PERSONALISED WRISTLET CARDHOLDER

 by: MisS VictoriA DaviD

This personalised accessory was originally a timeworn soft leather long wallet, which was once loved by its original owner. 

I have been searching for a weeny wallet suitable for my essential cards where it could fit into my other handbags. Unfortunately, I had not come across one that I perceived as a reflection of my inner psyche. That is why for a few weeks in March on the fits and starts process I began to dismantle the venerable long wallet where I revamped it into a subjective accessory.

RIVETS AND LINING 

The rivets and lining used in customising this accessory are repurposed materials. In particular, the rivets are fragments of my tattered handbags whilst the lining is a surplus material of my unsuitable dress. On the other hand, I also sewed a new pair of crystal heart buttons to compliment the red shade around my custom-made engraved label. 

STITCHING 

I glued the cut-out outer shells and then, used an electric sewing machine to create even gaps for the holes of the thread. This means that there was no inserted thread in the needle whilst I ran through the shells on the feed dogs of the machine. Thereafter, I hand-sewn the shells carefully and neatly. 

This accessory is neither a desirable collection piece nor will hold its value like the iconic designer brands as time goes by. However, the process of meticulously creating it to be worn again is one of my several ways to reduce the harmful disruption and damage being done to the natural world. Thus, I consider this personalised wristlet cardholder a priceless piece.

LARGE LADY DIOR CANNAGE QUILTED BAG IN FUSHIA PINK

 by: MisS VictoriA DaviD

About three weeks ago, I decided to purchase another handbag as a post-Christmas present for myself. Beforehand, I was still ruling-out what brand I would choose; which one I would prefer most to be the penultimate piece of my collection. In particular, there were three brand names that came into my mind and I was even thinking of settling for the most foothold one. Despite the fact that my budget allocation could afford the highly priced double flap bag, I still resisted buying it for the simple reason that there are too many counterfeit versions out there. Realistically speaking, I just love the thought of sticking around waiting for the best time to buy for a good deal; choosing wisely with my acquisition and more importantly, making sure that my finances are no over my threshold limit. Don't you agree? 

I was down to my final two preferences. After some research regarding their pros and cons in the fashion market, I blissfully ended-up choosing the piece which fits well enough with my personality. It has a stunning and youthful structure which differentiates from the rest of my peg away handbags. I singled out the feminine elegance and soft appearance of Large Lady Dior Cannage Quilted Bag in Fushia Pink.

The Lady Dior bag was created in 1994 by at that time its artistic director, Gianfranco Ferré. It attracted and fascinated every fashion journalists and members of the fashion house which paved the way to gaining its original couture name as 'chouchou' (French for favourite). By that time, it had the sole purpose of becoming a classic and iconic bag because of its charismatic design and features. Such as, the leather hallmarks; soft lambskin topstitched; rounded handles and the metal D.I.O.R letters charm.  

The Lady Dior bag became marketably more famous when the People's Princess, Princess Diana, fell in love with it in 1996 and carried it elegantly for years. Historically speaking, Bernadette Chirac (French Politician) offered this bag to the Princess of Wales during a trip to Paris in September 1995. Then, The Princess of Wales was wearing it during the opening of the Cezanne exhibition at the Grand Palais. That is why, Lady Dior is a commercial name given to a handbag by the Christian Dior company in honour of Diana, Princess of Wales. 

Let me now give you my personal insights after having possession of the Large Lady Dior Cannage Quilted Bag in Fushia Pink for a week to date...

 

I am more enticed and settling for captivatingly vibrant shades which in this case helped me to verge on my usual chosen colour wheels. That is why, the vibrancy of its colour has been the wisest decision for me rather than to have favoured the available safest colours. Many of us will choose the shade black but my mind and heart said, “choose the YOU colour!”. By oneself, it shows the true reflection of my colourful personality and compliments my optimistically light hearted behaviour.

 

The dome styled handles are crafted with robust material and sheathed in dyed lambskin leather to give it a smoother appearance. There are two facets of the handles, the front angle was trimly cushioned while the back angle remained firmly flat. These handles are then fixed into the main bag using a solid and strong oval metal in silver. There is also an integrated hanging metal D.I.O.R letters charm in silver but with a bigger letter “O” shadowed by a leather pattern. At the back of the leather pattern there is an embossed “Christian Dior Paris Made in Italy” in centred alignment. Moreover, it also has a fine and slim detachable shoulder leather strap which is secured on both ends with personalised CD lobster claw silver-tone snap hooks.  

