Such a stunning bag doesn't seem like it would be part of a brand called the 'Jack Rabbit Collection' but that is the name of the brand started by designer Mollie Culligan. The Jack Rabbit Collection is an environmentally friendly line of handcrafted handbags, belts and jewelry with a celebrity fan base including Drew Barrymore, Lucy Liu, and Mischa Barton. Despite the peculiar name, The Jack Rabbit Collection Concord Tote is one of those bags that is a design masterpiece and should be part of your personal collection. It's ultra glamorous and ultrafeminine. The burgundy distressed leather has a vintage feel and the shape is amazing - it combines a hinged frame closure with a huge body so you have the style of a sophisticated purse in a hugely practical handbag. The top of the bag is pleated and has double handles for easy carrying along with a detachable shoulder strap. It also folds over to give you an additional look.
Check out more at www.thejackrabbitcollection.com
Mulberry is one of those handbag brands that seems to pride itself on classic luxury. So when I came across the Milton shoulder bag on Net-a-Porter's website, I was baffled. Are fingerprinted handbags the new 'It' bags? The Milton looks like the leather was handled before the paint was dry, or someone put their greasy fingers on the front of the bag. It does have some redeeming qualities:
1) It has multiple outside pockets and interior compartments,
2) The seafoam green / emerald metallic leather is a beautiful hue for the summer,
3) It is a Mulberry!
However, the $1,595 for a bag that looks tarnished is only for those of you with serious disposable income. Got money to spare? Then head on over to NET-A-PORTER.COM.
One of my favorite online boutiques, Shop Jake, has the most carefully edited selection of affordable luxury goods. I love the clean feel of the site along with the cosmopolitan chic-ness of the items. Jake already carried a cool mix of designers but I'm excited to discover that they now carry Pauric Sweeney handbags too! I'm a lover of all things python and Pauric Sweeney is the master of designing divine python bags. One of the new styles that I discovered on ShopJake is the Python Ostrich Ryder Bag. A gleaming metallic silver python hobo is pleated at the top and boasts brown leather and acid green ostrich accents. The bag is lines in suede and measures 20" x 10" x 4". This bag, like ShopJake, is the ultimate in luxe!
Check out more Pauric Sweeney bags here.
Living in New York City brings out your fashion competitiveness. There are so many fashionably dressed women everywhere that it makes you want to shop all the time just to keep up! Along with the fashion comes especially enviable accessories, shoes and bags. But in a sea of 'It' bags, logos and tons of other bells and whistles, simplicity still seems to stand out. I've been noticing a lot of New York women with Miu Miu bags which are almost completely void of hardware and display only the smallest logoplate on the front. This one in particular caught my eye (online) - the Miu Miu Small shoulder bag. It's perfectly constructed - I love the hobo-style and ruched body, and the front flap with a gold lock closure. The turquoise leather is the perfect shade for summer and sets apart the otherwise conservative bag.
Buy Miu Miu at NET-A-PORTER
The reason I never throw anything away (in fashion) is that it always comes back in style. Remember when scarf accessories were in style? Scarves as belts, scarves as necklaces and scarves as bags. De Couture has brought the scarf trend back with it's Print Flap Over bag. A brown and cream floral print silk scarf is fashioned into a soft, slightly structured bag with brown leather handles and back leather pocket. It may not be really worth the $1195 price tag but it's one of those modern vintage pieces that will always be in style.
Gryson Olivia Bag For a Steal! (Sorry, New Yorkers Only)
April 22, 2008
I don't believe in fad bags anymore. When I was younger I always wanted to carry 'It' bags for the moment, but as I matured, I now prefer classic styles that I can carry for years. I wasn't convinced when Gryson handbags first hit the scene but I'm starting to like them more and more, particularly the woven Olivia. It's on sale online for $907 (marked down from $1295) but if you live in NYC (or the tri-state area), you can pick one up at Century 21 for $497! When the price is this low, who cares if it was last season! Made from 100% Italian leather, this oversized satchel/shoulder bag is versatile - it's a convertible bag with twisted double handles and an adjustable shoulder strap and features wide weaving on the body. It's lined in suede and has understated brass hardware throughout. It's both sumptuous and sophisticated and, don't forget, on sale!
