Latest news with #luxuryhandbags
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
Hunt for £250K handbag burglars: Police release CCTV images of three men who stole hoard of luxury gear from designer boutique after tunneling through 3ft-wide chimney stack
Police today released CCTV photos of brazen thieves who drilled through the wall of a derelict property to steal £250,000 worth of luxury handbags from a boutique. The 55 items, with some valued at as much as £25,000 each and much sought-after by celebrities, were snatched as burglars ransacked the store on Sunday night. Three intruders got round Dress Cheshire's sophisticated security set-up by smashing through a 3ft wide chimney stack. One raider used a duvet cover as a pouch to carry off the pre-owned designer bags from brands including Hermes, Chanel, Gucci, Dior and Louis Vuitton. Police were on the scene at Prestbury - popular with Premier League footballers and celebrities - 'within minutes' but the gang had already fled. Now, officers at Cheshire Constabulary have released new CCTV images of three men they are looking to speak to as part of the investigation. Detective Constable Clare Slattery, of Macclesfield CID, said: 'Enquiries in relation to this incident are ongoing and we're committed to doing all we can to identify the people responsible. 'As part of our investigation we're keen to identify the men pictured in the CCTV images as we believe they may hold vital information. 'If you recognise the men, please contact us. I would also like to appeal directly to the men in the CCTV images to get in touch.' The items stolen included a Hermes Birkin 25 Swift that could sell for £24,500, a Hermes Kelly 32 Crocodile handbag valued at £23,995 and a Hermes Birkin 35 Togo at £15,995. Owner Christine Colbert, 58, watched the raid unfold in horror and disbelief from her home. She said: 'I went to bed about 10.30pm on Sunday so I was asleep when we got a call from the monitoring company. 'I immediately switched on the CCTV on my phone and I could see a man crouching down and bricks all over the floor. I said to my husband Gary, 'We're being robbed'. I was panicking.' Watching the footage back, she could hear the noise of drilling for over an hour before the raiders broke through. Mrs Colbert added: 'They were big burly men, and they were all in black with goggles, balaclavas, and gloves. They took three or four minutes to whirl round the shop and grab all the bags. It is the second time the shop in Prestbury has been victim to a robbery in just over a year 'One man had a duvet tied round his neck like a pouch which he threw the bags in. Another man put everything up his arms – they were full of bags. 'Then they hurled the handbags through the hole they'd made. Respect for the bags was zero.' The gang dropped just two of the bags, which were among the least valuable. The next-door building was empty following an arson attack. Neighbours had noticed 'workmen' at the site but they assumed it was being renovated. However, it is now believed the gang were plotting their attack, boarding up the windows and entering the shop via a fireplace. It is the second time in just over a year thieves have targeted Mrs Colbert, with a gang previously breaking in via a window and stealing items worth £180,000. That prompted her to beef up security but she is now faced with a decision on whether to continue displaying the luxury goods in her store, which attracts collectors from around the country. Mrs Colbert said of the raid: 'This has been very well thought through – it's very frightening for me. I have to showcase my products. I despair. I can't believe the lengths they have gone to. 'It used to be watches people wanted – now it's handbags and they are worth more second-hand than they are new. 'I doubt I'll see the stolen bags again – they will now go on the black market.' With Wilmslow and Alderley Edge, Prestbury makes up the 'golden triangle' of Cheshire towns favoured by celebrities and sports stars around the North West. However, the area has been frequently targeted by burglars including one gang who snatched more than 100 rare handbags worth more than £1million when they raided a home in Alderley Edge in March.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE I watched on helplessly as thieves took off with £250k of luxury handbags after drilling through a wall to break into my designer boutique
