Custom Design

Spotted at Bal Harbour during lunch hour.

Original post by Vlad Dusil

I know, I know. You’ve all spent the past few weeks waiting, patiently for the announcement of all announcements… the winner of that gorgeous Hermes Birkin from back in December. You might remember that we partnered with our friends at FabSugar and Portero Luxury to bring you the most amazing giveaway we’ve done thus far – the holy grail of handbags – the Hermes Birkin.

After the random selection we had to make sure we had dotted all our i’s and crossed all our t’s before announcing. But today as the day, and the lucky winner was Kate S. from New Jersey!!! She’s even sent in a picture of her with her new bag. Click here to check it out.

Thanks again to FabSugar and Portero for this amazing partnership, but also thank you to all of YOU who entered! Stay tuned… I’m sure we’ll have even more fabulous things in store for you all in 2010!

Original post by Shannon Mahoney

I think it is fair to say those of you who frequent PurseBlog and all of our sister sites, including the Purse Forum (tPF) are handbag lovers. So, while you know which handbags are coveted and for what reasons, others might not know all the details behind why certain bags are more sought after than others.

As you know, we have partnered with our friends at FabSugar and Portero to bring you the most amazing giveaway ever: a Hermes Birkin. The FabNetwork started FabTv a little while back and have produced two videos specifically for this giveaway. Both videos are unique, informative and fun. And if you haven’t already, click on the orange banners on our site and enter to win this Birkin!

What Makes a Birkin Bag So Special & How to Spot a Real v Fake:

Original post by Shannon Mahoney

I think it is fair to say those of you who frequent PurseBlog and all of our sister sites, including the Purse Forum (tPF) are handbag lovers. So, while you know which handbags are coveted and for what reasons, others might not know all the details behind why certain bags are more sought after than others.

As you know, we have partnered with our friends at FabSugar and Portero to bring you the most amazing giveaway ever: a Hermes Birkin. The FabNetwork started FabTv a little while back and have produced two videos specifically for this giveaway. Both videos are unique, informative and fun. And if you haven’t already, click on the orange banners on our site and enter to win this Birkin!

What Makes a Birkin Bag So Special & How to Spot a Real v Fake:

Original post by Shannon Mahoney

A week ago today, I leaked a teaser about a fabulous giveaway on the horizon. While I couldn’t divulge which bag would be up for grabs, I did get a chance to offer a few hints. For the past week, many of you have jotted down one guess while others made a few guesses. It is fair to say that the majority of the guesses were correct, and today, I get to shout from the rooftops: WE’RE GIVING AWAY THIS HERMES BIRKIN!!!

We’ve partnered with two beyond amazing sites to bring you the holy grail of handbags, this Hermes Birkin. For this giveaway of all giveaways we’ve teamed up with Portero Luxury and FabSugar. Portero Luxury is providing the certified pre-owned, never used, gorgeous, supple and lust-worthy 30cm Black Evergrain Birkin.

The giveaway starts today, Monday, November 30, 2009 and ends Thursday, December 31, 2009 at 11:59 PST. You’ve heard enough, you want to enter, so how do you do so? Head over and visit our friends at FabSugar to register to win!

CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

Original post by Shannon Mahoney

Black is one of the most essential colors (I know there is a long standing argument about if black is or is not a color) that you must have in your wardrobe. There is the little black dress. The black bag. The black shoes. The black pants. The black clutch. The black tee shirt. The black jacket. Forget the argument of black as a color and realize that black is a staple of most wardrobes. I have a great little black dress from Prada that fits beautifully and has been used for a variety of events. But when I looked in my closet I realized a lack of black bags. I do have a classic Chanel Bag but I am lacking a compact black clutch and a larger black handbag.

I kid you not, I dreamt about a black Hermes Birkin last night. I woke up craving one and questioning whether I should opt for gold hardware or palladium hardware and if 35 cm would be better rather than 30. This year is a great year for investment pieces and a classic Birkin in a color that is classic seems to be a good fit.

But what about some other black pieces? Compact clutches are great evening bags. While they don’t fit much, they provide a great look and fit in your hand ideally. The Anya Hindmarch Patent Box Clutch is marked half off right now and can easily be used season to season. Sleek and snappy, this glossy Anya Hindmarch clutch is a perfect black wardrobe essential. Buy through Net A Porter for $197.50.

