Gucci Handbags

Some bags don’t translate well in photos. Sometimes it’s because of the flash, sometimes it’s because of the finish of the leather, and in the case of the Gucci Icon Bit Tote, it appears that both of those elements are culprits.

Of course, it’s difficult to photograph any kind of patent leather (or any other shiny material, for that matter), but it seems that the oddly liquid-like multicolor pattern (can you call it a pattern?) that is going on here makes it even more difficult. Normally I’m a lover of loud bags and odd colors, but this one has me confounded and makes me think that I’d have to see it in person to really get any sort of idea about it. And even then, if the picture looks anything like the bag actually does, I don’t think I’d like it. Patent, when combined with metallics and iridescence in this way, tend to show every finger print or oil of any kind. For something that is so often touched, that’s simply not a good look. The shape is functional and simple, which is nice, but this bag has too many other odd things working against it. Buy through Neiman Marcus for $1190.

Logo bags are kind of five minutes ago, right? They’ve been kind of five minutes ago for a couple of years now. But despite the fact that I’ve never been a big fan of bags with branding all over them, I’ve always had a soft spot for Gucci. I like the pattern that their traditional logo fabric creates, and I like how it looks when it’s embossed into their Guccissima leather. I think it works because even if it didn’t serve as a logo, it would still be a fairly simple and attractive pattern.

And that’s why I like the Gucci New Jackie Guccissima Shoulder Bag. Last season when the New Jackie came out, I wrote about how much I like the functional and comfortable shape of the bag, and that hasn’t changed a bit. When you combine super soft, matte leather with the Guccissima embossed logo, it provides great texture without having to mess with the bag’s structure or premise. The color of this bag seals the deal for me – grey is an enormous, important color for Fall 2009, and this grey is a perfect, blue-undertoned, medium grey that will go with almost anything in the average woman’s wardrobe. It’s mighty expensive for regular leather, thought, which is a major deterrent for me adding it to my wardrobe. Buy through Saks for $3250.

Now, this is a patent leather bag done the right way. Yesterday, I wrote about the Stella McCartney Patent Rivet-Detail Clutch and how I wasn’t sure if I thought it was properly executed. However, the Gucci Crystal Evening Clutch definitely scores a hit in my book.

Of course you can’t really compare this clutch to the Stella McCartney clutch I covered yesterday but I think the one thing I found lacking isn’t lacking this time. This clutch is sleek, sophisticated and has just the right amount of detail. The horsebit ring buckle instantly caught my attention and had me wanting to hold this bag in my hand. Not only do I like this clutch, but in at a price quite a bit lower than the one I covered yesterday. Buy through Saks for $530.

I actually took a class on review writing in college. Yep, they teach you that in journalism school. If you’re lucky, anyway – it was pretty hard to get in to. We reviewed all kinds of things, from restaurants to plays, and did lots of exercises to make us better reviewers – things like reviewing oranges and writing TV show reviews the length of a Twitter message. And the one big takeaway I got from that class was this: reviews of things you like are hard to write. Reviews of things that suck? They write themselves.

Which is why I feel like I’m cheating by writing about the Gucci Original Backpack. Whiskey. Tango. Foxtrot. I mean, look at this thing, y’all. It’s been out for a while, I’ve seen it in personal multiple times…and I just don’t think it’s cute. At all. It’s oddly shaped and confusing to look at and I haven’t wanted a backpack as a purse since mini-backpacks were in style when I was approximately nine years old. I had a pleather one, and I wore it to school very excitedly. But that was 1994, and this is 2009, and I feel like we should have progressed since then. Gucci is trying to hold you back – don’t let them! But if you must, Buy through Saks for $2590

I am officially jealous of this cake. Jealous of the receiver, jealous of the people that could actually create and design this, jealous of all who helped eat it. This is indeed a cool cake. Looks like this was given as a gift for a 21st 26th birthday. And while so many people equate lots of shots on their 21st 26th, a designer handbag cake would have been up my ally so much more. This is a Gucci Cake complete with a Gucci Boston Bag on top of a Gucci Box. Even the little cookie would have made my day. I can not imagine the price for a cake like this, novelty enough that it would end up being totally ridiculous, but isn’t it amazing?

I am now rethinking our wedding cake. Why did we go traditional when I could have had a full fledged designer handbag cake for all of our guests. My birthday is coming in September though. Instead of Gucci, I would prefer more of a Chanel or Hermes. Just sayin’. [Image via Flickr]

I wrote about the Gucci Sukey Large Tote a few months ago, and when I saw it available for pre-order in a new trim color on Saks.com today, I thought it might be worth revisiting.