The owner of a designer boutique has revealed her horror and disbelief as she watched a group of brazen thieves steal £250,000 worth of luxury handbags from her shop. Christine Colbert, 58, could only watch on helplessly as live CCTV footage showed three intruders ransacking Dress Cheshire in Prestbury, Cheshire, on Sunday night. It is the second time she has been victim to a robbery in just over a year after thieves broke in through a window and stole bags worth £180,000 - prompting her to beef up security. Bags valued at as much as £30,000 were snatched on Sunday night, in the latest audacious raid targeting high-end goods in the area. Three intruders circumvented Dress Cheshire's sophisticated security set-up by identifying the 3ft wide chimney stack as a weakness. Having smashed their way through, one used a duvet cover as a giant pouch to steal the highly sought-after pre-owned bags from brands including Chanel, Gucci, Dior, and Louis Vuitton. Mrs Colbert told the Mail that she had been asleep when her security monitoring company gave her the dreaded call. 'I immediately switched on the CCTV on my phone and I could see a man crouching down and bricks all over the floor,' she said. 'I said to my husband Gary: "We're being robbed!" I was panicking.' Police were on the scene within minutes, but the gang had already made their getaway. A Hermes 'Crocodile Kelly' – priced at nearly £24,000 - was stolen along with the 'Holy Grail' of luxury handbags The Hermes Birkin – in various sizes. Watching the footage back she could hear the noise of drilling for over an hour before the raiders broke through. 'They were big burly men, and they were all in black with goggles, balaclavas, and gloves,' Ms Colbert continued. 'They took three or four minutes to whirl round the shop and grab all the bags. One man had a duvet tied round his neck like a pouch which he threw the bags in. 'Another man put everything up his arms – they were full of bags. Then they hurled the handbags through the hole they'd made - two or three at a time. 'The respect for the bags was zero.' In total the gang took 55 handbags - dropping just two which were among the least valuable. The neighbouring building was empty following an arson attack - neighbours had seen 'workmen' coming and going and assumed it was being renovated. However it is now believed the gang were plotting their attack, boarding up the windows and entering the shop via a fireplace. Mrs Colbert is now faced with a decision on whether to continue displaying the luxury goods in her store, which attracts collectors from around the country. 'This has been very well thought through - it's very frightening for me,' she said. 'I have to showcase my products – advertise them. I despair. Part of me thinks should I carry on – but why should I let criminals determine my business model? 'I can't believe the lengths they have gone to. It used to be watches people wanted – now it's handbags and they are worth more second-hand than they are new. 'I doubt I'll see the stolen bags again – they will now go on the black market.' Officers from Cheshire Police arrived at the store 'within minutes' and are now appealing for information. Detective Constable Clare Slattery said: 'Our enquiries are ongoing, and we would urge anyone who witnessed this incident or saw anything suspicious to get in touch with us.' Along with Wilmslow and Alderley Edge, Prestbury makes up the so-called Golden Triangle of towns favoured by Cheshire celebrities and sports stars. Ex-Manchester United star Wayne Rooney and his wife Coleen used to live there until they moved to a £20million home they designed nearby. However the area has been frequently targeted by burglars including a gang who snatched more than 100 rare handbags worth over £1million when they raided a home in Alderley Edge in March.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Daily Mail
Gang steal £250,000 worth of luxury handbags after tunneling into designer boutique through a wall
Thieves climbed through a chimney and dug a hole in the wall to steal £250,000 worth of luxury handbags from a designer boutique. The owner of Dress Cheshire has spoken of her devastation after the gang of three men broke into her store at New Road in Prestbury, Cheshire on Sunday night. They are thought to have entered a disused building adjacent to the shop an hour before the burglary and created a hole in the wall. Police say the trio then gained access to the store through the chimney area. Officers are currently trying to track down the culprits and the stolen bags. Speaking on social media, Dress Cheshire manager Christine Colbert said a gang had gained entry by 'boring a 1m x 0.5m wide hole through the wall which took over an hour to drill'. Fighting back tears, Ms Colbert added: 'I'm absolutely devastated. They've stolen our beautiful handbags to the value of a quarter of a million pounds. 