Custom Design

Scarlett Johansson can be seen as the face of Mango campaigns and now also has partnered with Mango to design a handbag which will benefit the victims of the Haiti earthquake. The simple tote shape is adorned with ancient cartography of Haiti and at the top of the bag has the message “Supporting the people of Haiti. Designed by Scarlett Johansson”.

About this collaboration Scarlett Johansson said: “I’m thrilled to be collaborating with Mango to promote conscious consumerism and to benefit Oxfam’s Haiti Earthquake Response Fund. By purchasing this bag, which I specially designed, you are helping to provide life saving assistance like clean water to the people of Haiti.”

Ninona Vila, Corporate PR Director said: “Given the terrible events that have taken place, MANGO wants to support the victims of the Haiti earthquake. For this reason, we want to offer our clients the chance to collaborate in this project, as there are many people who need help.”

We love to see well-known celebrities use their name and fame to help out others in need. The tote would be great to roll up and take on vacation or use everyday for a change of shoes, work accessories, or take to the market. Expect the handbag to hit Mango stores worldwide in March. Part of the profits will be donated to NGO Oxfam International.

What do you think about this collaboration?

[story and photo via Nitro:licious]

Original post by Megs Mahoney Dusil

It’s been a while since I’ve had the pleasure of writing about a Nancy Gonzalez handbag, and I think I’ve figured out why: I can never tell when they’re new. I don’t mean to say that they all look alike, but…a lot of them look alike. Although I guess if a design isn’t broken, you don’t fix it.

The Nancy Gonzalez Navy Croc Tote surely isn’t broken. In fact, it looks like a completely functional yet totally elegant answer to most women’s need for an everyday bag. Plus, because it’s Nancy Gonzalez, it’s also and exotic at a relatively reasonable price.

There’s not a terrible lot to say about Nancy Gonzalez’s croc bags that I haven’t said before, so I’ll try not to repeat myself too much. What’s always struck me the most about them, though, is that they seem a good deal less fragile than your average ultra exotic croc bag. In fact, they seem downright tough at times, which probably allows Gonzalez to use less expensive crocodile hides than brand like Hermes, which uses only the most fragile, spotless skins. She passes at least some of the savings on to her customers – Gonzalez makes some of the most reasonably priced croc bags on the market. Buy through Saks for $3300.

Original post by Amanda Mull

You might want to sit down, if you aren’t already. At first, I was really excited to see the Bottega Veneta Leather Fringe Shoulder Bag. But then, I saw it and I became extremely conflicted. As I’ve mentioned several times before, I am totally in love with the leather Bottega Veneta uses on its handbags. It is always supple, always gorgeous and always bumps up the bag design to the next level.

That lovely leather is can be seen on this bag as well. However, I am a bit concerned that it looks, hmmm, a bit unfinished. Yet, as soon as I type those words I go to the complete opposite end of the spectrum and begin to think that this pattern is an eccentric and unique play on the intrecciato weaving and slight fringe.

A zoomed in look at the bag demonstrates how the design actually is fairly thought out. Perhaps it is BV’s way of spicing up their collection a bit? The bag boasts a single shoulder strap with a 13″ drop, a flap closure and two zipper pouches under the flap. While I am still not sure this bag is for me, I can imagine those of you boho fashionistas out there would rock this bag with pride. So, tell me, what do you think: fab or drab? Pre-order through Saks for $1850.

Original post by Shannon Mahoney

I’m not sure if it’s Lady Gaga’s influence or what, but I’m sure that I’m not the only person that has noticed sequins everywhere for the past few months. High-end handbag designers have largely avoided the trend, but Jimmy Choo has been embracing some rather fly-by-night trends as of late, so the Jimmy Choo Sequined Snake Pattern Tote doesn’t really surprise me.

It’s difficult to see the sequins in this picture since they’re clear, but I assure you that they’re there and they appear to cover the entire bag. As much as I love sequins (and really, I adore them), I just can’t support their inclusion on an everyday tote for a variety of reasons.

First, this bag is busy enough as it is. The blue-silver metallic snake print leather has plenty going on, and it gives you more than enough to look at. Plus it’s already metallic, so there’s no need to have an extra layer of shine on top. The sequins are unnecessary and create visual clutter when the light shines on them.

And then there’s the functional problem of sequins. When they’re covering a clutch, they mostly stay in your hand and away from your clothes. But when they’re on a shoulder bag, the sequins will constantly be rubbing against your clothes, and I can think of a few sweaters in my closet that wouldn’t be particularly thrilled about that. There’s also the problem of sequins coming loose when you’re in constant contact with other materials, and that’s just a problem that I don’t want to deal with. Buy through Saks for $1195.

Original post by Amanda Mull

Not too long ago, I wrote about a neoprene Marc by Marc Jacobs handbag on PurseBlog Savvy that I absolutely love, and I explained exactly why I think that neoprene is a cool material bags. I still think that’s absolutely true, and I still love the bag, but I just don’t know if I can justify to myself spending $350 for a bag that’s not leather.

The Gucci Techno Horsebit Large Tote, also made mostly out of neoprene, has put the price of the Marc by Marc Jacobs bag in stark perspective. And, in it’s own way, it’s made me more likely to spend money it.

