Another great gem is when we come across smaller boutiques or design houses that might even be a bit more regional than national or international. Now, for those of you who frequent the Purse Forum you may have read about Malibu, California store Tylie Malibu.

This is the kind of store that doesn’t bring in outside designs, instead they house their own. Every item in the store captures the essence of LA. The combination of casual and glamour is noticeable and welcome. Gorgeous materials and great attention to detail can be noticed as you peruse the collection.

All of the items are inspired by natural textures of leathers and colors of the natural and fabulous landscaping that surrounds Los Angeles or even more specifically, Malibu.

With the rocker chick stud craze in full swing, Tylie Malibu is a store where you can definitely get that fix. Even if you consider yourself more of a traditional fashionista, there is bound to be something in this store that would add just the right amount of urban chic to your wardrobe. And since we are all about the bags, you have to check out some of the great bags that this store has to offer.

The Runaway Rose Suede Bag which we have pictured here is a great bag full of texture and just the right amount of that urban vibe that just about any woman can pull off. Are you looking for a little more color? This particular bag comes in several colors: moss, grey, black, violet, navy and wine. All of the colors and rich and perfect for the fall!

Click here to look around and shop!

Last week I had the opportunity to attend the West Coast Launch Party for Zara Terez Handbags. In fact, this was my first official event since I myself have moved to the West Coast. As I pulled up to the Mondrian Hotel on Sunset Blvd I was beyond excited. Representing Purse Blog, I was invited up to the Penthouse for a private pre-party where I got to meet the talented and gorgeous Zara.

Walking into the penthouse, my eye didn’t know where to look first: at the gorgeous LA skyline or at the table full of handbags and accessories. Luckily the way the room was set up, I could do both. I perused the table of handbags and found countless pieces I wanted to make mine.

Zara’s handbags are statement pieces, bags that will turn heads, receive comments and complete your outfit. Each bag boasts intricate detailing and clear thought and consideration when finalizing the bag.

   

Slowly but surely various publicists, stylists, models and celebs also began trickling into the private pre-party. More than anything I was beyond eager to sit back and watch other people’s reactions. I watched how each person eyed the bags and accessories, how some gravitated to a particular bag while others went towards a completely different look. Yet each person had one thing in common, they found a bag that they loved, not liked, but LOVED. I have to say I was right there with them.

   

As the pre-party wrapped up, we all headed to the super posh Sky Bar for the rest of the event. Paparazzi snapped images and grabbed film as everyone filtered into the party. Another fabulous feature had to be the encased Zara Terez handbags that adorned the party area. Lights hit the bags perfectly and continued to catch not only my eye but the eye of almost every other party goer in attendance.

I am honored that I had the opportunity to attend the event, meet the designer AND introduce this fabulous line of handbags to all of our readers. The images below are just some of the many in attendance. Make sure to check out Zara’s handbags and let us know what you think!

We receive countless emails everyday about new and emerging designers that want us to take a look at their line. I wish we had enough time in the day to be able to cover all of them, but we do not. What helps a designer stand out to us is their bags possessing a unique quality. Uniqueness catches my eye first, one of those ‘Ah, haven’t seen anything like that before‘ moments. That is precisely what I feel about LaLucca Handbags. The head designer of LaLucca, Laura Pimentel, was born in the Dominican Republic and trained in both Europe and the USA. Her design aesthetic jumps out and grabs you instantaneously, especially with the LaLucca Art Bag collection.

   

The Art Bag collection was born in Fall 2008 and combines Laura’s handbag know-how with the artistic touch of international artist Aleksandar Kirilov. The collection combines traditional shapes that are hand painted by Kirilov, which means every piece is an original. Vlad, Shannon and I had the pleasure of meeting with the designers behind LaLucca at an event in Miami. We were able to get a close look at the process that goes into creating every Art Bag. The combination of Pimentel and Kirilov forms a magnificent team. The Art Bags are sold like artwork in a gallery, each piece being an original and each piece taking hours of work to create.

