Italy In The Palm Of Your Hand

Who doesn’t love a European designer handbag? I sure do. But their prices can be astronomical.

That’s why I’m currently obsessed with Teddy Blake handbags. These beautiful, handmade Italian bags come in a variety of styles and colors at prices that won’t break the bank — all without the need for a trip abroad.

I vividly remember a trip to Florence,

where after much traveling, I discovered an outdoor marketplace filled with luxury handbags at affordable prices. The journey involved expensive airfare and fatigue just to get a handsome handbag. There had to be a better way.

Enter CEO Samy Waiche,

who founded Teddy Blake a few years ago when he wanted to buy a special present for his girlfriend but found most luxury handbags were out of his price range. Not wanting to sacrifice quality for cost, he launched Teddy Blake as a premium Italian brand — and the rest is history. If you haven’t heard of Teddy Blake, you’re not alone. Their handbags are the world’s best-kept secret, deserving a prime spot in your walk-in closet.

“I wanted to create handbags that don’t cost a thousand dollars,

or two thousand dollars,” Mr. Waiche told me in a phone interview from France. These posh purses range from $300 to $550 but look like a million bucks. “No other brand can do what we do,” Mr. Waiche explained. “We sell directly to customers, cutting costs to make luxury affordable.”

A standout feature is the incredible variety of styles, sizes, and colors. One style can come in three sizes and up to 50 different colors. For example, if you desire a black bag — and who doesn’t? — Teddy Blake offers it in smooth, grainy, less shiny, or high-shine crocodile leather, with either gold or silver hardware. “We really go into the details,” he added.

My favorite is the AVA,

which comes in light beige and many other colors, in 11-inch, 9-inch, 14-inch, and 6-inch sizes, depending on your preference. You might also like the Eliza croco bucket bag in light pink or the Kim Stampatto, a 9-inch bag in orange that resembles the Hermes Birkin but is priced at just $399. The company has also launched handbags in python. They offer matching wallets and credit card cases for the ultimate ensemble.