Introducing...

While Vlad was out scheming and meticulously planning a surprise proposal, he also had the pleasure of meeting a local designer who is in the accessory field as well. Constance Tisdale is the designer behind the brand It’s Myne designs. She specializes in using 925 sterling silver and Swarovski crystals. You can pick from all letters of the alphabet, a heart, or the circular bamboo bones collection. After picking your shape you have the option to choose the color of your crystals (including topaz, sapphire, rose, and peridot). Each piece costs $100 and there is an option for a sterling silver chain, slip knot for your handbag, or key ring with each piece. Find more information at It’s Myne or contact Constance via email.

True Religion Leyla Bag | $758 via Neiman Marcus

True Religion has become a household name for their amazing jeans. The jeans are edgy and have a little western feel, but fit amazing and have signature pockets that are hard to mistake. With the success of their denim line, True Religion has decided to branch out into handbags. True Religion handbags are designed by Leslie Hsu, fourteen-year design veteran who previously designed for brands Calvin Klein and Tahari. She has opted for fine hand dyed cotton and Italian leathers in the handbag line, and has included weekend bags, hobos, satchels, clutches, and key chains which are all adorned with the signature True Religion horseshoe logo. The handbag line is very in tune with the denim line; adding a chic casual touch with a pinch of western appeal.

When asked about the line she designed and what kind of woman would carry True Religion handbags, Hsu Replied ” I HOPE THAT TRUE RELIGION HANDBAGS APPEAL TO THE WOMAN WHO WANTS A HANDBAG DIFFERENT FROM WHAT’S OUT THERE. IN A SEA OF GREAT LOOKING BAGS, IT’S SO HARD TO MAKE AN ORIGINAL STYLE STATEMENT ABOUT YOURSELF. BUT THROUGH COLOR & STYLE, I THINK YOU CAN SAY SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF WITH A TRUE RELIGION BAG. THEY ARE LUXURIOUS AND SEXY WITH A TOUCH OF BOHEMAIN CHIC, SYNONOMOUS WITH TRUE RELIGION’S SENSE OF STYLE. I WANT THE BAGS TO BE EASY TO WEAR, BUT ALWAYS A CONVERSATION PIECE. I HOPE THAT THE WOMAN WHO WEARS A TRUE RELIGION HANDBAG IS A STRONG WOMAN WHO HAS SOMETHING UNIQUE TO SAY ABOUT HER OWN STYLE. AND MOST OF ALL, I HOPE SHE LOVES IT!”.

Right now, the handbags are already available at Neiman Marcus online and will be carried at major department stores and boutiques world wide. Prices will range from $58 for small leather goods to $898 for handbags.

View more True Religion handbags below!

Moe Click Bags

The problem with many clutches is that they look great, but you get sick of carrying them in your hand. That means you only have one hand, and it makes everything a little more difficult. There has been a huge buzz around the easy to carry Moe Click Bags which are created by Mary Rambin. Mary created her handbag line, especially the C.L.I.C.K bag, with ease of use in mind and effortless style. She created these bags after being faced with what many of us are daily when we peer into our closet; frustration with the burden of impractical evening purses. Available in a wide variety of colors and materials, the Click Bag has been sported on the red carpet. There are great bridal versions as well, which you can specially order in whichever color or quantity desired. The most important thing about the Click bag is that it is sensible. It gets the job done for many different events. Prices vary, but range from $175 for leather and spring fabrics and tops out around $210-$230. Check out Moe Bags online to see where you can buy the Click Bags.

Image via Splash News

Only in today’s day and age can a teenager become famous by appearing on a scripted reality show. The Laguna Beach turned Hills star, Lauren Conrad, has been riding a high since MTV decided to cast film her and her life. While her internship at Teen Vogue is over, LC has ventured off on her own and now is designing clothing. Too bad her ex-boss, the genius Lisa Love, thinks her line is “more T-shirt kind of things and jeans, very simple basics.” Ouch! Love did not have great things to say about Lauren, especially about her love of partying, but the show must move on. Lauren Conrad has paired up with Linea Pelle to design her own line of handbags. She has been seen sporting the bags herself, but the wait is on to hear whether those in the fashion world think her bags are fab or drab. She designed three bags; the LC Tote, the LC coin purse, and the LC Clutch. All three are available online at Linea Pelle.

