Custom Design

We brought you news of the Tory Burch and Leanna Shapton Valentine’s Day Collaboration. And after sharing the items with you, we thought it would only be fitting to feature an exclusive interview with famed fashion designer Tory Burch. Not only do we find out more about the collaboration, but we have the pleasure of getting a peek into the personal life of Tory Burch.

Tory Burch was able to find a few minutes in her hectic schedule and answer some questions exclusively for PurseBlog. Along with that, Tory Burch will be giving away two items from the line below. Remember to shop the Tory Burch Valentine’s Day Collaboration via Tory Burch online!

Tory On The Collaboration

1) Tell us about your Valentine’s Day Collaboration with renowned artist Leanne Shapton.

Leanne’s work is so provocative and smart, and I’ve long been a fan of hers. We wanted to work with her and asked her to create an exclusive print for us for our first Artists’ Collaboration series. She designed a charming lip print and a beautiful version of our logo. They’re featured on pajamas, a great tote and two makeup bags.

2) What would be the perfect gift from the Tory Burch line to give for Valentine’s Day?

Leanne’s pieces are definitely great ideas, especially the red lipstick print. I also love our colorful heart sandals and wristlets—they’re chic and charming. I also think jewelry and accessories, like one of our statement necklaces or a luxurious tote is a great way to get into the spirit of Valentine’s Day.

3) What was your most memorable Valentine’s Day?

I loved Valentine’s Day with my father. He used to write poems for all of us.

4) How do you plan to spend Valentine’s Day this year?

With the same young men I spend every Valentine’s—my three boys.

Tory On Tory Burch

1) What is your go-to handbag?

My go-to bag right now is our McLane tote. It’s done in a rich, slouchy leather with a gold chain, which is a cool combination. It’s one of our bigger styles, so I can carry my notebook and Kindle.

2) What can we expect in the near future from the Tory Burch handbag line?

Accessories is so important for us and we’ve had a great response from our customers. We’re definitely going to continue to grow the collection.

3) What are the three must-have bags from your own line? And why?

Our Bijou tote—navy is such a chic, versatile color. Our Carson Mini Bag is a great, modern shape and the perfect bag for day. Some of the women in our office wear it across their body like a messenger. Our Tevin mini bag is the quintessential day bag. It goes with everything, whether you’re wearing a boucle suit or jeans and a T-shirt.

The Giveaway

Tory Burch wants to share a treat with you for Valentine’s Day! We are giving away the Tory watercolor logo tote and the lips prints cosmetic case (pictured above) from the Valentine’s Day collaboration line.

To Enter: Visit www.ToryBurch.com. Post below in the comment section, telling us your favorite item and why.

Contest ends on Sunday, February 21st, at 11:59 PM EST. One entry per person.

Original post by Megs Mahoney Dusil

We talk a lot about Bottega Veneta, and for good reason. They’re doing some of the most interesting things with some of the best materials on the marketplace, and their bags often have an element of visual trickery with them that I find delightful. If a designer can find a way to make a bag more than the sum of its parts, then he or she has done her job.

The fine folks at BV do their jobs very, very well. Their bags may not fit your personal style (they often don’t fit mine), but it’s hard to argue that they’re not at least producing some of the more interesting products on the high-end marketplace. The Bottega Veneta Oversized Intrecciato Shopper for example, features a weave within a weave that still has me trying to figure out exactly how the designers pulled it off.

The technique is pretty impressive and intricate when you look at it closely, but as a whole, the effect is deceptively simple. The dark and bright red offer enough contrast without being loud, and the shape is so clean (maybe even boring to some) that it doesn’t compete with the weaving-on-top-of-weaving for attention. It’s a grown up bag with an artistic sensibility, which is exactly what Bottega Veneta does best.

Original post by Amanda Mull

I’m so in to texture right now. From pintucking, ruching and pleating all the way to leather flowers a la Valentino, I want designers to show me what they can do with the material we’re all so used to seeing.

I think that my current obsession makes sense, though. Texture requires creativity and vision, but its implementation in a design rarely makes a bag less functional or useful – it’s the perfect added element to make a bag really special. Take the Agnona Pleated Leather Tote, for example: the weaving and pleating combine to make the bag more than just an average black tote.

I’m willing to admit that the construction of this bag sorta-kinda might remind me of those woven recycled seatbelt bags, but since I always thought that those were kind of cool when I was a teenager, and this is a decidedly more mature and elegant version, I’m not going to hold that comparison against the designers.

Not only is the use of texture on this bag excellent, but they could use it to teach lessons on proportion in design school. Because the weaving is so large, it doesn’t compete with the fine pleating of the leather. The two textures compliment each other instead of losing their appeal through the combination, which is so common.

