11 Stylish Women Share The Stories Behind Their 'Forever' Bags
According to the experts, the appeal of that one, timeless, 'forever' bag has never been more important than before. On that note, we decided to ask some of the most stylish women in Singapore to reveal that one designer piece that they cherish forever and always.
By Imran Jalal,
Who: She's one of +65's style stars known for her polished and sophisticated personal style. Recently, she started a TikTok account to share a more light-hearted side to her personality through fun antics at home during this time of isolation. Ong is also an aspiring artist to know: her abstract paintings are well-documented over on her Instagram page here.
Her bag: "I've had this Hermes Birkin 25 in Rose Pourpre for about two months now. Versatility, functionality and quality are the key considerations for me when I'm buying a bag. Truth be told, I've been searching for the perfect pink purse since forever, and Rose Pourpre just checked all the boxes for me. She is roomy enough to fit all my essentials, yet compact enough for travel and daily use. I also have a matching wallet so... till death do us part."
Who: This former industry insider – she used to work in merchandising, wholesale and PR at luxury labels in Hong Kong and New York – continues to parlay her knack for fashion even as an "FTM (full time mama)" with her playful and colourful OOTDs on social media. Swing by her Instagram and you will realise that she has a soft spot for Issey Miyake pleated looks, Hermes scarves and plenty of #OldCeline togs (hey, she used to work there). All these clothes aren't tagged – but as the saying goes, if you know, you know.
Her bag: "This Celine Classic flap bag in box leather has been with me for about six years (and counting). It has a lot of sentimental and emotional value for me. I used to work for the brand and I got it on one of my work trips to Paris. I still remember how I felt that day! Practically speaking, I adore the color and love how the strap length can be adjusted."
Who: This private equity and real estate investor is perhaps the numero uno fan girl of Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello in Singapore, owning an impressive archive of seasonal runway pieces. Check out Long's impressive wardrobe of knockout fashion from one of our Female Homies episodes on Instagram Live during the circuit breaker.
Her bag: "This is an Hermes Kelly pochette in black swift leather and palladium hardware that
I’ve had it for about 15 years now. It's a bag that’s versatile in colour, style and size that can (preferably) take you from day to night.
It's my forever bag as I wear quite a lot of blacks and monochromes, so a bag in this colour will be the most versatile. This is the perfect size because it can comfortably fit all of my basic essentials which I carry with me – namely a cardholder, some cash, compact powder, and lipgloss. It's also 'big' enough for day items yet 'small' enough for an evening outing.
Plus, It’s Hermes and it’s a Kelly pochette – that’s a forever classic in my books (or should I say in my bag ??"
Who: The effervescent co-founder of multi-label fashion boutique En Pointe & Co. is a big supporter of independent regional designers, particularly those from Malaysia. Her approach to dressing up is not unlike the labels she champions: bold, vibrant and dramatic.
Her bag: "This satin minaudiere was a gift from my mum on my 21st birthday – which makes it almost 20 years old. It has tremendous sentimental value and I haven’t seen anything like it: a perfect match of elegance and classic style."
Who: Boring is certainly not a word that exists in the style vocabulary of this Indonesian-born Singapore-based freelance fashion stylist who is known in among industry circles here for her wild and experimental hair colours and equally bold getups.
Her bag: "I love my Valentino Mini Rockstud Spike bag which I've had for a little over three months now. It's all about the vibes with this one. I purchase bags that speak to my personal style, and in this case, it checks the box for the highlighter craze that I can't live without."
Who: This vintage expert – shes' the curator at The Fifth Collection – is a true accessories fiend. Besides owning an impressive personal cache of costume jewellery, millinery, and shoes, Chen recently set up an online business called Lobang that sells her curation of super fly and quirky jewellery that don't cross the $70 mark.
