyPop was not something I was actively looking for. I stumbled upon it on BlueFly and realized that it would be a great bag to bring lunch to work it, or an extra pair of shoes. A great bag to throw my book into while commuting, so I don't overstuff my leather bags. I did some research and found that it retailed for just over $1,075. BlueFly had it for just over $800. I couldn't pass it up and ordered it. The neutral grey/black/white color scheme has been great to match with everything. Once I've had my lunch, I fold it up and throw it in the bag I chose to use for that day.

Folder up

When I open the black case

Popped!

 

[ariluvya21]

My 7th Hermes bag purchase

Jypsiere 34 in Vert Veronese Fjord with Palladium hardware

I spotted this one in January 2010 when I had gone in to place my special order Birkin and completely fell in love. At the time, I hadn't saved up enough money but I called the Manhasset boutique back in March and said I wanted the bag and I'd be able to pick it up by the end of the month if they could hold it. They said "no problem." I picked this up last week of March 2010 and have used it almost every day since. The Fjord is the perfect leather for an every day, all weather, bag. And although I was originally hesitant about the color, once I tried it on I knew it was a fantastic neutral!

From the front

From the back

From the side

Open with the flap tucked into the back for easy access

Close up of the buckle

Interior (which I love because of the pockets)

And tied up with her Twilly

 

[ariluvya21]

My most recent, and 8th, Hermes acquisition

Picotin Lock GM in Clemence Bougeinvillea with Palladium hardware

Simply put: I walked into Hermes Manhasset with all intentioned of buying a 90 carre to interchange as a shoulder strap on my Jypsiere. I spotted two Picotin Lock bags in the perfect everyday size, GM. Once in classic Hermes orange and one in Bougeinvillea. After spending 20 minutes decided, the SA told me that I should go with Bougeinvillea. The color may only be offered for the season where as I can always get an orange Hermes bag. SOLD! The bag really puts a smile on my face. Although, I call it my little black hole because there are NO POCKETS and I tend to lose things inside of it, I just love it. It's a fun bag which was the perfect addition just in time for Spring!!! I love how she is floppy and fun and bright! I wouldn't get this bag in any leather aside from Clemence.

From the front

From the side

Interior

Standing tall

And dressed up with her Tohu Bohu Twilly

 

[ehemelay]

I love your collection!!

Thank you so much for sharing, especially your research on Hermes leather. I really appreciate that your photos show the bags in various "poses."

Your Lindy is my favorite!!! I would die to find one in that color.

But I don't want to get started with H... I'll never stop!

 

[ariluvya21]

I love your collection!!

Thank you so much for sharing, especially your research on Hermes leather. I really appreciate that your photos show the bags in various "poses."

Your Lindy is my favorite!!! I would die to find one in that color.

But I don't want to get started with H... I'll never stop!

I started and I haven't been able to stop either! I'm waiting for my gold Birkin to arrive!!! It's definitely an addiction.

As I photograph my other bags, I'll post them. Hopefully a few each night after work!

 

[ariluvya21]

My very first Chanel purchase

Chanel 2.55 Jumbo in Navy Caviar

I was looking forever for a navy bag and found this. I have to say, I regret this purchase. It's not a fabulous everyday bag and I don't use it often. I would have preferred to hold off for something more suitable to my day-to-day life. I love the bag but it just hasn't worked too well for me every day.

 

[ariluvya21]

My Louis pieces...

Classic Monogram Canvas and Multicolor Monogram Canvas Pochettes

The classic Monogram canvas pochette was purchased in Paris during the summer 2000 (I was 15), just before the pochette craze invaded every upper middle class community in America! Just a few months later, everyone had one. I loved the bag and when looking at the bag in person, you can really tell that it's been well loved. It's still well loved although I haven't worn it in a while.

The multicolor monogram canvas pochette was purchased in 2004 or 2005 when I was in college at the Boston Copley Louis Vuitton boutique. I never used this one as much as the classic one but it's a lot of fun and I love it.

I styled the classic one with a gold LV keyring. I use it to lengthen the strap or even shorten it. I also something use the bags as wristlets.

 

[AdamAlex]

amazing collection!!!!!

 

[airborne]

so awesome collection!