Review: Victoria Midi (by Yvonne)

I am a relatively new Massaccessi Handbags client, but every order I have placed so far with Marco has been a full and enjoyable experience - from the time I email orders@marcomassaccesi.it with some vague thoughts of what I have in mind, perhaps a leather that caught me eye or a bag design that fills a hole in my closet, to several weeks later when I finally receive my "white box" from Italy, with my purchase(s!) safely nestled inside.

I could sing the praises of every bag I have received, and the accompanying suggestions, thoughts, and service from Marco, but I wanted to highlight the Victoria Midi because it is the shoulder bag that I have been missing, ever since my first shoulder bag started falling apart years and years ago after constant and daily (ab)use. For some reason I never ended up purchasing a shoulder bag after that, and it makes me so happy now that I waited for the "perfect" bag.

My Victoria Midi was produced using Marco's soft and supple Verona leather in the amethyst colorway, which has a slight sheen to it, an obvious grain, and a wonderful natural texture.  The color is difficult to capture, but Amethyst is a saturated, dark purple with some underlying red tones. The amethyst Verona is a stunning purple outside or in indirect outdoor lighting, as you can see from my photos, and it can appear brown under more yellow indoor lighting.

Though I often love the appearance of gold hardware against my favored dark and saturated purple, I went with dark gunmetal hardware for my Victoria Midi - though there is not much exterior hardware, the dark gunmetal blends nicely with the darker purple of the leather. 

One of the coolest things about the Victoria and Victoria Midi is the bag's ability to transform its appearance with a few easy snaps.  Four buttons on each side, when snapped together, can remove the Victoria Midi's wings, for a more compact look...

While unsnapping the buttons opens up the top of the Victoria Midi, giving the bag wide "wings". 

Since I carry my Victoria Midi as an everyday bag, I like to keep the wings open for the additional capacity, though I enjoy both looks. However, I was pleasantly surprised that the Victoria Midi has an unexpected solution to a problem I typically have with open-topped bags.  When you snap the buttons closed with the wings open, you can "seal" the top of the handbag. With the magnetic flap closure, this results in a more secure top opening.  This doesn't offer the same type of security as a zipper closure, but it does offer enough security so that when I am driving and have to hit my brakes suddenly because of a sudden stop or another ddriver cuts me off, even if my poor bag flies out of my passenger's seat, all of the contents stay secure inside my Victoria Midi!

I chose the brilliant contrast of marine lining for my lining option, and the pop of color when I open my bag brings a smile to my face every time. The addition of a water bottle pocket to the interior, along with the default slip pockets and zipper pocket, give many options for organization, especially for someone like me who always carries around a reusable water bottle on those longer days when I have multiple engagements - going from a lunch with friends, to a meeting, and then errands.

The bespoke experience is not for the light-hearted or the whimsical, "in the moment" purchase. Buying a bespoke handbag with Marco Massaccesi is an experience that has helped me to become more aware of my organizational needs and aesthetic preferences when it comes to this most functional accessory.  One of the wonderful things about the bespoke experience is Marco's ability to customize your bag so that it is perfect for you and your needs - need a water bottle? an interior divider? a slip pocket for your iPad or laptop? zipper closure instead of the default closure? - and also his invaluable insight into style, design, and his incredible knowledge of the variety of leathers he offers to us, his clients. This Victoria Midi will certainly not be my last MM bag!