'This is a very serious crime for Cheshire Police. There were three men. This was very well planned and organised.' The luxury boutique owner also praised Cheshire Police for arriving 'within minutes'. Detective Constable Clare Slattery, of Macclesfield CID (criminal investigation department), said: 'Our enquiries are ongoing, and we would urge anyone who witnessed this incident or saw anything suspicious to get in touch with us. 'The same goes for anyone with dashcam footage or CCTV which might aid our investigation. 'We also want to hear from anyone who thinks they may have information regarding the whereabouts of the items that were stolen.' Customers and local householders have since offered their condolences to Ms Colbert in the aftermath of the 'absolutely awful' burglary. Beverley Watson said: 'Wow, can't believe they went to such lengths to gain entry and steal your handbags 'Thank goodness they didn't come though the door in business hours, and that you and your staff are safe. 'I know this is little comfort considering the hard work Dress Cheshire requires on your part. Take care.' Lisa O'Nions added: 'There are no words Christine Colbert we are so so sorry that this has happened to you and your beautiful shop again! 'As others have commented we are just glad that you and the staff are safe and ok. Sending all our love to you all at Dress Cheshire.' And Sally Williams said: 'So so sorry to hear this Christine absolutely awful, sending love and for all those concerned. Can only imagine how shook up you are.' News of the theft comes as MailOnline analysis earlier this year revealed streets lined with designer shops and multi-million pound homes prove to be the biggest burglary hotspots in England and Wales. The sector built around Regent Street in London, one of the capital's most famed areas because of its breadth of shops and restaurants, recorded 282 break-ins last year. Home to just 2,280 residents, in-depth analysis suggested that particular block, which includes Oxford Street, New Bond Street, Carnaby Street and Saville Row, saw 123 burglaries for every 1,000 people.
Forbes
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Jubilee Year 2025: 3 Essential Experiences To Have In Rome
With more than 30 million people expected to visit Rome this Jubilee year–a period of reflection and pilgrimage held every quarter century, and one of the Catholic Church's major global events–the Eternal City will be bursting at the seams with tourists from the world over. To make the most of your time in this endlessly dynamic metropolis in the months ahead, the best strategy is to seek out lesser-known experiences that offer singular ways to tap into its complex and captivating soul, and into the beating heart of Italy–arguably the world's aesthetic, artistic, and culinary capital–itself. Following are three very different ways to do just that. For an unrivaled immersion in the highest echelon of the coveted 'Made in Italy' designation, Aleksandra Badura, founder and creative director of BADURA by Aleksandra Badura–a stunning collection of bespoke, entirely handcrafted luxury handbags and accessories–has just launched a uniquely interactive alta pelletteria ('high leather') workshop experience. BADURA founder and creative director, Aleksandra Badura, is inviting visitors to a new hands-on, immersive luxury leather workshop in her by-appointment-only atelier in Rome (pictured) and her showroom in Milan. The designer's exalted 'quiet luxury' aesthetic has made BADURA's exquisite designs a favorite of Italy's most discerning fashion cognoscenti since she founded the brand in 2013. Now, Badura is inviting visitors to her by-appointment-only atelier–tucked away in an elegant villa in the heart of the Eternal City–to embark on a hands-on journey that offers a tactile deep dive into the peerless materials and artisanal talent required to meticulously create fully customized, top-quality leather goods that embody the enduring value of Italian craftsmanship. The exclusive experience is also available at the BADURA showroom in Milan, located in a historic building steps from the storied Piazza del Duomo. Unlike traditional factory or showroom tours, the workshop offers guests the opportunity to handle the top-quality leathers and exotic skins used to create BADURA's handmade pieces, and to use their sense of touch to differentiate between them. By touching and handling a wide array of luxurious leathers, you'll learn how to recognize genuine leather, and to use its various