| It's finally here-the best and worst bags of 2006! See which of your favorites made the list:
Best bag of the year - Reader's Choice: Fendi Spy
Though everyone and their mother had one, real and fake, you have to admit the 'Fendi Spy' was the best bag of the year. The innovative design, unique knotty handles and that adorable flap/coin purse made it haute.
 Best bag of the year - New Designer: Begeren Moorea Tote
The Begeren 'Moorea Tote' is such an adorable bag, it had to be the best of they year (from a new designer). The design is great - the handle looks easy to hold (unlike many other satchels), and the leather just looks buttery soft, doesn't it?  Most unique bag: Tie - Femme Sud Ex-Libris,
The Femme Sud Ex-Libris was hands down a truly unique bag. Anya Hindmarch made book bags before but none with the amount of cheekiness of these. I like that the designer was extremely thorough in the design of each 'book', with embroidered inscriptions inside, and a cute change purse and complimentary lipstick to accompany it! Even better, each 'book' was made in limited editions so there won't be too many people 'reading' what you are. 
Stylesse Lightning Strikes Tote
The Lightning Strikes Tote is cleverly designed – the lightning bolt flap is a closure and handle, for hands free access. I love the ability to transform nature into fashion, and I love the black, silver and red trio of colors.
 Most innovative handbag brand: Freddy & Ma
Freddy & Ma took basics to a new level with their do-it-yourself line of handbags. Their addictive site features a handful of basic bag shapes and thousands of fabrics to choose from. It's like shopping in a virtual fashionable candy store!
 Most loved by celebs: YSL Muse
I prefer emerging and indie designers over established ones because the bags are typically more fashionable and fun. However, Hollywood loves luxury, and this explains why the YSL Muse was celebrity arm candy for most of 2006. It looks like any other bowler bag to me, with leather panels shaped like a Y. I still don't get the hype. 
Hautest new handbag designer: Zefanya
Zefanya was a brand new designer in 2006 and will probably stick around for quite awhile. Her designs are incredibly unique, and luxe - slouchy shapes with slanted drawstrings and that seemingly impractical but oh-so-cute bottom snap closure. Haute.
Most popular: Patricia Field Bag from The Devil Wears Prada
This convertible shoulder bag/clutch was lucky to be a part of such a hit movie because otherwise it would have likely been relegated to the clearance rack at Target. Or maybe even Wal-Mart.
Most coveted: Paul & Joe for Target Owl bag
Speaking of Target, big in 2006 was its Go clothing lines, with designers that most of us couldn’t regularly afford, but could sport their clothes made possible by Target. Again I don't get the hype (this bag was selling for hundreds of eBay when it probably cost $5 to make), but it was THE most coveted bag of the year. Go figure.
Best trend: Snake accents - Rachel Zoe for Leiber – Cleopatra,
Pirates of the Caribbean spawned pirate everything - scarves, bags, clothes, jewelry, etc. 'Snakes On a Plane' was another much hyped about movie and spawned not so much snake gear. But a few designers incorporated the trend and did it well. Rachel Zoe 'designed' (and I use that term loosely) a gorgeous Medusa-inspired bag for Judith Leiber, covered in crystals and complete with a duo of slithering gold snakes. 
Handmaid by Michelle Frantz Clutch with Snake Handmaid used a snake as a hook closure on this cute clutch.
Most popular color: White - Lorelei Lucia Clutch
Winter white was haute all year long. Lorelei's python 'Lucia Clutch' was so sleek and chic for winter, spring, summer and fall.
Most innovative material: Cork - Elezar Highbury,
Cork made a comeback in 2006 and when flecked with gold accents, was pretty haute. Elezar's 'Highbury Tote' was cork trimmed with gold leather for a great Spring bag, and Lauren Merkin’s die-hard 'Eve Clutch' was given a makeover with cork, for a cute Spring/Summer clutch.  Lauren Merkin Eve Clutch
Best hobo: Botkier Trigger Fan Hobo
Botkier introduced the 'Fan Hobo' - basically the 'Trigger' with rounded edges. Not much of a departure from their trend of two slanted zippers and center buckled strap. Even still, I this hobo as I love all of Botkier bags - they've got everlasting style and appear to be quite durable.
Best satchel: Zefanya Sharpei
Zefanya makes the list again with its 'Sharpei' which actually resembles the dog of the same name. It's cute, it's slouchy, and it's innovative. I love it.
Best comeback bag: Goyard
Goyard has been around since like 1776 but last year the French fashion house came back with a vengeance. Goyard is the new IT bag, but what I love about it is that not everyone has one, like a Gucci or Fendi. It still has a sort of exclusive status. Hope it stays that way.
