Diane Von Furstenburg On The Go Tote

Tote bags are quite personal, from what (and the amount) we stuff into them, to the shape and colour. DVF respects the woman’s right to tote how she chooses by creating a perfectly sized and shaped tote. Coming in an array of colours and prints, including this very on trend silvery metallic, it’s one of the go-to totes of the season.

Available for £204 from Dvf.com and 02074990886

Smythson Eliot Ivory Large Tote

Practical, pretty and luxurious, this Smythson ivory tote with brown and gold detailing was made for the cool and fashionable businesswoman — the woman who wears white Valentino suits, bright lipstick and Gucci sunglasses while breaking men in the boardroom during her morning coffee. Check out the rest of the chic SS13 Smythson collection in the video campaign here.

Available for £1,395 from Smythson.com

River Island Orange Leather Structured Tote Bag

Nothing brightens up an outfit like a hearty tangerine dream tote — particularly during our present gloom this early summer. The structured leather bag from River Island is simple and very chic with the added gold buckle detailing, for a look that screams expensive without breaking the bank.

Available for £70 from Riverisland.com

Dior Homme Metal Corner Tote

The weekend bag from Dior Homme is sleek, dark and very mysterious. Made from premium calfskin, the tote’s barrel shape and arched handles allow for premium mobility without any extra clunk. From the gorgeous black sheen to the silver metal detailing and tied leather strand, this bag is practically luxurious.

Available for £4,400 from Dior.com, Selfridges,  and 0207 172 0172

Warehouse Contrast Zip Tote

This neutral Warehouse tote seems understated and normal, but has a pleasantly surprising twist — or should we say zip? For conservative socialites and penny pinchers alike, the red contrasting zips strike through the structured tote for detailing that is fun, but not tacky or overwhelming.

Available for £42 from Warehouse.co.uk

Prada Saffiano Lux Colbalt Blue Tote

What more can you say when describing a Prada bag? The Saffiano Lux tote is big rather than cumbersome, bright without seeming brash, and accented without looking trashy. The hues are loud enough for summer, but fit perfectly into the deep pigments of AW13. In addition to the blue, the Saffiano Lux tote comes in an orange/hot pink and a brown/beige two-tone.

Available for £1,290 from Old Bond Street and Sloane Street boutiques and Prada.com

French Connection Printed Horses Black and White Canvas Shopper Tote

The Printed Horses tote from French Connection checks many of the trend boxes: monochrome, leather accents, and animal prints. But the pre-fall AW13 French Connection tote is much more, as it combines the aristocratic past of the black and white equestrian print with a presently urbane cool in the shape and structure of the bag.

Available for £125 from Frenchconnection.com

Words: Elise Marraro (follow Elise on Twitter: PardonMe_Lissie)

The post Hit List: The Top SS13 Tote Bags appeared first on Wonderland.

If someone hadn’t heard of you business, how would you describe it?
I would describe it as a unique selection of individually sourced and authentic vintage treasures. A perfect place to find that finishing touch for your outfit echoing this season’s trends. The great thing about vintage is that as fashion trends evolve, different eras are put into the spotlight offering us an opportunity to be constantly inspired and influenced by the past. Our range includes the largest selection of designer vintage jewellery in the UK also so its a great place for everything!

What designers have you worked with this season?
This season is all about Chanel. Again! I love working with vintage Chanel pieces. Each season they just become more popular. I also really enjoyed working with Elizabeth Taylor’s pieces before the festive period because of the excitement that surrounded her auction. Naturally, though, my most excitable moment of 2011 was sourcing the vintage Versace body harness that went into my collection at Selfridges. Versace experienced (and is still experiencing) a huge revival of interest. The collaboration with H&M and the news of their couture show in Paris projected the fashion house to the forefront of fashion news and I curated a small collection of vintage Versace pieces to coincide with that wave exclusively for Selfridges, London. The harness went into that. I loved the echoes from Gianni Versace’s ’92 bondage catwalk collection. One of the Versace cuffs that sat within the collection is actually featured in the ’92 campaign image.

How did your fashion career start? My fashion career actually began from my antiques career. I realised a gap in the market for quality vintage jewellery whilst I was an antiques dealer so I began to supply to one UK department store. Very soon I realised just how big the demand was for this product category and the brand was rolled out to a number of stores up and down the country. I love what I do – I have a great excuse to look at beautiful jewellery (designer and unsigned) all day long.

What are you most excited about at the moment? I’m most excited about the brand’s plans for 2012. It’s still very confidential but there is an exciting project that we are working on – it should be launched in the middle of the year. Keep your eyes peeled!

Do you have a daily uniform? I’m often running around outside of the office and so I need to be comfortable. For this I’m usually in muted colours and statement earrings. My earrings of choice right now are by Alexis Kirk from the 70s. If I have an appointment in the showroom I usually reach for my fail safe Diane Von Fustenbergs. I’ve loved her designs since I was in my 20s and she never disappoints with tailoring or print. I’m a big fan.

Who is your right hand wo/man? I actually have a few! By that I mean that I couldn’t do what I’m doing without my team. They all share the same passion that I do and we very well together. We’re like a family.

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