Even for someone like me who loves all manner of embellishment when it comes to accessories, the endless parade of brights and neons and rhinestones and patterns and fur and feathers and god knows what else can get a little…tiring. It’s like I have fancy fatigue. Amid the cacophonous roar of Spring 2012′s many trends, it’s nice to occasionally get a little bit of a palate cleanser before heading back to maximalism. Today, that palate (palette?) cleanser comes courtesy of Rochas.
Rochas isn’t much of a player in the accessories market, but the French brand’s handbag profile is steadily rising with increased availability at stores like Neiman Marcus and Saks. For some reason, perhaps because spring’s rococo lushness is just now hitting stores, the Rochas Colorblock Leather Tote and Rochas Scalloped Leather Handbag are hitting me just the right way. It takes a certain amount of confidence to make a dove grey and ivory bag and call it “colorblocked” this season when that term usually refers to some combination of neon and cobalt.
But that’s exactly what these designs are – confident, restrained, endlessly elegant. They’re made for people who prefer to be a bit demure instead of all-out flashy. That may not usually be me, but in a season so endlessly filled with stuff, it’s nice to be reminded of the other side of the coin from time to time.
Rochas Scalloped Leather Handbag, $1585 via Neiman Marcus
Rochas Colorblock Leather Tote, $1465 via Neiman Marcus
By Amanda Mull
