04 Jun 10 Mixed Impressions: Black And White Bags From The Valentino Spring-Summer 2010 Collection

Valentino bags are considered magnum opuses in the world of haute couture. What if they don’t always conform to the norms, we can hardly expect creative geniuses to cater to the whims of the orthodox and the conventional. So it is barely surprising that the palette of the much awaited Spring-Summer collection from Valentino has its fair share of blacks and whites – some captivating, some raising eyebrows.

To begin with the best, there is a white hobo bag with black polka dots, with a diminutive black handle and a gorgeous bow detail which gives you the flush of love right from the first sight. The pattern, form, details, everything combines to make it one of the most enchanting pieces of the collection. However there is something sepulchral about its alter-ego in black – this piece has a glossy bow detail and similar understated handles, and it is quite difficult what to make of this handbag which seems to be singular for all the wrong reasons.

Valentino has also brought out some lacy, lingerie-inspired handbags in black. With lacy edges and material, one bag has a shimmery body, an itsy-bitsy strap, and a bow detail that merges with the sequined surface of the bag. Another lacy black bag of the collection exchanges sequins for smudgy florals, and compared to the lacy fringes of the former the latter has sharply delineated edges. These bags look gloomy and it is difficult to think of an occasion apt for it other than a funeral!

The white and black polka dotted bags, the monochrome white and black handbags with enormous floral details in concentric rings of leather are some other attractions of the collection. There are monochrome black and fuchsia bags with relatively smaller flower details. The embroidered grey bag with the bow detail at the strap end is a favorite among many women. However its black counterpart looks monotonous.