Custom Design

In our never-ending periodic quest to find stylish options at a variety of price points, today we have a reasonably priced alternative to the Nancy Gonzalez Hand-Held Croc Clutch that I wrote about last month. I liked it so much that I went on a search for a budget-friendly alternative to add to my wardrobe, and the best contender I’ve found is the Rebecca Minkoff Lovers Clutch.

To me, the most important parts of the Nancy Gonzalez clutch to replicate the look were the contrast between a bright body and a dark handle and the exotic texture. Since detailed clutches in real exotic skins don’t come around very often at the price point I was hoping to find, embossing will have to do. The magenta of the Minkoff clutch provides a reasonable alternative to Gonzalez’s bright blue, and the color’s contrast with the wood trim is similar to the contrast with the dark crocodile.

Exotic embossing almost always looks a tad cheap even on nice leather, but this example of it seems better than most. Either of these clutches are choices that would likely garner you a lot of compliments, but the Rebecca Minkoff version will run you a reasonable $240 (on sale from $325) compared to Gonzalez’s much steeper $3200 price point.

You can buy the Nancy Gonzalez via Neiman Marcus, or the Rebecca Minkoff via Luna Boston.

Original post by Amanda Mull

It’s hot outside – why not cool down with some new handbags?

Ok, so these Rebecca Minkoff bags might not help regulate your temperature, but free bags are always cool nonetheless. We’ve teamed up with the fine folks at Parenting magazine to bring you a collection of three of Minkoff’s bags, valued at $1185, that are up for grabs today and today only.

All you have to do to enter is sign up over at Parenting.com – what are you waiting for?

Click here to enter at Parenting.com!

Original post by Amanda Mull

After previewing her new exclusive Saks collection at Dadeland Mall in Miami, we had the pleasure of hanging out with bag designer and good friend Rebecca Minkoff. Rebecca carrying the Boyfriend Pouch and Megs with a special order Morning After bag.

RM bags are available via ShopBop and Saks.

Original post by Vlad Dusil

After releasing a capsule collection for HSN, Rebecca Minkoff has decided to debut a luxury handbag collection exclusively for Saks Fifth Avenue this May. For its first collection, iconic Rebecca Minkoff bags such as the Nikki and Morning After bag are being refined in lizard skin and other luxe materials. Along with some of her well-known designs, Rebecca Minkoff is introducing new shapes to the line. Some of these include a drawstring bucket bag, oversized classic tote, and a side-saddle messenger bag.

“I chose to partner with Saks to launch my collection line because of the timeless luxury and superior quality the store represents,” said Minkoff. “It is an exciting honor to join the list of exclusive luxury handbag designers available at Saks Fifth Avenue. Saks customers are already familiar with the current Rebecca Minkoff line and have been very supportive over the years. I am hoping to not only provide my existing customers with a more luxurious option, but to also tap into a new set of young Saks shoppers who purchase designer bags for the style and quality, not just the label.”

The quality of the leather and materials used is higher end than her typical line. Rebecca is using real gold in the rose gold hardware and picked calfskins and upper-tier materials that someone like Prada would choose she said. The question for most consumers comes into play is would you pay $550 to $2,000 for a designer whose bags are typically under $700. As buyers we are accustomed to a much lower price tag, there can easily be some sticker shock.

My answer is simple to would I splurge on a Rebecca Minkoff Collection Bag, yes, if the bag spoke to me. From the pictures so far my picks go to the luxe Nikki and Lux Clutch. Both are quintessentially Rebecca Minkoff, yet have the special upscale touches that help them stand out without straying too far from the original images.

The growing fan base of Rebecca Minkoff bags is precisely who I am curious to hear from now. What do you think of the Rebecca Minkoff Collection and why?

Original post by Vlad Dusil

Spring has officially arrived. What better way to celebrate than laying in the grass with your Rebecca Minkoff Loveletter Satchel? Our new bag model, Jenna, spent her afternoon last week just that way. Buy via ShopBop for $495.

Original post by Vlad Dusil

We all love Rebecca Minkoff handbags. Her designs are unique, chic and tote-worthy. The names of the bags are catchy and fun. For those of you who follow Rebecca Minkoff and all of her designing moves, you know what is coming up, Fall 2009 Apparel and Handbag Collection. Here at Purse Blog we’ve been eagerly waiting to see what is coming and honestly can’t wait to get a few pieces of our own. I hope you are ready for this, Rebecca Minkoff has something special for 3 lucky winners!

Between now and 12 pm EST tomorrow, Wednesday February 11th, 2009 you can enter to win an exclusive invite to see the Fall 2009 Apparel and Handbag Collection she is debuting in New York City. All you need to do is head over to the Rebecca Minkoff site and sign up for her mailer (add your email address). Once registration closes, Rebecca will select 3 oh so lucky winners (we are already jealous) to check out the collection on the evening of Thursday, February 12th, 2009. Yes, you’ll need to be in the NYC area since the event is so soon, but hey, hopefully the winners will come back and gush about how fabulous it was with the rest of us!

Oh and one more thing, those three who have been selected as winners, will get their very own Rebecca Minkoff Clutch as Rebecca’s way of saying THANK YOU for all your support! How much do we love her?!?!?! Good luck to you all!

Click here and enter to win!

Original post by Shannon Mahoney

We had the chance to steal a few moments from the vastly popular and busy Rebecca Minkoff to nab her thoughts on Valentine’s Day. Rebecca Minkoff is busy with her handbag lines and up next is a clothing line, which will be debuting soon. If her clothing line is anything like her handbag line, get ready to fight for what you want!

Love/Hate Valentine’s Day: Like- its fun and romantic but sometimes its too blown out of proportion!

Favorite movie to watch on Valentine’s Day: P.S. I love you

Best gift you have given on Valentine’s Day: A guitar to my fiance that me and some friends and family bought

Valentine’s Day plans: Hiding in a dark corner of our favorite restaurant and eating by candlelight

The best Rebecca Minkoff bag for a Valentine’s Day gift, why?: The Valentine’s Day Pouch Set, its a set of 3, is affordable and brightens up winter!

Shop Rebecca Minkoff online

Original post by Megs Mahoney

One thing I love just as much as sales would have to be exclusive events. Exclusive events make me feel like I am special and like I know something others don’t. Well, today, we are ecstatic to share with you an exclusive in-store event with Rebecca Minkoff. If you happen to be in the NYC area you’ll be thrilled to know that from Tuesday, February 17th - Monday, March 2nd you can check out Rebecca Minkoff’s Spring Collection at Henri Bendel. Even better yet, make sure to stop by February 19th and 20th (from 4-8pm) or February 21st (from 1-6pm) so you can actually meet the one and only, fabulous Rebecca Minkoff! Not only will you get to peruse the gorgeous line, but if you plan it right, you’ll be able to meet Rebecca as well. We wish we could be there for this event, but if you get to go, please share all the great details with us after the event!

Original post by Shannon Mahoney

Holy poop, y’all. I love this bag. The Rebecca Minkoff Devote Belted Top Tote is, in a word, awesome. For me, at least. It’s a big ol’ hobo, made of great leather, in a bright color, with understated accents and JUST ONE STRAP. A lot of designers lately have succumbed […]

Original post by Amanda Mull

Friday, there is something to be said for how fantastic Fridays are. So, what if the folks at Luxaholics and Purse Blog make your Friday that much better with the 12 Days of Handbags Giveaway!?! Well, today is an awesome day. We are giving away one of the most amazing handbags out there right now. […]

Original post by Shannon