This bag is cool and a bit futuristic while still being obviously Gucci, and I still love the collection from which it came – it was the brand’s best since the exodus of Tom Ford. The design is successful, if a bit busy. But there’s something we need to talk about.

It’s the price. The price. This bag has a bit of leather, but it’s made largely out of the relatively inexpensive neoprene. It’s a runway look, so one can assume that they bumped it up a bit in price as a result, but $2,790 for a bag that’s not all leather (not even close) is something that I cannot abide. Surely someone will, but all it does is make me appreciate the eminently reasonable MbMJ price point all the more. Buy through Saks for $2790.

Original post by Amanda Mull

Some bags aren’t that hard to evaluate online – either they’re pretty straightforward, or the brand does things similarly enough from season to season that there are rarely surprises in construction or materials. For instance, I feel comfortable passing judgment on a Gucci bag without seeing it in person; I’ve seen enough of them in my life to be able to extrapolate information from those experiences. The same goes for Louis Vuitton.

Valentino, however, is one brand with which I’m not quite so comfortable making those same calls. Their bags are so intricate and tactile that their actual visages are often not faithful to handbag portraiture, and seeing and feeling them in person is always preferable. Thankfully, I’ve gotten the chance to do just that with the Valentino Laceland Tote.

I can say will full confidence that pictures do not do this bag justice. It’s not my favorite Valentino ever, and it has its faults, but the laser-cut leather lace is something to behold in person. I found it endlessly impressive that they managed to take a material that is thick and tough by nature and cut it so precisely and intricately that it actually does approximate the effect of lace.

The cuts are absolutely tiny and so numerous that the bag probably won’t be very durable, and I can’t say that I entirely enjoy the way it’s layered on to the bag’s body in sheets (I also don’t really enjoy the scrunchy handle), but the leather-lace is so impressive in person that my impression of the bag was still, overall, favorable. If you get the chance, you simply have to see one in person. Buy through Valentino for #3495.

Original post by Amanda Mull

I can’t decide which I like more, Jimmy Choo handbags that are out there, bold and make a statement or those that are more classic and versatile. The fact of the matter is, I like them both but I can’t just figure out if I lean more towards one or the other. Well, today, I am leaning towards a classic Jimmy Choo handbag.

Personally, I always stop and take note of all things Choo. I don’t care if it is a pair of shoes or a handbag, I stop and look. There is something innately exquisite about this designer that makes me stop and take note.

First and foremost I love the Jimmy Choo Theola Embossed Leather/Elaphe Shoulder Bag for everything that it stands for as a day to day handbag. It’s actually not that often that you see a bag like this that you can take grocery shopping or out to a nice dinner without it standing out – in the wrong way.

The slightly textured embossed leather design has topstitching and bright eye-catching goldtone hardware. Double shoulder straps have an 8½” drop which means you can carry this bag in a couple different ways including comfortably on your shoulder. Per usual, I love the suede lining and turnlock closure. Personally, I love the brown color pictured here, but if you want, you can also pre-order this bag in black. Buy through Saks for $1495.

Original post by Shannon Mahoney

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

Now this is a unique tote. Sure, there is a lot going on, but this is something Alexander McQueen has learned to pull off without making bags look sloppy. In fact, this aspect is what I’ve come to know and love about McQueen bags. I am sure you remember the Alexander McQueen Red Faithful Glove Clutch we covered a little while back. If you weren’t already on the McQueen bandwagon, many of you converted when you were able to embrace that clutch. This tote is no different.

While the Alexander McQueen Leather Biker Tote makes a statement, it makes a statement in all the right ways. Sometimes totes bore me. They are all large, some use great colors and materials and others don’t. Yet, this tote, it is a show stopper. This tote boasts bright blue leather with a glazed finish, silvertone accents, snap closures and metallic zippers. I love the almost belt like adjustable shoulder straps. Details like this always put a smile on my face. You can be sure that this bag will get compliments and even if it didn’t, would it matter? It is fabulous. Period. Buy through Saks for $1595.

Original post by Shannon Mahoney

I can abide a lot of weird stuff from Marc Jacobs. In fact, Marc Jacobs is usually at his best when he’s at his weirdest, even if not everyone gets it.

Sadly, though, when I saw the Marc Jacobs Beaded Daisy Shoulder Bag at Saks last week, I found myself feeling like one of those haters that I usually dismiss: I just didn’t get it. Not even close.

I will admit one thing, though, even though I don’t like the bag – it made me stop and look at it. Since I look at handbags 40 hours a week, I rarely stop and examine bags closely when I’m in a store, unless it’s something I really need to touch or something that I would actually consider buying. Other than that, this job sort of takes the magic out of going to the mall. With this bag, though, I wanted to touch the beads to see what they were made out of and if they were heavy. My best guess is that they’re ceramic, and they definitely added a bit of weight to the bag.

I wouldn’t say my interest was a positive thing, though – it was merely such an odd thing to see that I couldn’t help but investigate. If you’re looking for attention at any cost, then that might be positive, but mostly I felt like I was looking at it in the same way that I would look at a tacky holiday sweater. In fact, that’s what the hanging beads reminded me of the most – the extra, unnecessary crap hanging off a glittery, ironic-but-not-on-purpose Christmas vest. Perhaps its the contrast between the beads and the relatively boring design of the bag itself that makes them seem extra weird – I’m not sure. Buy through Saks for $1995.

Original post by Amanda Mull