Custom Design

Even for a dedicated lover of Balenciaga handbags like me, it can sometimes be hard to remember that the brand makes purses other than their famed motorcycle bags. When the brand is mentioned to me, I always conjure up an image of a City or Day bag with giant silver hardware, but there’s much more to Balenciaga’s accessories that just that. If you haven’t seen (and felt) the Balenciaga Chaine Bag in person, you’re missing out.

BlueFly claims that this bag is made of calfskin and I have no real reason not to believe them, save for the fact that it might be the softest leather that I’ve ever felt in my entire life. I’m not one to exaggerate needlessly, so believe me when I say that you’ve got to feel it to understand just how divine this leather really is.

If Balenciaga suddenly decided to start making their brightly colored motorcycle bags out of this leather, I’d be able to die a happy woman. I did a double take when I felt it for the first time and was so impressed that I seriously considered plunking down the two grand for it right then and there. I restrained myself (just barely), but it was a good reminder that Balenciaga does a lot more than we sometimes give them credit for when it comes to handbags. Buy through BlueFly for $1996.

Original post by Amanda Mull

Ok, so, that’s probably a false promise. But these are five beach bags that we really like for five different budgets and personal styles.

(Clockwise, from top right)

1. Fendi Zucca Print Canvas Tote: This is the beach bag for the girl that’s worried about being glamorous in all facets of life. If you put heels and jewelry on to go to the beach and rent the best cabana in the best location (with cocktail service, of course), multicolored logo’d Fendi is exactly what you need to tote your towel. And also, I would like to go on vacation with you. Buy through Bergdorf Goodman for $1050.

2. Prada Plex & Mistolino Tote: If you’re a bonafide city girl gone temporarily coastal, this is your bag. It allows you to extend an austere Prada sensibility to a venue that would normally be more casual, which reminds everyone that you are headed straight back to your urban apartment and your black wardrobe, just as soon as you get finished with that enormous drink which appears to have an entire half of a pineapple in it. Buy through BlueFly for $636.

3. Juicy Couture Beach Cooler Tote: If you paid more attention to the drinks mentioned in the previous two descriptions than the bags that they were about, then this is your new best friend. Sure, there are less expensive portable cooler options out there, but that’s not really the point of this blog, now is it? Plus, none of them are nearly this cute. Buy through Saks for $128.

4. Diane Von Furstenberg Glazed Canvas Beach Tote: If you’re a fashionable 20-something on a budget (read: if you’re Amanda) but still want the coolest beach bag possible, this is the one you want. The casual atmospheres and bright color schemes of tropical places make carrying an orange, yellow and purple leopard print bag totally acceptable, and…oh, who am I kidding. I’d carry it whenever. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $75.

5. Ted Baker Print Basket Tote: If your style is more classic and you don’t want to spend a fortune on a bag that’s only useful on the beach, this slightly more formal option is perfect. It can just as easily be worn to a restaurant or daytime event if the weather is warm, and the ribbon-covered handles and large bow make it special. Buy through Nordstrom for $110.

Original post by Amanda Mull

I think I’m the only person on the face of the planet who has a genuine distaste for blue. I didn’t realize that that was the case until I recently cleaned out my closet in an attempt to rid myself of things that I never wear, and I found myself left with a pile of blue clothing. Navy blue is one thing, but the blue I dislike tend to be any shade of medium or light blue, and baby blue in particular, which likely has something to do with my skin tone.

I’m not entirely opposed to the color, of course, but it has to be a really particular shade for me to want to incorporate it into my wardrobe. Luckily (or perhaps unluckily, depending on how you look at it) for me, this Balenciaga Giant Brief is exactly that color. I was dubious until I saw someone toting a City of the same color at Neiman Marcus recently, and laying eyes on it in person removed any shred of doubt that I have left. That Balenciaga can make me like a medium shade of blue is really a testament to their mastery of brights.

