Paco Rabanne Le 69 Iconic Shoulder Bag: More is More

I was thrilled by the re-release of Paco Rabanne’s iconic bags back in early spring – the launching of his Le 69 chain-metal handbag, in collaboration with Comme des Gar?ons, was a thrill. The heavy-metal little bag looked just as modern in 2011 as it did around the time of Woodstock (long before my time!). But I may have just been reminded that there is, indeed, too much of a good thing. This re-edition of the original has been set in glossy calfskin (lovely) and doused in metal charms by Judy Blame. Buttons and coins and safety pins – oh, my! It’s accessories galore, to the point where you can hardly recognize the actual bag. While there is some charm in the fringe-like adornments – just think about them moving and clinking as you strut down the street! – and they announce your playful, winky side, they hinder the inherent beauty of such a unique bag. And let’s not even get into the astronomical price tag! What say you: snob or slob? On Luisa Via Roma for $10,400.