Bagaholicboy Shares What Life's Little Luxuries Are All About Today
Bagaholicboy, Singapore's ultimate guru of luxury shopping and co-curator of our New Luxury Edition this month, sheds light on a new category of lifestyle-skewed objects that have grown in popularity during the pandemic. Here is what he has got to say.
By Noelle Loh,
"Covid has changed the way we shop drastically. For those who used to spend their extra income on travel or other treats and indulgences that have become a distant memory, where does that money go?
Some people buy crypto and NFTs; others buy accessories – not a big-ticket handbag, but items that are usually smaller, friendlier on the pocket and more lifestyle-oriented yet were often categorised as novelties pre-pandemic.
READ MORE: Item Of Interest: A Luxury Quencher
In the past two years though, these things – perhaps frivolous to some – have become part and parcel of many brands’ regular offerings. Further encouraging the culture of spending on them is the proliferation of e-commerce and home delivery services offered by luxury players.
READ MORE: Item Of Interest: A Classic Bag That Gets Better With Time
Bad day at work? Shop at night. Long day of zoom meetings? Shop at night. This might all sound flippant. However – as long as one has taken care of all the necessary finances and is not spending beyond his or her means – who are we to judge them for buying things that bring them that little bit of delight? Things kind of like the ones below." – BB
The isothermal technology that’s gone into this Dior Aqua tumbler from the brand’s men’s line means that you can keep drinking from it – it keeps beverages hot for 12 hours and cold for twice that amount of time. Its slick stainless steel finish, Dior Oblique motif and grained calfskin holder with a removable shoulder strap means that you’ll keep wanting to.
Like fit-in-your-palm/wallet-on-chain tiny – the Splendida Micro from Furla (on right), for example, measures 13cm x 8cm x 2.5cm while the Broche Vivier keyring/belt pouch from Roger Vivier (on left) measures an even tidier 8cm x 5cm x 4.5cm.
The house of Hermes has been producing limited-edition leisure bikes since 2013. For all the headlines this makes (seriously? An Hermes bike?), it makes sense when you think about the maison’s history in travel accessories and leather saddlery. The latest edition is inspired by the brand’s 2021 theme of odyssey, making for a quainter-than-usual model: a lightweight yet durable ash wood frame with clean, Japanese-inspired lines; a seat wrapped in bull calf; vibrant dashes of colour on the tyres and gear mechanism; and not one, but two baskets all created jointly with leading French artisans.
As BB puts it: “Who really needs a shiny branded scrunchie or clip? No one really, but if wearing (or gifting) one makes you smile…”
(From top) Metal barrette with glass beads and strass, Chanel. Dio(r)evolution metal hairpin with crystals, Dior. Metal hair clip with crystals, Miu Miu. Metal hair clips (sold as a pair), Burberry
Bagaholicboy says: “One of the most interesting ‘findings’ I’ve learnt in my conversations with retail staff and my followers in the past two years is that there are more and more people investing in carriers and coffrets to store their valuables in. If you’ve already spent so much on a precious timepiece, ring or bracelet, why not fork out more to house your collection safely and beautifully? I know of many who also use these boxes as home decor objects. See? They’re double duty.”
Entrelaces de Cartier lacquered wood jewellery box, Clash de Cartier medium white gold ring (left), Juste un Clou small white gold ring and Santos de Cartier medium stainless steel watch with diamonds on steel bracelet, Cartier
One of the earliest lifestyle products that luxury houses ventured into – and the options keep on coming.
(Top row, from left) Hacker coated canvas, Balenciaga. Caro leather, Dior. Curve leather, Alexander McQueen. (Middle row, from left) Lola lambskin, Burberry. Timeless leather, Tod’s. Chito rubber with attached leather AirPods case, Givenchy. (Bottom row, from left) JW Anderson Lid Pocket leather, Club 21. Gancini leather, Salvatore Ferragamo. Owl Pocket leather, Loewe
Luggage specialist Rimowa has proven surprisingly adept at crafting white hot-trendy lifestyle essentials and as part of its Holiday 2021 line, debuts these miniature matte black, polycarbonate “trunks” for your wireless Apple earbuds. We predict that they will sell out fast when they hit the brand’s boutiques on Dec 9 – don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Photography, Styling & Coordination Gordon Ng Art Direction Jonathan Chia Floral Design Shilbe Lim
A version of this article first appeared in the December 2021 New Luxury Edition of FEMALE