The only thing that’s stopping me from completely loving this design is the handles. The body is so rich and lavish that the plain rolled handles look like an afterthought. If the designers could have come up with a way to incorporate a bit of texture into them, perhaps they wouldn’t look like such non sequiturs. Buy through Luisa Via Roma for $2576.

Original post by Amanda Mull

I’m usually a bit dubious when Bottega Veneta decides to layer a pattern on top of their signature intrecciato woven leather. The material itself is so beautiful and luxurious that it seem a waste to mask it, and often the extra patterns compete with the weave’s natural lines.

This time, though, I think they got it right – the argyle pattern of the Bottega Veneta Argyle Veneta Intrec Argyle Boston Bag works on its own and with the weaving.

The traditional diamond structure of the painted argyle shares some of the diagonal lines of the intrecciato leather without completely mimicking it, which is the key to its success. The rounded edges of the argyle is in contrast to the right angles of the leather, but the two still fit together in a logical and visually pleasing way. From a distance, you don’t notice the woven structure, but it provides a nice surprise when the bag is examined close-up. The bag works on both levels, and it provides a great example for how to mix textures and patterns the right way. Buy through Barneys for $2700.

Original post by Amanda Mull

If you’re sick of losing your luggage in a sea of black Samsonite nylon on the luggage trolley at the airport, we may have an alternative for you. And no, we’re not going to suggest that you put a brightly colored pipe cleaner on the handle – too many people have caught on to that trick, and where do you buy pipe cleaners, anyway? Like, what aisle are those on at Target?

If a more stylish option is your cup of tea, consider the Tumi Voyageur Python Avignon International Carry-on.

Obviously, this suitcase isn’t made out of ACTUAL python. Air travel is grimy and rough at times, particularly on bags, and python just isn’t a durable material. Plus, it would have taken like a million of them to make a bag this big, and then only like four people would be able to afford it. Instead, we’ve got a python print on Tumi’s super tough nylon that’s trimmed in rich brown leather. I guarantee you that no one at the terminal will have luggage anything like yours. Buy through Tumi for $595.

Original post by Amanda Mull

Everyone was anxiously awaiting the first shot of the fabulous fashionable foursome. The wait is over. The girls of Sex and the City 2 got together in a group shot today to pose for photos. Samantha, Miranda, Carrie, and Charlotte smiled for the cameras while decked out in fabulous outfits and accessories. When it comes to their outfits, what can we ID?

Carrie is seen in a Halston Heritage dress, Solange Azagury-Partridge necklace, sparkling gold Christian Louboutins, Mykita & Bernard Willhelm’s Franz Limited-Edition Aviator Sheet-Metal Sunglasses, and a Chanel clutch.

Now it is time for your help. I know you all can help us ID more items the fabulous-fashionable-foursome are seen wearing. The more we can ID the better. Sex and the City 2 now feels like it has truly begun, as we have finally seen our favorite foursome together again!

Original post by Megs Mahoney Dusil

In my world, this is one of the biggest weekends of the year. Last night marked the first college football games of the 2009 season, and the majority of teams will kickoff their schedules tomorrow, including my one true love, the University of Georgia Bulldogs.

I can’t be the only purse fan that’s also a football fan, surely, and this being Friday and all, I thought we might briefly explore where fashion and football collide – game day attire. More specifically, game day handbags. You have to carry your stuff in something, and you always want it to be chic and match the colors you’re wearing, even if you’re sporting a combination that you would never wear if you weren’t supporting your team (royal blue and orange, anyone?). This isn’t just true of college football; it’s true of all sports for fashionable female fans, but this is the only sport I care about, so there’s no time like the present.

If you get a little creative, there’s no reason you can’t find something that can do double duty as a game bag and something you can wear outside of a sports setting as well, as long as you’re willing to keep a close eye on your purse while tailgating and cheering. I’ll make some bag recommendations for my own alma mater and a couple of the country’s other big football schools, after the jump.

Christian Louboutin Sweet Charity Flap Bag, The University of Georgia Bulldogs
Admittedly, red and black is one of the easiest school color combinations in the country, and we take advantage of it from our earrings to our toenail polish while dressing for football games. This bag is a medium size, which is ideal for football – big enough to hold your stuff without being too big to lug around all day – and it fits easily on your shoulder for stress-free carrying while in the stands (please, I beg you, unless you’re in a luxury box, don’t put your bag on the ground). I deduct points for the fact that it’s made of felt – it’ll stain if you get a little too excited and spill a bourbon &amp Coke on it. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1495.