   

I fell for LaLucca because of the Art Bag collection in particular. Bold and colorful, each clutch tells a story. A story that can make your outfit but also a story that truly speaks to the person who owns it. I often speak about my love of clutches which grows enormously with a statement piece. Every Art Bag from LaLucca brings something different to the table which I love. You can look at one which is bright and airy and the next which is deep and passionate. The point is, you can find a bag from them that truly speaks to you. There is a possibility of a custom art bag from LaLucca as well, but it is not a guarantee (though wouldn’t that be amazing to have a bag customized for you!). More information and bags available from the Art Bag collection can be found at LaLucca.

   

There is also a signature collection if the Art Bags don’t speak to you. My personal favorite from the signature collection is the Bea Bag for 2009. The size was great for traveling or everyday use and the leather was light yet luxurious. The added, yet sparse studs really gave a great finishing touch. Buy the Bea Bag for $600 via LaLucca.

The good news is, we will have a LaLucca giveaway for you all sometime in the future, so this is not the last time you will hear about this wonderful brand and the designers behind it! Check out LaLucca for more information. And a special thank you to Global Trends Showroom in Miami.

That’s what Scherrei thought, and she also realized that by employing people in South Africa to make the bags, she could improve the well being of many people. Voila, the idea for Tagbags was born. Now, all Tagbags are made in South Africa by the people of the Kayamandi township, which has been particularly hard-struck by poverty and AIDS. The lives of the Kayamandi people depend on Tagbags, because ultimately, the more Tagbags are sold, the more people the company can employ. And that will lead to Scherrei’s goal of changing the village for the better.

Now that you know about Tagbags’ mission, here are some of the bags that they offer. Right now, there are eight styles available on the company’s website. Here are two of our favorites. The Pumla Carrybag is the best kind of everyday tote, the kind that you grab whenever you need to bring everything and the kitchen sink with you. An added perk is the closed top, so that your things don’t tumble out when you (inevitably) overstuff it because you “really needed” to bring that extra pair of shoes. Buy through Tagbag for $69.95. The Confidence Small Sling is little cross-body messenger bag with an inner tube top flap and the same cool buckle as the Pumla. What sets this apart from most of the en vogue mini messengers today is the triangular shape: absolutely essential when you need to carry bulky items that would just look awkward in a lay-flat messenger. Buy through Tagbag for $49.95. And best of all, because all bags are made of recycled materials, no two are the same. Who doesn’t like to be one of a kind?

Be sure to check out TheTagBag.com for more bag styles and information, and don’t forget to read The Beverly Hills Lifestyle magazine, where both Tagbag and the PurseBlog are featured, on page 50 and 59, respectively.

Danielle Nicole DiFerdinando’s passion for fashion started young, like many of us. She went to the Fashion Institute of Technology and later studied in Europe, where her love for the design and manufacturing that goes into major design houses begun. Since then Danielle Nicole launched her handbag line which are composed of luscious Italian lamb leather, crushed patent leather, and French embroidery fabric.

I found a bag from her line that I absolutely 100% adore. You all know what I love in a bag; some slouchy appeal, usability, supple leather. All is there in the Danielle Nicole Kristi Mini Shoulder Bag. Available in a variety of colors, the orchid is my pick as purple complements most women and outfits wonderfully. The slouchy shoulder bag has a knot and fringe detail on the front which is the perfect addition to finish the design. On the inside you will find brown suede lining, two open pockets, and one zip pocket. I adore this bag. I can never have enough slouchy shoulder bags. And this one looks like it would fit snugly, casually, and perfectly on your arm. There is also a larger version with a bow tie at the top of the shoulder strap. Buy through Neiman Marcus for $495. Check out Danielle Nicole online for more from this designer!

Recently I had a chance to speak with Founder and Creative Director of Gustto, Agathe Planchon. As she splits her time between San Diego and NYC it was no shock that I picked up on her easy going and approachable San Diego vibe.

