Bottega Veneta Handbags

The art of Japanese paper folding takes on a new dimension as a fine detail on origami inspired handbags.

Leather is pushed to the limit as it is folded, stitched and glued into intricate folds. I am fascinated with this trend as I continue to discover more and more handbags with various levels of origami detailing. Above are some of the standout origami handbags spotted recently. Some with more obvious origami details than others.

On the more subtle end of the spectrum I came across the delicate cut and folded corners of the Ferragamo single frame satchel and Nancy Gonzalez tote. The tiny folded and stitched corners add a new dimension and interest upon the already texture laden skins. I love the various tones of cocoa leather/skin. These little cut out shapes and patterns will only continue to look better with age.

Read on!

We have teamed up with many designers over the years to bring you exclusive information, giveaways, and bags. Working with Bottega Veneta in the past few weeks to bring you exclusive information on a product launch is not only exciting but something from our dreams. Known for its supple woven leather, Bottega Veneta has garnered a worldwide audience of fans. While their bags are stylish and on many must-have lists, one thing Bottega Veneta avoids is being known for seasonal trendy bags.

Today we are bringing you an exclusive product launch, a style from Bottega Veneta that you know well in a color that blends purple, taupe and pink perfectly. From the fall/winter 2009 line, the Bottega Veneta Lilac Campana symbolizes everything the brand is known for; beauty, timelessness, and impeccable craftsmanship. The shape of this bag seems light and feminine, just as the bag actually is. While the interior is roomy and has a cell phone holder and side zipped pocket, the size of the bag is not overwhelmingly large or underwhelmingly small. Touching this woven lambskin reels you in, as I have said time and time again Bottega Veneta picks the most amazing leathers and has the best implementation of weaving the leather together.

More on the Bottega Veneta Lilac Campana...

Yesterday, Megs wrote about a Bottega Veneta-ish bag that Kim Cattrall was carrying. Seeing the woven leather re-sparked my Bottega Veneta interest. I’m not a BV owner, but one of these days, yes, one of these days I will be. The intrecciato weave that is used with BV bags is not only a signature feature but also absolutely timeless.

The Bottega Veneta Mini Woven Shoulder Bag is yet another BV bag put together seamlessly. Whether you prefer the bag in white or black woven leather, the goldtone hardware pops either way. The stand out piece I really like? It would have to be the 14½” shoulder strap. In addition to that, I love the top zipper closure. This bag is a bit different from other BV bags, and this is a good thing. It would be a great bag to grab, throw over your shoulder and just go. Buy through Saks for $720.

It always confuses me when a designer takes an exotic skin, which is already a work of art in and of itself, and tries to do something intricate with it (usually something that involves cutting it into tiny pieces, either for weaving or for a laser-cut design). It seems like…well, it seems like a bit of a waste of a beautiful skin. I’ve got similar concerns with the Bottega Veneta Settantasei Ostrich Bag, which uses ostrich hide instead of traditional leather to make the signature Bottega Veneta intrecciato weave.

BV does better here than most do, though, because the copper finish combined with the ultra-textured feel of the bag give it a simultaneous glimmer and roughness that might not be achievable with regular, smooth leather. The finish is honestly quite cool, but I can’t help shake the feeling that exotic skins come with an inherent design to them and some of their charm is lost when they’re too heavily deconstructed. Plus, if I’m going to pay a premium for an exotic, I want that skin to be as intact as possible for maximum exotic effect. When you combine the high price of this bag with the way the skin was used, I’m not sure it’s worth it. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $7350.

This is possibly the most luxurious laptop bag I’ve ever seen, even if it is slightly boring. I know that the Bottega Veneta Buckle Tote isn’t advertised as a computer bag per se, but if I’ve ever seen a designer handbag that would be more perfectly suited for that purpose, I’m having trouble recalling it now.

And by calling this a laptop bag, I don’t mean that as an insult. Far from it, in fact. This is modern society, after all, and the vast majority of women that will consider purchasing this bag will be women that worked hard to make the money that they’ll be spending. Acknowledging these women and giving them high-end options for their work bags is something that far more designers should be doing. Even if Bottega Veneta didn’t intend this bag for such utilitarian purposes, I think it would be perfect for the job. Plus, knowing of BV what I do, I bet the leather is flawless and soft and made of unicorn hides. Buy through Saks for $1850.

