Custom Design

The week is beginning to wind down. Let’s be honest, who doesn’t look forward to the weekend? I will be the first to say, I always look forward to the weekend! When I think of the weekend, I can’t help but think about which fabulous clutch I will carry out. For day four of our amazing giveaway with Luxaholics, there is a fabulous exotic clutch up for grabs. This Adriana Castro Crocodile Modish Clutch is a head turner. Retailing at $1530, what better way make this yours than by winning it!

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Today’s secret code: Clutch

Original post by Shannon Mahoney

As you have probably noticed, I adore structured bags. They have such an inherent sophistication in them, like someone plucked them out of some ancient photograph and spiced them up a bit, of course. This Alexander McQueen Izzie Clutch is the latest bag in this shape that I have found. I love the hardware, even if the gold is a little too gold-y for me, a tad too garish. It’s the shape I’m obsessed with. The clutch itself, on the other hand, is a different story.

The iridescent patent leather reminds me of one of those glow-in-the-dark frogs, but I obviously don’t want this on a purse. It’s the same color as McQueen’s Skull Clutch, which Shannon reviewed, but the color is considerably cuter on that clutch than on this one. And while I love the retro turn lock closure, it’s what is on the back of the bag that I’m not a fan of. Why is there a wrist strap on the back? I can understand having a thin wrist strap on the side, but why make it flush with the back? Oh McQueen, if only this clutch came in another (normal) color- without that strap. Buy through Zappos for $1527.

Original post by Anna Cooperberg

Not a lot of news to report on this subject, but I thought you ladies might enjoy seeing a picture of what’s to come from my personal favorite clutch designer - the Celestina Cruise 2010 Collection.

One of Celestina’s strong suits is making clutches out of unexpected, non-traditional materials. Most handbag designers limit themselves to animal skins and maybe some straw or canvas, but beyond that, there’s little creativity. Well, not these folks. They specialize in using materials like wood, shell, and metals to craft incredibly inventive, stylish little bags for every occasion that you could imagine.

Here we have two excellent examples - first, their famous woven box clutch in what appears in be a new bronze iteration (they’ve done sterling silver in the past). The clutch is simultaneously subtle and complicated, a combination that is incredibly hard to achieve. The second clutch appears to be a completely new design, probably made out of sterling silver, which appears to have beautiful, glowing mother of pearl on the bottom. These clutches are typical of the Celestina aesthetic and I can’t wait to see what else they have in store in future collections.

Photo via WWD.com

Original post by Amanda Mull

The Jalda Gold Mirror Audrey Convertible Clutch is no wallflower. The shiny mirrored gold clutch would make even Midas blush. In the style of Jalda clutch handbags, this sleek clutch is the classic Audrey convertible. Pair this mirrored leather clutch with a white and navy ensemble for a classic polished summer look. The dual use bag converts from a compact clutch into a tall tote with cut out handles for added carrying room. The interior turquoise grosgrain lining adds a delightful splash of color.

Jalda Gold Mirror Leather ‘Audrey’ Convertible Clutch, $282.00 at Bluefly
Save on the Jalda with an exclusive Bluefly.com Coupon Code - THEFIN᪮ $30 off your first order at Bluefly.com Good through 6/30/09

via The Find

Original post by Shannon Mahoney

Monday, sigh. It is always a little bit harder for me to get out of bed on Monday morning. I don’t know if I think hitting the snooze button a few extra times helps draw out the weekend just for a few minutes longer or what. No matter what, getting out of bed this morning was no exception. Are any of you feeling the same way today? Well, I hope to help jump start your day with two of my favorite things, handbags and voting on them!

The Stella McCartney Patent Rivet-Detail Clutch is a handbag worthy of a “Love it/Hate it” vote. I saw this clutch last week and couldn’t decide how I felt about it, so I thought about it a bit over the weekend. And guess what, I still don’t know if I would give it a thumbs up or thumbs down. This black patent fold-over clutch is adorned with gold-tone rivet detail. The size of the rivets varies a bit but don’t seem too big or too small. Open up the clutch and you’ll find two internal compartments. This is a feature I love. Although clutches are small, it helps to find what you may have put in the bag. For whatever reason there are times when I swear to you, I search longer for my keys in a clutch than in a large hobo. Ok, I digress. Help me out here, what do you think about this bag? Buy through Net-a-Porter for $725.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post’s poll.

