Prada Handbags and Purses (Page 6)

I say a lot more negative things about Prada bags than I say positive, but I promise that I don’t have anything particular against the brand. In fact, my first “designer” bag was a Prada crossbody, and I still have fond memories of it.

They’ve been doing more wrong than right in most of their high-profile bags lately, but they still make some great stuff that doesn’t grab as many headlines. I got a chance to examine a bunch of their bags up close this weekend, and I was particularly taken with the classic lines and superb construction of the Prada Saffiano Soft Frame Clutch.

After viewing Prada’s Spring 2010 runway show, I couldn’t help but think to myself, maybe the handbags were a joke after all. Maybe they won’t produce them. Perhaps, if we’re lucky, they’ll ship the REAL bags to retail and we’ll all be left with the daffy memory of those silly-looking bags that Prada so irreverently sent down the Milan runway.

Well, my wishful thinking was all for naut – the plasticky, rhinestoned monstrosities have landed. The Prada Spazzolato Tote might be the best of the bunch, and to say that’s faint praise would be the understatement of the season.

I love when Prada sticks to what it is good at: clean lines, great leather and fabulous color. I have to say, I came across the Prada Saffiano Lux Tote today and let out a sigh of relief.

Actually, I’ve seen this bag before, but I forgot about it. So, when I came across it again, all I can say is BRAVO Prada, BRAVO! Unfortunately, I’ve come across too many Prada bags that have missed the mark lately. In fact, they’ve missed the mark so much that I virtually stopped looking at them. Today folks, today is a different day.

You know, I’ve always secretly wanted to have an amazing, unbelievably amazing briefcase. This thought usually comes up when I pseudo dream of being some high powered executive perhaps working in a city like New York City.

You know how the movies portray things. Everyone walks fast, walks with a purpose, walks with power… oh and they all look fabulous. I was instantly reminded of this when I came across the Prada Ivory Saffiano Bi-Fold Zip Briefcase.

Prada’s Spring 2008 Handbags caught worldwide attention when the Prada Fairy Bag was placed in the spotlight. The Fairy bag was whimsical, a departure from the norm, and highly coveted. In fact it was one of the first Prada bags in the past few years that garnered so much attention people were putting themselves on waitlists to try to get it. Since the Fairy Bag, Prada has not released another bag that created even a tenth of the buzz the Fairy bag did.

When I saw the new Prada Print Roll Bags it was evident that Prada is trying to find another hit. The question is do these print roll bags evoke the same response the Fairy Bag did?

I think that the handbag folks at Prada and I need to have a little conversation about the Prada Perforated Roll Bag. I have some thoughts, and they would probably best be expressed in private. And by “in private,” I mean “after the jump.”

I’m underwhelmed, and I hate being underwhelmed. I’m not a huge fan of Prada‘s Fall 2009 offerings, and I’m even less of a fan of Prada Spring 2010. So much so that it kind of makes my head hurt.

Memo to the fashion industry: no one wants clear vinyl bags. No one. You guys tried this crap a few seasons ago and thought it would be cute, and they all ended up on the sale rack at the end of the season, and they didn’t even move particularly quickly once discounted. A clear, architectural hard plastic clutch meant to hold three things for a night out, a la Fendi‘s Spring 2010 presentation? That’s clear done well.

But a vinyl gray-tinted clear satchel meant to hold the dreck of everyday life, like tampons and your ATM receipts? No thanks. Do not want. Ever. But that, with some jewels stuck to the top and a canvas tote or two thrown in for good measure, is basically what we got. Since Prada does such a big bag collection for every season, this is probably only the tip of the iceberg and several other non-runway mini lines will eventually surface, but if this is any indication of what’s to come, I’ll take a pass.