Freud famously said that a handbag symbolizes female genitalia, a vault that holds the treasure of a woman's inner strength. Ask any fashionista in Mumbai and she will readily agree that inner poise needs to be closely guarded, preferably in a Jimmy Choo Tube Mirror Leather Clutch.
But in these recession-tattered times, here's some help: Mumbai's first handbag rental service for women to loan luxury at basement rates. Bagsutra is India's answer to Western hits like Bag Borrow or Steal and Bags to Riches. The idea to equip the upcoming socialite and style-conscious working woman with arm candy for her mwah-mwah evenings. And the next destination: Delhi.
The secret society has an annual membership fee of Rs 10,000 and charges an additional Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 to rent a bag for a week. This is rather reasonable, given that Tod's Burgundy Leather Fringe Bag would cost roughly Rs 70,000 and a Zac Posen Zac Sac could knock Rs 65,000 off you.
Members are friends or friends of friends, no one is let in without a reference. Each member has a user name and online password. The page that opens up after the password is punched in is a dream come true.
The screen comes alive with images of the quilted satin Chanel Timeless Clutch ``which has been splashed all over international red carpets'' and the Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas Neverfull ``which can hold everything from your gym clothes to your laptop and if you try hiding your boyfriend in there too, he'd probably fit''. Almost every top brand including Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Burberry, Tod's, Zac Posen, Marc Jacobs, Fendi, Ferragamo and Dior are part of this posh store, but there are only a handful of bags to choose from.
The cheap ugg big miss is the Berkin, which rules the bag hierarchy and costs a few lakhs Dimmable LED Down Light K1018 2x3x1W / 2x3x3W after a one-year waiting list. Once members are done drooling, they can click on the bag of choice. Hopefully, if the waiting list is not too long, it is delivered to their doorstep by a clandestine concierge on drop-off day (usually Fridays, in time for a wild weekend of parties) in exchange for Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 in cash. The bag is picked up the following Thursday.
The first designer bag rental service started in Seattle and shot to fame after it was featured in the film Sex and the City. In a subplot, Jennifer Hudson who plays Carrie Bradshaw's label-crazy assistant mentions that she borrows her handbags from Bag Borrow or Steal. That prompts Carrie to buy her assistant her very own Louis Vuitton. Soon after, the rental service gave its members the option of bags inspired by the single and fabulous Sex and the City foursome.
But Bagsutra is more than just vanity, says the owner. ``It is inspired by the Indian tradition of sharing,'' she said in an interview, requesting anonymity. ``Sisters share clothes, babies rarely have clothes of their own and relatives borrow jewellery and sarees. This is more like a community where members trust each other. And a handbag is an item which can be easily shared because it doesn't directly come in contact with one's skin.''
The small membership base is an interesting mix of working women, brand managers, people in beauty and fashion, models, actresses and a few celebrities. ``A typical member is a girl who likes to read fashion magazines but doesn't want to spend a quarter's salary on one bag,'' said Ms Bagsutra. ``This is not for those who don't know or love these brands. In our maximum city, who has the cupboard space for so many handbags?''
Bagsutra provides trade information in the form of Bolly
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