Nancy Gonzalez Handbags

And you thought we were done? Not so! We are continuing with our last few fabulous designers to have them spread the Valentine’s Day love. One of our favorite designers of exotic skins, Nancy Gonzalez, shared her Valentine’s Day thoughts with us recently.

Is Valentine’s Day celebrated in Colombia, if so how is it similar/different from the US? Valentine’s Day in Colombia is on September 16 and it is actually called the day of Love and Friendship (Dia de Amor y Amistad).

What would be the most romantic Valentine’s Day, from start to finish, for you? Most romantic would definitely be in Marrakesh at the Amanjena Hotel, spending the day getting lost through the streets of the souk and ending with dinner at Le Yacout restaurant.

What is the best Valentine’s Day gift you have received? Best Valentine’s gift I ever received is definitely a Buccellati diamond cuff.

Are you a romantic? I am a romantic…

Your favorite romantic meal? Favorite romantic meal depends with who?

What are your plans for Valentine’s Day this year: I like to be surprised for Valentines day plans.

The best Nancy Gonzalez bag for a Valentine’s Day gift, why?: Best Nancy Gonzalez bag for a Valentine’s day gift is a small, soft, pouch clutch in colorful crocodile skin. It’s like candy but much better

The New Year is here! Most people are jumping for joy that 2008 is over, as it was quite a tumultuous year for many. 2008 was good to Vlad and I and was good to Purse Blog. So while we look forward to 2009 we still loved 2008! This year is a big year for us. In February (right around the corner!!!) we have our wedding celebration. I attempted to think that it would not take me hours each day of planning, thinking, calling, and preparing, but wedding planning is a full-time job. And the cost of a wedding, well, you all know that it is not cheap. This year is about saving. Vlad and I would like to buy our first home so my bag purchases for 2009 will be focusing on handbags that will be seasonless and timeless. A specific bag that will fit into this category is a classic tote. Read on...

WHAT: Nancy Gonzalez Trunk Show and Personal Appearance by designer, Nancy Gonzalez
WHERE: Neiman Marcus, DC
WHEN: December 5, 2008 from 11: am – 4:00 pm

Another Trunk Show and Personal Appearance by the famed Nancy Gonzalez is happening today. Again we will not be able to attend (can she please please come to Florida!!!?!). If you are in the DC area, be sure to stop by and check it out and meet the fabulous Nancy Gonzalez.

Nancy Gonzalez Crocodile Box Clutch

And here is a designer that needs no introduction. You all know her for her exotic skins and vibrant colors. This clutch was raved about before on Purse Blog and now the price is marked down $300. Berry, fuchsia, green, and lime green are available on the Nancy Gonzalez Crocodile Box Clutch. This clutch is truly meant to be handheld, as the dimensions are merely 6¾”W X 3½”H X 2″D. But this is a quintessential piece. It is perfect for dressing up, it is a staple for your wardrobe, and now the price is even better! Buy through Saks for $450.

WHAT: Nancy Gonzalez Trunk Show and Personal Appearance by designer, Nancy Gonzalez

WHERE: Saks 5th Avenue, Bala Cynwyd , PA

WHEN: November 14th, 2008 from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm

Nancy Gonzalez bags have become highly coveted accessories, focusing on exotic materials and popping color palettes. Nancy’s bags have graced the arms of handbag lovers worldwide who turn to her for a beautifully made bag, with a luxurious material, that sets an outfit apart from the rest. Her focus on color comes from her Colombian roots, as not only the culture affects her designs but so does the climate. “The 365 days a year of brilliant blue sky, the incredible plumage of birds, a green like nothing I have seen anywhere else – that is the beauty of Colombia,” says Gonzalez. The collection is designed and produced in Colombia and is available at retailers including Harrod’s of London, Aizel of Moscow, Isetan of Japan, Joyce of Hong Kong and Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Unfortunately, this PA is not near us, so we can not attend. But those of you in PA should make sure to check it out, it is an opportunity you do not want to miss!

Nancy Gonzalez Flat Clutch

I’ve seen a lot of clutches lately with this new-fangled (old-fangled? Seems like it might be a vintage throwback) cut-out handle, and I’m not sure I support the idea. It looks cute, naturally, but I’m an under-the-armpit clutch carrier, not an in-my-hand one, and clutches with the cut-outs might present a problem for me. They tend to be a bit taller, and I’m not sure that my armpit can handle that. Take the Nancy Gonzalez Flat Clutch, for example. Surely, it’s beautiful. The color is, somehow, both silver and gold, which makes it both unexpected and neutral (and how often are neutrals unexpected?). It’s also quite roomy, and I could probably fit my keys in it, something that a lot of clutches don’t accomplish. It’s also crocodile so, you know, points for that. Logistically, however, I think that this clutch carries its load too low to work for us armpit enthusiasts, although those of you out there that prefer the hand-held method surely could not find a better day-to-night bag than this beauty. Buy through Saks for $2500.

