BREAK OUT YOUR SHELLE

In the past, it was all about the fashion when it came to designer handbags. Forget about practicality; they were purely there to make you look good, as a mark of taste and style. I have now come to believe, however, that a good handbag is something more: it must still incorporate these aspects of luxury and opulence, but also be practical enough to accompany me in the mad dash that is my life. Call me crazy, but practicality is pretty high on my radar when it comes to accessories (especially on weekdays, when time is of the essence!).  But where do I find such an elusive thing?

Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE my classic Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Dior with their patented designs and stylish finishes. But, whilst they may be labelled as ‘timeless’ and reach just as much in auctions as they do on the shelves, they are often not compatible with the modern lifestyle in that they do not cater for items like laptops and tablets. Being an avid fashion follower, I was excited to see that some designers have take stock and rectified this in the design work, with the elegant ‘Shelle Classica’ handbag by Rosalina Nacken particularly catching my eye.

 It handmade in Italy using original leather and craftsmanship but remains both chic and practical – I particularly like its ‘tablet case’ and unique ability to be transformed from clutch to handbag (and vice versa!).  Its design really brings the notion of ‘daring to be different’ into the fore, but in the most stylish and functional way possible. I also love the fact that each bag comes with a unique RN serial number as a mark of authenticity. Great attention to detail!

So if you have decided to take the plunge and buy a designer handbag, remember that fashion can often come at a cost. Luckily for us, there are designers out there that have accommodated for the hectic lifestyle of the working woman; handbags such as the Shelle have bought a new meaning to having ‘style without sacrificing practicality’. Being able to dash from one outing to another (and in style, at that!) really is priceless – the unique look of the bag is just another bonus. 

*collaboration post