In the case of the Valentino Catch Satchel, I don’t even really want to talk about the bag. It’s kind of boring and I feel like it’s already been done a thousand times, and the patent black doesn’t feel particularly current in a season when thick, matte biker leather has become the thing to have.

What I want to talk about it the clasp (is it a clasp? Actually I don’t think it is) on the front. It’s a crystal-encrusted Valentino logo, and the part of me that has somewhat questionable (ok, tacky) taste absolutely loves it. And then I wonder – why don’t more designers do hardware like this? It gives the front of the bag a shimmer that normal, shiny silver hardware could never replicate, and it’s delightfully whimsical and silly-feeling (and I mean silly in a good way, I assure you). So maybe they should try again with the bag, and leave the super sparkly stuff on the front like it is. Even if it’s questionably tasteful. Buy through Nordstrom for $1895.

Gilt Groupe has a Botkier sale starting today at Noon EST. Click on over there for a chance to get an amazing bag from Botkier at an even more amazing price!

I have a relative that only wears Celine bags. No joke. But I can hardly imagine her slinging this Celine Tribute to Charley Harper Cut Out Tote over her shoulder. It’s so different than most of Celine’s bags: nice leather that’s not too soft, boxy shape, squat handles.

I like it, but I’m always attracted to cutesy things- no one can say that this little bird on the front is not cute. However, I would never actually wear it. But there is no denying its cuteness. I think this does a good job as a tribute to the late modernist artist Charley Harper, though if it was up to me I’d like to see something a little less front and center- combined with a cute lining that featured his prints. Nevertheless, the bird face fits the artist’s style to a T.

That said, I’m a big fan of resin chain straps as opposed to metal chain straps (it doesn’t get cold like metal!), especially chunky black ones like this. Luckily it is removable, though, because this bag would look a lot nicer, and less overwhelmed with detail, as a tote instead of a tote-with-a-long-strap. Buy through Bloomingdales on sale for $1,085.

Bally isn’t a brand that we often mention here. Sure, they make nice handbags. But so do a lot of people, and in the past, I’ve had a hard time finding Bally handbags that I have something to say about either way. Sometimes ugliness isn’t the worst sin; sometimes, it’s worse to be utterly unremarkable.

What isn’t ugly or unremarkable, though, is the Bally Multi Zip Hobo. In fact, this bag is quite well-done and executed nicely. We’ve seen plenty of bags over the past few months that use zippers as a decorative feature instead of just a functional attribute of necessity. The idea is particularly brilliant – not only is it visually stimulating, but it’s a fun play on the expected structure and construction of a handbag and the role that all the parts play. This Bally hobo pulls it off in a particularly sophisticated way – smooth, rich-looking strips of black leather separated by industrial silver zippers. Perfect. Buy through Luisa Via Roma for $1774.

Infuse a little rock glam into your look with a studded clutch handbag. This trend combines black leather of various textures with stud details for added embellishment with an edge. We are loving the various applications of chrome and even black on black studs.The “Moto” clutch from Botkier resembles a mini biker jacket translated into a clutch with its zippers, studs and flyaway tasseled zipper pulls. The Kettle peace clutch sends a summer of love vibe with a peace sign onto an envelope design with zipper closure.

Taking studs to the max, Sonia Rykiel covers one entire side of her clutch with circular studs and tops it off with a tassel zipper pull. The Burberry studded plates clutch is a bit more subtle with an elongated zip clutch touting black on black studs for a more subtle translation of this handbag trend. The Treesje London clutch combines shiny patent leather and touts a cool graphic edge with randomly placed round flat studs. Pair any of these studded clutches with a pair of destroyed skinny jeans, loose oversized tee and cage sandals for cutting edge look. Or to dress up your evening look, a LBD would complement a black leather studded clutch as well.

