Latest news with #luxuryhandbag
The Independent
24-06-2025
- The Independent
Fraud victim lured conman to pub car park before arrest
A fashion shop owner who lost thousands of pounds in a luxury handbag scam lured her fraudster to a pub car park to have him arrested. Christine Colbert, 58, owner of Dress Cheshire in Prestbury, met Jack Watkin when he contacted her after noticing she was selling a Hermes Birkin bag. The 26-year-old, who described himself as a ' Kardashian of Cheshire', went on to defraud her of more than £43,800 after persuading her to loan him money which he claimed he would use to buy and sell the luxury bags at a profit. On Tuesday, Ms Colbert, holding a Hermes handbag, spoke outside Chester Crown Court after Watkin pleaded guilty to six counts of fraud. She said: 'It's been a very long journey. 'Obviously Cheshire Police have been fantastic but myself and another victim did go on quite a lone detective journey ourselves to bring our own evidence to the police with this.' On Monday, a jury heard an Instagram post from Ms Colbert about Watkin had been seen by another of his victims, friend Hannah Jakes. The women got in touch and came up with a plan to find Watkin, who police had been unable to locate. Ms Colbert said: 'Our stories were so similar and we just knew that if we could get him to a meeting, probably rooted in another financial deal, which it was, we could probably pinpoint a place.' After arranging the meet, Ms Colbert waited in the car park of The Merlin pub in Alderley Edge, wearing a large hat and in someone else's car, and when Watkin arrived she called 999. She said: 'He wasn't too pleased to see who was under the hat. 'I needed him to know it was me because I told him that if he didn't pay me back I'd come out on this. 'He worked on the basis that people would be too embarrassed or they were wealthy enough to write it off. I didn't fall into those categories.' Ms Colbert said she felt 'hugely betrayed' by Watkin, who she had considered a friend. 'Jack was an extremely believable person,' she said. 'His depth of knowledge of the luxury goods industry was quite staggering to be perfectly honest, considering his age as well. 'I was very much convinced that his lifestyle which we could see on social media was true and, to be fair, he was living that lifestyle, it just happened to be on everybody else's money.' She described him as a 'charming individual' and said she would be met with 'riddles' when she tried to talk to him about the money he owed her. She added: 'I have absolutely no idea what is in his mind and what he thought. 'I don't think he's worked a day in his life. He's rewritten history in his own mind and that's a fantasy world that he lives in. 'He thinks it's ok to live off other people's money.'
Daily Mail
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The eyewatering amount of money AFL star paid for new handbag for footy's hottest WAG
Port Adelaide ruckman Ivan Soldo has splashed out thousands on a luxury designer handbag for his partner Chelsea Becirevic, once again turning heads with their high-profile relationship. Becirevic, widely known as Australia's hottest WAG, took to Instagram to show off her new gift: a Prada Bonnie medium leather handbag valued at $4300. 'Lucky girl,' she wrote in the caption, tagging her AFL star boyfriend alongside a photo of the handbag and a bouquet of fresh flowers. The gift didn't go unnoticed by fans, with the sleek black bag - made from glossy soft leather = catching plenty of attention. According to the Prada website, the handbag features a refined geometric design and includes leather handles, metal hardware and a detachable shoulder strap. It also boasts an enameled triangle logo and a centre zip compartment — the kind of bag that blends glamour with everyday luxury. The high-end accessory is the latest glimpse into the couple's headline-making romance, which began in 2022. Soldo, a premiership player with Richmond before transferring to Port Adelaide, has been with Becirevic through several ups and downs. The 204cm ruckman was traded in 2023, prompting Becirevic to move to Adelaide to be with him. However, she found the move challenging and soon relocated to Dubai in 2024 to take up her dream job as an Emirates flight attendant. The couple maintained a long-distance relationship throughout that time, navigating time zones and media speculation. Later that year, Becirevic returned to Australia, citing homesickness and a desire to support Soldo. They moved in together in Adelaide, with Becirevic continuing her work as an influencer and launching a Fanfix account to share exclusive content. Despite persistent rumours and public commentary, the couple has denied suggestions she influenced Soldo's career moves. Soldo's trade decisions, they insist, have always been about football - not relationship pressure. Becirevic has also been vocal in defending her independence and motives, pushing back against claims she's with Soldo for his wealth. 'The idea that I need a man's money is tired, small-minded and gross,' she said in a recent post. Her Instagram account, which boasts more than 84,000 followers, offers curated glimpses of their life together - from match-day moments to stylish outings. She's become known for her standout fashion, especially at marquee events like Derby Day, where she consistently ranks among the most photographed partners in the AFL. In one of her recent videos, she joked about the challenges of dating someone over 6'8', sharing a clip of herself standing on a chair to reach a glass Soldo had placed on a high shelf. The light-hearted post added another personal touch to a relationship that has remained firmly in the public eye. Despite injuries affecting Soldo's 2024 season, he has continued to support Becirevic's evolving career. The handbag gesture appears to be just one way he shows it.
Daily Mail
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Internet divided over fresh twist on the pricey Birkin bag... So would you wear it?
A Philadelphia designer has sparked a debate online after transforming classic tote bags into luxury handbags that cost more than some people's rent. The 'Boatkin' - part Birkin, part tote - is a bargain vintage LL Bean Boat and Tote bag restructured to mimic the style of the luxury Hermes Birkin bag that can cost upwards of $10,000. The controversial bag is the creation of Jen Risk, founder of brand Hathaway Hutton. The Hathaway Hutton website describes the Boatkin as 'a super fun super niche super useful tote bag that you can spill an entire nitro cold brew in and not have one ounce of guilt about it.' Risk, who describes her creation as 'quiet luxury with a smirk,' charges between $1,200 and $1,600 for each custom bag. 'I wanted to mess with the seriousness of it all and give it some personality,' she told the New York Times in a recent interview: The bag is priced at a staggering markup from the original L.L. Bean tote's which comes with a $35-$55 price tag. The designer has already sold over 300 Boatkins since launching the concept. There is now a six-month waiting list for delivery - not yet at the level of the notorious Hermès Birkin waitlist that can last years. Shoppers are now divided over the idea with many slamming the bag online, the creator acknowledged. 'Most people love it, which has been really fun,' Risk said. 'A few people get weirdly mad.' 'Wdym old and tattered LL Bean Boat and Totes are being hacked into a Boatkin and being sold for $1,500?!? I'm scratching my head a bit but ngl, I kinda want one,' one conflicted user wrote on X. Others commented: 'Obsessed,' while claiming it's the 'bag of the summer.' The product is made from 'excellently crafted vintage canvas totes, hand cut and hand sewn,' according to the website. 'Every single square inch of fabric and canvas from the original tote has been used (no really... there's like 2 square inches of waste leftover).' The website also tells customers to 'Please ONLY purchase a Boatkin™ if you know and understand that vintage totes were 'used and abused' by the people that loved them before I took them to the chopping block to give them a new life. 'While I clean the canvas very well (like... with a power washer) there may still be stains that you will see from water, dirt, pen, dogs, life, etc,' the website warns. 'Some totes have writing on the front or back (see our example Boatkin with the #21 written in sharpie on the rear). Each one is unique and one of a kind. No two are the same!'
