The Flair team tries out carriers under a designer collaboration and finds the line impressive.
OF all the designer collaborations launched by local carrier brand Sometime By Asian Designers, the alliance with seasoned designer Rizalman Ibrahim was highly anticipated.
One reason is because it allows customers to own an item made by one of the country’s biggest names in fashion design, minus the hefty price tag. Another is that the bags he designs are practical and useful, without hard structure.
The Flair team tried the bags and here are our verdicts.
SYIDA LIZTA AMIRUL IHSAN ON THE RIPURSE
As a mother to a toddler, my carriers are either very big or very small.
Sometimes, I miss not lugging everything but the kitchen sink on my shoulder that when I go out alone, I tend to be minimal — wallet, phone and not much else.
The Ripurse, I find, serves this purpose well. It’s thin and small but downright practical with 10 card slots, one pocket for notes, a zippered pocket and a deeper pocket for receipts or a smartphone with thin casing.
My current wallet is a simple zippered square so when I feel like dressing up, I transfer my essential cards to the Ripurse, plus cash and coins and off I go. I can put my phone in, but its case is an Otterbox and the bulk makes the sleek purse thick.
It comes with two buttons in case the purse gets thick but the best feature is the detachable metal strap. Use it when you need both hands, stow it away and it becomes a clutch. Lovely.
Now I understand why this collection was a sellout on launch day. But fret not. Check out their availability at www.sometime.asia if you fancy some new carriers.
AZNIM RUHANA MD YUSUP ON THE RIBAE AND RIFLATS
The first day I received my navy Ribae for this review, I took it out for lunch and a colleague was impressed that I managed to get my hands on it. Mine came courtesy of Sometime, so no early morning rush in front of the screen for me.
With its metal detailing and geometric flap, the Ribae is a good-looking bag. It’s quite boxy and fits well with jeans and other casual outfits.
The bag has a pebble leather texture but is made of the synthetic stuff while the opening is held secure with two magnetic fasteners. It comes with a non-detachable short handle about 3cm wide so you can hold it by hand. But you can take off the wider, longer shoulder strap.
Most crossbody bags in the market have straps that are narrower than the Ribae, and wearing it will hurt your shoulder after sometime. But I suppose this is related to how heavy the bag is. I’m one of those who likes to fit everything inside the handbag — wallet, phone, notebook, make-up and emergency medicine bag, even a camera and umbrella if possible.
The Ribae cannot fit the last two items, but it would be foolish to expect it to.
The bag has lots of little pockets which I imagine will soon fill up with random receipts and torn pieces of paper. There is a compartment that fits my phone and the bag is wide enough for everything else. It’s a bit of a squeeze, but it works.
However, the synthetic leather doesn’t compare to the real thing when it comes to everyday wear and tear. Despite orders to keep it pristine, my bag is already somewhat weathered. So while I like its design, the material is a bit too fragile for my liking.
Meanwhile, I also get to review the Riflats shoe. It’s a pair of flat mules and mine comes in brown. I confess that I dislike wearing mules — they slip off easily and you never feel secure enough wearing them.
I was told not to wear it outdoors since it needs to be in immaculate condition when we return it, so it became my office shoes.
It’s quite fancy for office shoes and they’re certainly comfortable on carpet, but it still didn’t change my mind about mules.
MEERA MURUGESAN ON THE RIBUCKET
WHEN it comes to handbags, I do have a “type”. I’m always drawn to large, roomy bags with sturdy handles and a solid base because I have way too many things which I need to carry around.
The Ribucket bag in deep maroon ticks all the right boxes where the above criteria is concerned. This bucket bag is spacious enough to fit all my essentials (wallet, phone, umbrella, spectacles, notebook, etc) and a bit more too. I even managed to fold up my fleece jacket and tuck it neatly into the bag.
The Ribucket has thick, broad shoulder straps (detachable and adjustable) which makes it easy on the shoulder and three outer pockets that are ideal to store those things which you need to grab in a hurry — in my case that would be my phone, house keys and staff ID tag.
There are also two compartments inside its roomy interior (one comes with a zip) where you can safely keep those things which you just can’t afford to misplace.
This is a practical, everyday bag for work or leisure given its design while the gorgeous colour and attractive shape add to its plus factor.