Nancy Gonzalez Medium Crocodile Hobo

Somehow the massive Hurricane Ike trekked his way up to Ohio and put out power and took down trees right in time for Vlad and my’s arrival. Kid you not. So while Texas felt the wrath of Ike, so did Ohio. Now that we have internet back up and I can be in touch with the outside world, I have to tell you that the weather here right now is beyond amazing!!! High 60’s low 70’s during the day and high 50’s at night. Crystal blue skies, clean fresh air, ahh just amazing. Soon the leaves will turn and it will be a wonderland here. And while not everyone in Ohio is incredibly chic (it’s true, but they are all overly nice!), I have seen quite a few people pulling out their greys, purples, and greens waiting for fall.

A must have color for Fall is a rich hue of green, an emerald shade. And I have a new stunning option for you to choose from, the kind of stunning that is hard to pass up. The Nancy Gonzalez Medium Crocodile Hobo has a pleated pocket surprise on an otherwise well-know and much loved shape. But it is the color and skin that has my total attention. Nancy Gonzalez continues to tantalize our senses, with sight and touch, in this beautiful color and material. There is not much else to say, other than this bag had me in love at first sight. It reigns in a feeling of Fall which is in the air right now in Ohio. There is a front and back magnetic pocket, an inside zip and cell phone pocket, and chamoise lining. Buy through Saks for $4,100.

Bottega Veneta vs Nancy Gonzalez

The battle of the designer look-a-like bags continues! I have always been a self-pronounced lover of Bottega Veneta bags. Yes, of course I am. Soft and buttery leather, intricate weaving, timeless classic designs. And when it comes to exotics, Nancy Gonzalez handbags top my list. And why wouldn’t they? Nancy Gonzalez uses bright bold colors on rich exotic skins. Both designers are known for different looks and both designers have highly sought after handbags.

A long time ago I professed my undying love of the simple fold-over clutch that so many adore from Bottega Veneta. Many times referred to as a cosmetic case, the Bottega Veneta Pyramid Clutch combines a simplistic approach of a small pouch with a fold over top and divine woven leather. There is a longer version ($400 more and twice as long), which is not considered the cosmetic case, but either way this one doubles over as a clutch. Either way, I have always loved this clutch. Buy through Saks for $580 or larger version through Net A Porter for $980.

Read full article below...

Nancy Gonzalez Crocodile Hobo

If you’ve never seen and held a Nancy Gonzalez bag in person, I have a homework assignment for you this weekend: go to the mall and spend some time with Ms. Gonzalez’s bags. They’re exceptionally pricey, no doubt about it, but hear me out on this one, mmkay?

Almost every bag she puts her name on is made of crocodile, at least partially justifying the steep price. There are no filler materials, and the exceptional skins take center stage with very limited visible hardware and few outward accouterment. It’s almost as if she’s saying, “Hey you guys, look how much croc I’m giving you for the money!” If there’s any sort of rhyme or reason to my bag selections, it’s probably that I want a gorgeous piece of leather, a great shape and not a whole lot of extras, and Ms. Gonzalez seems to be right with me. Read the full article...

Nancy Gonzalez Crocodile Hobo

Household names like Prada, Gucci, Hermes, and Marc Jacobs resonate as designer handbag brands, but the exotic market of handbag designers is well-known and the pontiff is Nancy Gonzalez. Her name is known by the handbag world. Her exotic handbags speak for themselves. And while she loves many exotics, her forte is crocodile in a wide array of eye-catching colors and silhouettes. I have always loved crocodile skins but tend to want them in smaller pieces. I am just going to be honest, it is because that is more affordable (relatively speaking). A large exotic skin bag is not always fitting in my handbag budget, so I tend to stick with small exotics and large leathers. But after seeing the price of the Nancy Gonzalez Crocodile Hobo, it seems that I can have the best of both worlds, a spacious hobo designed with crocodile that is also on the affordable side. This spacious bag, 20″W X 11″H X 7″D, features pleated and ruched detailing on the outside. The inside features a zip and cell phone pocket along with suede lining. I know Nancy Gonzalez bags, I know I love them. What I also know is that the price point on this bag is right. While many simple leather bags from the household designer names are now starting around $2,000, this crocodile hobo comes in at $3,150. The price is at my exotic sweet-spot, so I have no qualms with it. Buy through Saks.