You know exactly what to expect with a handful of designers. Case in point, Betsey Johnson. I never expect to see something boring or detail-less when I see her name attached to anything. Frankly, it’s simply not her style. Moreover, I don’t know what I would think if I saw just a plain black bag. I might go into some kind of handbag shock.
Month: March 2010
The Gorjana Hudson Quilted Crossbody is back in stock at ShopBop!
We got quite a response the last time that I wrote about the Gorjana Hudson Quilted Crossbody Bag, and several posters were disappointed that it sold out soon after our review went up. Well, we thought that we’d let you know that ShopBop has restocked the little charmer, and it’s still at the totally reasonable … Read more
Diane Von Furstenberg Marisa Large Shoulder Bag
There are a lot of things in life that I don’t understand, but one in particular has been bothering me for the last two days. Why is the leather version of the Diane Von Furstenberg Marisa Large Shoulder Bag significantly less expensive than its denim counterpart?
There are a lot of things in life that I don’t understand, but one in particular has been bothering me for the last two days. Why is the leather version of the Diane Von Furstenberg Marisa Large Shoulder Bag significantly less expensive than its denim counterpart?When I stumbled upon this bag, I expected it to cost far more than the very reasonable $595 that the fine folks at DVF would like us to pay for it. Not only is it a large, functional bag made out of sumptuously soft (I’ve fondled it, so I feel comfortable using such purple language) leather, but I saw the $725 price tag for the denim version first and automatically assumed that the leather one would carry a price tag several hundred dollars steeper. Does anyone have any idea why the leather version is less expensive?
Caption This: Justin Bieber and Perez Hilton
Caption This Photo: Over the weekend, Perez Hilton celebrated his 32nd birthday with a huge birthday bash. Stars came out to celebrate with him, including teen sensation Justin Bieber. Strike a pose!
Introducing: Our Lord & Saviour
When we first met Jason Salstein (formerly of Hunting Season), we immediately sensed his ambition and readiness to stand out above the rest of the pack. A few days ago, Jason reached out to introduce his latest venture, namely his new line “Our Lord & Saviour“. This was just too good to pass up.
Valentino Rouch Fringed Leather Hobo
Ladies and gentlemen, you might want to make sure there are no Valentino fanatics in the room when you look at this bag, because frankly, it is beyond appalling.
Similar to my view on people, I like to find the good in handbags. Even when a certain bag has missed the mark, I do my best to point out the positive features while making note and keeping in mind the flaws. However, I have very few positives to point out with this Valentino creation. But, like so many bad bags that could have been good, this one had potential; but any potential it had has been completely lost and forgotten with the hideous ruffles. You’ll see what I am talking about after the jump, but, remember, I warned you!
Miu Miu Bird Suede and Python Clutch
Last night I asked our Twitter followers what bag or designer they would like to see us feature. Twitter user Fashion_Hawk suggested this Miu Miu Clutch. This was easy to say yes to, because I already eyed this clutch and already planned on writing about it.
The Miu Miu Bird Suede and Python Clutch is a welcomed surprise from Miu Miu and designer purses in general. We continue to see the same designs over and over. And for a site that reviews bags all day long, it takes additional measures to grab our attention, be it good or bad. In the case of this Miu Miu bag, I say it is good.
Antik Batik Havana Minibag
To loosely paraphrase Flannery O’Conner, a good minibag is hard to find. The marketplace is overflowing with them at the moment, and finding one of these diminutive bags with just the right combination of color, texture and functionality is a task that I’ve found thus far to be insurmountable. At this size, every detail has to be perfect.
So, does the Antik Batik Havana Minibag pass the test? Maybe so. The more I look at it, the more interested I become, and the more I think about buying it. Help me decide.
Bottega Veneta Woven Tote
To quote the title of one of my all-time favorite episodes of Sex and the City, I love a charade. Well, a fashion charade, that is. It almost never fails to impress me when designers are able to take a material that has a certain set of expected characteristics and make it look like something completely different. Earlier this week, I was impressed by how much Maison Martin Margiela made bike reflectors look like sequins, and now I’m feeling similarly pleased with the Bottega Veneta Woven Leather Tote.
On first examination, it looks like a really nice straw tote. And of course, I would expect that any straw bag coming from the Bottega Veneta workshops to be really nice, just like all of their leather offerings. That’s the thing, however – this IS one of their leather offerings. Plus it has a little bit of croc trim, just for good measure.
Leah and Bliss: Birkin-Inspiried Art Piece?
My recent blog debate stirred up quite the discussion. The photo that I posted from Style.com was said to be of an editor of Nylon Magazine and also, despite our assumptions, not a counterfeit Birkin. In fact, it was pointed out to be a design by a company named Leah and Bliss.
So I did a little research and reached out to the contact info on their website. And I got a response.
They had seen the article and wanted to set the record straight. What I was told is that the bag in the picture on Style.com was not a bedazzled fake Birkin, but rather a Birkin-inspired bag. I was told there are differences in the design of this bag versus a real Hermes Birkin (to quote: “many many differences“). The concept of this bag is to be young and playful and to resemble the wearing of large, chunky jewelry.
This bag is officially coined the Leah and Bliss Glamazon and is made of hand-sewn Italian leather and then covered in gems for the playful touch. Mostly, the concept creator wanted to make it clear to me, and you, that this bag is not a counterfeit handbag and is manufactured in their factories with quality materials. Price for the larger version starts at $495 and smaller $295, but personal orders can range up to $1,000.
Michael Kors Flap Bag
I am of two minds about the Michael Kors Flap Bag.
At first, I love it. Retro-modern acrylic accents were big on the Spring 2010 runways, usually in much more expensive iterations, and Kors has managed to use it in a sophisticated and well-edited way on this bag. The oversize links, joined together by smaller metal loops, are a perfect complement to the bag’s minimalist lines.
Then, on second thought, I don’t love it as much. I foresee functional issues in this bag’s future and it’s making me nervous.
Marni Small Woven Tweed Bag
There’s just something about the color combination of pink, yellow and white that makes me so cheerful. I’m sure that it’s because I associate those colors with warm weather, but I’m not entirely sure why warmth continues to make me happy – I’ve lived in Georgia all of my life, and at this point, I should feel about heat how a Michigander (yes, that’s what you call them) feels about snow.
I’ve had enough sweaty, uncomfortable days in my life that I should hate the impending heat, but the sunny-sweet Marni Small Woven Tweed Bag makes me long for it anyway. I’m like an addict that knows the stuff is bad for me, but I still need a hit.
