For those of you who remember the first post I made about Piero Guidi, I’m not entirely sure if I clarified exactly how deep my obsession with the Magic Circus collection ran. A few weeks ago I booked an appointment with Chiara, the Director of the NYC Flagship store, to do a feature and to shop for my first Piero Guidi handbag.

(click images to enlarge)

The boutique, located at 430 West Broadway in SoHo, is the only Piero Guidi store in North America, and only the 4th location to be opened outside of Italy. Although their brand specializes in leather goods for men and women as well as clothing and footwear, their trademark collection is the Magic Circus – which is unlike anything you’ve ever seen on another luxury handbag.

Chiara told me when the Magic Circus collection first launched, it was originally meant to be a seasonal collection – meaning at some point it would be discontinued. However, due to the extreme popularity of the collection, it’s now the focal point of the Piero Guidi brand.

Above: Chiara with a Magic Circus portfolio.

I’m not sure exactly how long I was in the store, but it seemed like I spent more than an hour debating between the two bags above. I knew I wanted the black Magic Circus, with the Piero Guidi label stamped on the front. They were both the same size, but the silhouette was the biggest feature that gave the two of them completely different personalities for me. Which one did I go home with? You’ll seeeee……

I absolutely loved how the interior of the store was all white, giving every item in the store its well-deserved attention.

Above: Also part of the Magic Circus collection is the Deserto Dipinto. This version of the Magic Circus is faded, giving it a more vintage and elegant appeal.

Above: Magic Circus, Dark Show

Above: Happiness sprawled out on my kitchen table. Not only did I leave with a beautiful handbag that I’ve been dreaming about for the last 3 months, I also ended up with a “Small Necessaire”, as well as a keychain for my honeypie.

I can’t thank Chiara enough for her endless kindness, and for spending time with me so I could learn more about this remarkable brand that has so quickly become my favorite. Piero Guidi brings such a spirit to every piece he designs, it’s really not so simple to just walk into the store and know exactly what you want. Every handbag, with its color, its animation, its size and silhouette, is made for a very specific person. Although it took me forever to decide between two handbags that one might find so similar, yet I found SO different, I chose my handbag because I felt it was more elegant, while still having the fun and beautiful creativity that the Magic Circus collection just naturally possesses. I felt like it truly defined what I try to maintain with my own personal style. On the days I’m feeling classier, the Magic Circus balances it out. On the days I’m feeling funkier, the Magic Circus balances it out.

For those of you who are not only interested in investing in a luxury handbag, but want to be treated like family wherever you get it from, the only place in the world I recommend is Piero Guidi. The brand, the message, the bags, and the people, are all equally wonderful.

“It represents what everyone would like to be.” -Piero Guidi