Mulberry

Mulberry Antony Messenger Bag

I have been a fan of this Mulberry bag from day one. It is small, practical, and cute. It is like the perfect tourist bag and the perfect bag if you do not have young children. Because while the dimensions of the Mulberry Antony Messenger Bag are decent (8″W x 10.5″H x 3″D), they are not quite large enough for the woman with young children who require hoards of carry-ons. This bag features black leather and golden hardware. The top has a flap closure with a clasp fastening, which is easy enough to get in and out of, and an adjustable canvas shoulder strap (18.5″ drop). When I say this is a great tourist bag, I mean for the tourist that is sensible. If you ever travel with me, you will notice, that I carry every single possible-possibility I may need. If you need Advil, an inhaler, Benadryl, 15 different lip glosses, three wallets, camera, batteries, map, water bottle, snack, etc. You can be assured that traveling with me means if there is a power outage and we are stuck in an elevator, we will be good for at least three days. So while this bag is not suitable for my travel needs (or daily needs for that matter), there are people out there much more practical when it comes to packing that this could work for. It is also great for the younger crowd that just does not need that big of a bag. Buy through NAP for $395.

Mulberry Large Soho Bags

Mulberry has a preview of their Spring/Summer 2008 collection online, which has a new bag that I just love. There seems to be a lack of great mid-sized bags. I have the longest list of clutches that I adore and the longest list of large handbags that I yearn for, but the mid-sized bags either look too small, oddly shaped, or just wrong. My problem is that most large bags that I carry, I use to tote around. I would love a great mid-sized bag to put on my shoulder and actually have it fit and stay there, giving me use of both hands. Mulberry has added a twist on their Bayswater to a smaller version that may be just right. The Mulberry Large Soho Bags offer a soft scoop shape on this shoulder bag. The front features a large magnetic buckle closure with a tab. Another plus is the adjustable shoulder strap; so add as much or as little slack as you would like. Just like the Mulberry Basywater is available in plain leather and ostrich (seriously stunning purple ostrich!), so is the Soho Bag. They offer a chic coral ostrich Soho Bag which costs approximately $2,928. And in leather, there is both a chocolate and antique gold, costing $1,077.

In July, editor of Pop magazine, Katie Grand, was named the replacement of Mulberry’s creative director, Stuart Vevers who is moving to Loewe in January. But Mulberry did not have an easy time assigning a new creative director, because just a few weeks ago Grand resigned only a few months before she was set to begin. While the reasoning for her resigning is still unknown, Mulberry had to re-start their search. Mulberry found another replacement naming Emma Hill as the creative director whose designs will debut with the spring 2009 collection. Emma Hill has previously worked at Marc Jacobs, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Calvin Klein, Chloe, and Gap.

[press info below]

Mulberry announces the appointment of Emma Hill as Creative Director with effect from the Spring/Summer 2009 collections.

Emma is a widely acclaimed designer who is credited with the success of accessories collections for many of the great brands including the launch of Marc by Marc Jacobs and bags for Gap.

A Ravensbourne graduate, Emma is looking forward to coming home to a British brand after her years in New York and Paris.

Emma says “I’ve always loved Mulberry and look forward lending my skills to build on the brand’s exciting recent achievements and secure its position in the international marketplace.”

Mulberry welcomes Emma Hill to head the design team and oversee all creative functions of the company. Lisa Montague looks forward to bolstering the creative force of Mulberry as the brand embarks on new challenges and brings in resource for future development.

Change is always good. And Mulberry has undergone a site renovation adding great features and falling snowflakes for the winter season. The snowfall is my favorite, it simply gets me in the Holiday spirit right away (kind of like our Purse Blog Winter Theme). Even better is that you can download a snowing desktop application, which means the cheer can transfer onto your screen at all times. Below is the information about the website, with all new features explained in detail. Mulberry, which is based in the UK, is a brand that has been around garnering attention for years, yet is making a larger impact on the US market recently. Check out their site renovation and all of their amazing renditions of the ever favorite Bayswater and others!

Autumn Winter 2007 sees Mulberry’s online boutique re-vamped and re-launched in time for the Christmas season. A ‘snowsfall ‘on the homepage sees Mulberry getting into the Christmas spirit and enables users to download a snowing desktop application. The new site gives the consumer a luxurious and stress free shopping experience from the comfort of their own home with great gift ideas for ‘him’ and ‘her’!

