Custom Design

After viewing Prada’s Spring 2010 runway show, I couldn’t help but think to myself, maybe the handbags were a joke after all. Maybe they won’t produce them. Perhaps, if we’re lucky, they’ll ship the REAL bags to retail and we’ll all be left with the daffy memory of those silly-looking bags that Prada so irreverently sent down the Milan runway.

Well, my wishful thinking was all for naut – the plasticky, rhinestoned monstrosities have landed. The Prada Spazzolato Tote might be the best of the bunch, and to say that’s faint praise would be the understatement of the season.

I’m not sure why anyone thought that it would be a good idea to take patent leather (yes, at least this one is real leather) and make it look sort of like a cheap pleather imitation of carrera marble, but that appears to be exactly what they’ve done here, and they’d like you to pay upwards of two grand for it. In order to entice you more, they’ve taken a fistful of rhinestones and bunched them indifferently at the bag’s closure, for reasons that aren’t immediately obvious.

To be fair, the shape isn’t terrible and the bag is lined in leather, a detail that more and more designers are choosing to ignore. Also, this bag isn’t see-through like a bunch of the other ones from this particular collection. Those are absolutely the only positive things I have to say about it, though. Buy through Saks for $2395.

Original post by Amanda Mull

Gossip Girl was a repeat last night, and you do not even want to hear the string of profanity that came out of my mouth when I realized the kind of shenanigans that they were trying to perpetrate on me, and right before the holidays and everything. Don’t they know who they’re dealing with here?!?!

Ahem. Well, even though this all means that we can’t have a Gossip Girl recap, that doesn’t mean that I still can’t make a post that’s tangentially related to the show. I can and I will! And it just so happens that the Valentino Shining Flower Tux 360 Tote, which was the subject of a major plot point during Trip Vanderbilt’s election a few weeks ago.

And really, I think you need a bag this bombastic in order to inspire major primetime subplots. It’s looking a tad cheesy in these pictures, but based on what we saw on the show and how I bet it would look in person, I think this bag is completely gorgeous and really unique – something that Valentino manages to pull of again and again.

In fact, they may be the most innovative designer on the high-end bag marketplace, and seeing what will come out every season from them is one of my favorite parts of that very special new handbag time of year. They may not match everyone’s personal style, but the attention to detail that goes into some of their more intricate bags is head and shoulders above almost every other manufacturer on the planet, and they’re more willing to experiment with materials and embellishments than anyone else. The textural combination of sequins, ruffles, and crystals is definitely an attention-getter, though, and I love that they go all the way for their looks instead of trying to stay mediocre to expand their respective audience. Buy through Neiman Marcus for $4495.

Original post by Amanda Mull

In the immortal words of Carrie Bradshaw: “Hello, lover.”

I’m a complete sucker for the Alexander McQueen skull clutches. After years of handbag loving, it’s impossible to not find a line of little evening bags that find yourself drawn to over and over again. For Megs, it’s the Bottega Veneta Knot Clutches; for me, it’s McQueen’s macabre and lovely punk rock skulls.

Anglo references have always been a McQueen staple, and this isn’t the first Union Jack we’ve seen from him, but it might be the best. The red and black patent motif perfectly mixes the traditional flag with the brand’s goth-glam aesthetic and creates something distinctive – anyone else think that a industrially remixed British flag would be a really appropriate brand logo for the McQueen nation? I’d renounce my US citizenship and move there any day. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1650.

Original post by Amanda Mull

Seeing this tote reminds me that it is time to get back to Yoga. Truly is good for the mind, body, and soul. The hottest yoga brand of clothing and accessories, Beyond Yoga, have released the coolest line of canvas bags that graffiti artist Andre Charles sprayed with selected words. Each version has a word selected by a different A-list celeb. After being asked to complete the sentence “I am beyond…” Rachel Bilson came up with Drama, Jennifer Aniston choose Grateful, Cameron Diaz said Hopeful, Anne Hathaway picked Lucky, Drew Barrymore obviously choose Happy, and Reese Witherspon opted for Blessed.