 

 

The overall key attributes of the Lady Dior bag are its savoir-faire network of lines stitched vertically and diagonally which create precise quilted leather cushions emerging like scattering shimmering diamonds. The refined topstitching called “cannage” brings forth femininity and elegance in the finesse of the bag. 

 

 

The Lady Dior Bag has been architecturally design to stand alone when place on a flat surface. To be more specific, the entire bottom part of the bag was plainly blanketed in dyed leather and protected more with additional wee silver-tone studs in the shape of cones. In addition to this, it is a top zipped bag with a CD silver pendant like flap (to open/close the zip) which opens entirely to a well crafted interior of jacquard fabric lining. I have to say that the solidity of its interior is the exact opposite of its soft and smooth cannage exterior. Furthermore, the spaciousness of the bag's interior has been conceptualised with a functional zip pocket and underneath its opening mouth there is a trimmed leather panel that has an inscription “Christian Dior Paris Made in Italy” in centred alignment. If you will turn up the stitched trimmed leather panel, you will find the embossed 8-digit serial code (2 digit numbers- 2 upper case letters- 4 digit numbers) which will give an idea of its batch/production year. 

Personally speaking, the Large Lady Dior Cannage Quilted Bag in Fushia Pink itself is commodiously ideal and will always be sophisticatedly stylish. It is indeed a timeless and unique work of art imbued with meticulous craftsmanship which yields the Couture spirit of Dior.

COCOROSE LONDON LUXE FOLDABLE BALLERINA SHOES IN RED MOSAIC FLOWER

 by: MisS VictoriA DaviD

She can walk evenly and strut in stiletto heels as well as occasionally adoring the excitement of being on the elated tower. However, when it is time to eat humble pie you will always see her taking refuge in comfortably convenient flat shoes.

Over the past years of wearing flat shoes she has recommend mustily that stretching the Achilles collar, vamp and toe cap of your newly bought pair(s) of shoes is essential. It is a precondition which will forestall the cause of friction blisters that can be quite painful when acquired and the healing process can take between 6 and by 24 hours. Such a sudden displeasure! I am sure that at some point in your life you have experienced this skin damage inflammation which resulted to an astasia footstep.

In the days of yore, finicky shoe buyers tend to hire a professional cobbler for a fee in order to stretch-out their newly purchased footwear. That is why, town centres had local shops which provided this type of service where the owner/manager would employ someone for that purpose. A person with similar measurements to your feet whose ad hoc purpose was to walk back & forth in a hygienic clear room. This type of shoe stretching course would take hours or days and would also depend upon how snug the customer would like the fit.

That was the old slang syne...

Today, the quality of shoes created and then sold into the market vary in their different material compositions. In particular, the finer the leather that has been used in making and shaping a pair of shoes, the more expensive they will be. Realistically speaking, most people will buy lesser quality ones in order to save money with the expectation that they will replace them after wearing for a few times. You really cannot blame them especially if you are on a tight budget. Some, of course, just desire changing regularly so that they always have cool personal attire. As a matter of fact, she was once attracted to the unsophisticated idea of buying cheap items for personal and fashionable look.

According to her as she grows older, her perception in life has move progressively. This has involved valuing in many ways the way she treats herself. One of many is the way she obtains tangible objects which will last for years and also, endure the test of time. She is more incline to searching for quality made products and has also adapted a prudent attitude when buying. The last time she bought an upmarket item, she didn't buy it right away like some of us would do. She waited for the right time until she found a reasonable offer on the designer brand's respective website. What an auspicious and fortunate lady!

Recently, she ventured out the thought of buying a pair of hand-crafted ballerina shoes. An eccentric pair of a very unconventional configuration but with practicable packaging. They have been gaining acknowledgement in the world of women's fashion as their happy and pleased customers have published videos onto the powerful web. They highlighted the extreme softness of their cushioned insoles; the suppleness of their structure and the durability of the soles. When she first used this pair of pumps, there was superior comfort and protection especially around the Achilles collar of the flats. Moreover, she finds the black signature travel zipped purse (pouch) with slip-in pocket very stylishly functional. The clever slip-in pocket at the back contains an accompanying shoulder bag which you can use to place your heels and carry sprucely. Actually, she likes holding the purse by itself as it resembles a prevailing clutch bag. Nonetheless, it always ends up neatly in her handbag.

