This Is Not A Drill: Altuzarra Has Debuted Handbags

Altuzarra shoes are something of an oxymoron. Most of them look impossibly painful to wear — with pin-thin stilettos, S&M-meets-world-traveler straps and cutouts, “ladylike” design details encouraging toe cleavage, and a high arch that typically translate to “taxi required." But, the shoes are also made to move, adorned with tassels and beads, ankle straps and laces, daring their wearers to be as mobile with a 4-inch boost as they are in flats — a challenge that only a small, admirable group accepts. Finally, the brand is reaching out to the rest of us: Altuzarra has just debuted its first line of handbags.

Named the “Notch” collection, the bags also balance that line between super-fly and superwoman. They carry out Altuzarra's ‘70s-working-woman vibe, with roomy hobo and saddle shapes adorned with long tassels, rivets, and braiding. These bags will fit your laptop and files, but will still get you a million compliments at cocktails later. We spotted two different styles on the runway in a variety of color ways and patterns (butterscotch, midnight blue, red, and black — some made with crocodile, other adorned with golden hardware, and others just left plain).

The bags will be available next fall along with the rest of the dreamy collection, which looks pretty magical all together. Those heavy-duty handbags keep the swishing, sparkling, thigh-slit skirts in check, and contrast with the delicate, Victorian vibes of the lace-up boots. The best part, though, is we're sure the bags will also look mighty fine with your typical fare of sweaters and trousers, or jeans and a tee (or a shift dress and sneakers, or a button-up and pencil skirt, or...).