Because, to be honest, the climate for logo bags has changed, as has the climate for anything obviously expensive, since the first incarnation of this bag came out. Since then, the US (and much of the world) economy has imploded, millions are out of jobs, and many have seen their retirements shrink to nearly nothing.

So…why in the world do I still like this bag? Because I do. A lot. Even though I hate logo bags in general, and have for quite some time, I still have a small place in my heart for Gucci’s signature fabric. And I still think this bag is well-designed, despite the logos. The lines are simple, it’s functional, but it still has a bit of subtle chicness to it. Plus it’s a bag from a major designer for under a grand. Not too bad, even if it’s not really a recession must-have. Buy through Saks for $850.

The newest trend from high-end designers is posh bicycles. And the best part about all of these bicycles is they are cruisers. Because a $17,000 cruiser makes more sense than a $17,000 road bike, right? First we introduced you to the Hermes Bicycle, a dressed up 3-speed Batavus bike with Hermes stitched leather accents for $3,500. And then there was the ultra pricey Chanel Bicycle, which features two quilted flap bags and a jewelry roll behind the seat, all of which are detachable and can be used as individual shoulder bags for a whopping $17,000 (though the two flap bags and jewelry roll is a nice addition).

So now I introduce you to the Gucci Cruiser Bicycle, a bike whose price range fits in between the Hermes and Chanel bikes. This is another cruiser sporting Gucci accents all over. The bronze metal frame does look nice with the chocolate Guccissima leather seat, handlebars, seat pack, and pannier. And the price on this bike, a whopping $6365. I am thinking. This is a bicycle, right? Does Gucci placing some leather on it make it a collectors item? Where would you ride this precious bike to? I totally understand spending money on a racing bike or mountain bike, because there is a seemingly understandable point behind it. But a cruiser. I will tell you what, I am not running out to splurge on this bike. And of all of the designer bicycles, I would opt for the Hermes, because it is the CHEAPEST. But I will stick to my $350 cruiser, which gets me around our neighborhood perfectly. Buy the Gucci Bicycle for $6365 via Gucci.

Finally, a new Gucci bag that I don’t hate. In fact, I really don’t hate it! I quite like it! Not only that, but it’s something that I’ve been wanting them to try for so long. They took the staid, structured, maybe a bit boring traditional Jackie hobo and made the Gucci New Jackie Large Hobo. It’s a slouchy, modern, younger version of a bag that everyone knows and that really needed an update. They did one thing that I hate, though – they gave it an extra, completely unneccessary, annoying strap. The bag can already easily be carried on the shoulder by its natural handle, and the extra strap is only a few inches longer and makes the bag hang oddly when used. Since the original strap is not a separate, attached piece but part of the bag’s structure, it looks like it would be all up in the wearer’s armpit when using the extra strap. Keep reading...

The fashion world was buzzing over news that Rihanna would be teaming up with Gucci. Rihanna is known for her funky style, young appeal, never ending legs, and brilliant voice. Gucci creative director Frida Giannini has said, “I wanted Rihanna on board with this project because she’s so young, so modern, and so iconic.”

Rihanna adds, “I have always been a fan of the Gucci brand and the products, especially their handbags. But most of all, I’m very very intrigued by what they’re doing with UNICEF. As an artist, I feel like it’s our duty to make it a better place if we can. I’m blown away by what UNICEF has been able to accomplish in Africa with the money that Gucci has donated to them. I’m very fortunate to be part of this wonderful collaboration.”

25% of all handbag proceeds from the “Tattoo Heart Collection” will benefit UNICEF.

What do you think of Rihanna for Gucci?

Watch the video after the jump...

Finally. Someone at Gucci has thrown out a life preserver to save their Resort 2008 collection from complete irrelevancy, and that life preserver is the Sukey Large Python Tote. We’ve spoken previously about the fake-tattoo-covered shortcomings of the 2008 group of bags, and they aren’t pretty. The Python Sukey, however, is nothing short of gorgeous. The reason that it works so well is that the shape of the bag is extremely simple and the surface of the python skin is unmarred by exterior pockets, decorative doo-dads, and unnecessary seaming. The python skin itself takes center stage, and the beautiful combination of cream, tan, and brown scales make a perfect fall bag, even for a girl that isn’t that enthusiastic about brown in any form. Bravo, Gucci. I knew you could do it. This bag is so beautifully simple that it almost makes me forget your past sins. Buy through Saks for $3,195.