This particular Balenciaga shape may be too big for some people, but when you take out the stuffing and allow it to slouch, I think it’s pretty great. The proportion works particularly well with the giant silver hardware, which is my favorite of the brand’s four major options. I don’t wear much (or any) denim, and this shade (which is much richer in real life than in the photo) would probably contrast nicely with my normally black-heavy outfits. Perhaps I should reconsider blue’s role in my life and wardrobe. If only every blue were a Balenciaga blue…Buy through BlueFly for $1276.

Original post by Amanda Mull

Today is an exciting day. Well, first of all, almost all Fridays are exciting to me. I don’t care if I have big weekend plans or no weekend plans, I absolutely love Fridays. Don’t you?

In addition to it being Friday, I’m really excited to share something great with you. Bluefly has added more than 3,000 styles to its online store! I started looking through this morning and before I knew it over an hour had gone by and I had waaaaaay too many items in my shopping cart. With this great news comes a great selection of what we all love here – HANDBAGS! We’ll be featuring some of our favorite picks, but in the mean time, go ahead, treat yourself to something fabulous. CLICK HERE to check out some of the new styles!

Original post by Shannon Mahoney

♪On the fourth day of Bottega Veneta let’s hit the beach, with a tote and sandals, you will need each!♪

Add a little simplicity to your life with the Bottega Veneta Nero Sardegna Canvas Tote Bag. This Cruise 2009-10 bag features a large body, 16.4″ X 12.5″ X 12.5″, and the option of double canvas handles or chic metal chain shoulder straps with leather muff. We like this bag as a beach bag option, for the warm summer days and vacations. Buy through Bottega Veneta for $980.

The best way to compliment a simple bag is with romantic yet everyday wearable sandals. We are seriously loving the Bottega Veneta Cigar Vernice Sandals, which we exclusively previewed to you from the Spring line. The sandals are also inherently simple, yet the rose detail on the top of each shoe brings a delightful addition. The black version of this shoe available now at Bottega Veneta for $630.

Now we have shown you two items that are beach worthy and must not be forgotten when preparing for tropical vacations!

Original post by Megs Mahoney Dusil

Last fall we had the pleasure to meet with the designers and co-founders behind Be&D, Be Inthavong and Steve Dumain. Be&D reintroduced the Garbo when we were at the press preview and we could not have been more thrilled. In 2004, most handbag designers were sticking to the basics. At this time I was still exploring my love of handbags (this is pre-PurseBlog days). Though many bags continued to look similar, there was a standout that caught my attention. It was studs. Glorious studs on the Be&D Garbo satchel.

    

At the time the idea of a studded handbag was foreign. No other designer was doing it and in my mind Be&D was one of the first brands to release a studded handbag. The duo became known for their studs. So while they did follow up with other successes, like the KanKan, the studs were dearly missed.

The re-inception of the Garbo could not have come at a better time. The entire fashion world may not have been ready for studded handbags in 2004, but it is 2009 and we are seeing studs everywhere from everyone. For its 5 year anniversary, Be&D brings back the Garbo. Perfect timing, indeed. Now it is time for us to give you a look at the Garbo collection from Be&D from bags, to shoes, to clutches.

The Garbo collection is unlike other designers who introduce studded bags. Nothing about these pointed studs are dainty. A seriously edgy handbag needs serious studs, and Be&D delivers. The downside of the studs is the weight, as the bags run quite heavy – even for an over-all studded handbag.

You will not stay occupied thinking about the weight when you get your hands on a Garbo bag. The lambskin is seriously supple, one of the softest I have felt in a long time. The colors are saturated beautifully into the leather and pop against the stud detailing. The whipstitch detailing on the handles gives a subtle yet sophisticated addition. The collection can be defined as the epitome of punk modernity.

When it comes to studded handbags, Be&D has perfected the art. Other brands are desperately trying to keep up with this trend, but Be&D invented it. The bags are modern, funky, and mean serious business. We were loving every bag, from the classic satchel (stack at the top of the post) to the fun clutches. We could not be more thrilled that Be&D brought back the Garbo for their 5th anniversary, and now Garbo will not be going anywhere.

