Deadly Ponies Hurrichain

After a few tidbits, leaks as well as previews from the Alice Euphemia website (a store located in the Cathedral Arcade in inner-city Melbourne today Deadly Ponies released through their Facebook their new A/W 2012 collection named Hurrichain which features muted tones of mushroom, magenta, navy as well as thick woolly fur. I had an inkling of what the collection had to bring and I was most impressed to see a magenta Mr Chain Gang Bag as well as more variations on the Mr Mail Man Bag, something I will not allow to escape my grasp this time. Although I am rather broke at the moment, I do feel confident enough to think I will own a piece from this collection but if I really start to rake it in. then maybe I can increase that to two pieces.

A stitched effect new to Deadly Ponies is quilting tried out in a variety of colours including black and brown and there's also the swirling tones of grey and flecks of the rainbow in this bag, dubbed Mr Futton complete with a neat little strap for the slinged look with the option of detaching it. There's a distinct night life appeal about this bag and while it is on the cheaper end of the Deadly Ponies spectrum, you can still expect to pay a few hundred dollars for some of the finest materials and ingredients money can buy.

Quilted felted rag shoulder bag with black deer skin leather trim, brass hardware and interior pocket. Bag measures 15H x 20W x 4D cms.

Another cute and portably sized bag that's pint-sized but still full of fun is another bag that has been available for pre-order which I had previously clapped eyes on which was the Mr. Billy Box Bag which features this lovely contrast of deep, dark brown leather as well as natural fur in a lighter tone. It seems unfair to compare Mr Futton and Mr Billy Bag but I think I prefer to save myself for a bigger bag when it comes to fur/ goat skin and since Mr Futton is one of two bags of its print and exterior texture it may be one of the first to sell out to party hungry and slightly hung-over girls.

Black cow skin shoulder bag with goat fur trim and brass hardware. Bag measures 24W x 20H x 8D cms. 

Furry and unusual, there's a lack of jewellery from the Deadly Ponies collection except for the curbchain necklace, bracelets and even ring named the Moss Chain collection for their textured appearance. I'm not sure if it's the quality from images shared on Facebook or whether the colour isn't as bold as it appeared once before but I'm still eager to see this jewellery in store and protected behind a glass case. I'm sitting on the fence with the jewellery part of the Hurrichain collection, I'm more accustomed to the fine jewellery in precious metals and using semi-precious stones at very high prices but if this newer range is more accessible for a poor student, well then I'm all for it.

I've been keen to get my hands on a satchel from Deadly Ponies for a while now and it appears that Mr Mailman is my best hope- there's the smaller size shown here and in this camel tone colour that's perfect for the street savvy university student with busy morning classes and eager to have the rest of the day to themselves. I think I was the most hopeful to see variations and new colours of this design of bag the most and since I have made the mistake of missing out in the past I will have to await the launch in March/ April for the bags in online stores across New Zealand in order to get my hands on the best coloured bag for the best price. 

Although Chanel doesn't specifically have an ownership over quilted effects for handbags, it's sort of unspoken that they do and any vintage bag will have the familiar rectangular shape as well as chain strap intertwined with leather. However the Mr Futton Sling Hobo Bag is in an entirely unique shape of it's own, with a thick shoulder strap as well as thick and plump, generous quilted diamonds.

Mr Futon Sling
Hobo Bag
38 W x 24 H x 7.5 D cm
Quilted Deer Skin / Brass Hardware
Pictured in Black
Available in
Black, Hazelnut

Deadly Ponies have been making bags out of fine leathers from exotic animals such as deer for years now but it's in the Hurrichain collection they have finally engaged in the modern and electronic age, producing a laptop case. The structure seems a lot like their wallets- the key defining feature the flatness and lack of depth within the interior pocket. A week ago I would have had enough money to buy my own laptop but I'm relatively back to square one and a bit stuck for cash I'm afraid- the hazards of being a poor student with great taste in fashion. I have about a month to scrap together enough money to get a good laptop otherwise my hand will have to keep up with about ten lectures a week or my shoulder will have to get used to my father's eight year old, stone-age laptop.

 
Mr Folio
Laptop Folder
35 W x 26 H x 3 D cm
Lamb Skin / Brass Hardware

It's interesting to track the amount of attention and positive feedback given about each bag from the Facebook release of the Hurrichainthere will be a few bits and pieces thrown on eBay at a time as well as saving my money for a bag from this new collection. Shown above is the Mr Book Large Satchel- it must be the handle at the top and sweet shade of brown, known as 'Barley' for this collection that attracts me. I could certainly use another satchel for my university endeavours and I have the perfect little Deadly Ponies Mr Lure key chain to attach to it...

