Handbags

Amanda got me thinking about the Christian Louboutin Layered Leather Hobo. I already ran into this bag and was feeling a bit stumped. It reminded me of my childhood, in the form of a Rollie-Pollie, which is known to some adults (I say some because I still call them Rollie-Pollies) as Pill Bugs or Sow Bugs. This is one of my favorite bugs, the act of rolling up when feeling threatened is entirely intriguing. But is this Christian Louboutin bag taking after my childhood bug friend or the animal of the desert, an armadillo? Then again, you may just find it to be a work of art, which is most likely what Louboutin was going for.

You be the judge!

Buy through Saks for $1,195.

Photo via Pbase

I’m very comfortable in my belief that Christian Louboutin is the best all-around shoe designer on the face of the planet right now. From a large stable of perfect basics to season after season of jaw-dropping art-in-shoe-form, Louboutin does almost everything that he does very well.

Except for handbags.

For some reason, Mr. Louboutin can’t translate his amazing talent into purses. Try as he might, every few months, he releases some more bags that just…aren’t…quite…right. He continues to turn out shoes that are arguably perfect, but I’ve never seen a bag of his and thought, “Yes, indeed, I will pay money for that.”

To me, the Fall/Winter ’08 ‘Armadillo’ line is a perfect example of Louboutin’s problem with purses. Take the d’Orsay Peep-Toe Platform Pump; a seamless mash-up of simplicity and punky attitude with the pintucked leather pleats going all the way down the back of the high, high heel. Great for work or play and downright gorgeous to behold.

Then, take the Layered Leather Hobo. Is anyone else getting ‘black leather fortune cookie’ when they look at this? Because I sort of am. I don’t find it entirely loathsome, but it’s definitely nowhere close to my want list, and even if I received it as a gift, I’d probably eBay it. Whereas shoes often benefit from their designer’s focus on architectural details, this hobo seems almost too architectural and stiff, particularly in a shape (the hobo) and type of leather (calfskin) that is at its most beautiful when allowed to sag and fold naturally. It ends up looking overworked and over-thought – two things that Louboutin’s splendid shoes almost never do. However, if you are interested, you can buy the Hobo through Saks for $1,995.00.

Marni Handbags

Much of the fashion world has clamored to grab a Marni handbag. Not this girl. There is something about these bags that I like and then a bigger part of these bags I do not like. So as I stare at the bags I attempt to pick them apart and decide what exactly it is that rubs me the wrong way. It is not the modern edge that the bags are given, because typically this is a style I appreciate. Maybe it is the lackluster finish of just a large balloon shape. Yes, the allure of the Marni Balloon bag is the shape, but is it really a shape that really is what I am looking for? I suppose the issue is me then; the bags are not horrible, but it is that they do not do it for me. Even more so is the color combination of some. Ok, only one of their bags can I think of that I really do not like the color combination; the purple and brown balloon tote.

Marni handbags are notoriously geometrical and modern, which I like. But these bags have yet to have me running outside to buy one. They do ok for me, but they are not getting all of my undivided attention. The feel surrounding these bags is Chloe-esque, hearty and lush leathers with a strong design. Above are some of the Marni bags on Net A Porter right now. Do you love them? Could you leave them? Buy Marni through Net A Porter.

Sang A Flash Parallelogram Clutch

Sang A Bags are on the Purse Blog radar. Her handbags exude a feeling of modern femininity, of a sophisticated touch. It is her exotics that I am drawn to most though, as I typically go to newer designers for exotics (but that statement is null and void after my Hermes Wallet purchase).

If math was not your top subject in grade school, you may not remember the term parallelogram, meaning a quadrilateral with two sets of parallel sides. Sang A uses this inspiration for her Sang A Flash Parallelogram Clutch which is designed with luscious dark green crocodile. The angular feel gives a modern chic vibe and there is an optional removable shoulder strap to give you both hands back. The inside is lined with lush suede and features a pocket with a zip closure. Measurements 9″W X 6½”H X 1¾”D. This clutch has that stunning look that I yearn for when clutch shopping. I, of course, would opt for the croc version of this clutch, but it is also available in black patent and silver patent via Saks for $645. $1,845 via Saks.

I normally prefer to believe that I am independent-minded and stylistically unique. If you ask me who I think the best-dressed starlet is, I’d tell you I don’t know, because they all look the same anyway. Well, that’s not entirely true. There is one person (well, TV character) out there that has my heart, and I’m ready to admit it.

Gossip Girl’s Serena van der Woodsen (nee Blake Lively) could wear a paper bag over her head and I would fall rear-over-teakettle trying to determine the grocer from whence it came, in hopes of being the first to acquire one for my very own. She could wear Crocs and I’d be on my laptop, ordering them from…well, from wherever it is that one ACQUIRES Crocs…immediately. If Serena is wrong, I don’t want to be right. Continue reading...

