Towny Cow bag

It’s really easy to be dazzled by the latest trend or seduced by a particularly shiny bit of bling, but choosing a handbag that will last past Christmas is a serious business. We’ve all done it, shelled out for a bag that just didn’t deliver – perhaps it wouldn’t stay on your shoulder, wasn’t big enough or simply looked out of place in your wardrobe.

Obviously, I spend a lot of time thinking about handbags, creating handbag and just loving the good ones. Here are just a few of the things to ask yourself before you get your purse out and part with your money.

• Is the bag so gorgeous that you would want to hand it to your daughter in the future – or after you have finished with it at least?
• Is it stylish and timeless? – beware anything the screams on-trend for only one season or is completely covered in logos. Classic and iconic works for ever but not if you chose a bag with too much bling or OTT motifs.
• Is it well-made? We are not talking a cheap bag knocked up in 10 seconds. If you want to keep it, make sure the seams are well-constructed, there are lots of pockets and an inside that is lovingly designed and as beautifully put together as the outside.
• Will it be too heavy or hurt to carry? Bags that induce back ache really are a no no. Check the weight and think about what you have to put inside. Bags like the Chloe ones are wonderful to look at but, heck, the padlocks are so heavy you could do your shoulder an injury
• Is it versatile? Think about your average day and ask if it works for all the scenarios. Most of us need a handbag that will take them from the office to dinner and carry all their essentials – phone, make up, wallet, plus loads of random items – remember our article on what us girls keep in our handbags. Could your new purchase handle all those things?
• Is it big enough or small enough for that matter? if you can’t fit in your everyday stuff and have no room for extras – like throwing in your iPod, iPad or Kindle then it’s a no no.
• Slouchy or structured? Slouchy is great for a more casual approach and can be flexible if you tend to overfill your handbags but a structured handbag will hold its shape longer.
• Will my handbag make me look good? Don’t buy something that doesn’t fit your style both life and fashion. You will regret it.
• Finally close your eyes and feel the bag – does it feel good? Does it make you think yuuuummmmm? If it does then it’s for you.

If you get it right, you’ll have a friend for life.

Get a good hide in - a VV Amore classic bag

As a handbag designer, I’m involved in every part of the process but one of the most magical things about making bags is the sourcing of the products that I use to create them – leather being the main one.

I use a number of different suppliers but my favourite is a warehouse in the east end of London. It is a treasure trove of beautiful leathers just stacked high and low over 5,000 sq ft of a warehouse

The smell when you open the warehouse door is absolutely amazing. It’s like the smell of a thousand new car interiors or thousands of leather jackets all piled high in your wardrobe

I normally try to get there first thing in the morning when no one else is around so that I can lose myself in the total range. Amazing new leathers arrive there daily.

There is the leather I always purchase for the mainstays of my range, but I am always looking for new things and this warehouse never disappoints.

Piles of soft lamb nappa in every colour under the rainbow, suedes galore just stacked up on shelves, lovely shiny patents in another corner and whole skins of cows in many different brown and black shades heaped up in the middle.

There is a fabulous sample area with beautiful printed leathers. The astonishing range of finishes and designs includes tartan and roses. They are all special orders so you have to take at least six to ten skins.

This season python and snake skins are very popular which is just as well as our VVA exotic handbags and our slouchy python are right on trend for us. But then, what would you expect?

The warehouse is even selling brightly coloured crocodile skins which are lovely but a little exotic for most tastes.