Shown here from top left clockwise:
Botkier Moto Clutch, $395 at Zappos.
Kettle Black Studded Peace Clutch, $136.50 Sale at ShopBop.
Sonia Rykiel Studded Leather Clutch, $400 at Net-a-Porter.
Burberry Women’s Studded Plates Leather Clutch, $556.50 at Bloomingdales.
Treesje London Clutch in Black Patent, $106 at Revolve Clothing.

via The Find

There are few more joyous occasions in fashion than Paris Couture Week, although this year’s flamboyant celebration of clothing and artistry has been somewhat hampered by the depressed economy and the impending departure of one of the genre’s greatest voices, Christian Lacroix. The fact that he was able to put on a show at all is the big story of the week; suppliers and industry friends helped the designer piece together a last-minute collection and presentation for what could be his last couture show if his brand doesn’t find a backer quickly. It demonstrates an odd sort of collegiality among fashion industry workers that many on the outside looking in might overlook in the midst of so much glitz and fabulousness – it takes an army of people to make this happen for us a few times a year, and they work extremely long hours for really modest pay. That so many of them donated their time, skills and goods to Lacroix to put together what may be his final show is kind of touching, particularly in an industry known for ego and elitism. He’s not the only one to put on a show for fashion editors and couture customers this week, though – we’ve got a rundown of the best looks from the best shows, after the jump.

Click here to read more...

There may be deals that you should not miss out on! Gilt is having their Accessories Final Sale which will have handbags, shoes, and more for prices up to 90% off retail. We have all seen 50% off, even 60% off, but 90%?? That is crazy! Starts at Noon EST today.

I’m not a big makeup girl. If you open my bag you will find a tube of chapstick and lip gloss. That is why I do not need a large cosmetic case. And that is also why I adore the Prada Small Vela Cosmetic Case, it is cute and perfect for to throw into your handbag with your makeup essentials. The other major perk is that it is made with Prada nylon, which is easy to clean up any spills. The size, 6½”W X 3″H X 1½”D, is ideal if you want to take some makeup with your for everyday use without it weighing down your bag. I checked my local Prada boutique, Saks, and Neiman Marcus for pink nylon and none of them carried it. Buy through Saks for $150.

With all the recent news about swine flu, everyone has clean hands on their mind. We use our hands all day everyday. There was a recent study that is not entirely shocking but rather disturbing. I am going to go out on a limb and say that most handbag lovers on Purse Blog and Purse Forum are entirely conscious of keeping their bags clean and off the ground. Either way, our hands pick up germs everyday and our handbags are on the receiving end of man-handling our most prized accessories. So keep your hands clean and your handbags in turn may stay a bit cleaner. The other other advice given is to wipe down your bag with a sanitizing wipe and not place your bag on the ground. What do you think?

We wanted to find out what kind of germs a woman’s bag might pick up along the course of a day. A lab tested more than two dozen handbags for traces of various bacteria. Even the scientist who conducted the tests was surprised at what she found.

“I had no idea that it would be that much bacteria,” said microbiologist Amy Karren of Nelson Labs.

This was not just the harmless kind of bacteria you find around your house, this was the kind that makes you sick.

“We found pseudomonas, staphylococcus aureus, E-coli family and salmonella”, she said.

Pseudomonas can cause eye infections, staph aureus can cause skin infections and E-coli and salmonella can cause serious intestinal problems.

The test found leather or vinyl purses were generally cleaner than cloth bags and women with kids tend to have dirtier purses than singles.

[Article Via]

If this bag was made to appeal to anyone in particular, it was made to appeal to someone like me. I like buckles, I like industrial stuff, and I like copious amounts of black leather in whatever texture it may come. And just in case anyone was wondering – no, this does not extrapolate out to my personal life.

But the Jimmy Choo Bardia Shoulder Bag just isn’t doing it for me, and it’s mostly because the whole idea for the bag seems a little bit half-baked. Instead of really playing with the idea of a bag inspired by industrial style, it looks like the folks at Jimmy Choo merely took a really boring black hobo and but some nonfunctional buckles and straps on the sides. At best, it looks like a bit of an afterthought and at worst, it looks totally contrived. With so many outstanding bags of a similar style on the market for fall, Choo is going to have to try harder next time. Buy through Saks for $1750.