Exotic Bags (Page 5)

The Bottega Veneta Knot Clutch is one of those bags that I’m admittedly surprised to still like. The shape is so normal and Bottega has made so many different versions that I probably should have tired of it long ago, but for some reason, I still love almost every version that the brand creates. BV’s bag designers have a knack for the knot, to say the least.

With this utterly lovely matte black python version, though, I think that Bottega has really outdone itself. I have an overwhelming affection for almost anything matte black as it is, and when you apply that color and texture to an utterly luxurious exotic clutch, you have a match made in heaven. Or rather, a match made in Italy. Same difference.

Pauric Sweeney is well known for his beautiful and continued use of python in the bag line that bears his name, and his are consistently some of the most interesting and useful snakeskin bags on the market. He dabbled mostly in neutrals for spring although he does do brilliant brights from time to time, and the bag that caught my attention immediately was the Pauric Sweeney Shiny Python Crossbody.

Naturally, my first attraction was to the expertly finished python skin, which Sweeny consistently manages to make shine in a way that few other designers do. But after the initial “OOOH SHINY OBJECT” reaction wore off, I started to wonder: is this the type of bag I would actually use?

Thakoon is a designer whose handbags and shoes I’ve been greedily anticipating for quite a while, and now that they’re here, I couldn’t be happier. The designs reflect the unique sensibility of the company, but with pieces like the Thakoon Joplin Python Clutch, even women who are unfamiliar with the company can likely find something that they like.

I have a few question’s about this bag’s structure, but I’m betting that most of them come from photographing an empty bag instead of any actual design deficiencies. But I like the shape enough as it is to not be bothered, particularly in the face of such beautifully finished python for a better price than I suspected.

Five years ago, if you had told me that Posh Spice would be at the helm of a clothing and accessories line that people take seriously, I would have told you that you should probably consider laying off the drugs. It seems so utterly far-fetched that a 90s pop star would morph from a chaps-wearing WAG to a serious fashion person in the space of only a few years, and yet, Victoria Beckham has done just that. Not only are her collections shown at New York Fashion Week, but they are generally quite well-received and often worn by other stars on red carpets of all kinds.

I don’t know exactly how much designing Vicky B. does, although she’s said to be quite involved in the process, but at least she had the presence of mind to hire people who don’t suck to create her line, which is a move from which other celebs with clothing lines would do well to learn. And now that she’s doing accessories, the Victoria Beckham Matte Crocodile Shoulder Bag would seem to indicate that she took great care in hiring whoever’s designing her bags as well.

Megs and I have an odd ability: We talk about things, and they happen. It’s inexplicable, and there have been too many instances to completely enumerate here (Example: we joked that I would end up on the plane with a rapper on my last flight from Atlanta to New York, and I then found myself seated next to a guy from Public Enemy), but trust me, it happens. We’re magic, but we don’t know how to control it.

Recently, we found ourselves discussing a $16,000 partially sueded-croc Celine Luggage Tote that Megs had seen in the brand’s Bal Harbour boutique, and we both agreed that Celine was missing an opportunity by not offering a Luggage Tote made entirely out of regular crocodile. Lo and behold, photos of Celine Pre-Fall 2011 gave us a look at exactly the bag we were hoping to see. And if a partially croc Luggage Tote costs 16 grand, I don’t even want to speculate how much this one will be. Larger photo, after the jump.

UPDATE: We’ve heard this bag may be stamped instead of real croc, and if that’s the case, one of these beauties may indeed be in my future.

It makes me so happy to see a young designer stay true to his or her aesthetic when launching handbags. Too often, accessories neophytes can get caught up not only in the potential dollar signs of successful bags, but also in the design challenges that they present, which different from those of ready-to-wear. An accessories designer gets brought in who isn’t a great fit for the brand, and more mediocre bags flood our stores. Zac Posen, I’m looking at you.

Thankfully, it seems as though Jason Wu isn’t going to fall into that trap. The Jason Wu Python Shoulder Bag, from the just-show Pre-Fall 2011 collection, is not only perfectly on-trend but also beautiful in its own right.

The work week: it’s hard. That’s why we need to be occasionally rewarded with images like this one, of the utterly perfect VBH Crocodile Keyhole Satchel. Since this is a Spring 2011 piece and the closest match we can find at an online retailer is the same bag in ostrich, we’re going to estimate this bag’s price to be in the low five figures. Or, if you prefer, the current-season ostrich version will set you back a cool seven grand. Either way, sit back and enjoy the view, which is free. It’s almost Friday!

Photo via Style.com.