Round 1 - Valentino v. YSL

Round 1. Who did it better? Who did it first? The two bags below are eerily familiar...

While scouring the collection of the The Museum of Bags and Purses, I came upon a lovely bag from YSL designed by Tom Ford in 2003. I was instantly drawn to it because I remembered seeing something similar before. Well, I found the twin in the latest Valentino collection featured at Neiman Marcus.

Suede handbag in the shape of a rose. Yves St. Laurent,
designed by Tom Ford, France, 2003
Picture from The Museum of Bags and Purses

Valentino Petale Rose Tote, 2008 Collection
Photo courtesy of Neiman Marcus

Apparently, a love for roses runs in both designers' genes. The similarities are more apparent in the black Valentino version. And the handles and shapes are a bit different. The Valentino is made of leather while the YSL is made of suede.

So which one did you like better?

Dag Netherlands!

*Dag is hello in Dutch.



My good friend GRL and her husband LL are set to move to The Hague in Netherlands next month. This time, I don't think I can visit her as much as I want to. =( Philippine lawyers just don't get paid that much to go on European vacations that often! Hehehehe. Anyway, in her honor, I was researching Dutch bag designers GRL can check out. I found something even better...


Presenting ... The Museum of Bags and Purses in Amsterdam! Just a couple of hours away from the Hague, GRL.




According to the website:

The Museum of Bags and Purses is a unique museum that shows the history of the ladies bag in Western culture from the Middle Ages to current times. The collection consists of more than 3500 objects, bags and accessories, wherein a large proportion will be on display. The collection highlights the wide-ranging form and material used in bag design through the ages.

As well as the permanent collection there are themed exhibitions and displays of bags by contemporary bag designers.

The museum shop has a wide selection of bags by Dutch and international designers and is therefore the ideal place for anybody looking for a special bag. The shop also carries a large selection of cards, books and gift ideas.

A perfect way to spend a weekend, GRL!

Tassenmuseum Hendrikje/Museum of Bags and Purses
Herengracht 573
1017 CD Amsterdam
Tel.: +31 (0)20-524 64 52
Fax: +31 (0)20-524 64 53
Email: info@tassenmuseum.nl

Museum and shop: Daily 10.00-17.00
Museum Café: Daily 10.00-16.30
Closed: January 1, April 30, December 25.

Photos courtesy of the Museum's website.