Not only are these totes super fun but they are also charitable. 30% of the proceeds from each Beyond Yoga Tote will go to The Art of Elysium, a non-profit organization that encourages working actors, artists, and musicians to donate their time and talent to children battling serious medical conditions. You can choose your “I am Beyond…” tote with one of the pre-selected words but there is also an option to customize your bag. You can customize your Beyond Yoga Tote with a word of your choice, which makes it that much more meaningful. Not only fun but also personal and better yet completely affordable. Shop the totes under Charitable Items at Beyond Yoga for $65.

Giveaway

You are all BEYOND LUCKY! We are giving away the same version Reese Witherspoon has been endless sporting, “I am Beyond Blessed”. This version is oversold right now and will not ship until 8/15. But we have one for you all!

TO ENTER: Tell us in the comments section which word you would choose to complete the sentence “I am Beyond…” and why. Contest runs until 8/17/09 at 10:00 p.m. EST. Good luck and thank you to I am Beyond!

Original post by Megs Mahoney Dusil

I find myself often thinking about whether or not a non-leather bag can be worth big bucks. I’ve come to varying conclusions - if it’s covered in Swarovski, then maybe. If it’s entirely handmade, maybe. If it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen, maybe. And despite the fact that I really like the Lanvin Calisson Woven Satin Bag, I don’t think I could pay $2600 for something made of such a delicate fabric.

In this case, I think the large size of the bag makes me even less likely to pay the big bucks - a big bag is an even bigger liability in a material that’s that likely to be damaged. It’s too big to be coddled and saved for special occasions, and an everyday bag needs to be durable and usable. Satin is the wrong material on the wrong bag in this case, and if it was soft, woven lamb leather instead, I’d be here telling you how brilliant it is. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $2630.

Original post by Amanda Mull

There are certain brands that we can all notice from afar. These brands have something unique yet very noticeable about them. For the most part, I think most of us can pick out a Bottega Veneta bag from a mile away. Today I came across the Bottega Veneta Metallic Hobo and I have to say, I welcome it warmly. I kind of thought it was a BV handbag, but since it doesn’t have the woven leather have all grown accustom to, I had to look twice. The oxidized metallic leather isn’t something you see everyday and I love it. Then, add the braided criss-cross detail and trim and the handbag is truly unique. Lined with suede, the bag is just gorgeous inside and out. I’m personally a huge fan of suede lining. It is durable and gorgeous. As I kept looking at the bag a bit more, it seemed to remind me of the Bottega Veneta Cervo Illusion Metallic Hobo. No, they aren’t exactly the same, but I can see similar inspiration. And just like that bag, this one comes with a pretty hefty price tag. Buy through Saks for $2480.

Original post by Shannon Mahoney

Miu Miu Wooden Handle Tote
I am constantly drawn to cream colored leathers. Browns and whites can be harsh at times, so adding a bit of cream to tone it down is the perfect option. And whites do not have to stop being worn after Labor Day, in fact winter whites are perfectly luxe for the […]

Original post by Megs

Juicy Couture put their name on the map with the infamous Juicy Couture Track Suit. I bet if you look in your closet you have at least one piece, I have many. The girls behind Juicy did not want to settle with the track suits and began to expand the brand, which has catapulted into […]

Original post by Megs

Hi Megs,
Just read on your post for Mimi on $2k for a work and day bag. I hope you can give me an advice too .
I am about to give birth to our first child (a baby girl) and I am looking for a big, everyday bag that can serve as a diaper bag as […]

Original post by Megs

Hi Megs,
So I’ve saved and can now treat myself to an ‘IT’ bag. Not enough for an exotic but enough for something around $2000. Given that this will have to be it until I get my next savings together, what would you recommend? I want it to be something that I can carry in jeans […]

Original post by Megs