Check out celebrity favourites Mabel and Bayswater in a host of shades and skins. They debut online in a more user friendly, flash based format on an open airy site. Improved accessibility and navigation make for pleasurable, simple shopping. Men’s bags, luggage, smaller leather goods, gift items, cufflinks, ties and scarves give as broad a range of products as the flagship store; with magnifying functions and more detailed photography allowing each product to be viewed up close. A streamlined check out process helps to beat the queues to a bestseller with as few clicks as possible.

Away from the online shop more brand information is available too. View the clothing collections online for the first time through the seasonal look book, and trace worldwide stockists with the interactive map. A press area will keep everyone updated on all Mulberry news. Key features are available to view along with the very latest celebrity sightings. A new improved customer services area includes material and care advice to make sure each product can stay as beautiful as the day it is first unwrapped.

The complete Autumn Winter range and the new early Spring 2008 collection can be viewed in their new online home now. Go to www.mulberry.com to view.

The oversized stud look works perfectly on a clutch or a cuff bracelet. The look is strong and bold, but can be paired properly to look completely chic. If you overdo it, you will look like you are venturing to the dark side. So wear your oversized studs one piece at a time with a more toned down look. I am drawn to Mulberry for Giles Patent Leather Clutch which sports black patent leather and oversized gold metal studs. There are gold feet on the base and a gold zip fastening across the top. The look is a powerful one, and not something I may have bought full price, but it is marked 40% down. Great price for a look that is not easy to wear often. WAS: $795.00 NOW: $477.00 at Net A Porter.

If you were worried that you missed your chance at the stunning and totally drool worthy Mulberry Ostrich Bayswater Bag, never fear!!! Net A Porter has just received more stock of this stunning bag. So go quick, grab it while you can, and the rest of us will envy you for years to come!!! Via NAP for $3995.

I realize this handbag is merely made of fabric, but the illustration brings an entire new dimension to the plate. The Mulberry Quilted Fabric Shopper showcases an illustrated appliqué from a Julie Verhoeven design on both the front and the back. The design on the front lures me in, showing a chic female face with half her face hidden by a red scarf. I wonder who this woman is, what she is feeling, and if she loves being the center of attention on the handbag. The chain link shoulder strap and leather shoulder panels really spice the bag up and give it an elegant notch. Buy through NAP for $1195.

Many of the handbag enthusiasts are raving about two things this season; patent leather and purple. I am part of the raving crowd, finding these two trends edgy and fun. Some purple hues are a deep plum, that tantalize the eyes and others are playful purples that entice your fun side. Either way, the trend is hot. Another handbag that fits the trend is the Mulberry Mable Patent Leather Bag which sports purple patent leather with chunky buckle fastening and gold hardware. Different from its sister, the Mulberry Ostrich Bayswater Bag, this handbag is young and funky, like the hip young sister living in Brooklyn while the Bayswater hails from Manhattan. The zip fastening pockets on the front and the luggage tag finish off this young hip bag. Fun and fresh at NAP for $1395.

(For other Purple Patent Leather Bags check out: Fendi Patent Leather Bag, Pauric Sweeney Patent Shoulder Bag, Gucci Crystal Evening Bag, and Pauric Sweeney Patent Leather Bag.)

The beauty behind certain handbags is undeniable. Sassy and sultry, the Mulberry Ostrich Bayswater Bag brings together the beauty of exotic ostrich in a stunning purple hue. This specific combination is exclusive to Net A Porter, offering any customer with a radiating and stunning piece. The gold hardware gleams on the purple ostrich. The Bayswater design is not new, and has received its share of naysayers, claiming that this design is remarkably close to a Hermes Birkin. Yet, comparing the leather version to the new and re-vamped ostrich version is like comparing the night to day or the East to the West. The shape is the same, but the bag as a whole is entirely different. Some exotic handbags seem totally fragile and need to be cared for like an infant, but this handbag is meant to be used. On the sides there are hidden buckles to expand the bag, and there is a zippered and open pouch on the inside for storage. The color, the exotic skin, and the usability factor make this handbag utterly hot. Exclusively at Net A Porter for $3995.

Adding a bright color to a dark fall outfit will be the perfect boost to an otherwise dark ensemble. Be bold and add purple, blue, red, green, or yellow. Scarlet grained leather with gold hardware makes the Mulberry Large Mabel Bag a luscious handbag. My only major peeve with this handbag is the over sized luggage tag. If I were to buy this handbag I would immediately take over the luggage tag and place it on my Samsonite luggage, to give it a feminine touch and help it be set apart from all of the other luggage. As for practicality, there are two zip fastening pockets on the front and a large compartment on each side. Buy through Net A Porter for $1495.