The Material Boy #458

Below: Bally is slowly sending positive vibes to my bag radar... I love the new Rachele Leather Tote, modern and interesting while bearing a great price tag! Especially love the black and white version, very graphic chic!

Below: The nude and grey trim version is equally noteworthy! There is even a taller version which I spotted in Singapore's Bally store last weekend... love them both:-P

Bally Rachele Leather Tote

Call it Céline looking or even Prada Executive Tote's evil twin... one thing's for sure, I want Bally's new Spring Summer 2011 Rachele Leather Tote!

There are commendable details for this Bally bag by new creative directors, Graeme Fidler and Michael Herz. One most notable detail is the interesting panel effect on the body which allows for multi colour and contrasting materials. I love the extended rim of white or grey in a different material for added visual and tactile appeal. The way the handles are designed is also beautiful, riveted with black studs and a clean line of stitching for a modern touch. The colour ways is contemporary, utilising graphic black and white or complimentary nude and grey tones. Little touches like a detachable mini coin purse is endearing! Best of all, the price of just £649 wins hands down over any bag that has this level of design:-) I simply love the clean lines (suitable for guys too!) and size (41cm x 31cm x 17cm) of the Rachele Bag!

(If this shorter version is not to your liking, there is also a taller version, which was spotted over my shopping expedition last weekend at Singapore's Bally Store in Ngee Ann City. A different proportion for new possibilities and at a great price of SGD1795)

Source: Net-a-porter

Retail price: £649 (w/o VAT). Where to buy: www.net-a-porter.com

Ad Campaigns And Catalogues #202

Below: More pics from Bally's Spring Summer 2011 Mens Lookbook... starring Clément Chabernaud...
(Click on all pics to enlarge for better view)

Below: Hi-cut trainers with square perforations... off goes all those weary red and white canvas stripes... a welcoming change:-)

Below: Modern and clean lines abound in the collection...

Below: The tote is not canvas as it seemed... it's woven leather (adds to the weight, prefer canvas) and costs SGD4290. Yikes! Bad move on pricing in my opinion, who will pay this amount for Bally bags? But it is fabulous!

Below: Love these deck shoes with chunky soles...especially the ankle height ones with the blue panel...

Bally Spring Summer 2011 Mens Lookbook

Here's more lookbook pics from Bally's Spring Summer 2011 Mens Collection with Clément Chabernaud coercing you to do some serious Visa Card swiping...

Nautical inspired colours and patterns, sporty and modern menswear that are ready for any adventurous but stylish man, ready to set sail into the Mediterranean.

Love those hi-cut sneakers with square perforation, as well as the white ankle height deck shoes with a huge blue panel. The woven leather totes are streamlined and clean (but ultra expensive!), utilising subdued hues of white, beige and navy for a nautical aesthetic. I like!

Full set of images from the lookbook on my facebook fan page here:-)

Source: Bally

Ad Campaigns And Catalogues #201

Below: I love Bally's Spring Summer 2011 Ad Campaign as shot by Daniel Jackson. Ollie Edwards looking very suave in Bally's new collection under the new creative direction of Graeme Fidler and Michael Herz. (Click on all pics to enlarge for better view)

Below: Constance Jablonski, one of my most favourite female models (love her look!) stars in the womens campaign... Camel colour is huge this season in Bally...

Below: ...as does colour blocking... the blue shoulder bag is one of the designs from the minimal and chic, Riviera collection...

Below: Love the camel tote Constance is carrying in this ad!

Below: This Bally tote is growing on me!

Below: The colourful and vintage inspired Bally Riviera Collection...

Bally Spring Summer 2011 Mens/Womens Ad Campaign

Fresh minds and vision at the reins of Bally, has re-ignite my interest in this Swiss luxury brand. Designs have taken a more minimal and restrained approach, forgoing excessive detailing and streamlining the look. Although the bags and shoes for womens bears a certain resemblance to Céline, there are still some noteworthy pieces that got me excited. See my post on the Bally Spring Summer 2011 Womens Bags here.

