Q: My sister is in need of a bag, and it’s been two years since she’s found one she likes. She happened to see a lady with one she adored the other day, and the woman told her that she had gotten it at Halls (an exclusive department store in Kansas City owned by Hallmark). My sister was almost positive that the brand was Marc Jacobs. She described it as black and white patent leather with brown leather corners. I googled the sucker many times but am coming up with nothing. I would be a rock star if I could find this bag for her. Can you help?
A: Unfortunately, even experienced fashion detectives sometimes come up short. After a few hours of phone calls and fruitless Google searching, it became clear that the only way to track down your mystery bag was to go straight to the source.
The folks at Marc Jacobs were happy to help, but after picking their own brains and even contacting the buyer at Halls, they were unable to come up with any suggestions as to what this bag might be. According to a representative for Women’s Collection Handbags, if the bag is one of theirs, it “doesn’t sound like anything from a recent collection,” and therefore it is “doubtful that it would still be available anywhere.”
If you’re 100% sure that this mystery bag is, in fact, a Marc Jacobs creation, your best bet might be to set an eBay alert for search terms matching the bag’s specifications. That way, you’ll receive an e-mail whenever someone lists something similar for sale, and a quick glance at the photographs in the listing will determine whether or not it is THE bag. Even if the style is five or six years old, you never know when someone might decide to part ways with it while cleaning out their closet, allowing their castoff to become a cool new addition to your handbag collection.
Representatives from Marc Jacobs were also kind enough to provide a preview of their pre-fall collection, which is just about to hit store shelves. Maybe if you’re lucky you’ll eventually stumble upon the tote you’re coveting, but why not have something fun to carry in the meantime?
The Lux SLG ‘The VIP’ in Ocher
100% Python Skin
$1,995
Available at Saks Fifth Avenue Stores
Wellington ‘Classic’ in Pearl
100% Goat Leather
$1,250
Available at www.saksfifthavenue.com
Safari ‘Safari Mini Stam’ in Ivory and Zebra
100% Calf hair and Lamb leather
$2,795
Available at Neiman Marcus stores
Safari ‘Safari Large Single’ in Camel and Animalier
100% Calf hair and Lamb leather
$1,595
Available at Barney’s New York Stores
Sahara ‘Sahara’ in Animalier
100% Calf Hair
$2,495
Available at www.net-a-porter.com
Colorblocked Manhattan ‘Mini Stam’ in Black and Concrete
100% Lamb Leather
$1,495
Available at www.neimanmarcus.com
