What's Haute and the Independent Handbag Designer Awards
May 04, 2008
What's Haute is a friend to Handbag Designer 101 so I was honored to join the preliminary judging panel for the 2nd Annual Independent Handbag Designer Awards. Over 600 photos were submitted and I, along with Handbag Designer 101 founder Emily Blumenthal and several others, pored through all of them to select five finalists in each of the following categories:
Best Green Handbag, Best Handbag in Overall Style and Design, Best Handmade Handbag, Best Student-Made Handbag, and Most Socially Responsible Handbag.
It was difficult to choose since the quality of the bags was incredible, and the talent in the handbag world is simply amazing! But here's a look at a few of my faves who were picked to be finalists (their bags are pictured above)
Nelle Handbags: I fell in love with her adorable black ruffled clutch, as did the other judges. The detail is perfect – can you believe it's handmade?
Diego Rocha: another stunningly handmade python bag, though we nominated this one for Best Overall Design. The design, detail and construction are incredible.
Lina Motoki: we were captivated by this student-made red hobo-style handbag and can't wait to see it in person!
How could you not love gorgeous handbags that help to save the environment and give back to their communities? Tracy Penwell's 'green' bag is made up of recycled watches - how cool! And La Chica Chic works with TodosPelaeducacao, an organization dedicated to educating and empowering the children of Brazil and the bags are beautiful!
Congratulations to these and all the rest of the finalists!
Only One Week Left to Win the Laura Matthews Clutch!
February 08, 2008
Laura Matthews is giving away one of her yellow patent butterfly clutches, valued at $275!! All you have to do is answer the following question:
What colors are Laura Matthews' ruched clutches available in this season?
Email your answer to contests@whatshaute.com. Contest ends at 11:59pm ET on February 14, 2008. A winner will be randomly selected and contacted on or around February 17, 2008. Good luck!
This February marks the second anniversary of What's Haute! I've enjoyed writing about haute handbags and haute fashion and enjoyed reading your comments and feedback. This blog has been successful thanks to you, my loyal readers, so to show my appreciation, I've partnered with ShopJake.com to give one lucky reader a $100 gift certificate! All you have to do is email contests (at) whatshaute.com with your best guess on the total number of posts since What's Haute's inception, along with your best guess on how many designers ShopJake.com represents. And once you enter, you'll receive a code to take 10% off all purchases at Shop Jake!
Shop Jake's online boutique represents the best mix of established and emerging designers! You can shop both women's and men's ready-to-wear collections, handbags, accessories and premium denim from well-known designers like Doo.Ri, 3.1 Phillip Lim and Loeffler Randall, to newer, up-and-comers like Bing Bang, Behnaz Sarafpour and Kasil. The online shop has the fresh, clean feel of a luxury store, and the 'carefully edited' selections are full of stylish, timeless pieces, at every price range. Here are a few of my favorites from ShopJake.com:
Visit ShopJake.com for even more haute pieces!
Contest ends March 7, 2008 at 11:59pm. Winner will be chosen on or around March 10, 2008. $100 gift certificate is applicable on regular price items only. Winner will be randomly chosen from the entry with the correct, or closest to correct answers.
Some time ago I attended an accessories tradeshow which was mostly full of disappointing mass market handbag designers and jewelry vendors. I was looking for haute new designers and most of the collections I saw lacked creativity. However there were a few 'ones to watch'. And one of those designers was Los Angeles based Laura Matthews. I immediately fell in love with her bags. They were both creative and unique, not packed with trendy details but full of personality nonetheless. Her standout pieces were the calfskin structured satchels ($550, above) with a distinctive front metal logo plate and studs, and the ruched soft lambskin clutches with a metal plate at the top.
Laura Matthews Spring/Summer collection includes a sporty black patent hobo ($600), a gorgeous grey croc-embossed calfskin satchel ($575), and her signature clutches in various colors and styles complete with metal logo plates and new metal butterfly detail.
And you can win one of these hot Spring clutches. Laura Matthews is giving away one of her yellow patent butterfly clutches, valued at $275!! All you have to do is answer the following question:
What colors are Laura Matthews' ruched clutches available in this season?
Email your answer to contests@whatshaute.com. Contest ends at 11:59pm ET on February 14, 2008. A winner will be randomly selected and contacted on or around February 17, 2008. Good luck!
Shakirra M. of New York! Congratulations, you are the winner of the Afiya Tote, courtesy of Nikki Chu!
Thank you to everyone who entered, and a special thanks to Nikki Chu Bags for sponsoring this giveaway!
Stay tuned to What's Haute for even more haute handbags and giveaways!
Marion Jones may have been stripped of her gold, but you can still carry yours proudly. Gold never gets old, and it's once again an 'It' colors again this Fall. Gold handbags look great with everything - it gives basic blacks and browns a much needed color boost, pops against primary colors like red, blue and green, and looks regal against purple and plum. Accessory and interior designer Nikki Chu has a haute new line of leather bags that are sure to give you a (gold) rush:
The 'Tisha' is a hot mini bowling bag available in a white and black leather duo and a gold and black leather combo. Although it's a classic shape, it's perfect for when you want to break out of the mold.
The 'Tam' ($335) is a gorgeous liquid leather shopper. It's an oversized gold bag (also available in black), with gold and black ribbon trim, to give a casual, sporty feel. Remove the detachable shoulder strap and carry it with the top double handles, or put it back on and sling it over your shoulder when you pack it to the gills!
The 'Celeste' ($220) is an adorable evening bag. It's a clutch with gold link mini handles, a mini faceplate and twin tassels. Teardrop-shaped ruched sides give it a bit of a tough-chick edge.
The 'Afiya' ($440) is my favorite - a large leather satchel available in plain white embossed lambskin and gold lambskin but highly detailed with gold studs lining the bottom front, a gold faceplate, braided handles, stud detail and side tassels. And you can win it, courtesy of Nikki Chu! Just email contests@whatshaute.com with the correct answers to the questions below. Hint: you’ll have to visit nikkichu.com and nikkichubags.com to find the answers. Good luck!
-Where was Nikki Chu born and raised?
-Besides a handbag line, what else does Nikki Chu Design Corporation do?
-What celebrities has Nikki Chu worked with (name at least 2)?
-What design shows has Nikki Chu appeared on?
-What section of nikkichubags.com would a traveling business woman most prefer?
What's Haute gives a special thanks to Nikki Chu for sponsoring this giveaway! Contest ends 12:00 am ET on November 1, 2007.
I've been obsessed with handbags for as long as I can remember but I never thought an opportunity like this would come along, for me to share my handbag obsession with the world!
Bag Borrow or Steal is searching for "America's Ultimate Bagaholic" and will hold the job of Chief Bag Officer. (Am I dreaming?) If selected, you'll win a bagaholic's dream - you'll get to carry six of the hautest handbags for Fall 2007, get a year's worth of luxury handbag borrowing privileges, for free!
Here's what you need to do to enter:
• Submit a photo + up to 100 words describing why
you love handbags. Share a shot of your favorite bag,
your collections of bags, you and your bag, etc.
• Submit a video-nothing fancy is required, you can
use the video feature on a digital camera!
Entries must be submitted by September 4, 2007.
The Grand Prize winner will be announced September 18th.
Check out this sample video:
And just for entering the contest you'll get 20% off any handbag you'd like to borrow. Check out Bag Borrow or Steal for more information on this contest and to shop for haute bags!
Name: Haute Girl Home: New York, New York, United States About Me: What's Haute is a blog featuring the hottest handbags and purses, with a healthy dose of fashion mixed in.
Got questions, comments, tips, or product suggestions? Email me your haute tips.
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