Digging Delvaux

When I first even heard of the name Delvaux via India Knight's book The Shops, I was Deeee-scovering Delvaux.  When I went to the exhibition that tracked the history and evolution of this Belgian luxury leather brand, I was Delving into Delvaux.  Now I'm just plain old Digging Delvaux, now into its second proper season under creative director Veronique Branquinho.  As in "Hey, I like ur style.  Let's get it on!"  Well, erm… actually I don't have a spare EUR1000 plus lying around to actually make that last sentence happen but I can but casually flirt with the idea because it is one of those lesser-known brands that instills an aspiration in me to own something that stands the test of time.  Yes – classic, timeless – all those oft-used words that people love to throw around but perhaps don't mean.  I'm slightly more cautious so when I talk of Delvaux's timelessness, for me personally (and for no one else… has anyone considered the idea that one's idea of timelessness is not another's?), it's a word that has weight and kapoomph…

Delvaux's S/S 11 presentation in Paris gave me the chance to slow daaaaan, take it eaaaasy in an easy hour before that other 'D' for Dior kicked off.  I had the opportunity to get some initials embossed into a card wallet that is now pal to my Oyster card.  I managed to chill and admire the craftsman's wonderful tan leather apron that was also undoubtedly Delvaux-born.

There's never going to be anythign that is substantially 'NEW' at Delvaux other than a subtle process of reinvigoration and reintroduction such as re-issuing these Heritage styles in different colourways… here we have the Tempete MM from 1962 and slouchier styles that look good for slinging around multiple times so that they age just so over the years (yes, I'm that much of a believer that I feel like Delvaux is one of those things that may well get passed down the family tree…) – the Gibus from 1985, the Givry from 1977 and the Pin from 1972…

Not sure if this curved sadle bag has a name yet but it is the 'new' shape to add to the Delvaux family in a basket weave that is unique to Delvaux.  Not sure if a basket weave leather is supposed to be sexy but this is.  The sort of yearning and pining for this bag isn't too excruciating because I know that eventually as the seasons go on and the shape stays within the Delvaux range, that somewhere down the road it will come to me…

Another development for S/S 11 is the shifting of colours to lighter shades such as this shade of blue which is like powder blue that has had a bit of ash stirred through it…

The Nomade is another reintro-ed style and also gets another big fat Sexy Leather Tick for using Basane leather (made from smaller hides apparently…?).  I could try and call it bucket but it's sort of a fluid shape that can be worn like a bucket bag but also grabbed from the top in the hand like an oversized pouchy clutch.  I'd be one of those sad beings that would be holding onto it for dear life because I'd be scared of someone jacking me (why OF COURSE every potential mugger on the street is gonna spot a Delvaux, right?)

I'm not THAT into posh luggage but Delvaux's new Airess DOES come with some Shu Uemura products bunged into the case… I'm a sucker for built-into-the-price incentives…

Being a bag-newbie, I'm not ENTIRELY sure whether other labels offer their own branded range of aftercare products but I love that Delvaux do.  Again, sucker for add-ons.  You know, like when you're buying a computer and they ask whether you need this, that and the other.  Yup, get me some of those non-descript creams, polish and cloths and allow me to preen away at that leather. 

Damn…I'm letting myself be carried away with aftercare when I don't have the THING to care for yet but rest assured, I'll keep digging…