She was quite apprehensive that she will never like the bizarre red mosaic flowers foldable ballerina shoes of Cocorose London and also, that it would disintegrate after a few hours of being worn. Evidently speaking, when she used them as her core shoes last time the elemental composition was of substantial quality and the over-all structure proved to be comfortable.

She can now say that her pair of smart classic Cocorose London foldable ballerina flats has the simplest shape; that make the strongest statement. Altogether, its versatility is an ultimate wardrobe staple for busy, on-the-go and colourful women.

SHE CHOSE THE SMALLEST: CÈLINE NANO LUGGAGE TOTE IN VERMILION

 by: MisS VictoriA DaviD

She has been thinking as to what will be her next and hopefully, the last pretty penny bag to acquire. She knew there were a few distinctive fashion brand names clouded in her senses but she was realistic enough to know how exorbitant they would be. The highly excessive list prices were indeed outside her authority and could lead her to an overdraft.

Her quixotic wish list deterred and the murkiness in her mind became sensibly clear. Whitherly, it prospected to two middle-of-the-road and prudent choices...

The first preference of hers was, the Yves Saint Laurent's Classic Large College Bag in Dark Red Matellasse Leather. A classic monogram bag which has an interlocking YSL signature buckle closure; top handle metal chain and a leather removable shoulder strap. In truth, she watched a few free videos of this bag on the web in which it was even compared to a very known luxury timeless jumbo handbag. Her attention was transfixed and more so, when the suggested retail price for YSL Bag was less than half of the jumbo handbag price. Plainly, it wasn't the price that made it attractive for her as the commodious space was mostly the substantial wow element.

The second next in order was one of the three (now five) structured sizes iconic luggage tote by the industry heavyweight, Phoebe Philo, when he revitalised Céline in 2010. A company for fashion luxury goods that was acquired for 2.6 billion by a French multinational luxury European company, better know as LVMH (LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE), back in 1996. So much about the volte-face quick facts and more so about her second cup of tea. It's the smallest amongst sizes with an incredibly soft goat leather material named Céline Nano Luggage Tote in Vermilion.

The Céline Nano became her hand-picked choice despite the fact that YSL Classic Large College Bag was in the same price range, too. While she was passionately thinking, the image of her very own Mulberry Medium Lily Scarlet came to mind from time to time. Its because, in her opinion, the dimensions and most of the essential features of Mulberry and YSL weren't end of rainbow different.

She chose the smallest Céline Luggage Tote which has a very rare bicolour combinations...

The leather dual-rolled carry handles are incrust in a chocolate brown shade and the colour continues as embellishment for the bag's entire calfskin trimming. This practical- sized bag has been designed with the perpetual exterior front zipped pocket and a useful leather sunglasses tab at the back. Sadly, the outer front zipped pocket can only accommodate calling cards for clandestine admirers because of its peewee dimensions. What a saucy ink-and-paper “acquaintance card” doodad!

What she appreciates more about Céline Nano is the optional removable vermilion shoulder strap with gold metal trigger swivel hooks. The free will of wearing it as cross body by attaching the gold metal hooks onto the fastened gold D ring connection buckles (both winged sides of the bag) is undeniably framed it to be more than just a hand carry bag! 

 

Unlike her Céline Mini Luggage Tote, Nano has no four protective studs at the bottom; no leather tab and no press button on the left winged side of the bag for the top tape zipper extension. The top zipper closure secures all her essentials when away on a lovely day or a night out affair. Moreover, it opens to an ample interior of chocolate brown lambskin lining with durable panel leather bottom which holds the shape of the bag and a suited flat pocket perfect either for credit/debit cards, cellphone or oyster card.

After purchasing Céline's smallest iconic luggage tote, she thought it would dissatisfy her. Nonetheless, it was just her qualm which was obliterated when she paired it to her Céline Multicolour Luggage Calfskin Leather Tote Mini. It was exactly the miniature version with a sigh in her mind, “Wish it has incrust with the same sensational colour combinations!”.

The Celine's Nano Luggage Tote in Vermilion and Chocolate Brown Dual-Rolled Carry Handles with Gold Heat Stamped Logo was Miss Victoria David's realistic 33rd post-birthday present for herself!

THE MULTICOLOUR IN ME: CÈLINE MULTICOLOUR LUGGAGE LEATHER TOTE MINI

 by: MisS VictoriA DaviD

The long wait was over... 

