Alaia gives the traditional basket tote a chic makeover with perforated leather!
The shape and style of this tote reminds me of the kind of bags I filled with flowers as a child. However no bag from my youth was quite this luxurious! While my childhood purses were made of raffia and wicker, this one is made of perforated black leather.
It’s worth pausing to look a little closer at this material, because the perforations really are something else. Not content to use traditional round cut-outs, Alaia has spiced things up with some half moons and triangles! The effect up close is dazzling, but it’s careful not to dominate when you look at it from a distance.
This tote is pretty expensive at $1985, a price which makes me very conscious of its limitations. Honestly I expect perfection or something close to it when I’m considering spending that kind of money, and this tote isn’t it. It’s got no zippers or closures, so security is seriously compromised. Thankfully there’s a zippered pouch for holding small valuables, but this really doesn’t go far enough. The lack of lining makes those perforations look more appealing, but we run the risk of small items getting caught in the holes, or even sliding out.
I really love the look of this Alaia tote, but I’m not sure that’s enough to sell it for me.
More Features of This Alaia Black Basket Tote
- Dual top handles with a 7 inch drop
- Measures 16 x 11 x 6 inches
- An internal detachable designer-stamped mirror