Her story is not only amazing, but also a breath of fresh air. Of course we are all aware of the current state of the economy, but Agathe’s outlook is inspiring and uplifting. More than anything else, it was wonderful to hear that people still dream and believe in success. And it is no wonder so many celebrities have been spotted carrying these bags. They are unique, well made and a great accessory to so many outfits. We’ve had a chance to photograph some of these bags in person for our Bag Art and they were certainly hard to give back. We hope you enjoy the interview and make sure to stay tuned, there is much more Gustto to come!

Shop Gustto

Shoes and handbags seem to go hand in hand. Just as this is the case, there is no way we can leave out other essential accessories, like jewelery! Whether you love rings, bracelets, necklaces, ear-rings, most girls can’t shy away from jewelery of some sort. So just as I love to check out Jimmy Choo handbags and shoes, I love that there is a designer out there who designs two of my favorite things – handbags and jewelery.

I have been eying designer Darby Scott’s creations for a few months now. Each time I look at a handbag or piece of jewelery I am overwhelmed by the elegance, sophistication and versatility of her items. You will find several evening bags that are absolutely to die for. Yet, if you keep looking, you will see that her line continues to expand and she doesn’t just design evening bags anymore. I find myself fixated on the Matte Mercury Alligator Mini Evening Clutch (pictured at the beginning of this post). Sure it is elegant, but the thing that sticks out to me the most is how this bag is bound to appeal to so many women of different ages.

Yes, Darby Scott handbags caught my attention, but the jewelery has got me hooked. Like the Dark Amber Bib Necklace Set, the pieces boast unbelievable precious gems and stones. Yet, it is the way that these stones are arranged and set that really stand out. I am dying to own a piece of her jewelery. I just know that once I own one piece, I’ll want to own so much more. The fashion world is nothing new to Scott, who prior to launching her own brand worked for fashion power players like Karl Lagerfeld and Perry Ellis. Click here to peruse and shop Darby Scott!

So, tell me, what do you think of this designer? Do you like what you see? When it comes to introducing new designers, I am always interested in hearing your feedback. Tell me what you think!!!

Breaking into the designer handbag market is not easy. It takes skill, longevity, the right look, the right name, the right people. Two weeks ago we met the designers behind Hunting Season, a relatively fledgling handbag company which burst into the handbag market and is already sitting comfortably on the main floor at Barneys New York. Danielle Corona, previously with Valentino, and Jason Salstein, formerly with VBH, may be young, but their drive, knowledge, and passion shines through both their personalities and work. Their focus is quality. And with every detail that is taken into account, each handbag proves it is a seasonless masterpiece. These high school friends, who happened to grow up down the road from me, are a dynamite design duo; truly, a force to be reckoned with.

  

We chatted for hours over a delectable Italian meal in the Miami Fashion District, in which we learned Danielle and Jason will eat just about any type of eccentric cuisine (octopus was their appetizer). More importantly we talked about the Hunting Season collection. Their story is jam-packed with stints in Italy to fashion consulting in NYC. They have spent years learning the ropes and being go-to’s for the best of fashion industry. And while the purpose of our lunch was to go over their line, we hit it off with them from the beginning. They are truly a down-to-Earth duo who just so happen to have a brilliant handbag company. Our lunch concluded with an array of Hunting Season bags being shown to us so we could truly see what their brand entailed.

  

The prices of their bags range anywhere from $995 to over $6,000. Don’t be quick to judge. You may not have one of their bags in your hands to inspect, but I can give you my own first hand account. Everything about Hunting Season handbags is taken into consideration, from the materials to the factory to the hardware. Just from feeling and seeing the skins, we knew the highest quality was being used. But if an exotic bag from their collection is out of your price range, you must consider the fashionable City and Weekender. For all of trips Vlad and I take the Weekender would be an amazing travel companion and I would be lying if I said I have not brought it up to Vlad over the past few weeks. The City is a smaller version of the Weekender, perfect for daytime wear. The City goes for $995 while the Weekender will run you $1530 and both can be purchased directly through Hunting-Season.com. We were told many bags and options can be ordered via their website so make sure to inquire. Expect more reviews on Hunting Season to come soon!

