For the Love of Bags

I posted previously about the Anya Hindmarch “I’m not a Plastic Bag” bag that launched in KLCC today 6th July 2007.

I woke up early and dragged my sorry self to KLCC at about 8am intended to queue for the bag that retails at RM55. Its probably the only Anya Hindmarch bag I can afford! Anyway, I was also there to try to score a bag for my sister and Doris.

When I got to the 2nd floor, I was stunned to see a queue snaking all the way from the store front to the centre of the mall and it kept going! Horrifying! The signs said that the queue was to start from 7am.

They queued but did they get it?

It was only 8.15am by the time I got there and the store opens at 10am. I took a look at the 300 or so people sitting and standing in the queue and I thought “Sod it!” There was no way I was going to sit there for 2 hours, with no guarantee of getting the bag. The sales assistant had told me over the phone that I could queue but “There is no guarantee you can get the bag.” I don’t even know how many the store had for sale. All I know is that they tried to order more but their request was denied. So, I did not think they had that many to start with, what with reservations from celebrities and their regular customers.

I had to apologise to Doris and my sis but there you go. Isn’t it odd that a bag created to help save the environment by reducing the use of plastic bags would be made in such limited quantities? You would think that they should make more so more people can buy it! But its a branded design so I guess they had to maintain some form of exclusivity.

If anyone can get me an “I’m not a plastic bag” bag at retail (US$15, GBP7.50, RM55) I’d really appreciate it. I’m not going to pay a lot over retail. That’s just silly. But I will offer a small finder’s fee Thank you!

Ah! When I saw this online, I knew I wanted it. Its an Anya Hindmarch bag. Anya Hindmarch was made famous for personalising her bags. You can have your photo or your kids photos or any personal photos on your own bag which makes it one of a kind.

Anyway, the “I’m not a Plastic Bag” bag is a canvas shopping tote. Its meant to be an enviromentally friendly creation, to reduce the use of plastic bags. I suppose you could say that I could just buy one of those green bags that are being offered at some supermarkets, but hey! Those aren’t Anya Hindmarch bags!

This one actually looks good carried outside of the grocery store and you could even take it on shopping trips or for a casual day out. Its that sort of bag. I want it! Even the celebs love it as seen in Life & Style.

It was launched on June 20 in the USA and is expected to be taken worldwide by July. I checked the Anya Hindmarch website and it said that the one launched in our Malaysian stores will be white with grey lettering. I think the brown lettering one looks better, but its going over $200 on ebay!

It retails for $15 and GBP7.50 (RM52) in the USA and England respectively and I hope they don’t tack on some crazy mark up when they bring it in here to Malaysia. After all, its for a good cause. Saving the environment is always a good cause.

Anya Hindmarch stores in Malaysia are in 1 Utama U Parkson (TEl: : + 603 77242197) and KLCC (+ 603 23820877). I’ll update if I get any further news on its release and its price.

UPDATE: Its launching in Malaysia at KLCC on 6 July 2007. It will retail for RM55 and is limited.