I have been loving the vest look as of recent and I found the ultimate black vest. Made of crocodile, the Rick Owens Crocodile Leather Vest sports an asymmetrical peaked hem and a V-neck. Everything about this vest is over the top and even a bit ostentatious but I absolutely love it. I am fairly positive this vest would look silly on most people, including me, but if I would wear this statement piece I would love it. Buy through Net A Porter for $11,415.

Point of this piece, black is essential to all aspects of your wardrobe and crocodile vests are not for everyone. Oh yea, and I should get a black Hermes Birkin.

Original post by Megs Mahoney Dusil

I must confess. handbags are not my first love, that spot on the top of my list of favorite past times and hobbies belongs to books, books, books.
So, naturally, nothing makes me as happy as when my 2 passions meet…books about handbags.
If the book is humorous, as well as interesting, well that’s just an added bonus, and the most perfect example of recent date is Michael Tonello ’s Bringing Home the Birkin.
I first mentioned the book here back in February when an advanced copy sold for nearly $1,000 (proceeds went to charity), and have since had the opportunity to read it myself. It was all I anticipated…and then some.

Billed as the true story of how one man managed to bust right through the mythological (and he proves that it is in fact a myth) Hermes waiting list for exotic hard to get Birkins but it is so much more than that. The emphasis is on the storied handbag, and the quest for Birkin is the driving device to the tale, but in all honesty you don’t need to know a Birkin from bread basket to enjoy the book. I found myself transported by the descriptions of amazing places Mr Tonello travelled in his quest to feed his Brikin starved clients…his description of Capri actually borders on travel porn, and he made me want to pick up and move to Spain.
Along the way of course, there are the funny stories about clientelle, shopping excursions to various Hermes outposts across 4 continents, hilarious descriptions of the salespeople, and a peek into the chain of commodity that is eBay. Mr Tonello not only breaks the Hermes code (and shows you how to do it too…anyone with patience, charm, and a credit limit can work it) but also deals with chance, danger, blackmail and intrigue, meets larger than life people, and of course, like any good protagonist, finds true love.
I have a feeling that this could be one of the biggest beach reads this Summer…and rightfully so. Bringing Home the Birkin doesn′t hit stores until April 22nd but you can peek inside now, or just pre-order a copy on Amazon (there is a 5% discount for pre-orders).

Now, how would you like a chance at your very own Birkin, without having to leave your comfy computer chair? Just scroll down…

In anticipation of the book’s release, publisher Harper Collins and Omni Hotels are giving away a Birkin. Enter the sweepstakes now!

Original post by Bag chick

Ahhh, the first sign of Spring. Not when stores start to jettison sweaters and coats in December, or when Barney’s announces it’s warehouse sale, but when my favorite daily, the NY Post
has their week long Spring accessory feature! What could be more exciting than a centerfold of handbags?

I generally like this feature, because it is a pretty good hodge-podge of looks, with aspiring IT bags, some ugly bags, and some pretty random choices too.
It also gives a pretty quick idea of the trends their editors are looking at.
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There are definitely a fair share of Birkin-esque bags shown, among them, a definite sleeper, Ralph Lauren’s Legend, on the far left, in black patent and yellow. The vertical belt detail is a nice twist on the look. The Legend is $3,095 at Ralph Lauren Boutiques.
The insta-IT YSL Muse Two AKA Forever, also has a similar vertical detail, it is not a full belt however and makes it easier for non-Houdinis to get into their bag. On the downside, the handle is attached to the top flap, so if you aren’t scrupulous about closing your bag, it will literally hang agape. It’s $1,645 in the medium size.
A bag that I thought might not make it off the runway, the Jetsons looking Vuitton Motard Firebird has landed for spring. It’s $5,250 of “what were they thinking?”. maybe some consumer will think it so ugly, it’s cool, like a Cabbage patch Kid or something. It looks like a bag of Easter hued fug to me.
Not much left to say about the bag on the right, it’s the uber-hot Versace Bubble Bag. At $3,830 worth of gorgeousness, you can’t get one in orange as reported right here last week.