Check for more info on Hunting Season at their website. Also, check out Barneys New York as well as Edon Manor (in TriBeCa) for Hunting Season Envelope clutches.

  

PB: How did you decide to start a handbag line?

Well Jason and I always had an interest in fashion and design and we just really loved the idea of handbags. They are wearable pieces of art. The details, knowledge, craft that is required and goes into making one our bags is so intriguing and fascinating. The whole process is almost like a sculpture coming to life. We both love how a woman’s confidence exudes when she picks up a beautiful bag. It is truly empowering. Whether its jeans and a t-shirt or a black tie dress, a handbag completes an outfit. SO when we decided to start the company and create the brand we knew that our artistic freedom would best begin with bags.

PB: How did you end up with the name Hunting Season?

The name HUNTING SEASON actually came to us after a few of the first designs were complete. We drew a lot of inspiration from images reflecting the 1920’s-1940’s including Louis Icart, Erte, and earlier works such as still life’s by Jean-Baptiste Chardin and George Stubbs. We even referenced iconic women such as Great Garbo, Catherine Denueve, Morticia Adams, and Cruella Devil. At the same time we were looking at movies such as Gosford Park and Clue. We loved the idea of English Manor’s, libraries, chesterfield tufted couches, and moors. This fit in well under the hunting and luxury umbrella. We wanted to create not just a product but an aspirational brand. All of these combined alluded to a strong name with a sinister edge. It somehow just popped in our heads and we knew it was great fit!

PB: Which handbag from your line is your favorite, why?

Although it’s extremely hard to pick, but if forced I (Dani) would say it is a toss up between our popular envelope and our crescent. The envelope is such a classic practical bag. It can be worn with almost anything and to any occasion day or night. And of course fabrication is endless, be it python, leather, ostrich, satin, alligator, shagreen, pony etc, but I (Dani) have found myself gravitating to the black shiny alligator. It goes with everything and is so chic and timeless. The crescent is precious. It is like a jewel, delicate yet powerful. The frame is handmade in Italy by the best metal maker in the world. He works with the best houses including Chanel, Hermes and Vuitton. Our Duchess for this upcoming Fall season however, especially in the Purple Rainbow Python, is creeping on my (Jason) list though. The juxtaposition between the edgy skin and the ladylike shape turned out magnificently. But the city bag is the most easy to wear take anywhere and durable. Throw it on with a pair of jeans and a t-shirt and your ready to go! You will look chic and effortless doing so!

PB: The hardest part about breaking into the accessory world…?

The hardest part about breaking into the accessory world is patience. Since the fashion industry is so over-saturated, you have to believe in your vision and product and hope and just stay true to it. It takes time to develop a brand and find the right factories and business partners. But with the right formula, hard work, and perseverance it all becomes worth it.

PB: Plans for 2009?

Well at this moment we plan on keeping the line exclusive and sold at the best stores around the world, remaining selective and catering to the consumer who understands quality and beauty. We slowly are adding international and domestic accounts strategically and are beginning to look into creating other products including men’s, as well as creating limited edition couture pieces and collaborations. A few things are in the works, but we would like to remain silent until the launch is complete and we are ready to execute them best.

When using acrylics on cotton canvas to make the clutches, Rebecca went through a lot of trial and error. She said that she has spent much time perfecting her technique in order to make sure the color doesn’t bleed, crack, or fade. Yet, all the hours that went into creating these pieces of art made into handbags was worth it. The end result isn’t just a clutch. It is a piece of art. Imagine carrying one of these as you head out. I imagine countless people stopping and inquiring about what I was carrying. The clutches are fabulous and we are more than extactic that we get to share them with you. Make sure to take a look at other options by clicking here.

Proenza Schouler Bags

Proenza Schouler has been in the industry since 2002 and was founded by Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough. The brand, which designs a high-end line of women’s apparel, recently delved into the world of handbags and shoes. Their handbag line is so extraordinary that we know you will love it. The reason I am raving is because these styles cater to my exact style, want, and need, when I am looking for a handbag. Proenza Schouler Bags have started to make a name for themselves as the fashion world has been going nuts over their designs. It started with Mary Kate Olsen carrying the famed Proenza Schouler PS1.