grains and textures to differentiate between calfskin, goatskin, and deerskin, as well as exotic, sought-after skins like alligator, eel, ostrich, and python. You'll also explore the origins of BADURA's signature bag, the Ladylike–an iconic piece handcrafted of more than 60 elements–and compare it to a simple machine-made bag, comprised of just six components. The Ladylike, BADURA's iconic signature handbag, is artfully handcrafted of more than 60 elements, compared to the average six elements of a machine-made bag. With the help of Badura and one of the brand's master artisans from its in-house lab in Rome–whose unmatched expertise in alta pelletteria spans some 40 years–you'll partake in the painstaking process of selecting the top-quality leathers and determining their exact placement on the Ladylike, then arrange the patterns for each of its elements on the skins before you. The master artisan will also assemble an element from the BADURA high leather goods collection, deftly using his hands as tools honed through decades of proficiency and techniques steeped in centuries-old traditions. Aleksandra Badura is joined by a BADURA master artisan during the immersive workshop. In Italy, it's often said that using one's hands to create is the single best way to diffuse negative energy and restore emotional balance–a truth that inspired Badura to launch the workshop. With that idea in mind, you can put your own creativity to work by designing a bespoke leather accessory to your own specifications, selecting the five necessary elements from a precut range of exquisite leathers in a dazzling rainbow of hues. You'll sift through them, using your fingers to assess their unparalleled grade and suppleness as you match each of the five pieces to its corresponding pattern, and choose a color combination that speaks to you. The master artisan will then help you assemble your creation, beautifully bringing your one-of-a-kind design to life. The experience ranges from 1.5-3 hours (depending on which version you choose), and costs €350-€450 ($395-$510) + VAT per person, with a maximum of four people. Larger groups can be accommodated with advance notice. Champagne, soft drinks, and snacks are included, along with a gift from the BADURA by Aleksandra Badura collection, valued at €200 ($225). For questions and to book, contact BADURA by Aleksandra Badura. Founded by Isabella Colidonna–an art historian (PhD), archaeologist, certified tour guide, and personal trainer–in 2016, ArcheoRunning ingeniously blends running and walking with inspired guided tours of the most evocative corners of the Eternal City. Led by licensed tour guides, ArcheoRunning's tours offer an engaging and active way to see the myriad sites of the Eternal City. Itineraries kick off bright and early at 7a.m. to avoid the masses this Jubilee year. They range from the 'Hidden Rome' running tour–where you'll visit curiosities like the city's narrowest alley, Vicole di San Trifone, which measures just over 47 inches wide–to a new 'Stargazing' power walking tour, which stops at churches including Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, renowned for its celestial blue, gold-starred ceiling and its unusual (for Rome) Neo-Gothic interior. There's also a recently unveiled 'Maddonelle of Rome' tour–dedicated to the hundreds of small votive shrines depicting the Madonna and Child adorning the city's ancient walls, mostly on street corners–and even an 'Emily in Rome' tour, an homage to the places the Emily in Paris star visited when she relocated to the Eternal City in the hit series' fourth season. ArcheoRunning–which partners with standout hotels like J.K. Place and Hotel Vilòn–also offers an array of more leisurely walking tours whose timing can be tailored to guests' requests, as well as fully customizable private options. Running and power walking tours average one hour and two hours, respectively, with brief stops at sites along the way. The price per tour starts at €50 ($57) per person, depending on the number of people per group. For more information and to book, visit the website. The Roscioli family has long enjoyed a well-deserved reputation as one of Rome's reigning culinary dynasties. The iconic bakery that started it all–Antico Forno Roscioli, which opened on Via dei Chiavari in 1972–was first established in 1824 by a papal edict mandating that it would sell bread at reasonable prices to those of limited means. Rimessa Roscioli offers a wide array of programming focused on the best food and wine that Italy has to offer. Over the last five decades, the fourth-generation business–synonymous with top-quality cuisine, wine, and hospitality–has steadily expanded to encompass an array of in-demand eateries in Rome, along with a buzzy restaurant that debuted in New York in 2023. Rimessa Roscioli–perhaps best described as part restaurant, part wine bar, part cooking school, and all-around social hub–ranks high on the list of the brand's most convivial Roman outposts, offering something for everyone. To try your hand at the city's venerated cuisine, opt for the cooking class held daily at 12p.m.