From time to time I find myself fixated on a bag that I just can’t decide if I like it or not. It almost feels like I spend more time trying to figure out if in fact I do like it than simply moving onto a bag that I *know* I like. Well, I guess that is how I feel about the Maison Martin Margiela Small Satin Sac Bag. It’s true, I am a sucker for satin, so I think that is what I am caught up on. Plus, as you might expect, I do like the golden metal clasp and the zipped pocket which hangs from the leather band on the inside. The bag is offered in two colors, red and baige. Right now, I find myself drawn to the red because as of late, I have been on the hunt for a red bag that isn’t too red or too boring. Is this one just right?

Clearly, the bag has tons of space. I love being able to throw all my stuff into a bag and just go. But, is this bag too big? As I am driving down the Florida Turnpike and come to a toll booth, will I find myself searching and searching for the wallet inside the bag? I would hate to be “that driver”, you know the one, holding up the toll line while searching for loose change. But at the same time, I can really see this bag being the perfect compliment to a nice pair of jeans and a sleek black shirt. Oh, decisions, decisions. Maybe I should just go ahead and make an impulse buy and go for it. Would you? If so, buy through eLuxury for $645.00.

First off I have to say thank you for being so patient with our sporadic, random, and lack of postings this week. I caught a nasty flu-like, incessant headache, cold/flu/virus and have not quite been myself. Luckily we have had our new writer, Amanda, there to pick up some slack.

Vlad and I wanted to update you on some Purse Blog and Purse Forum happenings (really, we should check in more often!). We are working on a site re-design that we both are awaiting like kids giddy for Christmas morning. We love our design now, but it is time to bring it up a notch and phase out the colorful and funky designs and bring in a more sophisticated magazine look. Vlad is working with our design team to get this up and running in the soonish future. I always want the results much sooner than they can be delivered, so I am thinking sometime in August. The new design will also be incorporated into the Purse Forum. Continue reading...

Some designers are world famous for their handbags, and some just aren’t. The average fashion fan can probably spot a Louis Vuitton or Balenciaga bag a mile away, but may be hard pressed to describe the latest ready-to-wear from either brand. Alternately, some brand that are heralded widely for their clothing lines have accessories that languish in relative obscurity, for no apparent reason other than that they aren’t already famous for bags (seems like kind of a self-fulfilling prophecy, no?).

Despite the fact that I own bags from both of the brands name-checked above, I have a very soft spot in my heart for designer bags that don’t immediately give away their branding, even to those in the know. It just seems like a slightly smarter way to consume to me, even that’s probably just what I like to tell myself. Most purses from big-name designers with small accessory lines retain what we all love about high-end bags: they’re made well and of beautiful materials, they’re style-conscious, and much attention to detail is paid. The added bonus, though, is that none of your friends will have any idea where you found such a gorgeous new bag, which obviously means that you win.

Lately, one of my favorite examples of this phenomenon is 3.1 Phillip Lim’s Omai Pleated Shoulder Bag in yellow. The details on the bag are gorgeous – the front pleating is even and immaculate, the black piping around the edges is actually suede, and the interior is a lovely light blue. The hue of yellow is perfect for a bag to transition from summer into fall, and you get all that plus Lim’s formidable fashion pedigree for $625, a relative steal among bags from labels of his caliber. I wasn’t even aware that he made bags until very recently, although I’ve been a fan of his clothing line for some time, and now I feel like I’ve been missing out. Buy through eLuxury for $625.

Valextra continues to forge its way up the handbag rankings, moving past the trendy logo bags and sitting peacefully in between the Chanel’s and Hermes’ of the world. The elegance that is Valextra can be seen in person, as you touch, feel, and carry the handbag. I recently covered the Valextra Babila, but this handbag did not bring enough forward for many of you. Too simple, too plain, not enough attention catching oomph. But the Valextra Boston Bag has all that you need in a classy handbag; it is timeless, chic, sophisticated, supple, logo free, light weight perfection. Yes, perfection.

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Kooba Ashley in Metallic Silver Python

Ever see a bag (or anything, I guess) and immediately think “Oh my God, that is GORGEOUS” and then, after you get yourself all excited and paw at it for a few seconds, realize, “Wait…something isn’t right.”

That’s what happened to me last weekend when I encountered the Kooba Ashley at Bloomingdales in Lenox Square Atlanta. I have a soft spot for Kooba since the Kooba Meredith in Slate from Fall/Winter ’07 is my favorite handbag of all time. I also think that pewter is the classiest metallic out there, and the Kooba Ashley’s most striking finish is a dark silver faux python. So, this bag should be practically made for me, right? Have the handbag gods been listening to all of my silent prayers? That’s what I thought, too.

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