Original post by Shannon Mahoney

So, I’m not really posting this to review the Michael Teperson Feathered Flute Bag - I think you’d really have to see it in person to give it a fair shake, since it’s so odd (I mean…rooster feathers?). I’m posting because sometimes, us handbag people associate certain bags (or types of bags) with certain things or events. At least I do. So when I was paging through Vivre today, I came across this bag and immediately thought of Sex and the City. Circa season 5 (well, maybe 6), while Carrie is dating Burger (well, about to be sticky-noted by him) and they’re going to go to Smith’s play in Brooklyn.

He wants to go on his motorcycle, because he’s an insecure dude trying to be masculine, and she’s in her new Prada dress and has her hair fixed and DOESN’T want to go on the motorcycle. To make the idea that much more ridiculous, the wardrobe department gave here a clutch with several feet of, uh, stuff hanging from it. I think it was beading in that particular case. At any rate, this bag is that type of bag - the one you carry when you’re wearing shoes so high you can’t really walk in them and you expect to be doing nothing but sitting and being awesome for the entire night. And for that, I think it is fabulous. Buy through Vivre for $950.

Original post by Amanda Mull

I’ve always had the vague feeling that a lot of exotics were a bit of a scam. Price is a measure of perceived value, particularly in fashion, and if all designers drive their prices for exotics sky-high, then over time, consumers will come to expect that exotics will cost those prices and convince themselves that they’re so high because they have to be. I’m not claiming that exotics don’t cost more to farm and are often more delicate and difficult to work with I believe all of that. But I do think that prices have been artificially high for some time now, and bags like the Ted Rossi Pleated Eel Clutch make me think I’m right

This bag does appear on a discount website, and it is made out of one of the less-expensive exotics to begin with, but it IS exotic and fairly intricate in its construction. The pleating is gorgeous and the shine of the eel skin is subtle and glamorous. Sale prices often indicate what the price of a bag SHOULD be (since, theoretically, if a bag has to be put on sale then it was priced too high for the market anyway), and when you take the mark-down into account, this sleek little clutch is a steal for an exotic skin in a shape and size that you’ll use on nights out for years to come. Buy through Bluefly for $402.

Original post by Amanda Mull

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

Everyone seemed very enthusiastic about the Marc Jacobs Safety Pin Stam that we talked about last week, even though I was personally feeling a little bit Stammed out. Well the very next day, this bag right here appeared on the Internet, and relations between Mr. Marc Jacobs and I once again returned to normal. Because I love, love, love the the Marc Jacobs Safety Pin Clutch, particularly in this uberchic combination of blue and black (which may be my second-favorite color combination of all time, after dark red and black).

The way that the material is faux-wrapped and then safety pinned in place in the center of the clutch reminds me a lot of a traditional Obi belt, but it’s not so literal and obvious that it will be out of style when the Japenese influence that we’ve been seeing in some parts of fashion lately runs its course. The safety pin is oversized enough that everyone will notice the clutch’s cheeky little details, and of course it’s a great (but understated) way to reference this season’s 80s punk inspirations. I haven’t liked one of Marc’s clutches this much in quite some time. Buy through Nordstrom for $595.

Original post by Amanda Mull

Fusing the organic with the fabulous, designer and former model Tina Maristela-Ocampo developed the brand, Celestina. A gorgeous collection inspired by the natural beauty, the Celestina collection is comprised of materials found in Maristela-Ocampo’s native home in the Philippines.

Using native materials including abalone shell and shagreen (stingray) Celestina’s designs are created by local artisans. Celestina’s collection of jewelry and clutches take on a dramatic architectural feel softened by natural materials. We are especially drawn to the mother-of-pearl wooden “Pina” oakwood clutch and tagnipis stud embellished Ebony “Macassar” clutch shown here.

via The Find

Original post by Shannon Mahoney