The Riviera collecton of bags with coloured leather panels and trimmings sends off a summer vacation vibe, while those Céline-alike totes and bags, have a certain modernist charm that even I would not mind carrying myself. One of my favourites, the camel coloured tote was featured alongside Constance Jablonski (also the face of the ad campaign), which is simply fabulous! All those colours on the ready to wear are also very welcoming and on trend for colour blocking frenzy this SS2011 season.

As for the men, super handsome Ollie Edwards fronts the mens' ad campaign, looking all brooding and ever so charming. The restrained collection shows off classic pieces from the brand's archives, reworked to fit into our modern age. Bags, shoes and ready to wear are highly wearable and suited for the savvy men on vacation anywhere. There is a certain nautical/Sahara desert feel to the pieces, with camel, navy and whites as predominant colours. Clément Chabernaud gracing the pages of the lookbook also helps the collection to have an even more convincing appeal. Love anything Clément is wearing anyday!

Below: Watch this video on Bally's new creative directors, Graeme Fidler and Michael Herz, explaining their inspirations behind this Spring Summer 2011 Mens collection...

Below: Bally has done well with the casting of models for their Spring Summer season, choosing Clément Chabernaud for the mens lookbook is a wise choice, Clément always makes me want anything he is wearing! I want that scoop neck tee with the graphic stripes!

Below: I love the tote bag too! The blue leather trim on the sides and the camel coloured handles with white canvas is easy on the eyes and exude a summer nautical charm.

Check out my Facebook Fanpage for the full series of Bally's Spring Summer 2011 Ad Campaign.

Source: Bally

Ad Campaigns And Catalogues #197

Below: Bally's new Spring Summer 2011 collection designed by new creative directors, Graeme Fidler and Michael Herz. Bally is definitely headed into contemporary minimalism with this collection! (Check out my blog's facebook fan page for the entire collection). Is it just me or do these bags remind you of Céline?

Below: The bi-colour panelling does reek of Céline...

Bally Spring Summer 2011 Womens Bags

Out goes Brian Atwood (he does a bettewr job with his own line of hot shoes!) and in comes former Aquascutum designers Graeme Fidler and Michael Herz holding the creative reins at Swiss luxury house, Bally. So what do the design duo bring to the Bally brand this Spring Summer 2011? Well, one thing's for sure, it seemed Bally, like everyone, has caught on the minimalist fever. Bally bags this SS2011 season gets more architectural and streamlined. Clean lines abound, colours kept subdued... such as these almost Céline like totes and bags which could pass off as Phoebe Philo's work at a glance. They even follow Céline's discreet gold stamping of logos as branding and the bi-colour panel bears great resemblance in the aesthetics.

Of course, all these observations are my own humble impression. I would say this SS2011 collection by Fidler and Herz is a commendable effort to bring a much needed contemporary direction to Bally. Only time will tell if the collection finds fancy into the ever fickle minds of fashionista worldwide.

For pics of the full collection of Bally's Spring Summer 2011 bags, go to my Facebook Fan Page here.

Source: Bally

My MANy Bags Trendspotting #136

Below: It's time to take a hike! Let's do some 'urban mall mountaineering' with these fabulous hiking boots! (we do scale new heights when it comes to multi level exploration of retail stores in mega malls!)

Take A Hike, Boys! – Fall Winter 2010 Hiking Boots

Ever since I saw the pic below from The Sartorialist, I am on the lookout for hiking style boots that will achieved an urban adventurer look. Country ensembles are also gaining momentum this Fall Winter 2010 season, so these mountain trekking footwear are a must have! Italian guys have even worn hiking boots with suits for fall season which adds an unexpected twist to these outdoor shoes. Talk about being 'creative':-P (See pic below). I love it!

Below: Check out this guy below pairing what is supposed to be formal wear with footwear that was always thought to belong to the outdoors! Interesting!

