ROYKSOPP by Matt & Natt

The covetousness I feel when looking at this bag is cancelled out by its virtue. I love Matt & Nat's vegan handbags. Since I've stopped eating meat, I have found myself repulsed by leather. I just can't get over the fact that its ripped from the flesh of a living thing. Gross and bad in equal measures. Real suede is the worst though. It almost looks like goosebumps.

Derek Alexander Must-Have

While shopping with my mom this weekend, I spotted this item from Derek Alexander. It's a double-sided credit card holder with snapping straps to keep everything in place. It's gorgeous in red, less so in the pictured combination. Hugely inventive and practical too.

Pleather

Whilst under the influence of this week's spring-like weather, I picked up a new handbag. It's a lovely light brown item made from pleather. Very ethical, very light, very nice. But very, very slippery. Unlike its counterpart, pleather blissfully slides off the shoulder, slips off the lap and in general shimmies all over the place. It's kind of annoying.

Big Bags

Bags of Freedom or a Heavy Burden?| Tamara Kaminsky
Times Online, 15 November 2006

On the train this morning, I turned eagerly to the feature story in today's T2 but was soon disappointed. Looking at all the sad and tragic little stargirls carrying purses that could double as body bags for their mini frames, I realized that the vast-bag has had its moment. I don't care anymore. I want something small, stylish and light as air. No room for my shopping, my dog or my vitamins. Just keys, mobile and lipstick. Miuccia, please grant my wish.