There are two things that I hope to do before my handbag career is over: own an Hermes bag and own something in crocodile or alligator. Those two dreams are both far off in the distance, but that doesn’t mean my wandering eyes can’t check out the merchandise. And lately, I can’t get the image of the Nancy Gonzalez Large Crocodile Tote out of my head.

I first covered this bag in a different color for Bag That Style, and this is another one of those situations where seeing it on a person makes all the difference. The pink looks like a wonderful sugary confection, but I’m more interested in the super-dark, shiny black option. What is it with me and giant black bags lately? I’m not sure, but if this is wrong, I don’t want to be right. The finish of the crocodile gives the bag a younger, edgier slant than most similar exotics, and the price could be a lot worse – Nancy Gonzalez charges for croc what a lot of other brands charge for python. Buy through Saks for $3350.

Rebecca, meet Nancy. Nancy, meet Rebecca.

Last update prior to us rolling out the new Bag Art category name. Stay tuned!

Gustto handbags are not new to us here at Purse Blog. In fact, we like these handbags so much that they are without a doubt one of our favorite Savvy Brands over at Purse Blog Savvy.

Recently I had a chance to speak with Founder and Creative Director of Gustto, Agathe Planchon. As she splits her time between San Diego and NYC it was no shock that I picked up on her easy going and approachable San Diego vibe.

Her story is not only amazing, but also a breath of fresh air. Of course we are all aware of the current state of the economy, but Agathe’s outlook is inspiring and uplifting. More than anything else, it was wonderful to hear that people still dream and believe in success. And it is no wonder so many celebrities have been spotted carrying these bags. They are unique, well made and a great accessory to so many outfits. We’ve had a chance to photograph some of these bags in person for our Bag Art and they were certainly hard to give back. We hope you enjoy the interview and make sure to stay tuned, there is much more Gustto to come!

Shop Gustto

Last week we brought you an awesome handbag sale that was going on over at Bloomingdale’s. Although the sale is technically over, I have to let you know there are still loads of great bags that are being offered at super low prices. Click here to shop away!

Let’s dispense with the boring, non-Danielle parts of this episode of Real Housewives of New Jersey quickly. First, Dina is sad because she has to send her daughter/best buddy to Cyprus. It’s actually kind of sweet, although Dina appears to be a huge xenophobe, because she actually seems like she’ll worry for her daughter and miss spending time with her. Aww, that’s cute. Jacqueline still can’t get pregnant (although she did about 9 months ago and is due any day now). Teresa and Goomba Johnny or whoever her husband is decide that it’d be fun for everyone to take dance classes, since the teevee told her that dancing was fun, and they all go and do it (except for Dina, who was probably at home continually rolling her eyes). And Danielle is totally creepy about both the dance instructor and Caroline’s son Albie.

This teaches us an important lesson for the rest of the show: Danielle will hit on anything with external genitalia. She also pisses off Goomba Johnny, who was acting exactly as you’d expect him to act by calling the dance instructor gay,* and then insults Teresa for being married to him. Which brings us to the best part of the entire episode, and the drama that we’ve all been waiting for: everyone freakin’ hates Danielle.

Click here to find out why...

It appears as though a major designer is finally getting real about what the economic downturn might mean to their handbag business, and not in any small way. The Burberry Leather Messenger Bag is part of a line of several bags that the brand has put out this season with price tags dramatically lower than their normal leather offerings would be. This one, for example, is priced at staggeringly low (for a brand like Burberry) $375.

And although the bag may be fairly simple in design, it doesn’t seem like an afterthought to me. The finish of the leather reminds me of the crinkly bags that Prada has released this season, except this bag is slightly more matte and the shoulder strap allows it to be worn as a very chic oversized shoulder bag or across the body. Good design doesn’t necessarily mean extra complications, and based on this line from Burberry, it also doesn’t mean exorbitant prices. This may not be the most exciting bag that any of us have ever seen, but I think the price point is cause to celebrate indeed. Buy through Saks for $375.

I’ve resisted the fringe trend for quite a while now. I’ve posted a few examples of fringe bags that I like on PurseBlog Savvy over the past few months, but I wasn’t ready to come out and love the trend as a whole. I thought it was messy. I thought it was floppy. I thought it was a little too hippie-dippy for my personal taste. But then I saw Whitney Port carrying a fringe bag and my mind changed. Pretty much instantly.

And since then, I’ve decided that the fringe bag I’m mostly likely to invest in is the Linea Pelle Janis Fringe Tote. Unlike the rest of the Purse Blog crew, I’m not lucky enough to already have a fab Linea Pelle bag, but from what they’ve said, I know the leather on this one is going to be soft and wonderful and the bag will most likely be one I’ll find myself reaching for again and again. I think I like this bag above all other fringe bags because it’s so well-edited and comparatively understated. The fringe isn’t hanging from every last surface, it’s concentrated in the corners and a bit less cowgirl than carrying something covered in hanging bits of leather. Yes, ladies, I think this is the one for me. Buy through Bloomingdale’s for $425.

It pains me to write this since I normally adore Valentino bags, particularly those that play on their ever-popular rose theme. But, as far as the Valentino Petale Satchel goes, I just can’t get on board.

A lot of their bags are ruffly and fluffy and plush in a way that few other designers are able to execute with any level of skill at all, but this one is just sort of flat. And I mean that both literally and figuratively. In the physical sense, it looks like this bag was shipped in a box stuffed with a few too many of its brothers and sisters. Instead of big and fabulous, the flowered front looks squashed and flat. And it’s not just the picture – the bag looks like that in person too, or maybe like someone cut off the big petals at the base, and this is all that’s left. As a result, the bag doesn’t have the personality that most of the similarly themed Valentino bags have, and I’ll have to take a pass on this one. Buy through Saks for $2495.

Louis Vuitton brought us news and an image of the new Louis Vuitton Core Values icons. Say farewell to the Coppolas and hello to three new exceptional figures. Louis Vuitton commemorates the 40th anniversary of man’s conquest of the Moon and features Buzz Aldrin, Jim Lovell, and Sally Ride as their Core Values icons.

The photograph by Annie Leibovitz is not only amazing but captivating, showing three individuals who have accomplished a similar feat which seemed unimaginable. Louis Vuitton has found a way to inspire with this Core Values Campaign and continues to reach above and beyond.

Read the press release below...

I’ve had my eye on the Mulberry Roxanne A4 Tote ever since its first red patent leather iteration came out several seasons ago, and now that it’s back (and less expensive) in purple patent-coated canvas, I can’t help but fawn over it again.

One thing that I think Mulberry does very well with their bags is that they make them completely and totally functional. They seem to consider the purpose for which the bag will be used just as much as they consider the way that the bag will look, and what they end up with is a great collection of bags that can be used every day and for a variety of purposes. All kinds of women could have these bags in their closet. I have but one gripe with this bag in particular, and it’s purely aesthetic: the straps and the pocket flaps. They’re a different material, which I like for an accent, but I wish they were smooth instead of pebbled. The pebbling really, really bugs me. A lot. Other than that, though, I think purple patent will go with a lot more than you may realize. Buy through Bloomingdale’s for $795.