TORY BURCH Classic "Tory" Tote

When Barack Obama issued a statement about women leaders during his campaign, one of the names he listed (alongside the likes of Dr. Sally Ride and Billie Jean King) was fashion designer Tory Burch. (Perhaps not only because of her amazing career achievements, but also because of the Tory Burch Foundation, created by the designer last year to provide female entrepreneurs with economic opportunities.)

Although born, raised and educated (in art history) in the elite Philadelphia metropolitan area, Tory Burch was hardly a cookie-cutter uptown girl. She may live a privileged life, but this fashion PR veteran, fixture on the social circuit and self-taught designer has worked vigorously hard for the spot on fashion's highest pedestal. When the Tory Burch flagship store opened in New York City in 2004, it was almost completely sold out on the first day. In April 2005, Burch’s collection was endorsed on The Oprah Winfrey Show, and since then has grown exponentially into one of the most successful and most recongnisable lines ever, known for its preppy, north-eastern American style dubbed "socialite chic". And when Forbes magazine released its inventory of the world’s 100 most powerful women last week, Tory Burch, in spot 88, was the first of the only three female fashion designers to make this list. (The other two being Vera Wang and Donna Karan, who ranked numbers 91 and 96, respectively.)

Whether shopping in the city or hitting the beach, carry your everyday necessities in Tory Burch’s classic, roomy “Tory” Tote. This bag is also structured enough for the office -- especially on the days when you’ve got loads of stuff to bring.
(RRP US$225)
The stars (Nickhun of 2PM, Wonder Girls) came out for the opening of the Tory Burch’s super-gorgeous Seoul flagship store this past June.


A hand-built family "chariot" for three is among the countless goodies that bear Tory Burch’s eclectic, sophisticated aesthetic.
This "ultimate fantasy Christmas gift" can be yours for a cool US$4500.


Torry Burch guiding both Anna Wintour and Kanye West through her SS2011 runway collection.

BRIC'S MILANO (Italy) "X-Bag" Backpack

Bric's Industria Valigeria Fine Spa Milano (“Bric’s” for short) was founded in the scenic region of Lake Como, Italy by Mario Briccola (thus the name) in 1952. A self-made man with a pionering spirit, Briccola started out with just travel bags, which people came from far and wide to buy from his workshop. Business kept growing and eventually, fans started asking for Bric’s handbags as well. Today, half a century later, Bric’s has become an internationally established luggage, handbag and small accessories operator, known for its craftsmanship and its use of the finest in Tuscan leather and hardwearing nylon. Although the company has far outgrown Briccola's small workshop, the personal touch continues today, with six of his eight children working to carry on their father’s legacy of quality, style, and attention to detail. (Members of the family, including the grandchildren, sometimes even model in Bric's catalogues.)
Bric's retail locations presently include stores and counters in Italy, France, Belgium, South Korea, China, the United States (where it is represented in both standalone boutiques as well as upscale stores like Bloomie’s, Neiman’s, and Barneys) -- all in all, over 20 countries worldwide.

Bric’s X-Bag Collection
Fun, practical, versatile and useful -- that’s the Bric's X-Bag collection. Made from PVC-coated polyamide fabric, Bric’s X-Bags are as durable as they are good-looking. The material is waterproof-treated (although you’ll understand the zips never are), and the handles and details are vegetable tanned leather made.
The Bric’s X-Bag Backpack comes in various colours.

A Bric's specialty store in Italy:-