It’s been a while since I’ve seen a collection of accessories as joyful as those from Lanvin Fall 2012. Celebrating Alber Elbaz’s 10th anniversary at the previously defunct French house, every look was filled with enough handbags, jewelry, gloves and furs to satisfy even the most maximalist of personal tastes. Of course, the looks will be broken down to their elements for retail and you can wear just one giant mirror necklace or marble-inlaid (it looks like marble, anyway) clutch, but why settle for just the basics?

I’ve been trying all week to think of something appropriate to say about the Lanvin Amalia Patchwork Snakeskin Tote and I just…can’t. I can’t! It’s Friday and I’m out of words, and this bag might be so complicated that it has now damaged my eyesight, which makes any attempts on my part to accurately review it utterly futile. So! That’s where you guys come in.

Lanvin isn’t a company that messes with its stable of handbags often. Sure, seasonal styles come and go, but rarely does the French house launch a new design that will be added to the small group of bags that it produces season after season. Staring with Summer 2011, the Lanvin JL Bowling Bag will be the newest piece on that very short list.

Lanvin Minaudiere Satin Shell Clutch, $1490 via Net-a-Porter

In general, a good rule of them is that two is a coincidence, three’s a trend. If that’s the case, then I’m ready to call shell bags a full-on fad; not only did Versace and Chanel both show shell purses during their respective Spring 2012 runway shows, but now Lanvin has dropped the Lanvin Minaudiere Satin Shell Clutch.

Last week, I went with a few friends to see the Collection of Elizabeth Taylor at Christie’s in NYC. From extravagant evening gowns to Chanel bags galore, there was a wide array of items to see. But the driving force behind this viewing for the majority of people there was Liz Taylor’s jewels, and boy did they sparkle! I found plenty of items that were gorgeous (but not quite my taste) that I will forever dream about owning.

Lanvin Madame Lanvin Shoulder Bag, $2485. Lanvin Runway Tortoise Bag, $3850. Both via Neiman Marcus.

For me, the most interesting element of tiny, structured bags like the Lanvin Madame Lanvin Shoulder Bag and Lanvin Runway Tortoise Shoulder Bag is the discipline required to carry one. Long have most of us been accustomed to dumping everything we might need into our handbags and lugging that stuff with us all day; the big-bag trends of the last five years gave us that luxury.

Lanvin Gypsie Straw and Snakeskin Tote, $2190 via Bergdorf Goodman

When a bag is as popular as the Celine Luggage Tote, it’s only logical that other brands will try to stand in the reflected glow of the design’s success by debuting bags that share certain characteristics with the one that everyone wants. This practice is as old as time, and it’s how trends in size, shape and color start.

Images via Vogue.com

Yes! Finally! Thank you, Lanvin. This has been a down season for handbags thus far, at least on the runway. With almost every show that I expect to wow me, I come away a tad disappointed, and I was fearful that the same would happen with Lanvin Spring 2012. Alber Elbaz didn’t let me down, though; he never does.

Watch the video now!

Friday, you are here!! That means fist pumps and party time, or in my case shopping, movies, and long walks. Either way, TGIF to all PurseBlog readers. I wanted to end this week on a light note, with the clever yet hilarious Lanvin Fall-Winter 2012 Ad Campaign video.

We’ve got Pitbull music in the background and beautiful models adorned in Lanvin attempting to dance.

Lanvin Lizard Box Clutch, $2127 via Matches

Yesterday, I got to talking about my love for Lanvin in general and Alber Elbaz in particular over at TalkShoes, and now I’m prepared to do to do the same here. Bags like the Lanvin Lizard Box Clutch just inspire that in me. I could look at this little bag all day, mostly because it shirks the traditional conventions of evening bags in order to pursue a look that’s a bit more unexpected; you won’t find any gleaming hardware or intricate beading here.