 Loading ...

Click to see her three designs!

Andrea Brueckner Handbags

Canadian born Andrea Brueckner has been making waves in the handbag world. But this should not be surprising, as her bags are designed impeccably and come together beautifully. Andrea Brueckner was born in Canada but studied fashion design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. After her studies, Brueckner apprenticed under master-mind menswear tailor, Craig Robinson, learning the art of draping and patern making, which now can be seen in her handbag line. Her debut handbag line was released in 2004, and has been picked up by a slue of stores and online boutiques since. She has garnered a long list of press and many of Hollywood’s girls have been seen sporting her bags, such as Jessica Alba. Below are some of my favorite bags from this hot new designer. Be sure to check out her newly re-vamped website, which sports clean lines and beautiful collection photos! To shop for any of her bags go to Andrea Brueckner Shop section.

Cardiff Medium Satchel | $545 via Andrea Brueckner

Large Market Tote | $398 via Andrea Brueckner

More of my favorites and Jessica Alba below

Beatrice, owner of April in Paris

There is something about Paris that changes people. If you have been, you will know what I mean. If you have not, you must go. Beatrice Amblard, the designer behind April in Paris, was only 16 when she visited Paris for the first time, but it was love at first sight. “The smell of the leather, the glue and the wax went right to my nose. I decided right there on the spot that I would become a master artisan in leather.”

And what better place to work with leathers than Hermes in Paris? Beatrice was hired as an apprentice where she learned the art of creating handbags. At Hermes, she worked on the famous Hermes Kelly for 14 years. The craftsmen and women of Hermes are famous in their own right; as they are able to perfect the double stitch and meticulously create leather masterpieces.

Beatrice took all that she learned and opened her own boutique, April in Paris in the San Francisco in 2000. She focuses on classic and contemporary pieces. Being the only Hermes leather artisan to open a store in the US, Beatrice is able to bring something to the table that is lacking in this “it bag of the season” market, timeless elegance. She spends 60 hours a week using centuries-old tools to make wallets, belts, briefcases, and handbags. While her products are not ‘cheap’, they are a fabulous option to Hermes, the brand that is hard to come by and whose prices are going through the roof. It is very evident that Bea has a Hermes background, as her craftsmanship is divine and some of her bags have a feeling of Hermes.

Every piece is made-to-order, so there is a waiting period of 4-6 weeks. Yet this insures that you can choose a design, color, and material, to make a tailored finished product to your liking. Currently, all handbag orders can be placed via phone, 415.750.9910, or you can Beatrice directly at bea@aprilinparis.us . Right now, there is a shopping option for small leather accessories and belts (all to die for also!)

With every big fashion house pushing out trendy bag after trendy bag, we sometimes forget about the delights of smelling the beautiful leather of a new bag and inspecting every fine detail of a well-made bag. Because of this, I find April in Paris to be a refreshing and delightful line, brought to us by a top-notch artisan.
Visit April in Paris online or at her store located at 55 Clement Street, San Francisco, CA 94118.

Below are 4 of the latest designs by Beatrice:

1) Celeste, black millennium alligator $6500

Continue reading →

After picking up a tourmaline stone on an African safari and designing it into a ring at the age of 13, Kara Ross knew she had a vision and would love to design. Kara Ross is now known for her exotic one-of-a-kind handbags, her divine jewelry, and her use of precious and semi-precious stones. Kara expects a woman who wears her designs to have an ‘independent and unique sense of style and be classic yet willing to take risks and stand out’. In 2002, Kara launched a fine jewelry line which was and still is a huge success. And in 2006, she launched her line of exotic handbags. Her handbags have been widely praised and are being carried in stores like Neiman Marcus and being seen in the hands of many celebrities.

