And the winner of the most improved award is Nina Ricci! Gone are the tassels, the whipstitching, and the overly nipped and cinched designs we’re used to. This exudes sophistication and control. The way the rolled handles transition into pin tucks is such clever craftsmanship. While it’s tempting to add on more details, the best designers know that less is more. There are other ways to be creative – instead of the trapezoid shape everyone’s doing, the dimensional suede gussets are just slightly flared. Sadly, the inside is totally devoid of organization. It’s beautifully lined, but couldn’t we have had at least one pocket?? Even with the attached pouch, there’s no easy access for your phone. Oh well! When you love something like this as much as I do, you’re willing to overlook its little flaws. Available in black/dark brown at Barneys New York for $1,990.