Jessica Biel's a fan:
As much as I would love to own almost every bag ever made by every handbag designer, that's just not practical or realistic. But the ones I do own allow me to make better judgments about the quality while carrying them every day. My Devi Kroell 'Tiffany' bag is one of the best bags I've owned in terms of materials, design and construction, so now I'm a lifelong fan! Kroell recently launched her Spring/Summer 2008 collection which is full of even more beautiful bags with mixed exotic skins and innovative designs. One of my favorites is the Frame Bag in Patent. The purple shoulder strap and turquoise body provide contrasting tones that blend brilliantly and the patent leather shines without looking cheap. The shape is innovative - I love the shoulder, bucket-style with the frame closure which solves the issue of protecting your stuff in an open-top bucket bag. The closure is practical and looks amazing, especially coupled with the fold over aspect. It seems that Devi doesn't know how to design a bad bag!
Check out more of her chic handbags here.
If you want to hop on the 'yellow' fashion bandwagon but can't get with the bright yellow tones, try a more muted tone, like this mustard yellow bag from Kale. The 'Lyndon' shoulder bag is a perfect choice for summer. It blends the yellow and patent leather trends nicely, and without looking too trendy. The yellow calfskin leather looks soft to the touch and the classic shape has a youthful feel with contrasting patent leather shoulder and corner straps. The zip top closure has a dangling studded tassel pull. It measures approximately 15" x 14" x 4.5" so it's large and roomy, and best of all, it's on sale now for $355!
Givenchy Wrinkled Patent Nightingale in Salmon Pink
March 13, 2008
The Givenchy Nightingale isn't anything new but this classic bag is always worth writing about, especially this salmon pink hued, wrinkled patent leather version. If you're looking for a timeless Spring bag, then this is it! The pastel patent has just the right amount of pop but is neutral enough to mix and match with all your Spring wardrobe pieces. The size is perfect - 13" x 14" with a 6.5" handle drop, and it's a convertible bag so it's got my seal of approval! Sport it as a satchel on your arm, or a shoulder bag. Either way it's a beauty!
$1,395 at Barney's
There's something about certain clothes and accessories that just scream S-E-X! Like a slinky black dress or a pair of killer stilettos, or this bag. The Thomas Wylde Colossus Scorpion Bag, White is one hot, sexy bag. Thomas Wylde handbags are always distinctly edgy yet exude a certain femininity. The soft lambskin leather is distressed and has that aged look while still looking sharp and new. The antiqued gold metal hardware consists of a chunky chain strap with metal bars throughout and large pointed stud detail on the sides. The body of the bag is huge, measuring 20"x 15"x 4.5", and is decorated with jewels and studs making up two large scorpions. All the celebs will be rockin this one this summer. This is one edgy, sexy, hardcore bag, not for the faint of heart or play-it-safe'rs!
Doesn't this bag just make you long for warmer weather? Since daylight savings time came this weekend, we now have more 'day' and less 'night' (yay!), but the weather's still not quite there yet. I'm longing to wear my short sleeved shirts, Spring-y dresses, sandals and colored bags. Even though you don't have to wait for Spring to wear colorful bags (I'm all for wearing a bright red bag in the middle of winter), this Fendi Multicolored Doctor B Bag has Spring/Summer written all over it! This ombre, rainbow sherbert, 'Acid Multi' colored leather hobo has a frame top with magnetic closure, and 'winged' panels on each end that expand due to the side buckled bands. It's the essential Spring/Summer bag - you won't need any other! But if you want one, start saving now - the price is hefty - $1,840. But I'm so glad the Fendi designers finally got over adding that ridiculous buckle to every 'B' bag! This 'B' bag boasts simplicity but the color grading and surprise details gives it that 'It' factor. Glad to see your design aesthetic on the comeback Fendi.
Upgrade!
Gray might typically look bland but can be surprisingly chic, like this clutch. The MARC BY MARC JACOBS 'Dr. Q. Patchwork' Convertible Clutch is a sleek tonal patchwork clutch with a metal Marc Jacobs logo tag on the front. The pebbled leather actually looks soft to the touch and the hidden patchwork seams are smooth. The bag actually converts to a shoulder bag with a detachable strap and the interior has a hidden magnetic closure allowing it to expanding into 3 compartments. You get several bags in one and at $328, it's worth it!
OMG, I'm in love...
Right now I'm lusting for, drooling over and simply coveting these bags that are so gorgeous you'll want to spend your entire paycheck on them. Phillip Lim, of 3.1 Phillip Lim has a new collection of bags at eLUXURY that rival his amazing clothes.
