A super lightweight, waterproof and stylish handbag? Italian label Save My Bag ticks all the boxes. We chat with founder Valentina Agazzi about her style, inspiration, and why her designs are so Singapore-friendly.
When you hear Save My Bag (SMB), you think of soft, light bags. Believe it or not, an SMB bag weighs less than a bottle of water, and was initially designed to protect luxury, designer handbags from getting dirty, scratched or water damaged – but soon became a cult favourite as a standalone accessory. We caught up with Valentina Agazzi, co-founder of the Italian fashion brand when she dropped by Singapore for the opening of SMB’s second boutique at Raffles City Shopping Centre. Why are we impressed? These Italian-made bags are perfect for tropical Singapore (even if you get caught in the rain), and their featherweight designs are a revelation after years of carrying a massive leather bags with chunky hardware. Yes, handbag injuries are a thing.
Hi, Valentina! You started Save My Bag just four years ago, and it’s now sold all round the world. Why do you think everyone fell in love with this concept?
Our bags are very versatile. We try to blend in various styles that work best with all kinds of outfit. However, the main feature of an SMB bag is the practicality of it – it’s functional, light, durable and waterproof. Plus, if it gets dirty, you can wash it via hand-wash or washing machine on a delicate cycle. It’s also soft and comfortable to wear all day long; very much for a woman on the go who has loads to do, and loads of things to carry with her.
These bags are so soft! What’s the secret?
It’s an innovative material that we make in-house – a blend of lycra (used for bathing suits) and low-density foam – a material that is similar to neoprene. Hence, it weighs less than a bottle of water, and it’s very soft on your skin and shoulder, so even if you pack a lot, you wouldn’t feel any discomfort.
What’s the story behind your bags?
Due to our fashion backgrounds, my husband and I were creatively driven in creating a fashion product that is simple, affordable, desirable and fashionable, but 100% sourced and made in Italy. The whole idea comes from wanting to create a cover for designer handbags to prevent them from getting dirty and scratched. However, due to its lightness and practicality, people have started using it as a standalone bag instead.
What are some of your personal faves?
My favourite is this iconic Miss Bag (pictured above) – it’s a very bold pink, feminine, and modern all at the same time. For evening wear, I like to keep it classy with a ruffled Riviera clutch, especially the limited edition one embellished with pearls and bees (pictured top), which are very trendy this year but are also timeless icons in fashion.
Like this story? Check these out too:
The designer handbag every fashionista should own
Water-resistant bags that are stylish and affordable
Where to buy the most popular Singapore bags
Crossbody bags for an instantly cool look