–where you'll prepare an appetizer with buffalo mozzarella, handmade pasta, Roman meatballs, and tiramisu, then dig in to your feast during a guided wine tasting with each dish. Groups of 8-12 people can book Rimessa Roscioli's atmospheric wine cellar for private tasting dinners. For serious wine enthusiasts and gourmands, the Taste the Legends evening casts a potent spell: the three-hour oenophilic adventure pairs 12 top-shelf Italian wines (like Barbaresco, Barolo, and Etna Rosso) from the country's most acclaimed wine regions with a scrumptious dinner teeming with Italian cheeses and cured meats, cacio e pepe pasta, and buffalo ricotta and peaches, among other delicacies. If you're flying solo, you can join the Wine & Food Tasting Dinner at 5pm or 8pm and make new friends; if you're with an 8-12 person group, you can inquire about booking the same dinner in the Rimessa's private wine cellar. For the full list of events, pricing, and to book, visit the website.
Vogue Arabia
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Vogue Arabia
How to Accessorise Your Luxury Bag with Playful Charms
I first noticed it during a casual night out with a close friend—her luxury handbag was barely visible beneath an assortment of carefully picked plush characters dangling from it. A brilliant writer by profession and an adult in her thirties, my friend had converted her expensive accessory into a canvas of self-expression, carrying her love for anime, cartoons, and gaming culture. Amused by this, I quickly scrolled through social media and found a full-blown phenomenon: luxury handbags being deliberately made to look unserious by both Gen Z and millennials alike. A trend that began with simple trinkets and keychains has evolved into an elaborate display of personal style. Stuffed animals, monogrammed keyrings, and hand-knotted cords have not-so-quietly replaced the simple bag charm that once modestly hung in the corner—making a strong case for the resurgence of maximalism. These aren't merely accessories anymore—they're statements, transforming otherwise ubiquitous designer bags into unique personal expressions. 'Kidulting' , a macro trend, is at the core of this movement. Adults are finding comfort and joy in nostalgia and in things that connect them with their childhood. In uncertain times and global situations that are beyond an individual's control, these whimsical additions offer a playful escape. This phenomenon parallels the dopamine dressing trend, where instead of injecting vibrance through clothing, fashion enthusiasts are now doing so with these playful charms. Names like Labubu, Monchhichi, and Crybaby have become part of the fashion lexicon, with rare, limited-edition plushies particularly coveted. It's not simply about nostalgia, though— cuteness has become a form of social currency. Owning a Labubu marks you as the 'cool kid' who knows what's trending. Design houses have also noticed this trend and have incorporated it by offering their sophisticated luxury versions that fit the brand's narrative. Whether it's the Hermès leather charms or the Loewe animal and fruit charms—each piece can become a collector's item in your collection. Others to join the wagon include Carolina Herrera, Valentino, Coach, Chloé, and COS—producing an accessory line of branded charms that perfectly complements their handbags. This is strictly for the fashion connoisseurs who would like to maintain a cohesive luxury aesthetic while still embracing the customisation trend. The variety of charms available today is staggering. Jellycat's soft creatures, Labubu's quirky monsters, and Monchhichi's nostalgic characters lead the pack, with styling options equally diverse. Some fashion-forwards wrap scarves around bag straps, adding a splash of colour, whilst others use chain charms to create a cascading effect. The true connoisseurs carefully space multiple plushies along handles, creating a balanced visual feast. Even celebrities have embraced the trend, with Rihanna, Ayo Edebiri, and BLACKPINK's Lisa spotted with Labubu charms adorning their rare designer bags.
