The Judith Leiber Parrot Clutch looks to be modeled after a Macaw, sporting red, blue, and yellow crystal embellishment. As we have said time and time again, this would be a heirloom piece which is not meant for every occasion and not even meant to be worn much. Some may argue, but these pieces are better suited on display.

Back to the parrot. I remember one of my first big art projects in school I drew a red, blue, and yellow Macaw along with a blue, green, and yellow Macaw. What young child does not like a brightly colored tropical bird? After looking at most Leiber pieces, I forget that they are intended wearable pieces. There is a gold chain clutch and a vanity mirror. Somehow this is already sold out at Net A Porter, but the parrot may fly back in. Via Net A Porter for $5695.

The man has reportedly not been photographed since the 90s, yet he continues to churn out increasingly popular collections of edgy, current clothing and accessories. Some reports are that he’s no longer involved with the day-to-day operations of his label, but the company that now owns it disputes that claim. Either way, part of his shtick has always been adding in a sly joke here and there, and the Maison Martin Margiela Leather Shoulder Bag fits into that category nicely. It looks as though the bottom of the bag has been folded forward, but really the outside zippered pocket has been stitched and fitted with tiny silver feet in order to give the appearance of the bag’s bottom while still being a functioning element of the bag’s design. And that’s why I’ll let this gimmick go – it doesn’t take away from the bag’s functional purpose, and the joke fits is incorporate in such a way that it enhances the bag instead of detracting from it. The man may be a hermit, but his humor still translates.

Buy through Saks for $1445.

Well, if you’re still friends with the drunken purse-loser, here’s what you should get her for her next birthday: the Alexander McQueen Faithful Leather Glove Clutch. See, she can stick her little hand in the attached glove, and she won’t have to worry about having to hold on to anything – the clutch will hold on to her! And even if you’re not prone to putting things down and wandering off, this clutch is a fabulously 80s addition to any wardrobe and something that no one else will at any party will be able to hold a candle to in the handbag department. It’s different from anything else on the market and so classically McQueen in a witty, winking way that it just may become a collector’s item. I can’t guarantee it, but it’s so fresh and funny that it certainly wouldn’t surprise me. Buy through Saks for $895.

Which brings us to the Celestina Roseanne Blacklip Clutch. I can’t imagine that anyone could look at this and have a negative reaction – it’s sleek and simple, covered in diamond-cut tiles of blacklip mother of pearl. The colors are earthy and warm, but deep enough to function as a cold-weather event option despite the material. It reflects a great deal of light and would likely change colors fantastically in different settings. If you were to take it to an event, you’d easily stand out in a sea of boring black evening bags. Buy through Barneys for $1290.

Which is not only why I like the Alexander McQueen Knuckle Buster Clutch, but also why I like Alexander McQueen in general. He has a look and he goes with it, particularly in his clutches, and he seems to care little whether or not they have a wide appeal. They’re kitschy, fun, and reflect the punk and goth subcultures in the UK with which McQueen has always been so intimately connected. The scull-topped “brass” knuckles that form the handle to this clutch are so utterly brilliant and weird that I almost don’t know what to say about them, except to say that they are so very McQueen. His insistence on making quirky, interesting things is something that we should all celebrate, even if those things aren’t your taste (but they certainly are mine). Buy through Saks for $1595.

The biggest problem I’m having with the Anya Hindmarch Meat and Poultry Tote, though, is that I’m not entirely sure that there’s a joke in the first place. I feel like there’s some sort of humorous intent with the sizing of the roosters and the meat/poultry dichotomy, but I’m not entirely sure. I could be entirely wrong, maybe the designer just thinks that multisized roosters are cute, and maybe I’m the only one left wondering if there’s some sort of clever joke that’s being told here. But if you SEE the clever joke, for God’s sake, explain it to me. It’s driving me insane. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $98.

Because you see, my dears, it’s not just super sparkly. It’s super sparkly AND animal-print. At the same time. And that’s a stroke of quasi-tacky genius for which only the folks at Leiber, the home of the bedazzled watermelon bag, could be responsible. It’s combination of two of the tackiest bag idea inspires me to continue to find the awesomeness in all things moderately distasteful, and since I’m not cool enough to have anyplace to take it, I sort of want to have one just to sit it on top of my TV and admire it’s twinkling, zebra-ish glory. Buy through Neiman Marcus for $3895.

I am officially jealous of this cake. Jealous of the receiver, jealous of the people that could actually create and design this, jealous of all who helped eat it. This is indeed a cool cake. Looks like this was given as a gift for a 21st 26th birthday. And while so many people equate lots of shots on their 21st 26th, a designer handbag cake would have been up my ally so much more. This is a Gucci Cake complete with a Gucci Boston Bag on top of a Gucci Box. Even the little cookie would have made my day. I can not imagine the price for a cake like this, novelty enough that it would end up being totally ridiculous, but isn’t it amazing?

