Fortunately my not inconsiderable stash of new magazines arrived before going away, which meant that I spent a very pleasant few hours in the car perusing, poring, ripping, sorting and studying the pages very closely, before organising my style files for A/W '12.
I constantly update these files throughout the season, editing and re-organising them as the season progresses. I use them as a reference point for trends, micro trends, wearable looks, up and coming brands, new designers and so on. It's very easy to identify those trends, and pieces, which are going to be huge - and I will post about them soon.
As ever, there are always a few pieces each season which set my stylist's heart racing and make me smile - hence the title of this post. And this is one of them - the Wooly Paillettes handbag, designed by Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton. It is an oversized structured shape - half doctor's bag, half carpet bag - which is embroidered with purple, terracotta or burgundy sequins.
Of the bags, Marc Jacobs said: "They came from a concept of magic and bewilderment, an idea of surface, texture, sparkle, and shine. This meant that there was a kind of otherwordly quality."
At £2,750 I don't expect one to be making an appearance in my Wardrobe any time soon - but I have absolutely no doubt that it will inspire many high street versions - and I can't wait to find them.
Big enough to be used in the day time, it will add an element of sparkle to any outfit and will go equally well with jeans, a crombie coat and brogues, as well as with a pencil skirt, leather jacket and heels.
Many of my clients love a little bit of sparkle and I can't imagine a better way to kick start your A/W '12 Wardrobe by including a bag of this design in it. I can guarantee that a bag reflecting this design will still be on trend for many years to come and no matter how much you invest in it, it will be worth every penny.
