Reader's Ask

Hey FashionPicks,

I'm off to Paris on a short official visit and will be there for just one week.On my previous visit to Paris I just had time to browse the shops in Champs-Élysées and was bowled over by the mind boggling luxury I was surrounded by.With shoes and bags retailing at more than €1000 was forced to come home empty handed much to the disappointment of my beloved wife.This time around I want to gift her a cute handbag from a French brand which is affordable to me i.e between €100 to €200 range.Can you please suggest me something?

Thanks in advance.

Regards,

There is nothing nobler than helping a man in distress(pun intended) especially in "womanly matters".Those poor creatures called Men slave it away in office enduring unspeakable "corporate tortures" to bring some cheer to their beloved ones.Though they might solve the toughest puzzles in the most ingenious ways conceivable yet they are baffled when it comes to understanding why their dainty pretty creatures called Women measure love in terms of the number of shoes and handbags gifted to them.The GODS of FASHION display their work at Champs-Élysées and isn't it not justified that a piece of GOD should be priceless and only a select few can attain the FASHION nirvana though their tireless acquisition of those teeny tiny green bits of paper called Euros?But the good news is that fashion is just a state of mind reflecting your response to the socioemotional stimulus encumbering upon you.Being fashionable is not just restricted to those with a fat purse.

Since you are having a short stay in Paris I would suggest you to go to Les Galeries Lafayette, which is a big mall that would suffice all your shopping needs.You are lucky to go at a time when the Summer Sale is happening in Paris.So be sure to get all the goodies that you wanted at 50% discount.Since you have not mentioned the occasion(day or evening) on which the handbag will be used , I have put together a choice of bags covering all occasions.The bags are by Arthur & Aston, makers of stylish handbags in the price range that you have mentioned.

Image Source:www.arthur-aston.com

Roll Pin Under My Shoe

Henry Beguelin brand was born in the eighties, when the pastime of making belts and bags from cowhide and recycled materials, of a group of friends on Elba island(in Italy) took a serious turn.The brand prides itself in creating luxury instead of fashion and their products are timeless and "fad" impermeable.The uniqueness of the brand lies in its "close to nature" designs right from using vegetable dyed leather and wood as raw materials to expertly cutting, stitching and assembling them by hand.The designs stands out in their virgin appeal.

While gladiator shoes are a big fad this season, I couldn't pick one pair that caught my attention from the numerous ones that I have encountered so far until I saw this one.The shoe has no heel as such, though its function is performed by a roll pin on a wooden base.Barring comfort, the shoe has a very oriental appeal reminding one of the Geisha days where style always ruled over comfort.The shoe is teasingly different and requires a lot of spunk and chutzpah on the part of the wearer to carry it around.

The brown parachute shoulder bag on the contrary is elegantly simple with no other detailing except for a ruched handle embellished in gold tone hardware and two thin drawstrings for closure .The brand's signature of a miniature stick figure is embroidered in specialised wax thread at the front and the sides.

The simplicity of the bag contrasting with the freaky style of the shoes makes them a great pair.Grab them and cast an oriental spell on those around you.

Images Source:www.henrybeguelin.it