Smythson Virginia Shoulder Bag in Cassis

Smythson's Virginia Shoulder Bag was released in 2010 (during Samantha Cameron's reign as creative director of Smythson) and had a good reception, including a recommendation as a must-have autumn/winter accessory by Elle UK. Smythson's Virginia Bag was available in two styles; a shoulder bag (pictured here) and a strap-free clutch version. Both of these models were available in a range of colours, including black, grey, cream and the deep raspberry colour that is pictured above and below.

Gerard Darel Le Buci Bag in Cream

Over the last twelve months I've had the pleasure of selling quite a few Gerard Darel bags, including two other Le Buci models (in black and brown). The latest Gerard Darel Le Buci Bag to leave our storeroom - on it's way to a happy customer! - is in this gorgeous cream colour, which would complement many seasonal styles.

Smythson Gladstone Style Black Leather Bag with Shagreen Closure

This little Smythson number has stolen my heart. I don't quite know why I've fallen head over heels in love with this bag, but there's something about it's structure and size that speaks to me. Originally, this Smythson bag would have been sold with an accompanying shoulder strap, but I purchased this pre-loved from a friend and, unfortunately, she lost the strap during a trip abroad. Hotel rooms all over the world are responsible for quite a few missing treasures!

3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli Review

Photo by 木木 曉儀 / CC BY

3.1 Phillip Lim is responsible for some truly lovely bag designs, but the Pashli is definitely their bag-of-the-moment. The Pashli is often referred to as a satchel, but don't let this put you off, it's still very modern and trendy. It's produced in many different colours but only three sizes; the mini (pictured above in green and below in blue) the medium and the large.

All About Anya Hindmarch

photo by nameless users / CC BY

Anya Hindmarch began her huge handbag empire in a simple but effective way. After a stint studying abroad in Italy she fell in love with the Italian leather bags that she saw women carrying, and she decided to bring them over to the UK and sell them. After a successful first attempt, Hindmarch continued sourcing Italian leather bags between 1987-1992, as well as having her own designs made by a factory in Italy. These bags were then sold in luxury stores in London, New York, Japan, France and Italy. It wasn't until the factory began selling directly to Harvey Nichols - cutting her out of the equation - that Anya Hindmarch opened her own store and the brand was born.

6 More Amazing Handbag Collection YouTube Videos for Designer Bag Obsessives

Photo by Tyler Pruitt / CC BY

Designer handbag collection videos make for compulsive viewing. For me, they fill that void when I'm trying to stay away from expensive purchases, but they are actually also very helpful when you want some inspiration on what to buy next. This is the second time that I've gathered together amazing handbag collection YouTube videos, and I think that I'm even happier with this selection! If you love designer bags, and if you love discovering new YouTubers, then take some time out and dive into the wardrobes of these five amazing women - I don't think that you'll regret it!

Mansur Gavriel's Breakout Success

photo by Anne-Marii / CC BY / edited: resized, sharper

Founded in 2012, Mansur Gavriel might be a new brand but their high-quality Italian leather bags are carried by some of the most fashionable women in the world. Rachel Mansur and Floriana Gavriel came up with the concept for the brand in 2010, aspiring to create pieces with a "casual but elegant" aesthetic that were free from hardware and logos. Additionally, the founders were very keen to make their bags from traditional vegetable tanned leather, a material that they both loved but that is more often associated with men's accessories. Indeed, all of their aesthetic decisions turned out to be spot-on, and their break-out design - the bucket bag - was a roaring success, proving that vegetable tanned leather goods can carry some serious cool-factor.