A Bag Lady's Dream

First and foremost, I am a bag fanatic. Shoes I like, hats are fine, but what really dominates my lust list year round are handbags, and I have a jumbled collection of 100 shoppers to show for it. My perfect handbag? Large, leather and preferably designer, so I can try and think of it as an ‘investment’. But like most of us in these challenging times, I also pride myself on being a bit of a bargain hunter. Who can deny the delightful high that comes with scouting a rare steal in a charity shop, or haggling successfully at a car boot sale? And I’m still trying to get the cheats I want.

Step forward Vanilla Paris; a hidden gem off the Kings Road that allows recessionistas to get the look, with none of the guilt. Buried within the confines of Kings Walk Mall, this store sits modestly between Subway and Sunglasses Hut, making it a fashion hotspot that’s easily missed. Vanilla combines blinging jewellery, fur coats and divine accessories, but is best known for its chic imitations of designer bags. Brimming with designer lookalikes, luxury leather lines the walls of this strange little shop, making it the perfect refuge for it-girls and Portobello princesses alike, not to mention the most fashion savvy celebs in London. It was here that Kate Moss bought her Grecian style leather belt, and Sienna snapped up her signature fur gilet during her climb to fame; a piece made from real rabbit fur and a cool £45. While Vanilla may have aided the rise of the Boho trend, it’s also a favourite with the likes of Jade Jagger and Martine McCutcheon. Just goes to show that every girl loves a steal when it comes to fashion, and this boutique holds that motto at its heart.

All the bags, from Vanilla’s own line, are made in Paris and shipped over to be sold at generously low prices, ranging from £25 to £130. Unlike most designer knock offs, they’re made from the finest leather, setting them apart from ‘fakes’ that fall apart within weeks. They don’t claim to be the real thing (making them legal as well) but have the design and quality of any bag on the arm of Victoria Beckham. So if you dream of Balenciaga but don’t have the spare £500 knocking around, then their ‘homages’ could fit right in your closet. Finally, we can bag a Birkin without breaking the bank.