Last week I had a invitation to attend an evening of handbags.
Yes an evening of handbags, and cocktails and food! Perhaps the perfect recipe for an evening out?
It was the Spring/Summer Preview of the MyBag collections held at Artisan in Spinningfields, Manchester. And to mark the occasion I thought it fitting to bring out my Chanel handbag from semi early retirement.
The enforced early retirement of this bag is more through the arrival of the girls then any other reason by the way.
Lets just say this; You cant carry nappies in a Chanel 2.55 handbag.
Digging this bag out from my collection, out of its dust-bag, brought back so many memories. The time I bought it (Chanel staff sale), the dates I took it on with the man who is now my husband, the time I spilled salsa on it in the cinema (I nearly cried).
It made me think that although some may see handbags as trivial and materialistic objects, in fact for me and I’m sure many others, handbags are so much more. They are part of the history of your life, part of the stories you tell to family and friends.
Wearing and using this handbag again made me feel great. It made me feel happy that I’ve kept it all these years, its over a decade old. There have been times in the past where I could have done with the extra cash I would get through selling it, but it has always been been in the protected part of my heart and I never could.
I see this classic handbag as an investment, as something I will eventually give to one (or both!?) of my daughters as a heirloom, part of my legacy. I will pass on the stories that come with it too.
My favourite handbags from the MyBag showcase were by Aspinal of London, Lulu Guinness, and The Cambridge Satchel. Any of which could easily be a heirloom handbag.
It was a really fun event, I even had my hair done in a Game of Thrones style braid thanks to the Red Angel Hair ladies.
Photo by Garry @photogfinch see more images from the evening here.
Do you have a handbag that you just couldn’t part with? I’d love to hear your handbag history stories in the comments below.
susan earlam ~ horror author 
I would love your input