The overall feel of Proenza Schouler Bags is what really has my attention. I am not a couture, designer label from head-to-toe gal. I am a jeans and tee shirt kind of girl. I believe in a great pair of jeans and the right bag. A little laid back, but still timeless and elegant. I am not always into super structured bags, I typically prefer a bit of a slouch to my bags. And this is precisely why I am in love with the Proenza Schouler PS1 bags!

Proenza Schouler stuck to the PS1 line by offering a convertible satchel in medium and large and a pouchette. Both are available in a variety of colors and leather, python skin, and suede. Prices start at $895 for the pouchette and go as high as $4,250 for the large PS1. My only problem is narrowing it down to which bag I must have from their line. Suede is hard to clean, but the mustard suede PS1 looks stunning. And I love the midnight blue. So many choices. But I will make a choice, and dub this bag a holiday gift from Purse Blog to myself. Buy Proenza Schouler Bags at Barneys.

I have to say, I feel so lucky sometimes. An example of this would be the opportunities I have to interview new designers. But, more than that, when I speak with an amazing designer who makes gorgeous handbags, I can’t wait to share everything with all of you! Not that long ago, I had the chance to talk with Erin Voorhies, the founder and creative designer of KEMPT handbags. We had a fantastic conversation over the phone where I was able to learn a little more about how she got into the handbag business, her line and herself.

Erin was gracious enough to send us a few KEMPT handbag samples so we could see them in person. Erin and I agreed, purchasing handbags really is a complete experience. It was great to hold the bags, try them all, notice the amazing attention to detail and feel the amazing materials (ie: anaconda and ostrich) she uses. Vlad shot the bags here in our studio and he talked about how immaculate the quality of the bags was for days! We hope you enjoy the introduction as much as we did.

PB: How long have you been interested in handbags?

EV: Since I was a little girl, I have always been interested in accessories. My grandmother was a huge influence. For as long as I can remember I was always making bags for myself and my friends. In 2006 I started the collection. For me, if my hands aren’t involved in creating something, I get antsy, I always need to be creating something.

PB: What is your main inspiration?

EV: Materials. Ideas stem from the material, anything from swatches to thread can inspire me. All of the hardware I use is custom, actually, every part of each bag is customized.

PB: Do you see a big difference in the way you now design bags compared to when you first began?

EV: Ya, I learned along the way. I picked up on functionality along the way. At the same time I always wanted to take the feedback I received from users into account. I work on finding the balance between the feedback I get and staying true to myself. I find that a design is successful when it is functional, beautiful and timeless.

PB: Who are you designing for when you design your bags (what kind of audience fo you try and appeal to)?

EV: I don’t really think it is about age. My designs are about sensibility and a fine eye. I want to appeal to people interested in classic pieces, those individuals who are sophisticated and not necessarily interested in logos or the latest fad.

PB: How do you think you would feel if you saw a celebrity carrying one of your bags?

EV: It would be great! But at the same time, it isn’t something that I am searching for.

PB: What are the next steps for you and the line?

EV: Evening bags and smaller accessories like belts. Long term I would love to have an eclectic store which offers a variety of things.

PB: If you could vacation anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

EV: Well, I am heading to Lake Placid which will be great. I love places where you can hike, but on the flip side, I love the ocean. So, I guess I would love the best of both worlds.

Speaking with Erin was wonderful. I could hear the passion for her handbags and the quality and care she puts into them. She is a designer who really holds the highest standard for quality and craftsmanship. Check out the rest of her handbags through the KEMPT website.

Thanks again to Erin!

I truly feel that not just buying but also lusting after handbags should be a complete experience. And as much as we all love our current favorite designer, if nothing else, it is always fun and exciting to broaden your horizons and maybe even be turned onto new designers. In fact, I love when I am carrying a lesser known designer handbag and I get stopped by someone who is admiring the bag. It makes me feel like I am on the cutting edge! What about the image to the right? Does it intrigue you a bit? Luckily, I had a chance to see a few of the bags in person as well as have the designer, Ellie answer a few questions. Click here to learn a bit about Ellie and see some of her fabulous handbag designs!