The 3.1 Phillip Lim Gigi Woven Clutch is one of the most gorgeous, summery clutches I've seen in a while. The body is beautifully woven and well-made, and the yellow, balck and white colors combined just pop! The black flap closure adds a really nice contrast to the yellow and it's truly a versatile clutch.
The dome shape of the 3.1 Phillip Lim Wendy Expandable Weekender is perfect since it can expand without looking stuffed or bulky like many big bags. The clean lines are very characteristic of Phillip Lim. It's such a basic and practical bag but it has a sophisticated appeal to it.
Ruching is one of those trends that never seems to get old, especially on a bag like this 3.1 Phillip Lim Omai Pleated Shoulder Bag. I like that the front pocket is ruched rather than the bag itself. And the camel leather looks so buttery soft yet structured so you get the best of both worlds.
Check out more 3.1 Phillip Lim at eLUXURY.com!
Gen Art Fresh Faces in Fashion finalist Jessica Macxy's Knox collection is full of raw and edgy designs. In her bags you find the kind of edginess you just can't find in premier designer bags. I'm in love with them all, but I can't take my eye off this Carriage Shoulder Bag ($392). I love that it's not a typical shape - no standard hobo or shoulder bag here. It has a brown, bean-shaped body with a long black shoulder strap and thick black leather bands that wrap around the bag. And all the hardware is handmade by the designer and her dad - how cool is that? If you're like me and you want a bag that sets you apart and helps you stand out from the crowd, then this, and all the other bags in the Knox collection are for you.
I love Anya Hindmarch, I really do. She can just do no wrong. When other designers try to flash back to the past, it often turns out horribly wrong but I love her cute little retro Clint Day Bag. It's a cream colored calfskin shoulder bag with a pop of orange leather on the handle and front flap. An off-center metallic gold strap and buckle gives it a super-mod feel. The colors and style of the bag are very retro - I can imagine Twiggy modeling it on the cover of a 70's Vogue but I can also see it being worn now. It's absolutely timeless. Anya does it (right), again!
$945, Saks Fifth Avenue.
I'm not sure how I feel about transparent bags, but I do like this one from Goldenbleu. The Rebecca Transparent Bag, $335, is a charcoal gray tinted vinyl shoulder bag with patent leather trim on the edges and handles. At first glance, you can barely tell this bag is see-through. It almost looks like an entirely patent leather bag. I like the fact that it's a darker color as opposed to the standard clear vinyl, so you can conceal your things a bit more. The grey color almost gives it an air of mystery! It's probably best to carry this bag at night though. I also like the shape of the bag - it's a bit odd with the long, contoured body and longer top handles but the center ruching is a pleasant distraction. Measures 13.75" x 6.5" x 7.5".
Discuss this post in the Haute Forum.
Hayden Harnett has been one of my favorite designers for the simple fact that they seem to churn out new handbag designs at an incredible rate! Every time I check out the site, I see about three or four new bags I want to buy! But I also love HH because their bags are always amazingly well-designed and well-made. Their bags always have that cool modern vintage feel and seem to evoke the reaction of "Ooh, I want that one! And that one! And that one!" And really, is there anything wrong with having a closet full of HH bags?
Here are three that I'm lusting over right now:
The Beatrice Printed Linen Satchel, in Harlequin, $485, is a large sacthel with chunky brass hardware and a cool retro printed linen panel (from famous textile designer Paule Marrot) down the center.
The Limited Edition Lido Quilted Leather Hobo, in Lead, $485, is the coolest leather shoulder bag, with honeycomb quilting on the body and the muted metallic leather. I love the unique flap turnlock closures and the vintage '40's-inspired feel.
The Mosaique Hobo in Black, $450, is a sexy and unique black hobo with a mod geometric print applique.
Share my love for hayden Harnett? Discuss it in the Haute Forum.
Why oh why did a brilliant designer like Zac Posen create this hideous bag? He's the king of brilliantly draped dresses and one of the few designers whose entire debut handbag line impressed me, and now he has ruined it all with this! Is it a hot dog or a handbag? The bag might actually be cute if it were a wristlet or even a handheld clutch, but the oversized handles throw it off completely. And the patent strap that comes over the bag is also way too long - it almost wraps around the entire bag! The proportions are totally off and for a designer who seems to understand body proportions so well, I am extremely disappointed with this purse. The price for this hot dog handbag: $1,100!!! My advice is take the money and go buy some Zac Posen ready-to-wear now available at eLUXURY.com.
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