I mentioned in a prior post or two how I really haven’t found my next handbag love as of yet. I’ve been looking around boutiques and online, and really, nothing new has caught my eye (or heart).
I found myself fixing my closet a few days ago and my gaze went to one of my bags which happened to be an older model – my Balenciaga Matelassé. This particular model has been discontinued, much to my disappointment – it’s one of my favorite Balenciaga bag models (maybe even handbag models, period). I am very much in love with this bag – the design, construction and craftsmanship, quality, functionality and usability – you name it, and that aspect of the Matelassé is one I admire.
It got me thinking – who said I had to write about a new handbag model, anyway? I never positioned myself as a fashion blogger (since well, I really am not; I will leave that to the pros I admire such as Purse Blog and The Bag Hag Diaries – I am in no way competing with them. As if! 😛 ) – I was always clear that I do this for fun, in my spare time, to share my thoughts about bags to anyone who was willing to read and share in my bag joy (and sometimes, frustrations). Keeping up with the latest releases and seasons was never my intention – if I end up really liking a bag from the current season and buy it (then write about it), then great! But, that’s more of a nice-to-have.
Anyway! So, I realized the obvious – my next post about bags could be about one of my oldies but goodies, one I am very much in love with – my Balenciaga Matelassé! Even if it is already discontinued, it is still a bag loved by some Balenciaga aficionados – and with good reason. The craftsmanship is really quite divine, and the leather is still fantastic. It’s a bag that needs to be seen in person for someone to really appreciate its beauty – frankly, I don’t think this model photographs very well. Seeing it with your own eyes is a different story, though! It’s really stunning – one of my favorites to hold and use.
Strangely enough, as much as I and some Bal fans love this bag, the Matelassé model of Balenciaga was actually pretty polarizing when it first came out – some folks thought that this style just isn’t very Bal. It was during the peak of the popularity of the motorcycle bags so I was not too surprised with this reaction coming from some folks. I could see where they were coming from, and I respected their opinion. On the other side were some folks like me who loved it. I hope Purse Forum member KDC does not mind me quoting some of her thoughts on the craftsmanship and quality of the Matelassé from one of her posts during that time: “It all starts with a piece of ultra-smooshy, TDF Balenciaga leather that is 3 times the size of the bag’s panel. It is then folded and pleated over and over again. Each little pillow hand stitched in place. The amazing tailoring feat happens when everything falls into its place and that over-sized piece of leather perfectly fits into the respective panel on the bag.” This sums up how those of us who adore the Matelassé admire the level of workmanship and skill that went into each bag. KDC would know too, by the way – she came from a family of dressmakers so she “appreciates the time that is invested in making a Matelassé bag.”
I said strangely enough earlier since it seems that with the Matelassé, it was a case of it perhaps being released at the wrong time. Years after it was discontinued, there has been some increased interest in the bag and even some demand for it in the pre-loved market.
Both my Mom and I own a Matelassé – my Mom’s is blue and mine is pink. We both love our bags. My Mom has a ton of bags so she rotates quite often, but there was a time she used nothing but her blue Matelassé.
Writing this post reminded me of why I fell in love with handbags in the first place – once in a while, one will come out and just grab your attention and admiration. The Balenciaga Matelassé is one of those bags for me.
So, even if you have not bought a new bag in some time – go ahead, look inside your closet and rediscover your love of your older handbags!
Happy weekend!
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