I am now rethinking our wedding cake. Why did we go traditional when I could have had a full fledged designer handbag cake for all of our guests. My birthday is coming in September though. Instead of Gucci, I would prefer more of a Chanel or Hermes. Just sayin’. [Image via Flickr]

Picture courtesy of Style.com

Style.com Accessories Report

I think I get the reference here. I really think I do. I think Maison Martin Margiela is trying to give a not-so-sly nod to those eternally unfashionable t-shirts from the late 80s and early 90s with majestically airbrushed scenes of wolves or tigers or other predatory beasts on them. Their wearers could often be found in arcades, playing Dance Dance Revolution and sipping a slurpy.

Or now, they’ve experienced a new awakening with ironic Brooklyn hipsters, who will mine second-hand stores for anything awful and too tight to wear, possibly as some sort of mating call to other hipsters. I don’t understand this logic and don’t pretend to understand it, but there it is. So.

And now, as with all stupid grassroots trends, an ‘edgy’ designer has co-opted it and decided to charge big bucks for those that want to get the trend without going to the thrift shop. For this particular piece of pop culture, the Maison Martin Margiela Airbrushed Wolf Bag has an airbrushed wolf head on the side of a while leather hobo (incidentally, the white leather hobo by itself would be something I would carry – very soft-looking and unstructured; very much my style). Words simply fail me here. There’s nothing to say about the utter stupidity of this bag (and its price tag, which is absolutely asinine for what is no more than a novelty item) that isn’t glaringly obvious just from the photo. So, have at it in the comments. Buy through eLuxury for $1,195.

Twisted, surprising and controversial. Three attributes that guarantee success.

Designer Yael Mer of Raw Edges is responsible for this unique piece. While our tPF members may find it creepy, I find it entirely brilliant. Apparently, the biblical story about Judith and Holofernes and its visual representation from the Renaissance were inspiration for the design of the bag. I can not relate to either the story, nor its representations from the fancy times of rebirth, but I think that this novelty bag adds great shock effect to spice up your daily wardrobe. You may have some explaining to do if a cop stopped you with a drawn gun, telling you to hand over possible homicide evidence, but it’s totally a risk I’d be willing to take!

Not sure where to get it and for how much, you can probably find out by emailing.

Would you wear it?

This is the handbag that keeps on giving. Apparently the designers at Fendi decided they were completely out of ideas and thought it would be genius to give you a blank bag to let you scribble all over it. And there you have the Fendi Artist Baguette, the do-it-yourself handbag that allows you to paint all over the white canvas with markers. Markers? Not even chic paints? No, of course not paints, not any material that would give an artist a way to possibly design a better bag than Fendi could come up with themselves. You know, I like this idea. The idea is great for the family that has so much money little Suzie would love to color on a designer purse for her 5th birthday. I got a coloring book for my 5th birthday, but little Suzie, the heiress to the post-it dynasty, would love a blank Fendi bag. I find it humorous that Fendi credits their success to three main factors- creativity, technology, and craftsmanship. Creativity, really? Oh ok I did not realize this blank white bag with markers is a creative idea. The only person left to be creative is the buyer, who already has to front over a thousand dollars for this bag. But this idea could be loved by our artistic-minded handbag lovers out there. The important thing is that I do not get one of these bags myself. The artistic gene skipped a generation when it comes to hands-on-arts-and-crafts, so unless I want to look like I am stuck in the 1st grade, I better steer clear of this handbag. Pre-order through Saks for $1,300.

With so many serious and stressful issues we deal with in the world, it is always a plus to have a little fun. Lulu Guinness is all abut adding quirky humor to many of her bags. A favorite of mine, especially to whip out on Valentine’s Day, is the Lulu Guinness ‘My Heart Belongs to You’ Clutch. It is poking fun at the way many of us move from man to man, from Bert to Alec to Jack, ending up at *you* of course. And clearly, once you have moved to that new ‘you’ there is no one else that your heart belongs too. The purse is designed with satin and embroidered with the names on the front. On the inside there is red lining and a hand mirror. This clutch helps us all lighten up a little. I do think that if you pull it out your date may be a little wary of your commitment issues, but really, who didn’t have those at one point or another in their dating life. Buy through Lulu Guinness for about $100.

