The Spring Summer 2013 bag collections during Milan Fashion Week were all about light-- through color, illumination, and weight.
At Gucci, a signature horsebit bag in the shape of an envelope is light, compact, and very versatile as it can be carried as a shoulder bag and as a clutch.
Another notable at Gucci is Giannini's clever version of the perspex box clutch shaped with uniform gem cuts which in turn made it gleam like a gem itself.
Furla was out to impress with their own interpretation of light-- Creative Director Fabio Fusi was inspired by black and white photographs which explored lights, shades, and patterns in creating the newest piece in the label's collection, the perforated Venus doctor bag. Not only does the Venus bag take in light through its precise perforations, it is in itself also a very light bag, quite possibly one of the lightest leather doctor bags around.
Not to be left behind in the concept of light are Furla's degradé jewel- toned Candy bags which look like crystals because of their transparent treatment.
Bally has done remarkably well for the upcoming season with the elegant ribbon- cutout leatherwork on the new Papillon range of bags.
These highly stylized and light hand bags come in exotic python and leather, and in monochromatic and pastel colors. Bally is without a doubt, a brand to watch out for as Creative Directors Michael Herz and Graeme Fidler have infused a more of-the- modern- times approach without jolting the house's DNA.
The bags from Fendi are by far my favorites this time. Transparent panels were incorporated into the brand's bag of the moment, the 2Jours tote.
One of the bag highlights of the show was the canvas tote which had a "ghost" Fendi baguette exterior pocket. 2012 is the 15th year anniversary of the baguette and the house's iconic bag is cleverly incorporated into the larger tote which can hold the baguette in place. It's the two-in-one perfect day-to- night bag.
Other brands like Emporio Armani have also embraced this concept of light. While the brand had the usual range of totes and doctor bags, one particular piece stood out-- a small and lightweight bucket bag with a perforated leather drawstring top.
Tod's has its version of "light"-- the redesigned iconic D bag goes white this season and in a specially treated calf leather which made it so much lighter than its predecessor.
Jimmy Choo's interpretation of this came in the form of perforated east- west suede clutches.
So yes, this coming season, bag- loving women the world over will without a doubt see, feel, and appreciate the light.