Mulberry Daria Hobo, The University of Texas Longhorns
Alternately, orange has to be one of the most difficult team colors to dress with, particularly considering that every orange school has a very specific shade that they find acceptable. As best I can tell, this particular bag would be most appropriate for the slightly burnt orange that they prefer in Austin, TX, and proper team support becomes even more important when you expect your team to be playing for a national championship in a few months. The Daria Hobo fits the basic requirements for a game bag – it’s in at least one major team color, it’s fairly lightweight, it’s not too huge, and it can be carried on your shoulder. It also has the advantage of being leather, which means it’s less likely to stain than a fabric bag. Buy through ShopBop for $995.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Twisted Q Lil Riz Hobo, The University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish
I hate Notre Dame, so I was tempted to find the ugliest handbag I could find in one of their colors (or better yet, plaid or something), but having Charlie Weiss as a coach appears to be punishment enough. So instead, I fount one that almost exactly matches their team’s home-game pants. At this point, the trend should be clear – easy-to-carry, lightweight leather shoulder bags are your best bet for both inside the game and for regular wear during the off-season. Buy through Nordstrom for $428.

Alexander McQueen Houndstooth Tote, The University of Alabama Crimson Tide
My mom is going to hate me for including this one. She’s an Auburn alum and Auburn/Alabama is one of the bitterest rivalries in all of college sports, maybe in all of sports, period, but I have to give credit where credit is due. Alabama’s love for houndstooth is one of the coolest fashion statements that I’ve ever seen from a sports fan base, and they do it all because of the houndstooth fedoras of legendary coach Bear Bryant. If Net-a-Porter were to look at their records, I would guess that they have already shipped a number of these bags to wealthy alumni in and around Alabama that may or may not actually have any idea who McQueen is. Not that it’s impossible for Southerners to be fashion-conscious, obviously; it’s just that in the pursuit of all things houndstooth, designer labels are really not the point. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1995.

One notable big-name school that I left out is Ohio State – Megs, Vlad and Shannon are all Buckeyes, and perhaps one of them will grace us with their OSU bag pick in the comments.

Original post by Amanda Mull

They’re baaaacccckkk! That is right, Sex and the City 2 began filming today in NYC. The paparazzi were there along with fans hoping to spot the fashionable cast and get a glimpse into the movie. Sarah Jessica Parker’s character, Carrie Bradshaw, popped into the streets of NYC in Christian Louboutin accessories. She carried the Christian Louboutin Sylvia Large Softy Calf Hobo Bag with Hand Wrapped Leather Handle, $1,795, and wore the Christian Louboutin Gino Yellow and Black Round Toe T-Strap Shoes, $865. Buy Christian Louboutin via Net A Porter.

For a full review and more images visit Bag That Style!

Original post by Megs Mahoney Dusil

Red is infused into bold accessories for fall 2009. The vibrant combination of red with black creates a mood inspired by pop art graphics and the season’s bold contrast of brights on black. We are drawn to the red and black color combo to pair with all black outfits and in particular this fall’s all black uniform of skinny denim leggings (a.k.a. “jeggings”) paired with black platform ankle booties like these Christian Louboutin Miss 120 platform ankle boots. And of course a requisite black leather or faux fur vest.

The red accents we’ve spotted (and covet!) include oversized ’70s inspired shades from Linda Farrow Luxe which are accented with an exotic lizard trim. Add some instant color and good fashion karma with a Day Birger et Mikkelsen Beaded tassel necklace, it’ll make a pretty accent on an over sized black layered tee.Judith Leiber’s heart ‘n soul clutch will make a sparkly and whimsical addition to any black or grey ensemble. Lastly the bold graphics of Markus Lupfer’s Laughing Lips merino sweater is just too cute to resist, perfect for your black and red color story this fall.

via The Find

Original post by Shannon Mahoney

I’ve really enjoyed all of the Chloe bags this season so far, so seeing the Chloe Ely Medium Bag today for the first time made me kind of sad. It’s the first of this season’s accessories line that I don’t like in any way, and I’ve got a couple reasons as to why. First, it’s just kinda…square. It looks more like a carry-on for an airplane, or maybe a toiletries case, than a handbag to be used for everyday purposes. Second, the finish of the leather.

I HATE when designers do this - it’s somewhere between regular leather and a full-on patent gloss, and it tends to make leather stiffer, less touchable, and less like anything that actually came from an animal at some point. In short, it makes the bag look cheap, and they did some weird striping with it that made me questions whether it was real leather or just a treated canvas. For two grand, I don’t want to have to question. This also isn’t my favorite color, but compared to the other issues, that’s not that big of a deal. On the upside, it does look nice and roomy, the lining is light-colored for easy of use, and I like the woven handles. But that’s really the only upside I’ve got for you on this one. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $2055.

Original post by Amanda Mull