The new coveted designer on the block is Judith Leiber. Not that Leiber is new, but her designs have come to the forefront as the must have high end bag. Yet her bags are more of an art form, a piece that can be carried one or twice then put on display in your home. The designs are so meticulous, infusing thousands of crystals, that the thought of bumping this bag against anything other than a cashmere pillow makes me cringe. So while I will save up for the perfect evening Leiber piece, that will undoubtedly end up on showcase tucked away in a china cabinet, I can imagine adding these small Leiber pieces to satiate my need. Ultra tiny and cute, the Leiber Coin Purse Minaudiere will look perfectly chic being pulled out of your handbag for the evening. I would still tuck this piece away carefully, but it is so tiny and fun, that I can not resist loving it. Available in ruby, rhine (clear), or cosmo jet (black) crystals, this coin purse features silver tone hardware and a kiss lock closure with a jeweled detail top. It is a mini bag and completely not necessary, yet so cute it can make sense. Dimensions are small, like mentioned, a mere 1 3/4″H X 1 1/2″W X 1″D. And lucky the price is still ‘reasonable’. $195 at Saks.

Symbolizing temptation and eroticism, the snake has been a creature of great mystery. Judith Leiber touches on the temptation of the snake, as it was used to tempt Eve and take over her heart. To an outsider, the Judith Leiber Heart & Snake Miniaudiere is simple, but the symbolism runs deep, alluding to sin and evil along with lust and eroticism. The Austrian black crystal embellishments take over the heart, showing it is dark and tainted, with the silver-tone snake overture and hardware. Beyond symbolism, this miniaudiere features and optional chain strap, double-sided mirror, and matching coin purse. This piece is a conversation piece, used to get people thinking. Some may be offended, some may take it lightly, but either way this piece has symbolism that runs much deeper than merely an evening bag. Pre-order via Neiman Marcus for $1995.

Meaning elusive in French, the Insaisissable poem is written on the front of the Henry Cuir Insaisissable Poem Tote. There is something about the romantic languages that is completely alluring and compelling, which means carrying a handbag with a French poem adorned on the front is sexy. The tote itself is simple, with contrast stitching, tab and drawstring closure, and a leather shoulder strap. The tote is made to showcase the Insaisissable poem. So for those of you who speak French, can you translate the zoomed part of the poem? Buy via Barneys for $1,495.

There was a time when I was certain the Hermes Diamond Crocodile Birkin was superfluous and one of the most, if not THE most, expensive bag in the world (costing $140,000). Move on over Hermes, the Diamond studded platinum handbag designed by jewelery maker Ginza Tanaka cost a whopping $1.63 million to make. A stunning piece of art, this bag puts the spotlight on 2,182 diamonds totaling 208 carats. This creation was put on display in a fashion show in Tokyo. If you are really interested in buying, I am sure you could, but I will just be a looker. And we all thought that $3,000 on a handbag was pushing the envelope .

{Via}

If I could explain the fascination easily, then you would all find my sister and I crazy, but let me just say that my older sister and I have a special place in our hearts for pigs. It is a total inside joke. I am a huge fan of Leiber Miniaudiere’s and have been waiting until I begin attending more galas and events that would call for such an elegant art piece. I was tickled to see the new Judith Leiber Pigtail Miniaudiere which resembles a chubby pig like that of Wilbur from Charlotte’s Web. This handcrafted designer art piece is fully beaded with multicolor Austrian crystals from head to toe on top of silver tone hardware and a push lock closure. Even better is the fact that a double-sided mirror and matching coin purse are included. I am not head over heels about the detachable chain shoulder strap, because I think the pig would look a tad silly just dangling off your body and heaven forbid it falls down. Cute piggy dimensions are 4 1/2″H x 3 1/2″W. Now this would not be a Leiber piece for my mother, but for a chic and still somewhat young girl like myself, it would be perfect. Pre-order via Bergdorf Goodman for $3600.

I will be the first to admit that my collection of handbags lacks a croc bag. It makes me sad at times, like I am doing exotic bags an injustice. Don’t get me wrong, I want a croc bag but I just have to find the perfect one. And right now, as much as a croc Birkin would be amazing, it is not on the ‘I can afford this or even get my hands on it’ realistic list. I am fairy certain that I will add a Nancy Gonzalez croc bag to my collection soon, but there can still be contenders. It is time to check out a bag and say Yay or Nay! The Henry Cuir Crocodile Eucaliptus Bag is a large frame bag made with a softer looking croc skin and chunky stitching. I am not really drawn to it. It looks like the croc piece starts over after the middle break in the bag, which is a major turn off to me. Even the coloring looks different, while I would want a mirror image when split down the middle. And it is still pricey; a whopping $6200 via Barneys.

So what do you say? Yay or Nay?