I was expecting a different delivery but when someone rang the doorbell, it was a lightweight sealed box that was handed over to me. At that time, it made me think of what it contained and aha, it's the Céline Multicolour Luggage Calfskin Leather Tote Mini. I couldn't wait to remove the sellotape wrapped on top of the box despite the fact that we were off to go somewhere. I went to the kitchen and look for a knife to unseal carefully the top of the box. I effortlessly unsealed the edges and inside was a personalised plastic carrier bag. Wait a minute, when my Mulberry Lily Scarlet Bag was delivered it was a box in a box but this time, it's a personalised plastic carrier bag in a box. That made me think for a minute about its genuineness (just a joke!)? It's because, I didn't purchase it from one of the Céline shops or on their website; I was aware of their upscale suggested retail price. It will surely give me a negative account! However, it is an absolutely authentic Céline Luggage Tote Mini source from a legitimate seller of luxury second-hand designer labels.

On the 10th of February this year, I purchased one of my wishes with a bit of haggling (I'm very proud of it!) on a robotic online store which sells pre-owned top of the range items. The luggage tote mini has been owned for some time but the stated physical shape of it was that, it's in a very good condition. I am a very wise buyer and it is always in my attitude to check it thoroughly despite the stated written statement from the seller. Which is why, I inspected thoroughly the Céline Luggage Tote on their website using the presented images of the seller. I wasn't keen to gamble at first and my reluctance was rising but to own a Céline Multicolour Luggage Calfskin Leather Tote Mini has been in my wish list. Actually, it is one of my favourite handbags. My reluctance was accumulating but the 'Make an Offer' button vanquished my apprehension. I sent a few offers until the seller agreed with the median price I sent. It was an anxious process but I kept at it until we both agreed a price. It was for me a very good snapped up bargain given the money I saved. 

It was last month when I paid for it in full as I didn't like the thought of having pending and worrisome debts, especially if it's relating to any desired luxury items. Subjectively, “if you can't pay for it, don't buy it”. That is my aphorism in buying expensive stuff either online or in store and honestly, to making yourself presentable doesn't have to lead to indebtedness or to go beyond your overdraft limit. May I ask? How is your attitude when intending to buy a top of the range item?

I placed and paid for my order in full... 

Understandingly, I have this thought at the back of my mind that the Céline Multicolour Luggage Calfskin Leather Tote Mini will arrive in just 15 days. This is with the inclusion of the seller sending the item to the Head Office for quality control before they will send it to my postal address. Yes, they have a unique quality control team who physically inspects every item for authentication purposes so that buyers can be rest assured that the article is genuine. What a good intention, to protect from fraudulent sellers and to give added confidence. I salute them but not on the side of making me wait in vain when it comes to ad hoc communication. Yes, there was a lack of communication despite the 'pre- contractual' information under the Consumer Rights of 2015. Adversely, what if they found out that one of many items is a counterfeit? Also, are they really 100 % physically checking every item?

I have lots of patience and great understanding when issues are thrown at me especially the unexpected ones. These type of situations will demand more energy and challenge your state of mind. I dislike wrinkles, so I just conceal it with a smile when circumstance are going in a different direction. The truth about expectation versus reality. Am I right? 

I received an email with a robotically structured statement from them which made me unenthusiastic but my tenacious mindset helped me to get over it. That is why, I posted carbon copies of my comment to the seller's comment section on their website which she gracefully answered in the end, too. The seller appeased my mind and I left the next step to the management to deal with. In particular, when the bag was quality checked and passed its authentication process as well as the shipment and delivery to my postal address.

 

On the 2nd of March, a delivery man for a tracked service courier arrived at my doorstep with a box in his hands. This was it and after almost a month of waiting in vain I could now finally touch my acquired item. An iconic Phoebe Philo's Céline Multicolour Luggage Calfskin Leather Tote Mini invigorated in the shades of striking yellow, atoning black and appealing blue with ravishing red portraying as flap wings. This gorgeously crafted fashionistas' luggage tote mini has sturdy dual- rolled handles with neatly designed exterior front zip pocket; four protective gold studs at the bottom and gold (with gold hardware) heat stamped logo at the centre. Hold this newly revitalised and decoratively leather trim bag on your arm and walk effortlessly chic around the city while carrying even more than just your essentials. Moreover, this sough-after and functional bag's top zipper closure opens to a black leather-lined interior with a large zipper pocket and one patch pocket which are perfect for bare essentials as well as a cellular phone pocket.

This bag is, more or less, the multicolour in me which certainly places a great value of making the outlines and structural planes in my life seem more energetic.