First Designer Bag you owned?

Sorry if this thread's been done before, but just asking, what was the first designer bag you owned? I'm thinking of getting one, but unsure of what to get. Probably a tote, A4 size. My friend always said, the first branded bag you buy from your own money should be something special, so I'm thinking hard. Don't really want to get something common like LV, maybe something more along the lines of Burberry or Christian Dior? My budget is less than $1000 (well, the lesser the better). Share your first encounters with the first designer bag you owned, ladies!