We are excited to introduce Abbe Held, the creative director, behind the designer handbag line Kooba. As Megs and Vlad plan their next trip to NYC, and line up their meetings, we are thrilled to think about the interviews, insider information and fun details we will be able to share with you upon their return. We’ve been in contact with the wonderful people at Kooba and while in NYC Megs and Vlad will have the opportunity to meet Abbe in person. But, until the full interview occurs, we thought we would whet your appetite just a tad. Abbe was gracious enough to answer a few questions for us and we love that we can offer some insight to all of our readers. We hope you enjoy this teaser and eagerly await the full interview like we do!

PB: Abbe, how did you originally get involved in the handbag world?

Abbe Held: Actually, it was my mother who got me involved….she has a great passion for accessories and vintage shopping and continues to be my style inspiration. As we shopped for bags, we would never find exactly what we wanted to wear – handbags that had an edge or contemporary sense of style. Living in New York City, I was struck by how much sameness there was in the marketplace, so my mother and I took the leap and founded Kooba.

Click here to read the rest of the questions we asked Abbe!

Recently, we had the chance to sit down with New York-based designer Kara Ross, discover her collection of exotics and learn more about her background, knowledge and motivation. Enjoy!

Click here to read the full interview!

Out of the bags I looked at, the Camila Hobo (image at the top of this post) was the only one I could *maybe* see myself carrying. Of course, the material is beautiful and the detail is note-worthy. I do like the distressed croc-embossed leather with drawstring detail and topstitching. Her other bags use similar material and have a similar feel while offering different shapes, colors, designs, and details. The bags I looked at run anywhere from about $600 to over $1,000. I understand the material being used and the craftmanship drives the price up, but personally, I don’t really like any of the bags enough to buy them. But, if you have this kind of money to spend and say you want to buy the Camila Hobo, you can do so through Shopbop for $1,056.00.

Sang A Rosette River Woven Eel | $2156
The classic River Tote is updated with a detailed rosette effect, which gives the perfect texture on this exotic eel skin.

Sang A Violet Jade Ostrich | $2275
A saturated deep hue of purple is combined with supple ostrich skin to make a perfect hand held clutch.

Sang A Black River Large Alligator | $15632
Large, exotic, and in charge! This is the ultimate alligator tote from Sang A

Sang A Lemon Flash Pony hair | $856
The lemon pony hair adds texture to the ultra modern shape of the Flash clutch

Click here to read the full interview!

There is nothing more invigorating for a handbag enthusiast than to be introduced to a new line that excites you. There are so man ordinary handbag designers out there now, in fact, the handbag world is cluttered with designers and it becomes hard to sift through the masses to find the gems. There is a new gem that will be on the talk of the handbag world soon enough, and that is JT Handbags. I was introduced to the line by Sari Brown from Lux Couture and then further introduced through emails and phone calls from the duo Jeffrey Parker and Tony Ta, the “J” and the “T” of JT. The men behind JT Handbags considered themselves to grow up professionally in New York, but decided to move to Florence, Italy where the right product with the right artisans could be created.

Florence is well-known, but many do not realize that a huge bulk of designer houses and designers work right out of Florence. At times you can walk through the streets and catch a scent of the fresh leather seeping under doorways, letting you know behind those doors a handbag that you may carry is being made. JT Handbags was not rushed into production, rather Jeffrey and Tony spent two years perfecting their debut collection and launched in October 2007. The worked long enough and perfected the designs impeccably, as the love and hype surrounding the brand is growing exponentially daily.

From speaking with the designers and learning more about their brand and their attitude it is apparent that they take a fresh approach on all that they do. For the JT Handbags showroom they converted a 1952 double decker London bus with hosted a reception and a showing of their collection. The idea was imaginative and will surely stick in the minds of those that attended for years to come.

