Custom Design

Spring is around the corner and we have a sneak peak at the Botkier Spring 2010 collection! In October we sat down with Monica to see what was in store for us from Botkier. On top of that, we were finalizing our amazing PurseBlog + Botkier Limited Edition Handbag.

Monica shares her a couple of her favorite bags from her Spring 2010 line. Our personal favorite from the Spring collection is the the Howard Street Bag, which comes in a great luscious pink or a blue multi-colored embossed python version.

At the end of the video, Monica talks a bit about our collaboration together. We are thrilled to be working with Botkier and know there will be many more partnerships in the future!

Make sure to vote for Phase II of the PurseBlog + Botkier Limited Edition Handbag.

Original post by Vlad Dusil

While personally I am a member of the Christian Louboutin handbag fan club, I know there are several of you out there who thinks the brand should just stick to shoes. Coming across this Christian Louboutin Pave Clutch caused me to think long and hard about whether I like it or not.

There is no doubting the glamor, grace and sophistication the Louboutin team was going for here, but do you think they’ve hit or missed the mark? The body of the clutch itself is sleek and streamlined. But it is almost a bit hard to appreciate that with the very loud design. Looking closely, you will see crepe satin and ornate embroidering. Per usual, I love the red lining which we’ve all come to expect from a Louboutin bag. I can see some women carrying this clutch and exuding the grace that it does posses. One thing you would have to do is make sure your outfit is relatively simple so the bag doesn’t overwhelm your entire look. Buy through Saks for $1295.

Original post by Shannon Mahoney

I have a fantastic clutch that I love to bring out. It is a clutch that is textured, elegant and nothing short of fabulous. Of course I have my own preferences and you do as well. However, no matter who likes what, there is something utterly fantastic about this clutch. I cannot get over how luxurious the detailing at the front and the back of this clutch is. For some, the front might seem overdone, but it’s not. It is perfect for the right occasion and with actually more outfits that you can think of.

This DSquared Leather Flower and Satin Clutch is one that I voe to make my own. Before I start writing about the details, I have to write about how extremely versatile this clutch is. It might surprise you, but this is the kind of clutch that would be awesome with a pair of boyfriend loose fitting jeans and a button down shirt. At the same you could use this clutch with an awesome short or long dress, or perhaps a pair of your favorite skinny jeans and sparkly top. You can beat that.

Now the clutch itself, again, it is gorgeous. It is hard to miss all of the leather and satin flower detailing at the front of the bag. If that same detailing was on the back, I would say it was too much. But turn the clutch around and you will find a much more sleek look. A slight bit of studding combines feminine and rocker elements perfectly and flawlessly. I simply love this clutch. Buy through Luisa Via Roma for $1195.

Original post by Shannon Mahoney

I remember being a little girl and always loving the evening bags my mother and grandmother had. They always seemed so elegant and graceful. Then as I grew older I began to take note of the evening bags used on television and in movies. Once again, elegance and grace was exuded. I felt all these same feelings when I came across the Judith Leiber New Bean Satin Clutch.

In fact, I was a bit surprised that this evening bag was a Judith Leiber creation. My eye always expects to see embellishments galore, but in this case, the embellishments are present, but slightly understated. The clear Austrian crystals in gorgeous settings adorn the top chain handle. I love the shade of blue satin used. It reminds me of the crystal clear blue colors in the Caribbean. The bag opens at the crystal-detailed kiss-lock closure. I completely welcome more Judith Leiber designs like this. Do you agree or do you prefer the more recognizable bags? Buy through Bergdorf Goodman for $1495.

Original post by Shannon Mahoney

Ladies and gentlemen, we are just days away from 2010. Can you believe it? I remember being younger and never quite understanding adults saying “Where has this year gone?”, yet now that I am, I guess an adult, I get it. It’s as if you blink and half the year is gone. But that’s really neither here nor there. With New Year’s Eve right around the corner, I try to mentally plan what I am going to wear and carry. When it comes to New Year’s Eve, I want a shiny, noticeable and gorgeous handbag in my hand.

Whenever I have a certain look in mind, more often times than not, Marc Jacobs pulls through in the clutch – no pun intended. The Marc Jacobs Night In Rio Swarovski-Studded Clutch is just the kind of handbag I would love to have in my hand once the New Year’s Eve Ball drops. There is a bit of understated elegance about this bag.

Not only does it look gorgeous from afar, but once you hear the details about it, I am sure you could become a fan. This black satin clutch is adorned with Swarovski crystal and gold-tone stud embellishments. I am a huge fan of the way the embellishments come together on this bag: structured yet elegant. While I could do without the gold-tone padlock at the front, it actually adds a bit of dimension and weight to the bag. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $895.

