Introducing Bag Designers (Page 2)

If there’s one thing on which we can all agree around here, it’s that fake bags are the opposite of awesome. Both eBay and the Council of Fashion Designers of America are on board that ship as well, and they’ve gotten together to start the “You Can’t Fake Fashion” tote bag campaign, which launches at 11 a.m. today on the eBay Fashion Vault.

To mark the launch of the $35 anti-fake tote bags, whose proceeds benefit the CFDA Foundation, eBay and the CFDA asked 50 American brands and designers to customize one-of-a-kind totes that will retail for $150 each. From a minimal, modernist version by The Row to appliqued black lace from Jason Wu to illustrations by Rodarte, the designers came through. Some of the designs are better than others, of course, but we’ve got pictures of all of them after the jump. Which one is your favorite? If you’d like to purchase one of the regular or customized totes to support eBay’s and the CFDA’s fight against fakes, visit the eBay Fashion Vault at 11 a.m. today.

I know it’s old news that Nicole Richie has transformed herself from Paris Hilton’s snotty reality TV sidekick to a respectable mom with a very chic contemporary clothing line, but every time I hear something about House of Harlow, I can’t help but reflect on how far Richie has come. And now that House of Harlow has announced that it will expand into handbags for Fall 2011, I’ll probably be having those thoughts a lot more.

Women’s Wear Daily reports that the 14-piece collection will run the gamut of bag sizes from clutches (some seen above) to hobos, with prices ranging for $150 to $625. It’s surprising that it took the label this long to move into bags; Richie is known for her accessories, after all. Based on the clutches above, do you think you’ll be moved to buy a House of Harlow bag? They’ll be available through Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom and ShopBop.com.

Image via Refinery 29.

Usually when a Bravolebrity starts a handbag or clothing line of some sort, everyone rolls their eyes and frets about the state of the creative arts. But superstylist Rachel Zoe isn’t your average reality TV star; whether you like her personal aesthetic or not, you have to admit that she’s beyond brilliant at what she does. So when rumblings were first heard six months ago that Zoe would be releasing her own line of clothing, shoes and accessories, most people reserved judgment until the line had actually surfaced. The verdict? Not bad, Ms. Zoe. Not bad at all. Not revolutionary, but very serviceable.

Now that the pre-orders for the line are available exclusively through NeimanMarcus.com, we can finally get a close look at the bags and handle on the type of prices Zoe hopes to command. As it turns out, the bags are neutral and functional, and the prices fit right in to the contemporary market. We have purchase information and bigger pictures of our favorites after the jump, or you can shop the entire collection via Neiman Marcus.

I have to be completely honest: I’ve never been much of a bag hook girl. I completely understand the idea behind them and know that some people live for using their bag hooks, but not me. When I was first contacted by Mon Mode, I glanced over the email and gave the image a quick glance. What first caught my eye is the design of the Mon Mode Fashion Purse Hook, sleek and entirely fashion-forward with options of exotic skin and jewel like finishes. So I decided to try the hook out myself.

Waiting really does suck. If you are a True Blood fanatic like we are, then you have also been suffering from True Blood withdrawal. HBO realized the fashion world had an uncanny obsession with the vampire, werewolf, and fairy world so the company teamed up with Hammitt Los Angeles to create a line of bags geared toward the show and its fans.

Vlad and I attended the launch event for the line at the end of March and were ultimately delighted with many of the bags being offered and the overall theme of the gathering. They served red velvet cupcakes, which were washed down with “Tru Blood,” a fizzy, blood orange drink, and the tables were set with Black Magic roses. As we walked around the room and sipped on blood and dined on treats, we were able to view the bag collection.

Fashion power designer Nicole Miller has already dressed some of the most beautiful and stylish women on the face of the planet, and now she has her sights set on the handbag world. Typically when a designer first enters a new realm, there are a few seasons of trial and error before the designs start to flow. But the opposite can be said for Miller, who started with a innovative concept in her Bicycle Chain Bag and doesn’t show any signs of slowing down.

Nicole Miller’s Fall 2011 collection mixes edgy downtown style with an affordable price tag, which is a powerful combination indeed. The overall theme revolves around bike chains and other bike accessories. While that may sound chintzy, any trepidation disappears once you see how the designs have been realized. Rugged and biker-chic come to mind when we previewed the fall collection, and I can’t wait to see how Miller expands on these ideas for future designs.

Gerard Darel 24 Hours Bag, $399 via Bloomingdales.

So far, the only thing we don’t like about Gerard Darel is that it can be very difficult to find in the United States. The reasonably priced French line with an ardent cult following counts stars like Eva Longoria and Halle Berry among its stable of dedicated fans, but looking to buy the company’s bags online when you live in the US can be an exercise in futility. Until now, that is.

Bloomingdales.com has picked up the line with some of the brand’s greatest hits, including the Gerard Darel 24 Hours Shoulder Bag. These pictures don’t really do the design justice, as is often the case with stock photos, but the leathers that Darel uses are top-notch and the designs are functional and seasonless. Here’s hoping that the Internet selection for the brand’s US fans continues to expand.

Shop Gerard Darel via Bloomingdales.com!