Our minds in the summer: Sara Battaglia SS12
Courtesy of Sara Battaglia

Ever since Giulia and I discovered Sara Battaglia's bags we have been in love. I'ts been great to see her style and vision evolve from the Romanesque wide-fringed bags her sister famously wore to fashion week, to the slightly more boho chic take for her SS11 collection.
Now we want to share Sara's SS12 collection. This time around she's played more with geometric motifs and different fabrics combined. Out favourites are the satchel shoulder bags with the studded cut out leather detailing over bright snakeskin or bold-coloured smooth leathers. A similar, more relaxed model is the smaller satchel in the white and orange knit cotton material. I love the Ibiza feel of the bag, it's very Kate Moss, and the detail of the brown and black fringe hanging from below the bag.
There are also some new introductions in terms of shapes. I am loving the triangular shopping bags in bold colours contrasted with a softer trimming and black handles and Sara's signature tassel detail. It's great that even though it's a shopping bag it still can be fastened, you can never be too safe!

Take a look at Sara's website here to see the FW11 collection and the rest of SS12 as well as to find stockists.

Vogue.com, Style.com, Elena Braghieri

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Sara Battaglia SS11

You will remember we first introduced Sara Battaglia back in May when I discovered her bag collection and Giulia slapped me in the back of my head for being so late, as she had been a fan for a while. Her SS11 line was full of colourful timeless bags fit for any age and style and appropriate for different occasions. Now she introduces her pre-SS11 collection, where Sara is mixing it up a little more. There are more satchels, clutches and messenger and tote bags for a modern hip woman aiming for effortlessness. Some new elements in a kind of art deco line have been introduce as decoration on the shoulder bags (in yellow at the top) more in line with the style of Sara's logo. Her signature bags are given a twist by playing with different colours in the layers of leather straps, which has an effect of earthiness and depth.

Check out the rest of the stunning look book on Sara's website. Just as she did before, she has modeled the pieces herself and I am loving the styling! You will also find a list of retailers where you can buy her bags, including Luisaviaroma's online shop. In addition, don't forget to check out her blog, where she shares personal pictures, press cut outs, inspiration and some of her new designs.
I'm off.

[Pictures: Sara Battaglia]

pick your Battaglia

"Did you know Giovanna Battaglia's sister designs bags?", I recently asked Giulia. She replied in the shape of enthusiastic gesticulation and gasps that simply meant: "Duh-uh!!". It has taken me seasons and seasons of Fashion Week to notice what Giulia had noticed long ago —Giovanna, more often than not, carries a frilled leather bag in different shapes and colours. As it turns out these really cool bags are designed by her sister Sara Bataglia.

Giulia and I have become obsessed with Sara Bataglia's bags because they have this really classic aspect to them but the applique on the frills and the bold and metallic colours they come in give them an awesome edge. You would think Giovanna only wears them because they're siblings but someone of such a high fashion profile wouldn't do such a thing. She also has that 'classic with an edge' thing going on, so the bags only add up to this. The best thing about them is they retail at a very good price, something between 800€ and 400€ (about £600 and £300) depending on the size.

Personally, I find the bags fascinating because they remind me of the old leather and metallic skirts Roman soldiers wore as the bottom of their armours (a little ironic, as 'battaglia' means battle in Italian). Sara Battaglia's bags really capture their essence making them current. Just as Miuccia did for Prada in FW09. Stunning. Click here to see Sara Battaglia's blog (keep an eye on her website, coming soon) and check out the rest of her collection and here to get your own from Luisaviaroma.

I'm off.

[Pictures: Style.com, SarasFashionWorld.blogspot.com, JakandJil.com, theSartorialist.blogspot.com]