Something that is in line with the boots trend for this Fall Winter season and yet has a rugged look to tread thru the 'shopping' terrains of Tokyo and Hokkaido! (I am headed to Japan in Dec! Yay!) Something that will allow me to achieve the look! I have everything already from the pic, from the military green overcoat, to the stripe t-shirt (Zara!) to the skinny white jeans, all I need now are those hiking style boots:-P

Here's some options I have gathered, from Bally to Dolce & Gabbana to Paul Smith... but I am loving the Zara ones the most. Since I love the price tag to be expected for Zara's version (SGD 199 and 229 for the top and bottom one respectively:-P) Ultimately, I intend to invest as little on winter gear and as much as I can on Tokyo shopping!:-) Call it my 'smart shopping' budgeting!:-)

Anyone else for hiking boots:-P?

Source: Bally, John Richmond, Dolce & Gabbana, Zara, Paul Smith

Great Minds Think Alike #24

Bally Fall Winter 2010 vs. Mulberry Fall Winter 2008

Are you seeing what I see? Is that a dejavu from Fall Winter 2008 season where Mulberry launched their Shimmy Tote? Seems like Bally is 4 seasons too late to come up with a shockingly similar design. Tsk, tsk, tsk...

Great minds think alike?

Source: Bally, Mulberry

Bally "Nappa doctor bag"

oow usually i don't say much about a bag i blogged but just look at that luscious leather!!!! i want it!

currently retails for € 775.83
seen at : www.luisaviaroma

My MANy Bags Sales Updates #23

More SALE, SALE, SALE!

Just got back from checking out the latest sale happenings around Orchard:-)

Here's a rundown of what brands have gone on sale:

1) Loewe - Up to 50% for selected items. Small selection but you can find gems:-P Which I did tonight!:-P

2) Bally - 30% off. Some great shoes and bags. And this weekend, Takashimaya is offering an extra 10% discount for Takashimaya Credit Cardmembers! Best time to shop!

3) Kate Spade is packed tonight at Takashimaya. I am not sure about the discounts...but worth checking out!

4) Same for Bruno Magli and Coach (Coach has a long queue outside Takashimaya's outlet)

My MANy Life's Inspirations #03

Below: Brian Atwood (left) + Nate Berkus (right). What a cute and creative couple:-)

Brian Atwood + Nate Berkus Home, Milan

What happens when 2 creative minds becomes a couple and need to dress up a living space? Needless to say, a home that embodies high style, creativity and a space that inspires.

Nate Berkus being a renowned interior decorator by profession, with several stints on Opera Winfrey's show, hosted the primetime hit, Oprah's Big Give and with a homeware line under his name, this guy embodies all that is creative, savvy and not to mention 'super pleasing' physically to the eyes. (Me drools...)

Brian Atwood is synonymous with bold daring seductive shoes that women swoon all over. And also as the creative director of the Swiss luxury brand, Bally, he is one hot talent to watch out for in the fashion scene.

What more can you ask in life, good looks with talent and a nice home (among several, I bet!) to match:-) Truly inspiring!:-)

Source: Elle Decor

The Material Boy #240

Bally Spring Summer 2009 Menswear And Accessories

Inspired by multi-ethnicity and travel, Bally's creative director Brian Atwood looks to natural and hand woven materials for his new Bally Spring Summer 2009 collection. Heavily infused with rustic, vintage charm using earth tone colours, this collection is befitting a worldly adventurer in the Himalayas. My top picks from this collection includes this Tri-coloured Eberto Loafer, crafted to resemble a pair of espadrilles and a rich brown Mikall-i travel bag, with interesting woven details and shoulder strap. Perfect to bring out the adventurer in you be it in the city or the mountains.

Source: www.bally.com

My MANy Bags News #37

Brian Atwood Talks About Bally Menswear Fall Winter 2009/2010

A video of the creative director of Bally talking about the latest menswear collection. Definitely urban and chic!

Source: www.iht.com

Bally "Patchwork Nappa Hobo"

Bally is not a name where i first think of when i'm looking for a bag. but this one is not bad at all :) the leather looks very soft and the design is pretty simple

Two handles with woven edhe and Gold charm, snap closure with drawstring edge, two adjustable side buckles, interior zip and cell phone pockets, ribbed Nylon lining, gold hardware
size : Height: 32 cm Width: 37 cm Depth: 14 cm Drop: 26 cm
currently retails for € 827.00
seen at : www.luisaviaroma.com