Nicole Lee puts a playful spin on high-end style with this Adela mini bag.
The Adela’s simple pouchette shape and front flap with its turn-lock closure are obvious homages to leading designer purses. But Nicole Lee’s exaggerated features give this purse its point of difference. The turn-lock threatens to dominate the design, and the wide brown piping pops against the charcoal colored synthetic. The effect is almost cartoonish, and sure to polarize fashion fans. I’m pretty sure anyone with a designer budget will turn their nose up at this quirky imitation, but I don’t think it should be dismissed out of hand.
This is one of Nicole Lee’s most reserved styles, and in my opinion one of her most successful. The designer’s never been a shrinking violet, but with the Adela she’s created an accessory that’s easy to incorporate into a wardrobe. It appears unusual but not a novelty, unlike so many of the label’s other handbags.
While the styling seems fun and even childish, its design is actually very functional. A zip hidden beneath the turn-lock makes the small interior doubly secure. This petite space doesn’t need a lot to stay organized, so its trio of pockets is surely up to the task. In my opinion we could have done without all those compartments, as they seem to clutter what little room we have, but this is a minor quibble.
The use of synthetic rather than the leathers the leading labels prefer see this Adela bag priced at an affordable $81. It’ll never pass as a real designer purse, but it’s a fun and functional alternative.
More Features of This Nicole Lee Signature Mini
- An exterior back pocket with a magnetic snap
- A single shoulder strap
- Measures 4.5 x 11.5 x 5.8 inches
