Arm candyfor a swinging time

Arm candyfor a swinging time

Accessories can make or break your look, but we've got it in the the bag

SOCIAL & LIFESTYLE

Classics are forever, but who wouldn't want to inject some colour into their accessories come the holidays? It's only during this time of year that the excuse for getting a new handbag in hot red, with glitter, plumes, fur, embroidery, sequins, extra shine and everything in between is legitimate, especially when it's going to look dated soon enough. But if you've never been the timeless type to begin with, we've searched for something a little more special, befitting this holiday season. Here are Elite's picks of the most exclusive and eye-popping arm candy currently in stores -- just in time for you to treat yourself or that lovely lady in your life.

Spontaneous Louboutin

It is something of an unwritten rule that if you meet Christian Louboutin in person, you should definitely get him to sign the soles of the Loubies he designs. Taking seriously the task of charming his customers, it is not a only signature that he grants, but sometimes uses fun doodles, lucky charms and messages from a personal conversation you may have had with him. Of course, not all of us can be blessed enough to meet the legendary shoemaker in the flesh, so this Loubitag collection recently available in stores is the next-best thing.

For the first time, Louboutin's designs, scribbles and playful drawings from over 25 years are brought together under Loubitag, with colourful scrawls splashed over the complete line -- every shoe and type of bag will feature this expressive mishmash that adorns silk and grain-embossed leather. It's a clear insight into the designer, and you'll even see phrases like "No selfies!", which stems from the designer's own dislike of the practice. It may look like a dizzying array, but it all ends on a warm note, as the designer signs: "With love, Christian Louboutin."

Visit the Christian Louboutin store at Central Embassy.

Dior's wearable art

The iconic Lady Dior bag was born in 1995, but after it was seen on the arms of Lady Diana in 1996, it became unstoppably famous the world over. Elegant and handmade, its most enduring aesthetic is its instantly recognisable cannage stitching, padded leather cushions, mirrored facets, perfectly arched handle and charm made with a layer of fine silver or gold. The bag may carry the house's feminine and classic style, but it has also opened itself for artistic reinterpretation and re-envisioning.

Last year, a handful of American and British artists were invited to reimagine this timeless accessory, with only exclusively selected stores offering the limited pieces, be they in Miami, Japan or France. This year, 10 artists from around the world of different ages and backgrounds were invited to join the Lady Dior Art #2 fun and push the limits of leatherworking language with their own distinctive style. If you want a blinding shine, Lee Bul's creation features tiny plexiglas mirrors that look like one large broken mirror from afar.

History buffs will love Hong Hao's scanned piece that showcases a map, but those with a weakness for bright colours will love the array of rainbow fur by Namsa Leuba or Spencer Sweeney's pastiche of handprints, graffiti-like brushstrokes and bold pigments. The second piece of good news is that Thailand's been one of the few countries selected to sell these extremely limited pieces, so if you love Lady Dior with a bit of a more artsy attitude, check out these popping creations in store now.

Available only at Christian Dior Siam Paragon.

Playful and idiosyncratic

If there's any time one can get away with buying an over-the-top, seasonal, purely fun bag, it is pretty much when treating yourself for Christmas. Forget the classics for now and splash out with something a little out of the ordinary -- like Tod's Circus collection, designed by fashion-magazine maven Anna Dello Russo.

If you're looking for festive cheer, a circus has literally been let loose at this leather house, with stars, stripes and diamonds in formation with glitter and plumes. There's an eye-catching clown face. Not the scary sort, of course; this is the cute type with pink blush and popping eyelashes. The Double T has also been revised and sports a stripy design that'll make you yearn for a candy cane and other carnival foods. If you're not keen on clowns, the flying elephant pouches reminiscent of Dumbo are also a playful offering from the collection.

Phone covers come in bright yellow, while the signature loafers will smile at you and the sneakers will give a wink. This Circus collection is a must for any Tod's fan that wants a chock of carny oomph.

Available at Tod's Siam Paragon.

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