One of the handbags I'm aching to get my hands on and itching to have in my possession is the Mr Chain Gang in Magenta with black and belted little strap if you so desire to sling it over your shoulder; and God knows that I will. I loved the imagination behind the design of this handbag in their last collection, but from the colours available: red, blue and black only the black had appeal about it to me and naturally sold out first of the colours. I had seen a second hand red Mr Chain Gang bag in red (lava) on eBay but at the time had no money and I'm sort of glad I did. I would much rather get my filthy mitts on a brand new Deadly Ponies bag in a great and gorgeous colour than something second hand and a bit more difficult to style.

I'm not sure what the fans of Deadly Ponies are more concerned about in terms of the pictures released for the collection, design or colour but I know I was most excited to see magenta coloured bags a part of this new collection and I'll definitely being trying to get my hands on as many feminine bags as I can. I already have a satchel of that colour but Deadly Ponies is too good to refuse and I've been trying to get my hands on one of their bags for years now. Above is the Mr Mini Fill N Zip with cute shoulder strap and matching chain in magenta to colour your dull and grey world- I absolutely cannot wait to get my hands on the real deal in store.

For those of us that enjoy a good rollicking trip to a music festival, a sweaty music gig and need to travel light and stealthy, look no further than the Mr Hutch Duffel shown here in 'Ghana' (dark brown) made of deer skin/ cow skin and complete with brass hardware. I can think of many a teenage girl who would be all over the style of this bag and the lightweight feel of it in her back, but may not be necessarily appreciative of the design and materials used in this bag. Still- it's utterly fabulous and chic and is pint-sized as well and while I have always wanted a great leather backpack I would say vintage Chanel on a good day will cost the same as Mr Hutch Duffel over here.

Mr Dipalopagus
Two Tone Shoulder Tote Bag
34 W x 42 H cm
Deer Skin / Brass Hardware
Pictured in Magenta / Black

I love the imagination about the design of this bag, but I am a little dubious about it's practical nature and how to sling it over one's shoulder- I'm not a large fan of having my bag tucked underneath my armpit and having a strap dig into my arm but I suppose versatility in size, shape and colour is an important thing to consider in the fashion world in order to accommodate everyone's needs and personal preferences.As much as I love the colour combination of black and magenta as well as all the glorious pockets protected by brass hardware, I'm going to give this bag a miss; it's not to my own personal style really.

Because I'm a bit of a magenta enthusiast and I love low slinged bags with soft cushy structure and flowing lines I'm sure I will go into a type of insanity when I see the Deadly Ponies Mr Sling Hobo bag in the feminine shade of my choice combined with the black adjustable straps as well as familiar brass hardware. One of my great adorations about the Deadly Ponies line of bags is the generous amount of colours for each design in a collection as well as the variations in size- they're all perfect and unique spanning across handsome skins of animals and look classy and chic.

Mr Fill N Zip Fur comes with an alluring white stripe from the handle attachments, incorporating the handles and fur design as a continuation of one another. This cleverly creates flow and movement within the design of the bag, but I wonder just how big a discrepancy between the designs of the fur for this bag will be. After all, since each animal is unique and real animal skin and fur is used there will be variations from the picture shown here of the Mr Fill N Zip but I remain faithful and confident in Deadly Ponies keen eagerness for perfection when it comes to design as well as patterns for bag. Not yet have they steered me wrong.

The Moss Chain Bracelet which appear to come in Black, Silt and Magenta are unusual in their design for the obvious reason they are shaped like traditional curb link bracelets but appear to be covered in velour/ velvet earning them the nickname of 'moss'. In an earlier press release and magazine exert featured on the Deadly Ponies Facebook page the magenta Moss Chain bracelet had appear to have a much deeper, dark wine coloured luster to it so I will be eager to see if there are different photographs used for the Deadly Ponies online store as well as many other online New Zealand stores in order to find the true colour. I don't really like this washed out, dusty pink colour and if indeed there is a stronger purple shade about the magenta you can be assured I will wear that bracelet with pride.

The Mr Billy Messenger bag made me whip my forehead in relief that the lovely people behind each collection at Deadly Ponies had decided to bless the peasants with such a fabulous messenger style bag complete with the middle buckle strap across that thick and wonderful fur. I know for someone who aspired towards becoming a veterinarian that to see fur and animal skin used in such a way is extravagant and has affectation about it but I can't help but adore the natural materials, the shiny brass fixtures and the quality of the bags. It's not often the brand becomes available on eBay so your best to buy something new when it's hot off the press and enjoy it as much as you can and watch a little 'Sold Out' note be attached to that item.

