One of my favorite bags I've been using this spring is my prized Mulberry Alexa Bag ($1200) which I have in Oak. I love the way the leather has softened with use over the last few months. I find the rounded shape more feminine than the Proenza Schouler PS1. Also, I love that you can wear the Mulberry Alexa bag over your shoulder or cross-body with the straps. (You can't do cross-body with the PS1.) The interior is quite roomy but if you do need more room you can bump yourself up to an Oversized Alexa for $1,450 or bump yourself down to a cute Alexa Mini for just $800. Ever since owning this bag, I've fallen in love with the brand. The Mulberry style is sophisticated with whimsy, no doubt infused by Creative Director Emma Hill who has taken the top creative spot there since 2008 and came up with the design for the Mulberry Alexa.
The Alexa bag is named for style icon, Alexa Chung and is a cross-between their classic Bayswater bag and their men's Elkington briefcase. Since it debuted in 2010, Alexa Chung has been seen carrying the bag in all it's incarnations and it has quickly become an "It bag" among celebrities, mostly British.
Leighton Meester wore an Alexa bag as Blair on Gossip Girl. It's also going to make it's debut this fall on the big screen with Sarah Jessica Parker in this September's I Don't Know How She Does It.
My favorite photos by far are of fashion model, photographer and blogger Hanneli Mustaparta who seems to always be carrying a stylish Mulberry bag.
If you live in the U.S., call Elly Jaye at the 605 Madison Ave, NYC boutique at (212) 835-4700 to help with your phone order. She is the best! She can even help you with finding the right shade of Oak you want as each bag differs. Also if you don't live in NY, all you pay extra is the shipping cost! There's no tax and none of the international taxes/hassle if you shop online.
You can also find a Mulberry boutique near you.
Mulberry was established in 1971 in Somerset, England. Their bags are handcrafted with precision. Check out FabSugar's exclusive behind the scenes photo slideshow of how a Mulberry Alexa bag is made in their Somerset factory.
