Christian Dior Karenina Tote Bag | Large Black Framed Ruched Lambskin Handbag

Posted on: Oct 6

The Lady Dior line may grab all the headlines, but for something a little different I'd opt for this Karenina Tote.

The lush aged lambskin falls in intricate pleats down the length of the bag. The leather is lovely, but that super-ruched appearance is sure to divide fashion fans. I suppose no one gets noticed without taking risks, right? At least Christian Dior keeps the branding to a minimum, with "CD" letter charms providing the only bit of bling. They still make the bag look a little cluttered for my tastes, so thankfully they're removable.

The head-turning design combines with the large interior to create a bag ready to transition from day to night. If only all that space was utilized. There's a large zippered envelope in the center, but I worry about the security of the open compartments either side. There are slip pockets for gadgets but, without clasps or closures to keep them safe, would you trust them with your cell? The natural impulse is to stuff everything inside the zippered pouch, which is a great shame. There's no point offering extra storage space if no one feels comfortable using it.

The handles are another practical drawback. Those short, rolled handles are very cute, but their appeal is sure to wear off when you've been lugging a full Karenina around the city for hours. A longer shoulder strap may have undermined the looks, but I'd be willing to sacrifice that style for comfort.

This framed tote has already become a favourite with style pioneers like Christina Aguilera, Denise Richards, and Sienna Miller. And at $2,450, they might be the only ones that can afford it!