Canvas: how much are we willing to pay for it? I found myself wondering that when I saw the Lanvin Gourmet 22 Faubourg Tote today. My initial reaction was that it was adorable and French in a wonderful way, and that it would be great with a white top and jeans. My second reaction was, “It’s $680. What is it made out of? Oh, canvas. Nevermind.” But then I thought again, because don’t tons of handbag enthusiasts spend tons of money on Louis Vuitton canvas bags every year? Net-a-porter’s description indicates that this canvas bag is treated, and while it pay not be as durable as Louis Vuitton canvas (because, after all, what is?), how do we decide what’s an acceptable amount to pay for a bag that’s not leather? Does the brand matter? Does Louis Vuitton’s canvas get a pass because of its history or status? I’m not sure how to answer these questions, but I do know that I wish Lanvin’s adorable tote was a little less expensive. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $680.

The first thing I like about the Alexander McQueen Elvie Patent Leather Tote is its name. Elvie. That’s adorable, right? It’s playful and British-sounding and maybe something Sir Bob Geldof would name a kid (he did, after all, choose Peaches and Pixie in the past). And the bag itself doesn’t disappoint either - in whimsicle grass-green patent leather, all I can see when I look at it is springtime. But let’s talk a bit about the construction, because that’s also a big part of this bag and is done very well. McQueen has managed to take patent leather - a material that is inherently stiff, firm, and difficult to work with - and made it look like it was easily draped over this bag’s frame. A difficult task indeed, and when you add in the bag’s cute, bright lining and ability to work as a “bright neutral,” Elvie is a big winner. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $2160.

Sang A handbags have captivated me. The shapes are very different from many bags that you find in the market, which is hard to say for other designers. One of my favorite Sang A bags is the River Square Tote. And the yellow python version was top on my list after seeing one of Sang A’s friends carrying it to an event in NYC. The perfect shape to hold the bright burst of color. But I held off buying the bag and now I would desperately like to take back my shopping ban (which I somehow continue to break) and go for this amazing deal.

Vivre has marked down the version of the River Tote that caught my attention, a whopping 50% off. I am still going to hold off, not by choice but really because this next month I need to spend money on all my wedding week attire. Someone else buy this and let me live vicariously though you. Available via Vivre for $1,225.

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Love or hate Lipstick Jungle, if you have seen the wardrobe of the three Manhattan friends you would want to stop in their closet and take some items. But my wanting to take some of their items would stop at wanting, because stealing their items and then trying to sell them on eBay would be a scandal. And this is the very scandal a stage manager on production facilities for NBC’s “Lipstick Jungle” is accused of.

The stage manager, Arthur Moreira, has been charged with stealing almost $30,000 in designer fashion items from the show. Wonder what that would include. Surely fabulous handbags of Lipstick Jungle, like an Oscar de la Renta snakeskin handbag. Some items ended up on eBay and others were found in his apartment. And the reason he was caught is after French designer Sylvia Toledano found several items that the fashion house had lent to the show on eBay, according to the district attorney’s office. [via CNN]

Did he really think he would not get caught?

There is no ignoring the state of the economy worldwide right now. People are cutting back spending, trying to save, and many are simply trying to get by. While Serena Williams has garnered over $22 million in career prize money, the court queen is cutting back as well, opting for a $12 American Apparel Handbag rather than opting for the latest designer handbag. It is not just the average Joe that needs to watch his spending, most of the world is doing just that. Her bag of choice is probably the American Apparel Bull Denim Woven Cotton Tote [$12].

Are you cutting back spending? How has the economy affected you?

Jan. 23 (Bloomberg) — Even Serena Williams, with $22 million in career prize money, is spending less because of a recession that’s left tennis scouting for sponsors.

“I really cut back,” said Williams, carrying a $12 American Apparel Inc. bag in Melbourne, where the No. 2-ranked player is bidding for a fourth Australian Open title. “I don’t know if it’s because it’s everywhere in the media, but I am.”

Tennis is feeling the financial crisis beyond Williams’s thrift. Four men’s ATP Tour events are without sponsors in 2009; the women’s warm-up event for the French Open was canceled after losing its backer; the ATP has shed its principal sponsor; and reserves at ruling bodies have been sliced by tumbling markets.

Read full article via Bloomberg

In November of last year, we had the opportunity to sit down with Ben Harnett of Hayden-Harnett. The young entrepreneur managed to impress us with a savvy business sense, he explained how his young company managed to grow from its establishment with his significant other, to being the globally-operating bag and accessory powerhouse it is today. Meaghan and I walked out of the interview quite intrigued, we can expect great things from this brand in the near future.

Click here to read the Ben Harnett Interview.

For the most part, we are all pretty familiar with the fact that designers like to collaborate. I’m totally fine with this. I love seeing how two, three or four creative minds can work together in order to arrive at a final product. As some of you might have heard, singer Kanye West has collaborated with Louis Vuitton for a shoe line. I’m going to go out on a limb and say, I’m not a fan. While I come across images of these shoes, what I am more interested in would without a doubt have to be the Louis Vuitton bags he has in toe. In this image, you see an up close and personal image of a Camouflage Louis Vuitton Bag. Unfortunately, I don’t have information on where you can buy it or how much it is, but let’s have a little fun here. What do you think? Last week I talked about Heidi’s Chanel Manicure, which definitely stirred some debate. So when I came across this bag, I thought it might do the same. For those of you who LOVE all things and everything Louis Vuitton and for those of you who just like to admire any handbag you can, what do you think? You see it now, but do you wish you never had?

Images via Just Jared

Finally, a new Gucci bag that I don’t hate. In fact, I really don’t hate it! I quite like it! Not only that, but it’s something that I’ve been wanting them to try for so long. They took the staid, structured, maybe a bit boring traditional Jackie hobo and made the Gucci New Jackie Large Hobo. It’s a slouchy, modern, younger version of a bag that everyone knows and that really needed an update. They did one thing that I hate, though - they gave it an extra, completely unneccessary, annoying strap. The bag can already easily be carried on the shoulder by its natural handle, and the extra strap is only a few inches longer and makes the bag hang oddly when used. Since the original strap is not a separate, attached piece but part of the bag’s structure, it looks like it would be all up in the wearer’s armpit when using the extra strap. Keep reading...

I’ve written about many a clutch on this site. At barely 23, I find myself at a time in life when clutches are possibly the most important bags I have - they have to go with the largest variety of outfits and fit in to the largest variety of situations. Dive bars, bottle service at a club, dinner out at a variety of restaurants, shopping with friends the next day when I’m too lazy to switch back to a day bag - my clutches go everywhere. I have a million inexpensive ones, but if I could pick just a single glorious clutch to have, I’d give all my cheap ones in exchange for the Balenciaga Arena Giant Envelope Clutch. There are a few reasons why. Click here to read on!

There has only been one bag in the past few months that I completely and totally can not get off my mind. Many of you may know which bag I am referring to; the Salvatore Ferragamo Oversized Carlotta Alligator Tote. I have this small part of me, like 1/10193867th of me, that holds to the fact that this will be my wedding day gift from Vlad. Since the chance of that is minuscule, it would make sense to find a bag similar without the unbearable price tag. Sunny and cheery, the Salvatore Ferragamo Origami Tote retains the shape of the Carlotta that we love with a price tag that does not cost the price of a nice car. I still love the huge oversized version, for my travel bag, but this would be a day to day bag. The Italian leather is plush and divine and the bag itself is roomy. This is not really a close second, as the Carlotta is on a pedestal in my mind, but it is a viable option. Pre-order through Saks for $1890.