High-end retailers are queuing up for spring's must-have handbags even as consumers are busy making their lists for holiday gifts.
"If you're looking for news, it's 'Edith,'" said Sarah Easley, co-owner of Kirna Zabκte, referring to the new silhouette from Chloè.
Chloè has been on a roll. Many retailers are continuing with the popular Paddington and Silverado styles introduced several seasons ago, but in new colorways and materials, such as a $12,880 alligator version being offered by Neiman Marcus.
The B Fendi Buckle bag is also on the radar. The bag features a pair of handles and two patch pockets that each close by way of an oversized buckle.
Neutrals are important across the board, as with Kooba's Ginger bag that comes in butter and honey colors and Gucci's off-white patent leather collection with bamboo zipper pulls and turnlocks.
Denim is key at Chanel and Christian Dior, whose Gaucho bag has had a wait list since the spring runway show was posted on fashion Web sites. Robert Burke, senior vice president of fashion of Bergdorf Goodman, said the store has stocked up and has added a Dior boutique.
"An 'It' bag brings in the customer because they've already seen it on celebrities and in advertising [before it is available in stores]," said Michael Fink, senior fashion director of Saks Fifth Avenue. "They're great marketing tools. You never know if you have an ample amount with 'It' bags really. But the customer wants to be a part of the mania and on the wait list, and when you're called [from the wait list], they have to buy the bag right then and there. That's part of it."
But the must-have bag can be a double-edged sword.
"It's great,'' said Julie Gilhart, vice president and fashion director of Barneys New York. "You can really drive your business [with these bags]. Look at the Balenciaga Classic. It's still going strong. The problem with the 'It' bag is that if it's too overexposed, it becomes too much pressure for a company to outdo itself [the next season]. It's great in some ways, not in others."
I can't wait to see it in person.