More on the Garbo from Be & Steve

PB: Tell us about your first launch of the Garbo: When did you launch it? How was it different from the other handbags? Your vision?

We launched the first Garbo in July 2004 in Bergdorf Goodman. We felt their was a lack of fun in the luxury fashion market and wanted to see if we could fill that gap. The idea for this piece for us was to be a very seriously crafted bag but with a rock and roll appeal that was still glamorous but tough. There was nothing like it in the market and we just loved the feel of the super soft lamb with the metal studs.

PB: Now every designer is releasing at least one bag in their collection with studs. Do you feel like you started the stud trend?

Right after we launched that bag back in 2004, there were a lot of great young Hollywood ladies wearing it, which really caused our big luxury competitors to take notice. We were so little known at the time – that only super serious fashion girls knew who had started it. At first it was difficult to see this happening – but it really is an honor in a way and everyone says there’s no higher form of flattery. There are many editors who tell us we started the stud trend – but it was really just a fun moment for us that we felt was super relevant to how we felt about life at the time. I guess the Garbo bag has many illegitimate siblings running around out there in the world – and it’s really a wild feeling to think we were in some way responsible for the way so many women were dressing.

After the big craze post Garbo- we had another one that made us very proud called the KanKan (spotted on Katherine Heigl). This bag also had a similar trajectory if you look at the timeline – it’s very cool to see what became of that look.

PB: Will you keep the Garbo as part of your collection for good now?

I think she’ll be a permanent part of our collection from now on – and in some way will always influence our designs – whether it be the super soft structure or the rock and roll look – or just the feeling we had when creating her.

PB: What is next for Be&D? Can we expect more studs or do you have something else up your sleeve?

There’s definitely something up our sleeve that we just finished up for Spring 10′ that is so exciting for us – hopefully you’ll all feel the same.

Original post by Megs Mahoney Dusil

Info: Jimmy Choo Robin Biker Leather and Elaphe Snake Bag. $1,395 via Jimmy Choo or Net-A-Porter.

Original post by Vlad Dusil

Hermes does Bugatti, Smart cars, Citroen 2CV. I have a real soft spot for these types of collaborations, it is the best of two worlds gracefully fused into one. Very exclusive, very expensive, very delicate, and very awesome.

The owner of this pickup truck took matters into his own hands and created his own fashionable rendition of the Louis Vuitton Monogram Dodge RAM 1500. Featuring a HEMI engine, three alloys, extended cab, an all-around black-on-white Monogram print, as well as two black monogramed racing stripes down the length of the truck, this truck is guaranteed to turn the heads of the local South Floridians. It sure turned our heads on the way down to Key West last week.

Verdict: Craptastic. I’d give it a 9/10 for effort, but poor marks on originality and execution. Though the owner’s no Britney Spears, I’d be prepared for a possible lawsuit.

Original post by Vlad Dusil

Studded detail and intense color sighted on our way down south towards KW.

Featured: Rebecca Minkoff Studded MAM Bag - $675 via Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, big MAB via Saks.com.

Original post by Vlad Dusil

I am, more or less, on board with the Mulberry Creased Jenah Bag. It’s on-trend in several ways - it has a chain strap, it’s a flap bag, and it’s smaller than the bags that we’ve seen in the past few seasons. It’d be a great addition to a spring wardrobe to satisfy a lot of the new bag looks in one package, theoretically. But the one thing that’s stopping me is…the color. I know that a lot of people will disagree with me, because I can see where people would think it was pretty, but I just can’t do it. Pastels (and this is basically a pastel) are not good on me. I have yellow undertones in my skin, and it’s just not a particularly lovely contrast. Also, for some reason, wearing any kind of pastel makes me feel like an enormous, 5-and-a-half-foot-tall toddler. I’m willing to admit that this is probably a hangup that only I have, but until I see it in another color (a medium-to-mustard yellow would be nice, if you’re listening, Mulberry), I’ll have to pass. Buy through Shop Bop for $1195.

Original post by Amanda Mull