Along with his continual throwback to the’60s this spring, Marc by Marc Jacobs again channels color blocking in a clever combination of hues. The “R Special Color block” collection palette reminds me of the circa 1962 Eero Saarinen designed terminal at JFK. Or at least the colors of the very chic flight attendants of that era. Very retro, in a sophisticated kind of way. It may not be for everyone, but the graphic sensibility of a color blocked handbag really appeals to me. Definitely pair these bags for a casual downtown look. Think distressed boyfriend jeans and a cozy slouchy cashmere cardigan sweater. This summer wear it with flowy puffy sleeved a-line mini dresses and gladiator sandals. I am looking forward to NYFW in February to see what MJ has up his sleeve for us in Fall 2010!

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I love Zagliani handbags. This designer knows how to execute exotic handbags perfectly. Each exotic that I’ve seen is gorgeous, well thought-out and completely drool-worthy. The Zagliani Multicolored Puffy Python Bag is no exception.

This isn’t the first time that we’ve seen this shape and design. I covered the Zagliani Medium Python Puffy Bag a while back. Just as I thought that bag was gorgeous, so is this one. In fact, I think I like this one even better due to the multicolored color scheme. This classic style has two top handles and is constructed using pleated python.

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Before we go any further, does Chanel’s website make anyone else sort of dizzy and motion sick, or am I just way too sensitive to that sort of thing? Websites where brands make their bags run frantically from side to side make my head spin, and that website structure makes me find something else to look at almost immediately.

In this case, however, I persevered in order to find the Chanel Rubber Effect Python Signature Tote. Was my nausea worth it? I think it was, but then again, I do have an unnatural affinity for everything black.

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Help me out folks. Would you pay $1295 for this tote? I realize it is a Marc Jacobs design, but still, I really can’t get passed this price tag. This price has me shaking my head with each stroke on my keyboard.

Alright, enough of my disbelief and onto the bag itself. This Marc Jacobs Love Bird Leather Tote is a bright and cheery tote that will add quite a bit of color to just about any outfit you might want to pair it with.

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With all of the men’s shows happening in Europe this week, I’ve been thinking a lot about manbags. Historically they’ve been a fashion staple, but much like hats, they fell out of favor in the second half of the last century. At least in a small way, however, they appear to be back and gaining leverage over the past few years.

And where there’s an opportunity to sell things, those trying to sell an expensive version of those things can’t be far behind. There are now more choices for luxury manbags than ever before, and my personal favorite (of the day, anyway) is the Basil Racuk Hard Brief.

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You might want to sit down, if you aren’t already. At first, I was really excited to see the Bottega Veneta Leather Fringe Shoulder Bag. But then, I saw it and I became extremely conflicted. As I’ve mentioned several times before, I am totally in love with the leather Bottega Veneta uses on its handbags. It is always supple, always gorgeous and always bumps up the bag design to the next level.

That lovely leather is can be seen on this bag as well. However, I am a bit concerned that it looks, hmmm, a bit unfinished. Yet, as soon as I type those words I go to the complete opposite end of the spectrum and begin to think that this pattern is an eccentric and unique play on the intrecciato weaving and slight fringe.

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We talk a lot about Bottega Veneta, and for good reason. They’re doing some of the most interesting things with some of the best materials on the marketplace, and their bags often have an element of visual trickery with them that I find delightful. If a designer can find a way to make a bag more than the sum of its parts, then he or she has done her job.

The fine folks at BV do their jobs very, very well. Their bags may not fit your personal style (they often don’t fit mine), but it’s hard to argue that they’re not at least producing some of the more interesting products on the high-end marketplace. The Bottega Veneta Oversized Intrecciato Shopper for example, features a weave within a weave that still has me trying to figure out exactly how the designers pulled it off.

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The era of the all-encompassing It Bag has mostly come and gone, and with the breadth of designer possibilities available, more individualized trends usually rule the day. That is, of course, unless we’re talking about the Mulberry Alexa Satchel. If It Bags still exist, it absolutely deserves the moniker.

Named after It Girl Alexa Chung, this little number has been on the minds of fashionistas both in the US and across the pond since we initially saw Chung wearing it months and months ago. And really, is there a better way to attract attention for your new bag than by naming it after a rising star and then giving her one to carry everywhere? I think not.

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Marc Jacobs is doing something quirky and cool with his spring bag collection and we are loving it! Last night I posted on our Twitter and Facebook asking people what handbag they have passed up recently and regret it. While I could think of a few, I had this nagging image in the back of my mind, of a totally off-the-wall Marc Jacobs bag that somehow is speaking to me.

Do you remember the Marc Jacobs Fluorescent Tweed Bag? It is completely tacky, over-done, and lovely. Yes, I said lovely. Why am I feeling so drawn to this crazy mish-mash of tweed, patent leather, and colorful baubbles? I don’t know. But I adore that bag.

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