Her bag: "I've had this vintage Classic Flap from Chanel for two years now. I always look for something that’s quirky and different in a bag so that there’s an interesting story to tell. The Classic Flap Is a forever It bag which will never go out of style, but this one is my favourite because of the 24K yellow gold hardware and the unique shade of coral that it comes in."
Who: She's the New York-based Parsons-trained multidisciplinary designer and art director who brings her fresh and minimalist eye for her work with independent brands like British e-tailer Archibald and accessories brand Pubumesu. Her collaboration with the latter was apparently a catalyst for landing the brand a stockist at Net-A-Porter.
Her bag: "To me, an 'it' bag is one that exudes cool and refinement without the need for a 'status' appeal. I love this silk brocade bag from Shanghai Tang that gets attention every time I wear it. Its classic silhouette and details like the kisslock clasp and jade-like beaded handles are features that, to me, transcend time and trends. It lasts forever and looks just as good with a cigarette jean as it does with a gown."
Who: When it comes to the minimalist movement, the managing director of shoppable beauty website Beaubit, is perhaps one of the most visible and ardent proponents of the aesthetic in Singapore. That translates to a crisp and sharp wardrobe filled with brands from Bottega Veneta to emerging ones like Korean label Andersson Bell.
Her bag: "This LV Twist MM Epi Bag by Louis Vuitton is so special to me because i fell in love with the design the moment it debuted in Spring/Summer 2015. It took me a year to save up and I’ve had it ever since. My bags may come and go but this is one of my most sentimental pieces. To me, a forever bag has to have an iconic design, good structure and shape and something that's timeless and a classic from the house. I remember thinking that the reworked LV logo for the Twist was such a masterpiece."
Who: This former fashion editor and owner of lifestyle boutique Luulaa recently added another title to her CV – a children's book author with the debut of the illustrated book Joseph Schooling. The Boy Who Became An Olympic Champion. The book is an uplifting tale about the swimmer's journey from a little boy to a sporting legend.
Her bag: "This vintage Hermes Kelly 28 Sellier Black Box calf leather top handle with gold hardware was a gift from my husband for our 10-year anniversary. This bag will never lose its appeal and status as a classic luxury piece. The Kelly is my favourite design from Hermes because of its timeless yet understated look. I hope I can pass it down to my daughter one day.
I love a structured bag and the versatility of a top handle and a sling. It has a nice size – I can easily fit a paperback and an iPad mini, my kids' little toys. I use the sling during my grocery run and as an 'airport bag'. For functions or dinner dates, I like to carry it with the top handle.
No matter how you style the Kelly, it'll always look chic. And it's a worthwhile investment because it's also really durable. My bag is vintage and while it's got a few scratches and does not look perfect (because I'm not so precious about handling the bag) I think it still looks pretty pristine in the three years I've had it."
Who: Regular shoppers of Dover Street Market Singapore might find this creative a familiar face from her time working the sales floor of the multi-label store. These days, Xin Yao who settled here at the age of nine from her native China, is bringing her discerning eye for fashion as a personal shopper, on top of running her womenswear brands Raech and Hashtag Studio.
Her bag: "I've had this backpack from The Row for almost two years now. It's has everything I need in a bag; it boasts an ideal size that can fit quite a fair bit and can be worn as a shoulder bag or a backpack. Its simple and classy design matches most of my outfits. Plus, I always trust the brand for its quality workmanship."
Who: Cool chick is probably the best way to describe this Female Collective member who runs the PR and communications arm for multi-label store Surrender and Off-White in Southeast Asia. Like the brands she reps, Guan's wardrobe is a mix of progressive labels and streetwear brands, pulled off in her distinctive brand of hard-edged chic.
Her bag: "This Readymade Nano Overnight Bag is my newest bag purchase and I've had it for a few weeks. I like bags that steer away from the generic 'It' bag that you see everywhere; I don’t like the idea of buying into the same bag as everyone else. This one from Readymade plays on a classic Louis Vuitton silhouette, and I love the irony of it."