Her vision is clear, her designs are breathtaking, and her pieces are truly different from all others. Kara Ross handbags implement classic elegance with a new age touch. The focal point of her bags is the stone that she may use at the closure paired with the exotic skins. Kara is not afraid to mix and match exotics on each bag, really making the handbag stand out and garner all attention. Below are a few of my favorite bags from Kara Ross. Her designs are eye-catching, stunning, and easy to love. Check out more designs, including her jewelry, at Kara Ross online.

Kara Ross Lucis Silver Python Bag. $2,575
This bag pairs silver python with fuschia alligator to make a stunning compilation! There is shiny silver hardware and rock crystal detail.

See more of my picks below!

Many of my leather handbags are from huge designer labels. Yet when I look for an exotic, I love turning to new designers. They are able to bring us the exotics that we lust for with a special touch. Sari Brown, owner of Lux Couture, is constantly introducing me to new designers that work with exotics. She recently told me about a great company, Bird Handbags, that offers chic and easily wearable ostrich, snake skin, and lamb leather bags. After looking into this new company, I fell in love. Liz Carey is the designer behind Bird Handbags and has lived a life you would read about in a trendy magazine.

Click here for more on Bird Handbags!

Get used to hearing her name, because Rebecca Minkoff is now household. We had the pleasure of interviewing the young fabulous handbag designer, and now we are bringing you news of a recent partnership Rebecca has teamed up on. Momoberry by Sanrio has added a new co-branded collection for the Holiday season with their Rebecca Minkoff for Momoberry line. The handbags have already hit the stores, including the Momberry boutique in LA, along with SANRIO shops across the country, and online. There are four handbags offered, including a coin purse, a clutch, a satchel, and a tote. All of the handbags offer Rebecca’s signature sexy and chic leather handbag touch along with Hello Kitty graphics. On both the tote and the satchel, the only Hello Kitty additions are on the hardware, and the inside lining, which makes these handbags perfect for the customer that loves Hello Kitty yet is not looking for it to take away from the bag. The coin purse and clutch offer a more recognizable Hello Kitty pattern, that is cute and perfect for smaller accessories. These handbags are limited edition and can be bought online right now at Sanrio.

Click on the images to enlarge!

Click here for the full review...

(Top left to right: Verbena, Sequoia. Bottom left to right: Conus, Viola)

I always appreciate getting emails from designers about their new handbag lines. It is hard to find out about each new designer myself, so getting an email gives me the perfect heads up. This post is long over-due, but this is a new brand that offers a great selection of practical everyday handbags. Today I am introducing you to Catherine Adair Handbags, which were featured on The Rachel Ray Show on October 5th of this year. The designer behind Catherine Adair is Catherine, who goes by the name Cate. Cate is not new to the fashion world, having been the Emmy-nominated Costume Designer for the well-known series, Desperate Housewives. With an outreach like Desperate Housewives carries, Cate has been credited with influencing fashion trends in 203 countries. While you watch this series, you undoubtedly check out the designer outfits of the ladies (as I always have) and wonder who thinks it up and where you can get the outfits. Now Cate has branched into the handbag design world, offering extensive knowledge and experience in the industry, her designs are geared toward the multi-tasking woman. Right now her collection can be viewed online and is available in stores such as Fred Segal and Kitson.

I was sent a handbag to try out and offer you all insight to this new line. Cate sent me the Pandora Tote, which falls under her Monterey collection. The bag offers a slightly western feel, yet the leather is very durable and the bag is over all practical. At times I may get a new bag to try out, and on paper it looks great, but it does not always translate. With Cate’s bags, this is not the case. The bag I was sent looks just as it does on paper, only it is better. My laptop fits in the bag perfectly, only peeking out of the top a little bit. While my lap top is heavy (aren’t they are?) but this bag’s deep dimensions are perfect for your lap top or other work essentials. My tan version is a great everyday color, but this bag is also available in black, espresso, and teal. There is also an east/west version of this bag, which is a shape I typically am drawn to, that is called the Verbena (also part of the Monterey collection).

Check out this new designers collection at Cate Adair online.