Best metallic bag: Alessandro Dell'Acqua Metallic Mirror Leather Tote
What a gorgeous shiny bag.
Best tote: Anna Corinna 'City' Tote
I like the fact that this tote looks so unassuming, so non-girly. It looks like something you'd schlep all your stuff in while you carry a cute purse in your other hand. But even packed to the gills, the Anna Corinna 'City Tote' still looks stylish. And you can carry it in your hand or on the shoulder.
Best clutch: Hayden Harnett 'Mercer' Clutch
Hayden Harnett is by far one of my favorite new designers. Their bags have such a rebellious feel to me - like they don't care about fitting in. They are definitely trendsetters and the 'Mercer Clutch' is evidence of that. Everything about it screams different and isn't that just the way you want to be?
Best celebrity designed bag: Gwen Stefani for LAMB
Although I'm sure Gwen didn't sit down with a sketchbook and draw her handbag line, I can still see her influences in it. The L.A.M.B. collection is very 'fashionista rockstar,' and the bags give us the opportunity to have a little bit of Gwen in our lives. No doubt.
Best ruched bag: Prada Pleated Tote
Ruched is the new wrinkled. Who would have ever guessed that a bag resembling a box of Sun-Maid raisins could be so haute? Prada made an entire collection of ruched totes this year, setting the trend for more and more ruching. They've even got an entire line of ruched totes for Spring 2007, in a rainbow of colors.
Best use of natural materials: Tivi Clutch
Many have tried to make wood handbags, and many have failed. Most attempts wind up looking like a lunchbox or are so lacquered it looks as if they may burst into flames. But Tivi's wood-paneled clutch looks rich; its soft curves have the graceful beauty of a calla lily, and the lambskin interior softens up the hard exterior.
The next big 'IT' bag: Zac Posen Beatrice Quilted Bag
If I could marry Zac Posen I would. Then he could supply me with a lifetime of beautiful dresses. And now he's a handbag designer too. What a lucky woman I would be. Although I'm sure there are many women in line to be with him, the 'Beatrice' is in the front line to be the next IT bag. Late in 2006, a bevy of celebs were spotted with this swinging from their arms. Zac (and his handbag line) is going to be big in '07. (As if he wasn't already.)
Worst bag of the year: Tie - Chanel Vinyl Tote,
I know many of you love this vinyl Chanel bag but it looks like an expensive trash bag. Hefty or Glad should get into the handbag market-they'd rack up!  Louis Vuitton Chinatown Shopper And someone over at Louis Vuitton probably was fired because of this Chinatown Tote. It looks like one of those bags you get from the farmer's market, to carry your potatoes home.
The "What were they thinking?" bag of the year: Marc Jacobs Miss Marc Canvas Tote
Marc Jacobs should be ashamed. What is this?? Does he have a five year old niece that he's trying to get into fashion design or something? Is her name Miss Marc? It's even more hideous in person. There's not much else to say. 
Best bag for people with too much money: Judith Leiber Cat Clutch
Who was the poor soul that had to sit and glue all these crystals on this Judith Leiber bag? And who would pay $3,695 for it?
Best use of studs: Michael Kors Kiltie Shoulder Bag
Michael Kors knows good design. I love the Scottish feel of this. I like that the studs are pyramid-shaped - different from the over-used round studs, and are strategically placed and not overdone.
Most ubiquitous bag: Fendi B
The Fendi 'B' was everywhere in 2006.
Worst use of logos: LV mink
Louis Vuitton must have gone on a firing spree at the end of 2006. The mink collection looked liked someone tagged a bunch of polar bears with graffiti.
Most over-hyped new line: Gryson
Gryson is a new handbag line that everyone raved about but when I glanced at the bags, I wasn't that impressed. Am I missing something?
So Sick of 'It' Bags: Marc Jacobs Quilted Stam Bag,
These 'It' bags are hopefully on the way out. I am so sick of seeing every girl on a Manhattan street with a variation of the quilted 'Stam' and the Chloe 'Silverado'. I'm even sicker of seeing fake versions being sold all around the city.  Chloe Silverado,
 What were your favorite and not-so-favorite bags of 2006?
Came straight to this page? Visit What's Haute for more haute bags!Labels: Alessandro Dell'Acqua, Anna Corinna, Begeren, Botkier, Elezar, Femme Sud, Fendi, Freddy and Ma, Goyard, Hand Maid, Judith Leiber, Lauren Merkin, Lorelei, Paul and Joe, Stylesse, Target, YSL, Zefanya |
