#WOTW: The Minaudière Is THE Accessory You Should Know

#WOTW: The Minaudière Is THE Accessory You Should Know

What Is A Minaudière_Hauterfly

 

Given the chance I’d never carry a handbag around, but sadly that’s not an option. Thanks to the number of essentials a woman has to carry every day — a favourite shade of lipstick, other makeup essentials, hair ties and bobby pins, a wallet, a card case, a coin purse maybe — there’s no escaping a big tote or a roomy cross-body bag when you’re off to work or out for the day. And if you’re part of a girl gang, the one request you’ll almost always hear before heading out for a party is, “Will you carry this for me?” And that’s one among the many reasons why I’m so glad about the creation of a minaudière.

Also called a statement evening bag, did you know that a minaudière was originally considered fashion jewellery? First created by luxury jewellery design house Van Cleef & Arpels in 1930, the minaudière was inspired by American socialite Florence Gould. A big patron of the arts, Gould was known to carry about her dainty knick-knacks in a small metal cigarette case while attending soirees. In no time, variations of this jewellery (that was then a luxury) were made by brands like Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Chaumet, and others.

While the above-mentioned jewellery houses don’t produce minaudières any longer, they have become something of a major trend among the accessory edit of fashion houses. From Judith Leiber’s utterly cute minaudières (her quirky designs have become something of collectors’ items among the high-flying social set) to Dolce & Gabbana and Chanel’s sleek and modern designs, these design houses almost treat them like a piece of haute couture and their prices reflect that sentiment.

A statement piece that’s dainty and can yet draw attention, I think a minaudière is a must-have accessory. What other excuse do you have to politely refuse carrying someone else’s things when heading to a party!

Simi Kuriakose

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