Patchwork seems to be the newest big look, and it hadn’t really sunk in until I saw 3 of these on one page. The leftmost bag, Miu Miu’s woven looking patchwork of diamonds in shades of red, pink, and mauve is adorable. I like the “peek-a-boo″ lining popping out over the gathered top. The braided handle gives it a deluxe pouch look. It sells for $1,595 at Miu miu.
The middle top bag, from Dolce &amp Gabbana is the Ayers Patchwork Miss Pocket bag. Now this is what I think of when I think patchwork…and I shudder at the thought. This looks more like Coach, or Lucky Brand (which has been selling a patchwork bag for years) than Dolce. even if it is made from colorful blocks of snake, it looks cheesy, and not like $3,995 bag. The style, on the other hand, is pretty nice. It’s folded into a clutch here, but it is a cute satchel with a front pocket when unfurled. It is listed as available at Bergdorf Goodman, but is not on their website yet.
Another bag, also featured here a few posts back, is the Stripe bag from Prada. This is patchwork done right. This particular style is $2,360, from Prada. I love the juxtaposition of the Prada and Miu Miu bags. Both are so similar, and so different…I can see the Miu Miu as a younger interpretation of the Prada.
Not patched, but pleated, Mulberry’s Poppy bag is at the bottom middle. I like that this bag is just unlike anything else. It’s mot as heavy looking as Mulberry tends to, and I think the pleats are elegant and timeless. Of course, being Mulberry, there is some big hardware in the way of a brass side zipper. It’s $1,795 from Mulberry.

Another apparent trend which is still clinging on, is shiny stuff. I really haven’t embraced patent…could be the fingerprints on the bags I pick up in the stores…I mean if they show smudges that easily… Still there is nothing like a shiny red anything to make me think “I want” and Alexander McQueen’s Flapper bag, top left does just that. It looks like a cross between a YSL Downtown and a classic bowling bag…with a Muse of a turnlock thrown in. It’s $1,1690 at Alexander McQueen stores.
Moving counterclockwise, is a shiny-ish Fendi, which is really not done justice in the photo. It’s a bright cherry red perforated leather with black twisted rope handles and side detail. The attention to detail is amazing…tiny logo double Fs adorn the trim around the handle loops…if only they had stopped there, because one of the notable things about these bags was the subtle take on logos and branding for nearly all of them. The giant FF is heavy handed and spoils the bag for me, maybe if those were actually my initials… It’s $1,680 from net-a-porter.
Next, is a bag that is another beach ball shaped bucket, this one from Stella McCartney. I love the color, and it is probably more worry free care-wise since it is doubtlessly man made materials. The $995 price tag bothers me because by any name or for any cause, it is still plastic, and call me behind the times, but I can’t get over that for more than a few hundred bucks…not even for Stella McCartney. It is available from Intermix.
Last, in the top right, is a bag that brings us full circle. Shiny and silver, this East/West version of Lanvin’s Kentucky Tote is another Birkin inspired look. It too has vertical straps, as well as the traditional horizontal one. I love that the foiled silver is paired with gold tone hardware, and brown handles, not the expected black. A little unexpected, but subtle. It is $2,385 and available at Bergdorf Goodman. The tote version is $2,540 Barney’s .

Original post by Bag chick

$1,000 for a bag? Big deal, hardly worth batting an eyelash these days it’s so common. But for a book?
Well, if it’s a copy of an “IT” book being auctioned on eBay 2 months before it’s release date…

According to Page Six, that is nearly how much an advanced copy of what is sure to be the book every bag fanatic will have in their totes this Summer, Michael Tonello’s Bringing Home the Birkin. They did fail to mention that the auction was done with the author’s consent (it was actually, a limited edition in a “Birkin″ holder and signed) and the proceeds went to benefit Lung Cancer Research.

It’s the author’s memoir of getting around the Hermes velvet rope of a “waitlist″, and buying the highly coveted handbag on the spot…simply by knowing the right way to ask. And, he made a living at it, by reselling the bags to his own Birkin starved clientele, all the while enjoying the perks and priviledge of an Hermes insider. Watch the video for Michael Tonello′s own words about the book.
Now, you say you don’t feel like spending handbag amounts of money on a book, even if it is an IT book? Get yourself on the real waitlist…you can pre-order a copy on Amazon and save $950…but you’ll have to wait until April to read it.
In the meanwhile you can see Michael Tonello talk about his book, and show off some Birkin booty here.

Original post by Bag chick