The handbag was part of the changes brought about after the First World War for women, carrying a bag became a sign of independence and stature. Women had their own money and keys to their own property and cars — and they wanted the world to know it.
What better reason to flaunt the fashionable clutch of the 1920s rather than having to burrow for necessities in hidden pockets beneath huge dresses? Women carried cigarette cases and lighters and began to make a display of applying makeup in public, so lipstick and powder compacts became part of every woman’s must haves.
As years passed handbags have grown in size, reaching the current outsize extreme shown by luxury houses like Balenciaga, Céline and Loewe.
As the leading accessory of our times, they have even earned their own slot on Sotheby’s and Christies’ auction house calendars, where they are able to command bids of hundreds of thousands of pounds on occasion.
When it comes to designer shopping in London, a true reveller would be unable to resist the charms of Chelsea. Chelsea is surrounded by Kensington, Knightsbridge, Fulham and South Kensington. Each area has its own weight of luxury hotels, residences and shops, however at the heart of it all stands Harrods – the jewel in the crown of high-end consumerism and a haven for all designer bag lovers.
This exclusive district in Central London is uber-expensive and uber-chic – no wonder we have the best escorts in London living and working there. We recommend browsing (or spending in!) the designer brands running along the Brompton Road. Dedicate a few hours at Harvey Nichols; allow your companion to lose herself in Jimmy Choo and Manolo Blahnik, and two Prada stores. The district also has some of London’s most renowned restaurants – like Babylon at The Roof Gardens – chic bars and clubs.