  

  

JT Italia prides themselves in doing what they do well. They want their bags to be introduced to select retail partners and discerning clientele. And while the push is not to be an overnight sensation rather a slow and deliberate growth, the JT Handbag designs are organically creating their own stir and hype. It is not shocking then that a star like Rihanna was spotted carrying the JT Italia HB Satchel in red eel skin.

On to the bags! The only problem that I am faced with now is having never touched the bags in person, and yes, that must be changed. To really know a bag you must feel it. Touch it, look at it, try it on. See how each and every stitch is made, the quality of the inside as well as the outside. And this I plan on doing shortly, so I can bring you a personal account of what a JT handbag is like in person. For now though I can tell you about what they offer and what to expect from the design duo.

The Spring/Summer 2008 collection carries four lines; Earth, Water, Air, and Paradise. Each bag is meticulously crafted, adding subtle hints of leather genius throughout. The exclusive distributor for the JT Italia Handbags online is Lux Couture. Her stock is usually stocked with more than the web site may suggest, give her a call, mention Purse Blog sent you and she’ll find you what you are looking for.

Below are some of my favorite bags from JT Italia along with the prices:

JT HB Satchel in Flesh | $3,440.00 via Lux Couture
Made entirely by hand, this voluminous bag is practically couture and absolutely stunning.

JT UL Tote in Navy | $2,495.00 via Lux Couture
This updated take on the classic bowling bag, is brilliantly modern and fabulously luxurious.

JT YY Clutch, embroidered linen trimmed in buffalo | $2,290.00 inquire at Lux Couture

We will post additional information on JT Italia handbags in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.

The handbag world has been buzzing about Zagliani bags, which are injected with silicone to add a super buttery feel to the bags. We featured the Zagliani Metallic Python Clutch earlier and from the moment I laid eyes on it I was in love. Now my only issue is deciding whether to go for one of their python bags or crocodile bags. Decisions, decisions. The designer behind the bags, Mauro Orietti-Carella, started in the field of dermatology, learning to make patients skin smooth and beautiful. And now this technique is being used on handbags and has everyone talking. It is brilliant though. Why not treat the skin of the bag you are about to buy? If you are splurging on an expensive exotic handbag you want a sturdy bag that will last forever. Zagliani bags are working their way up the handbag chain, garnering the approval and love of handbag enthusiasts and celebs world-wide. So what is your take on this handbag line? Fab or Drab?

“Zagliani was founded 70 years ago as a company that specialized in exotic skins bags. We are not following a fashion moment. We do not make as much as the market demands because we are concerned about the use of too many skins, and will only work in an ethical and environmentally responsible way.” – Zagliani designer Mauro Orietti-Carella

4) Zagliani Yume Python Satchel | $2,900
5) Zagliani Metallic Python Clutch | $2,195
6) Zagliani Metallic Python Puffy Bag | $3,385

‘Frank Smythson opened his first shop on 29th September 1887 at 133 New Bond Street. His trade card described his business as ‘First class stationery, leather goods and cabinet work’.’ Smythson still stands on New Bond Street, directly across from the original shop, where it continues to thrive and catch the attention of handbag and accessory lovers worldwide. The handbags have been produced for over 100 years now and have kept touch with Smython’s London roots. Bags are named to show a strong British connection; Bond Street, Mayfair, Bridgwater and Berkeley. The designs are simple, but highly usable and elegant. The designs have continued to provide utmost usability to the buyer. After I was introduced to the new Nancy line from Smythson, I immediately fell in love with the clutches. Made in a wide variety of colors, the Smythson Nancy Clutch is a design aimed to be alluring and timeless while adding a colorful punch. The clutch is available in black, white, turquoise, taupe, yellow, red, and emerald. While some versions are all leather while others are fabric with leather trim, the clutch features a framed top and luscious quilting on the front. My only problem is deciding which color I would like. The wide variety of colors makes me want a different color for a different occasion, but if I am going for a neutral I am leaning towards the taupe. It is subtle and elegant. Dimensions are 6.25″ x 11″ x 3″. View all of the Nancy Handbags from Smythson at their online store.