Oyster Magazine have already jumper on the bandwagon and have commented on the collection in the same day of the Facebook release and teaser sneak preview. Don't believe my praise for the brand? Here's what Oyster had to say:

New Zealand accessories label Deadly Ponies have just launched their AW12 collection, ‘Hurrichain’. Proving that they’re no one trick pony, their latest venture delivers on the opulent fabrics that have been the cornerstone of previous collections. ‘Hurrichain’ largely depends upon deer, cow and lamb skin, as well as goat and calf fur for its bags, wallets and jewellery. If this all sounds a little extravagant, never fear – the collection comprises natural, earthy hues and bags are finished with brass hardware, to chill things out a little. If, however, you like everything in excess, you might find yourself gravitating towards the pieces that have stark injections of magenta or metallic accents.

The Hermes Kelly Bag

I'm not a large fan of fashion house labels and expensive handbags, but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate the Kelly bag from Hermes- especially this blue bag with bubble gum punk handles and detail.In terms of the fiddly details I do have a certain fondness for the little gold plaque as well as the lock and key and alternative strap. In the last month I've really been lusting after things that are pink and girly and while this bag is still predominantly blue in colour, I do like the small pink details and tags.

If you're not so adventurous in terms of clashing colours there's also this lovely burn orange/ tan coloured bag with deep magenta tags and straps which would look great when worn with a stunning tropical printed dress. Be warned though because the price tag for these gorgeous bags aren't generous by any means and can cost some hundred dollars for a second hand bag. I guess I'll be saving my pennies for quite some time if I'm ever going to get my hands on a blue and pink Hermes Kelly bag!

I'm not a large fan of the structure of a bad like this, I had spend a lot of time as a kid getting dragged around the shopping centre with my mother and getting whacked hap-hazardly with the corners of her bag. If I had the money, I would probably favour a Mulberry bag over Hermes but I tend to lean towards colour more than structure. I love the strong colours of this collection as well as many more bags by Hermes but if you prefer something that's more versatile of course there's black and brown in a range of textures and materials too.

Vintage Chanel from Amélie Boutique

Amélie Boutique is a great online shop that offers a variety of clothing, jewellery bags and shoes and even three gorgeous vintage Chanel bags in pristine condition. I've seen some great Chanel bags from the online store Claire Inc., but never have I seen such quality in the leather. The bags they're selling certainly don't come with a second hand price tag, costing some thousand and a half British pounds each- it's not really what you expect from seeing the words 'vintage' and 'heriloom' but then again the condition is as new, the leather not cracked and the metal plated chain is still completely intact and not showing any signs of wear at all.

 

Beggars can't be choosers when it comes to the vintage market unless you have a lot of cash to mindlessly throw around, in which case you'll have your pick of the litter and get to afford the cream of the crop. There are quite a few lovely Chanel pieces that come online on eBay as well but nothing to this quality and standard.

 

I don't know who in their right mind wouldn't love to flash around a Chanel handbag and keep them cooped up in a wardrobe all day- bags this lovely were made to see the light of day and enjoy the sun! Still, for the person who did choose to hoard away their Chanel treasures, it leaves the people of the present to enjoy the lovely colour of this brilliant Chanel quilted hand bag and the plated gold metal chains without any wear at the corners. When I search around for vintage pieces from high end fashion houses such as Chanel, I'm usually trying to find bags and accessories that are more within my price range as opposed to browsing around their stores in person. You'd have no such luck with the same philosophical approach if you bought a vintage Chanel bag from Amélie Boutique.

 

One of the most gorgeous and my favourite structured bags from Chanel for its vintage design is the bucket bag you see before you with drawstring cord, a leather strap threaded with a gold chain and rich black tassels. This photograph shows off the texture of the leather and how it's survived the test of time with tender love and care and those gorgeous tassels. I think I'm a sucker for just about any vintage Chanel bag as long as it has some tassels attached to it. As well as the tassels of this bag sitting at the top are thick gold charms too with a quilted effect and the iconic double C logo of Chanel.

 

It's sort of been my dream bag hiding in the back of my subconscious for a number of years now but I'll probably never be one of those girls who walks around and everyone is dying to find out who she is. No- I'll be the girl sitting behind her computer screen feeling content for the next number of years as she passes her way through university and trying to transfer into Melbourne University and realise her childhood dreams which now seem impossible. At least for the time being I can go to the library and read copies of Vogue, books of cheesy romances as well as enjoy free wi-fi and indulge in glorious things I'll never be able to buy. If I were a Buddhist I would be the worst example and leading a life heavily influenced by objects and possession but fortunately I'm not that way religiously inclined.