Original post by Shannon Mahoney

I am forever suspicious of satin. Satin bags, satin shoes, satin dresses – owning any of it seems like a cosmic challenge to no longer be myself. Which is more or less, a challenge to not spill food, to not wipe my fingers on my clothes when I don’t have a napkin, and to suddenly start sitting in such a way that I don’t wrinkle anything. All in all, none of that is going to happen. Ever. I have ONE satin piece of clothing, and it has a greasy fried chicken stain on it.

Knowing me, I don’t think I could ever put a thousand dollars into a satin clutch, even one as lovely as the Lanvin Oulala Satin Clutch, but could you?

I appreciate that they did a formal bag in navy instead of black – it’s a much more interesting visual choice when paired with a silver or grey dress, and I think it could even be really chic when paired with black. The color choice provides a little quirk above and beyond your average evening bag, and also hilights the details of the shredded, rumpled flower much better than black would.

Speaking of the flower, it’s very existence on a formal bag reinforced the quirky nature of the color choice. Most satin clutches are so precise and buttoned-up that they don’t appeal to a young audience, but this is the exact opposite, and it puts it in a place by itself. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1090.

Original post by Amanda Mull

God bless Marc Jacobs and all of the fantastically odd handbag-shaped items that come out of his weird, wonderful head.

I wouldn’t carry the Marc Jacobs Vortex Small Tote even if it was free, but I think it’s great that someone designed and made it. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: sometimes crazy stuff has to be made before a designer hits just the right now. This is not the right note – it’s the crazy stuff before it.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained, and this bag ventures a lot. In fact, it kind of looks like a really gussied-up gift bag. You know, the ones that take the place of wrapping paper for lazy people or those that give oddly shaped gifts. Except, of course, that’s it’s made of leather and (inexplicably) is covered with purple studs. Also, instead of tissue paper, there’s hot pink satin peaking out the top. Add in the blue velvet ribbons at the sides, and you’ve got yourself one heck of a confused handbag with no obvious focus. And that’s fantastic – I’d rather see a designer take a million weird chances than turn out the same safe bag for decades on end. Buy through Saks for $1450.

Original post by Amanda Mull

Ladies, I’d like to be the first to inform you of what I’d call a deal. It’s this Valentino Green Satin Bow Front Clutch, which is quite a steal at only $396. “That’s not a steal!,” you say. Ah, but it is, especially when you consider the whopping price tag of $895 on this Valentino Satin Bow Front Clutch.

Sure, the more expensive version is a lighter, brighter satin and involves a decidedly more rigid and complex, but I actually prefer this darker version. First of all, let’s chat about the color. I believe that the color of a bag is a main component of its foundation, and this color certainly passes. The dark, forest green is the perfect shade for the remaining weeks of autumn and will certainly carry you through the winter, spring and summer- believe me when I say this color is striking against a white prairie dress.

Plus, the simpler construction makes for a clutch that will certainly be easier to grasp, not to mention that the satin remains every bit as lustrous. Due to the simple, flat design of the bow that contrasts many extremely constructed flower Valentino bags, the color and the texture take center stage. Buy through Bluefly for $396.

Original post by Anna Cooperberg Gonzalez

Before I say anything, I have to comment on how quickly this year has flown by. I cannot believe it is already November! However, the last few months of the year brings some of my favorite events, holidays and activities. Another one of my favorite things is that with all of the Holiday parties and gatherings I feel as though I have an excuse to beef up my evening bag collection and this makes me happy. So, it should be no surprise that I’ve been spending quite a bit of time trying to figure out which bags I should buy I can always figure out my outfit afterwords.

One of the bags on my evening bag list is the Yves Saint Laurent Small Satin Chain-Strap Bag. As soon as I saw it a few months ago, I knew it would look great with so many outfits. This dark gray satin bag is elegant and exquisite. Then add the chunky gold-tone chain and you have a bit of an edgy feel going as well. The 8″ handle drop isn’t long enough to throw over your shoulder, and in fact it might look a little silly, but that doesn’t change the fact that this bag would be gorgeous carried in your hand. Certainly it is nothing too flashy, but it certainly is a lovely and timeless bag. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1295.

Original post by Shannon Mahoney

I’ve had a particular proclivity for Gucci python for quite a while now; the skins that they use always seem to look more plump and luxurious than most other brands. I’m not sure if it’s because the skins themselves or better or because the way they treat them results in a better final product, but their snakeskin bags are almost always highly textured and soft-looking.

Which is why I’m kind of disappointed in the Gucci Jungle Large Tote. Don’t get me wrong, it’s an attractive bag, but I hold Gucci python to such a high standard that I’m having trouble getting excited.

Unlike most of their exotic bags, this one seems a bit rigid to me. It’s too flat, too shiny, and not nearly as texture-rich as I would hope (and expect for what they’re charging). The finish of the skin almost looks like it might be embossed rather than the real deal, and why wants a dubiously faux python tote when the price tag is so high? It’s a cute, functional bag, but we all know that Gucci can do better with an exotic. Buy through Saks for $3800.

Original post by Amanda Mull