Once upon a time, I had a Balenciaga Box in Rouge Vif. She was a beautiful, happy red purse, so I named her Boxey Love. I sold her for some reason (I think my car needed tires or something), and I’ve been missing her ever since. Balenciaga has since discontinued the Box style, which is sad because it was a great size and shape. Like Goldilocks’ quest for the perfect bed, this style was not too big, not too small, but just right. When I found this beauty at Belen Echandia, it reminded me so much of Boxey Love that I had to make her mine.
Be Mine Mini is about the same size and shape as the Bal Box style, but in truth I think I like it better. The color is simply luscious – it’s the perfect red, saturated and rich and juicy with slight blue undertones, but not too dark and not too bright. The leather is soft and slightly crinkly, with a glossy sheen. It is lined in Belen Echandia’s signature pink silk, and is roomier than it looks.
What really blows my skirt up about this handbag is the tiny details. The trim is edged in zigzag pinking, and there’s a tiny pink crystal embedded at each end of the zipper. The top zips securely, but there’s also a magnetic snap closure at the top…which I am more likely to use than the zipper. The outside half-moon-shaped pocket fits my iPhone easily; there are two inside slip pockets and one interior zip pocket.
At 13″ x 7″ x 6″, this is the Perfect Weekend Bag. It will fit essentials with room to spare, so it’s perfect for days when I don’t need to carry extra stuff to work. The handle drop is 6″, so this is strictly a hand- or arm-carried bag, but it’s lightweight so it won’t be obnoxious to lug around.
You can’t find the Be Mine Mini style on the main BE website, but you can register with Belen Echandia Couture and they will make one just for you, in your choice of more than 65 leathers (including purple python), gold or silver hardware, and 8 silk lining colors, plus customizations like longer straps or extra pockets. BE Couture is unique among handbag designers, because they offer truly personal service, spectacular quality and the opportunity to help design a one-of-a-kind bag…for less than “off-the-rack” bags from the big design houses. As with all Belen Echandia bags, BE Couture orders are handmade by skilled leather artisans in Tuscany. Because of this individual attention, Couture turnaround time is about a month — so if you want something for a special occasion, remember to order in advance.
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