Vivienne Westwood Heart Bag

I have known about Vivienne Westwood's great line of shoes in collaboration with Melissa and also her designed Swatch watch from many, many years ago but I wasn't quite aware of these fabulous heart shaped bags sporting the Vivienne Westwood symbol: a planet with a cross encircled by an orbital ring. I'm not so keen on the handle bag straps, I don't really hold well with carrying a bag about in such a fashion but I do like the strap which can be used to wear across the body as a satchel, as well as the generous and supple shape of the heart for each bag.

I love getting to thoroughly layer up in the throes of Winter, but Australia is never really that gold so it's never as extreme as this cute couple. I love street style stalker photographs taken on quiet corners and intersections and in front of walls caked in ages of painted graffiti. It seems a fitting setting for this photograph of a girl dressed mainly in black and her entire outfit brightened up by a bright red heart bag by Vivienne Westwood strung low on her hip. The sideways glance from the gent she holds on to says it all really about those two. Their love is as apparent as the large red heart between them, physically.

I've fallen in love with the most ridiculously cliche shaped bag- but since Valentine's Day is a month away now and I can't deny I have it on my mind and I may actually get to spend it with my beau too. I had planned to take a trip shopping tomorrow to check the validity of my key card and staff discount as well as buy as many bags as I can humanly justify but now I sort of want to save myself for a red Vivienne Westwood heart bag. It would be the most obvious way to celebrate the couples holiday and I wouldn't mind using the bag during winter to brighten up an otherwise boring and black layered outfit as someone else before me has dared to do.

I would be more keen to get a black heart bag, but beggars can't be choosers and I suppose eBay will be my temporary hunting ground. I don't really mind whether the symbol on the bag is glittery or not but it would be the most spectacular bag to use for dress ups and looking ridiculous when walking around the city.

Novella Royale Studded Bags

Ever since spying the Diego bag designed by Alexander Wang I've had a bit of an itching for drawstring and bucket bags again- and I love the size of these studded leather bags from Novella Royale. The 'Lux' drawcord shoulder bag costs a might $643 but there are seven shades to choose from, mainly differing shades of black a grey one and also brown. I was blown away with the small studded detail of gold covering the bag and the ruched effect of the drawcord. While I could have liked something a beat meatier for the strap to match the sheer size of the bag, beggars can't be choosers. I just wish the cost of these bags wasn't more than the Alexander Wang bags, or at least the ones I can find off eBay. Since Novella Royale isn't as big a brand there won't be second hand deals for me to snatch up like a vulture.

It's mainly the studded bags which have been made in a spectrum of leather shades, or from what I can gather they're the bags that are the most recent and haven't all sold out yet. Introducing the Hudson clutch which features an envelope like flap as well as many folds of soft buttery leather. I bet this over sized clutch would look great if you ever found a matching shade of lipstick or something in a deep, dark colour named 'orchid'. Novella Royale always seems to use the big and bold, gold coloured studs in the most fantastic and eye-catching designs. The lovely thing about this dark tone is that the golden studs make it versatile for day or night and even with a black dress it would suit well.

If I can get it in black, then I will buy it in black; I take this approach to many things within my life except for book bags and leather satchels in the style of the Cambridge Satchel Company. What's appealing to me about drawcord bags and bucket bags is that they remind me of a little bag I once made in after-school-care and it had a drawstring to it as well. It kind of speaks to me on a nostalgic level so I suppose that's why I'm attracted to buying a hand bag in black leather because it reminds me of my youth in which I enjoyed crafts and making things as well as looking to the future in which I hope to be a fashion forward lady with an eye for style.

The brown suede of this bowling bag hand bag and neat rows of plastic studs reminds me a lot of chocolate and the meticulous art of trying to neatly separate a row of chocolate from the rest of the bar. So really, If I was trying to take dieting seriously this would be a horrible idea but still something fashionable to sport. I love having the choice of two straps to a bag and I don't think it's messy at all, it lends extra versatility to a piece and lets you wear the bag how you want.

I must say with all the black, large studs featured on one side of the bag I am hooked. You know my style dear reader if you've been hanging on my words for too long; I like things that evoke the look of witches and dark magic. This is the closest you get really unless you count the black drawstring bags in leather. I think I would be a little fonder of the drawstring bags if I could somehow replace the pyramid and circle studs with stars and moons instead but I'm happy with what I've got to choose from.