The Bottega Veneta marble orange basket tote gets us in the mood for summer straight away. We hear warm weather destinations calling with this two handle basket tote that is perfect for a getaway to the sun-kissed shores and sandy beaches. The cheery orange and white colors of the signature Bottega Veneta basket weave is accented with piping and 13″ brown leather handles suitable for carrying a day’s supply of tabloid magazines, spf50+ sunscreen, designer sunglasses and a cool bottle of spring water. The interior suede lining protects your valuables from sand and includes a zip compartment for cell phone and keys.

Bottega Veneta
marble orange basket woven leather medium tote, $3,360.00 at Bluefly.com

Now thru 6/30/09 get $30 off your first order at Bluefly.com
Coupon Code - THEFIND30

via The Find

Do you ever find yourself thinking about what you would do, where you would go, what you would buy if you were a mega-mega-mega millionaire? To be honest, from time to time I find I let my thoughts wonder and before I know it I am thinking about all the traveling I’d love to do and the fabulous clothes and accessories I could tote. Then usually, I come back down to reality and am reminded of how great it is to dream, but how much better it is to enjoy the life I lead. Ok, enough of “Life Thoughts with Shannon”. When I came across the Bottega Veneta Python Fold Over Clutch, I realized this would be a clutch best left for day dreams.

Yes, it is gorgeous and versatile, but I simply cannot get over the price. The copper python has stitch detailing at the corners, zipped and pouch compartments and is fully lined in suede. Sure, all the materials come together brilliantly. This clutch is nothing less than gorgeous. The shade of copper is perfect for so many seasons and so many outfits I don’t know where to begin. Pair it with a rich-colored dress or perhaps take the more casual approach and let the clutch to the talking. Bottega Veneta, why must you make so many gorgeous handbags with such astronomical price tags? So, ladies and gents, is the bag worth the price? Buy through Net-a-Porter for $4100.

Bottega Veneta has lured us in for years now. The intrecciato pattern, which is their signature woven leather, is known by every fashionista world wide. And the leather, it is so supple it just feels like it will melt when you touch it. If you have not touched a Bottega Veneta bag you must go find one, caress it, hold it, and fall in love with it. If you look odd doing this, simply tell whoever eying you oddly that it is a homework assignment.

We have the woven pattern, we have the buttery soft leather, and the other wow factor from Bottega Veneta is their color choices. From tangerine spring crushes to soothing green to creamy caramel to vivid blue and safari crimson, the colors of the rainbow are carefully picked out by Bottega Veneta. On our must have spring list is a Bottega Veneta Intrecciato bag in any hue of color that pops. Buy Bottega Veneta through Net A Porter.

Things like the Bottega Veneta Sardegna Adjustable Tote make me a little angry. There are a few reasons why. First, I like Bottega Veneta. I don’t want to have to talk badly about them. I think that they generally make beautiful, understated, well-crafted bags that are functional and fit in to the lives of a lot of different women. So them making a bag that forces me to say not-nice things makes me angry. Second, canvas tote bags that cost more than $800 make me angry. I don’t care how nice the handles are.

The handles should be plated in GOLD to justify that price tag. At least Louis Vuitton has the decency to coat their canvas and turn it into a new (and super-durable) material. This just looks looks like regular canvas (Saks calls it “bright” but then calls it “ash.” Isn’t that a contradiction?) with a too-fancy handle, and stuff like that always makes me feel like a brand is trying to take advantage of its customers in a really obvious way. And that’s kind of crappy, right? Buy through Saks for $820.

I’m in the mood for a picnic today. We somehow managed to get seven inches of snow last weekend, out of nowhere, and that’s more snow than has ever fallen where I live. It was 60 degrees the day before the snow fell, and now, less than a week later, the temperature is in the 70s and the sun is shining. Because of the shade that my front porch gets during the day, it’s still covered in 2 or 3 inches of snow and ice, despite the fact that all I want to do is go to the park and sit in the grass and feel the sun. And the Bottega Veneta Boston Intrecciato Tote looks like a picnic to me. The orange check pattern would probably be picnic-y even on flat leather, but when you add the extra visual element of Bottega’s signature woven construction, there is just enough depth to really remind me of the ever-present outdoor tablecloths (but in a good way). The intricate texture of pattern-on-pattern limits the number of ways this bag could be worn, but if extra cash on hand wasn’t a problem, it seems like it would be a lot of fun to pair with something solid-colored…I’m picturing a royal blue linen sundress for a bit of contrast. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $2350.