Bag of the Week: The MCM Princess Lion Flat Shopper

I can probably trace my love for handbags to the late 80€™s, early 90€™s when every woman I knew lusted for MCM handbags. If you€™re not quite legal or didn€™t happen to grow up in a community of women that craved this brand, it may not resonate with you in the same bag-a-licious way. But, for me and every Russian I knew, MCM was €“ and still is €“ on the same level as Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Goyard.

Get into your fashion time machine and conjure up images of the late 80€™s and early 90€™s €¦ logos were HOT, slinky and mini dresses ruled, Versace and excess were still in (this is pre-minimalism 90€™s) and MCM was still being sold in the US. I remember the old styles, like The Boston satchel or the little mini makeup pouch that everyone would buy because it was the cheapest and could double as a little clutch. I remember the MCM/ Lion print on brownish/tan leather or on white €“ loved it on the white! I also remember my mother and many other women like her going to Century 21 (for those not from NYC, it€™s the #1 store for designer labels for less) to snag the last MCM€™s that miraculously made their way to this store and then poof! disappeared from our fashionable repertoire forever.

Well, never say forever! More than 10 years later, MCM is back and better than ever. Fall 2007 was the first collection available in the US, and with Spring 2008 you get a bit of the familiar with some new twists. Logos aren€™t the trend du jour right now, but I have to tell you the little bagista inside of me is itching for this divine white shopper. I€™m always looking for a great bag to use as a carry-on when I travel to tropical destinations. There€™s just something about stepping off the plane with a crisp white bag that adds to the relaxing vibe. This MCM shoulder bag is the exact style and color I want and I just can€™t wait to get my hands on it. I may cry, as this will be the first MCM I€™ll have all to myself.

Do you have a story about your madness for MCM handbags? Check out my blog and let€™s swap stories.