Day 12: Bottega Veneta Soft Crocodile Fume Bags
By admin on May 26, 2010 in Handbags & Purses
How can I begin to describe our final day of Bottega Veneta without typing in all caps followed by an absurd number of exclamation points? It is nearly impossible. I want to stand on top of my couch with my lap top in my hands and scream my excitement over these two bags and the photos Vlad took.
To answer one of your first questions, yes that is a live alligator in our photos. To be precise, he is a four year old alligator named Wally who lives at Everglades Holiday Park in Florida. Next answer is also yes, that is two exotic Crocodile BV bags that Wally is posing with. So let’s get to it!
Vlad and I have been toying with the idea to incorporate an alligator into our photography. There are countless reasons why this seemed like it would never work. Where exactly would we find a ‘tame’ alligator? Would they allow us to take the photos? We felt a bit weird at first. Here we are walking into an Everglades park, that takes people on air boat rides and teaches them about the natural habitat of the Florida alligator, with two exotic crocodile handbags. It did seem a bit hypocritical.
But Wally and his handler were all for it. Actually, we voiced our hesitation to Mike, the handler, and he simply said, “Wally loves this and is happy the bags are made our of Croc not gator’. Pretty comical at the time. Wally behaved well enough that we could remove the tape around his mouth and he even smiled for us (literally as seen in the top photo). Eventually, he even poked his head through the smaller of the two exotics.
Let me just say it now: Wally is now our favorite alligator, ever!
Oh yea, the bags! Obviously, this photo shoot would not have been possible without these luscious bags. We decided to end Day 12 with the ultimate luxury from Bottega Veneta, exotic classic Venetas. The Veneta is the house staple, a simple, timeless, chic classic. The entire aura of the bag is created by its seamless design and effortless shape. Having the Veneta be made out of soft crocodile fume only further intensifies the bag’s beauty.
We had two bags here: the large BV Soft Crocodile Fume Hobo Bag in Truffle and the smaller BV Soft Crocodile Fume Large Veneta in fever. There is a major price difference, a whopping $15,500. The difference is largely made up because the truffle bag is made with 8 (!) crocodile skins. Yes, eight. When you look closely at the bag you can see the different areas of the soft, larger scaled belly skin. The treatment of the skin however makes both of these bags very supple. The crocodile skin is sturdy, yet soft and extremely malleable. The bag holds its shape with the perfect amount of slouch.
These two handbags are Bottega Veneta holy grails for me. I must admit I could go for the less expensive of the two, in a sultry rouge hue that is soaked up beautifully by the skin. Both are exotic, both are magnificently made, and both are ultimate classics. Buy through Bottega Veneta for $19,500 and $35,000.
Note: Wally, the gator was not harmed during this photography session. In fact, he played along nicely and hoped we captured his good side!
Source: PurseBlogExclusive »
i have a gator hanb bag of my wife thar has passon to a better place the bag has to gator heads on the bag it is from the 50@60 if you would to see it i will send picture. thank
john
john | May 26, 2010 | Reply
need to see the whole bag (fb)
Adrienne Zedella | May 26, 2010 | Reply
Not a big fan of the crock skin. (fb)
Kendra | May 26, 2010 | Reply
I like the pictures.if it bothers people where the bag comes from simply don’t but it as for me I would but that’s just my opion
dawn | May 26, 2010 | Reply
That’s very odd. Both of those skins have the characteristics of Alligator, not crocodile at all. I wonder why they claim to be crocodile. Did you ask Wally’s handler to check out the scale pattern on the bags and tell you which they were?
DavidStMoritz
David St.Moritz | May 26, 2010 | Reply
Wally is an alligator. Good try though
Mary | May 26, 2010 | Reply
I’ve got to say I agree. While leather is obviously a by-product of the meat industry, I have a hard time with exotics and fur, knowing animals are raised simply for their skins. This photo shoot made me sad. I don’t own exotics or fur.
Same reason I won’t eat veal or foie gras… I feel badly that Chanel uses a lot of calfskin in their products, and have debated not buying anymore for this reason. It’s hard to have a handbag problem and try to be an ethical consumer.
sarafina77 | May 26, 2010 | Reply
Thank you so much! Going to cut and paste. I do my own product photos and in need of a camera. Though mine did last me nearly 10 years.
Toopie | May 26, 2010 | Reply
im with you
Merve | May 26, 2010 | Reply
Wally is so cute in these pictures, and the bags are gorgeous. I seriously doubt he will be a bag as he lives in a habitat that teaches people about he and his kind.
19yearslater | May 26, 2010 | Reply
i think people should stop worrying about the pictures, if you really like alligator skin products, then why do you think it’s crude and perverted to show in an Artistical Shoot, an alligator?
crude and perverted comes when you like the products, and if you do, than you don’t have to worry about these pictures, come on.
Jazmi | May 26, 2010 | Reply
I love the pictures. Wally is cute and the bags are awesome.
ReRe | May 26, 2010 | Reply
That’s my problem with this post too! lol
Jess | May 27, 2010 | Reply
For this particular shoot, I used the Canon 5D Mark II with the wide 16-35L lens. The leather close-ups were shot with the 100mm/2.8L Macro lens.
Vlad Dusil | May 27, 2010 | Reply
My biggest problem with this is that I don’t have $35,000 (or $19,500 for that matter) to buy one of those bags!
Suzie | May 27, 2010 | Reply
NOT a good idea!!!
janie | May 27, 2010 | Reply
I ended up skipping alot of the comments so that I could get to mine. I am not a fan of croc or gator skin bags. It has nothing to do with animal cruelty because I grew up in the country and have seen pigs slaughtered. My great-grandfather was a chicken farmer. So, this whole animal thing is lost on me. Anyway, I just don’t like it because it always looks cheap to me. With that being said, I could see myself wearing that red bag. It is beautiful.
The pictures are beautiful. I guess that some here would call me shallow, but I just don’t really care since I eat and wear animals yet still enjoy taking my children to the zoo.
mochababe73 | May 27, 2010 | Reply
What camera does Vlad use? If more than one, which did he use for this shoot? Thanks!
Toopie | May 27, 2010 | Reply
I agree.
This is awful.
CC | May 27, 2010 | Reply
agreed.
myc | May 27, 2010 | Reply