February 13, 2026
The narrative of a seasoned collector is rarely linear; it is a rich tapestry woven from evolving desires, serendipitous encounters, and shifts in personal aesthetic. For those of us deeply immersed in the world of high-end luxury handbags—specifically Hermès and Chanel—our collections often become milestones marking these personal transformations. My own journey offers a fascinating case study in this evolution, particularly concerning the color blue, a hue that has, until recently, remained conspicuously absent from my curated universe.
For years, my collecting philosophy mirrored a vibrant, almost defiant embrace of color. Readers who followed my early Chanel chronicles, spanning more than a decade, will recall a near-obsession with saturated hues. I amassed a spectrum of bright pops, often acquiring the same coveted Medium Flap in multiple, dazzling shades. It remains a curious anomaly that, even today, I do not possess the quintessential black caviar Classic Flap—a testament to my historical aversion to the conventional neutral.
This preference for the vivid extended seamlessly into my Hermès acquisitions, beginning nearly fifteen years ago. My initial forays into the House of Orange were dominated by the iconic Hermès Orange, quickly followed by striking shades like Anemone and Vermilion. Black and the rich Barenia leather only entered the rotation much later, presenting an unconventional starting point for someone dedicated to building a comprehensive collection. However, as the years have progressed, a noticeable pivot has occurred. In recent times, my focus has shifted dramatically toward sophisticated neutrals, and I find myself increasingly drawn to the allure of exotic skins and time-honored heritage leathers, especially those arriving in the signature blue box. This, I believe, is the natural, if sometimes surprising, "evolution of a collector."
To truly appreciate this shift, one must examine the notable gaps in my inventory. If one were to scan my extensive Chanel and Hermès holdings, the color that surfaces as the least represented is, unequivocally, blue. Before a recent, life-altering acquisition, I possessed only a single blue piece: a Special Order (SO) Hermès bag in the vivid Bleu Hydra, secured years ago at the Chicago boutique. Even then, the procurement was fraught with compromise; my strict requirement for Chevre leather limited my options, and while I cherish it as my first SO, the color itself has proven persistently challenging to integrate into my daily wardrobe. Beyond that singular piece, my collection lacked any navy, deep sapphire, or soft baby blue iterations.
This reluctance to embrace blue was deeply intertwined with a significant, yet perhaps forgotten, chapter of my professional life. For a considerable period before establishing PurseBop, I managed a highly successful denim enterprise. The intensity of that experience led to an almost complete rejection of blue jeans in my personal style; I exiled them from my closet entirely. In their place, I developed an encyclopedic knowledge of trousers, leggings, and pants in every conceivable shade of black—from classic slacks to sleek scuba and luxurious leather options. When summer finally broke the long Chicago winter, my wardrobe transitioned entirely to dresses, favoring flowy, frilly, or structured silhouettes in solid colors or florals.
The turning point arrived subtly in 2024, triggered by something as simple as a pair of Rag & Bone Miramar wide-leg jeans. That single purchase cracked open a world of effortless, casual dressing I had actively avoided. My innate style gravitates towards "casual chic"—a well-assembled, seemingly effortless aesthetic that leans toward a rock-and-roll vibe, rather than the corporate precision of matching pant suits. Even my formal tweed jackets were invariably styled with leather or riding pants to maintain that edge. While the structure of corporate life never dictated my wardrobe, allowing for constant fashion expression, I reserved the truly elaborate dressing for social events, galas, and weddings—a facet of my life known to few of my digital followers.
The true catalyst for my "Blue Jean Era," however, occurred in the late spring of 2025 during an impromptu visit to the Hermès Madison Avenue store in New York. I was clad in a pair of perfectly cuffed, vintage-inspired denim jeans from Imogene and Willie, purchased during a work trip to Nashville. Coincidentally, I ran into a fellow fashion enthusiast who understood the universal struggle of finding the perfect fit in denim. She insisted on an immediate shopping expedition, which resulted in securing several ideal pairs.
That day, my ensemble was decidedly denim-forward, completed by a chic Cinq à Sept cropped denim jacket with subtle puff sleeves—a full Canadian tuxedo, ironically worn while anticipating a high-end leather reveal. My sales associate, witnessing this full-throttle embrace of blue, seemed to experience a sudden eureka moment. Discussing exotic skins, particularly lizard, while wearing head-to-toe denim, appeared to trigger a connection in her mind. She excused herself briefly and returned, ushering me into the private salon.
As she began the unveiling process, her excitement was palpable. "It’s gorgeous," she murmured, unwrapping the first layer of felt. With each successive layer, her exclamations grew: "Oh yes, it’s a really good one… please be open to the color…" and finally, "Now this I have never seen." I was prepared for an exotic leather, perhaps something in a muted neutral, but I was bracing for a color challenge.
When the bag was fully revealed, it was a masterpiece of exotic leather: a Constance rendered in exquisite lizard skin. The color was breathtaking—a deep, indigo-like blue, possessing just a whisper of cool, steely gray. It was a shade I would have previously dismissed, even in a less challenging medium, but its execution in lizard was captivating. Crucially, the style was the newly introduced Constance 1-24, a slightly larger iteration than the C18, which lends itself perfectly to a more relaxed, contemporary aesthetic—the ideal companion for my newly adopted "blue jean era." This acquisition, secured in December 2024, represents a major departure, bringing my total blue count to just two, neither of which leans toward traditional neutrality.
This specific Constance 1-24 is my second in this coveted size (the first being a stunning Himalayan Porosus Crocodile) and my second lizard Constance (the first an ombré C18 from the Madison boutique opening). The palladium hardware provided a welcome contrast, as over 75% of my collection favors gold hardware.
The true test came during its maiden voyage from the snowy streets of Chicago to the sunny, albeit chilly, beaches of Florida in early February. My travel uniform was cemented: blue jeans, crisp white T-shirts or black Skims bodysuits, an array of sneakers (including the latest Chanel bowling ball-inspired pair), and perhaps an Hermès bomber jacket. The perfect complement for this casual-luxe itinerary was the new lizard treasure, which I have identified as a Polished Niloticus Constance 1-24 in the extremely rare shade Blue de Malte (7L).
The bag proved astonishingly versatile. I styled it three distinct ways: first, as a crossbody over jeans and sneakers; second, draped long over the shoulder with a leather trench and biker boots; and third, carried doubled-up in the crook of my arm with a summer blouse and ballet flats. This unexpected blue beauty, with its subtle depth and casual elegance, perfectly anchors my current style trajectory. It’s proof that even the most entrenched collecting habits are susceptible to transformation, especially when met with the right combination of personal evolution and unparalleled craftsmanship. This Blue de Malte lizard Constance is not just an addition; it’s the signature accessory of my sartorial rebirth.