Custom Design

You guys, it is the most beautiful day in the history of forever right now. A week ago it was snowing in Georgia, and now it’s 70 degrees and perfect, without a cloud in the sky. Come lunch time, I am going to be violating many a fashion rule by wearing white and flip flops long before Easter while I sit on a blanket at the University of Georgia’s leafy campus and eat a packed lunch. I will have a picnic with myself and my laptop, so it will be like all of you are joining me, right?

Ok, so, the weirdness of working at home aside, this is the weather that makes me want to put on my best spring purchases thus far and find some grass. I generally hate the outdoors, but for a few precious weeks before Georgia’s heat gets oppressive and insufferable, I can’t help but enjoy the gleaming promise of a new season. The only thing that could make it better would be having the Jimmy Choo Cecile Woven Bag by my side.

img src=”http://www.purseblog.com/images/2010/03/Jimmy-Choo-Cecile-Woven-Bag.jpg” alt=”” title=”Jimmy Choo Cecile Woven Bag” width=”527″ height=”339″ class=”aligncenter wp-image-21502″ />

Bringing this bag to a picnic is probably not the wisest decision unless you’re very careful to keep it on the blanket and far from the food, but I’ve never been that good of a decision-maker (or particularly careful), so I’d probably do it in an instant. And with the basket-mimicking white woven leather and preponderance of shiny gold hardware, this bag is screaming for its turn in the sun – direct lighting is where this bag is going to look its best.

Don’t get me wrong, this bag would also be a champ under artificial light, but when a bag makes such a clear bid to be paired with the bright colors of spring and summer, I can’t help but hope that it gets at least a few moments outside with a fastidious owner that will make sure that the bag remains unsullied by the unpleasant realities of outdoor living. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go find my picnic blanket. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1495.

Original post by Amanda Mull

A little while back I came across a Valentino bag that was discussion worthy. Don’t get me wrong, EVERY bag is discussion worthy, but there are some that I feel people would be likely to offer their opinions on more than others.

So, here we are again with another another bag that I’d love to hear back from you on. The Diane Von Furstenberg Peggy Wrap Bag has several qualities that I really like while at the same time I am not sure if the bag simply misses the mark.

At first glance, I wanted to like the bag. I saw suede. I saw studs, but not just any studs, metal paillettes. Initially, I was pleased. But then I kept looking and wondered: is this bag actually any good?

Like many handbag lovers, I’ve been more interested in Diane von Furstenberg bags after the release of the Stephanie Bag. That bag was an instant sensation and I’ve been waiting for more like it ever since. However, I think this bag is off. The materials used are fantastic, but when combined, they seem to fall short. Although I understand the adjustable, wraparound buttoned strap, again, it seems off. Everything works against one another, not with one another. This bag, if done correctly would be fabulous to tote around during the day as it would be for certain nights out. But, there is something that just doesn’t work. What do you think? Buy through Shopbop for $950.

Original post by Shannon Mahoney

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

First and foremost, I wish I had better pictures of this bag. Since I don’t I will make the best of it. I came across this Alexander Wang Diego Suede Bucket Bag and had to stop and look into it more. First of all, let me say, this bag is not something I’d probably rock, but I can think of countless friends who would love to have this bag slung over their shoulders. There is something edgy, funky and completely original about this bag.

This navy suede bag as those traditional silver tone stud details along the bottom. The stud detailing very much reminds me of the Alexander Wang Coco Bag that we’ve covered both here and over on Bag That Style. This one is much smaller, more compact and other than the stud detailing is completely different. The adjustable shoulder strap will let you use this as a cross body bag as well as a simple shoulder bag. One of the other things I love about this bag is that you can completely wear it during the day with a casual outfit and you can also dress it up for a night out on the town. Buy through Brown’s for £710.

Original post by Shannon Mahoney

I have a hard time pinning down the Miu Miu handbag aesthetic. Their bags seem to roam freely between minimalist and intricate, taking a pit stop at every level in between. Since “brand cohesion” is probably only something that obtuse fashion people (like moi) ever think/care about, it doesn’t necessarily seem to be a bad thing – it certainly brings them attention from a wide swath of stylish girls and women.

The Miu Miu Lurex Jeweled Shoulder Bag is the brand at its most intricate extreme. Based on how successful the bag is, maybe they should spend more time at that end of the spectrum.

This lively clutch-alternative reminds me of the glory days of the early aughts, when brightly patterned Dior Saddle Bags and Fendi Baguettes rules the accessories roost. This bag is like those bags were, except with an elegant, ladylike bent that most of the accessories of that era sorely lacked. This is the Queen’s Baguette, if you will.

The lurex/brocade combination is just updated enough to be cool and modern while still an obvious retro reference, and the smokey jewels on the chain are just perfection. I know this clutch probably has too much personality to appeal to everyone, but that just means that there will be more for me. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $950.

Original post by Amanda Mull

Ok Donna Karan, you have our attention. We are starting to find ourselves liking more of your bags and taking a better look at them. We know you are the Queen of clothing already, so you know what you are doing. The handbag world is tricky to enter, but welcome to it.

The last bag I was seriously digging from DK was the Eldridge, an uptown cool everyday bag. Now the bag that I find to be entirely simplistic yet beautiful is the Donna Karan Large Expandable Shoulder Bag. This bag is exclusive to Saks. The body of the bag is soft and slouchy, adding a slightly unexpected yet fun addition with the studded shoulder strap. The creamy leather is perfect for winter whites. The overall vibe is grown up with chic twist.

Other details include an outside zipper which reveals an expandable gusset. There is also an inside zip pocket and three open pockets. Always a major plus for me is a roomy shoulder drop, on this bag it is a comfortable 10 inches. Overall measurements are 16″W X 14″H X 5″D. I give Donna Karan a thumbs up here. Please continue along this path! Buy exclusively via Saks for $1095.

Original post by Megs Mahoney Dusil

After having endured nine hours of final examinations in the past two days, there’s little that could lure me out of my practically brain-dead state. This Marni Leather Frame Bag, though, has managed to make me as alert as a puppy who’s been lapping up coffee.

I’ve long been a fan of Marni, what with their tendencies to add wonderfully quirky and eclectic touches and colors. This bag, though, has more of a sensible feel, though the black acetate ball clasp adds an unexpected dash of fun. The dark, dusty flesh color combined with the rustic brown strap make for a color combination that’s both unique and flattering? And because I’ve been lugging books around campus all week, I can’t help but add that the bag’s size is perfect for spiral notebooks.

What I adore about this bag is that it is not clearly a warm or cold-weather bag. Rather, I can see it working with a simple summer outfit of soft boyfriend jeans and a tee as well as with a heavy woolen swing coat and furry earmuffs. While that’s a cause of rejoicing, I’m still excited by the fact that it fits books vertically rather than horizontally. For me, that’s the mark of a sophisticated schoolbag. Buy through Net-A-Porter for $1,480.

Original post by Anna Cooperberg Gonzalez

Alexander Wang’s Coco duffle has been one of the most sought after bags of the season. Congrats to you if you can get your hands on one. It is sure to become a future classic. Wang’s relaxed, clean lined modern style has set the ball in motion for more handbag designs such as this slouchy shoulder bag ($780 at Net-a-Porter). Exclusive to Net-a-Porter, this Alexander Wang handbag is perfect for those of you on the wall as to whether you covet the blue denim printed suede or black stamped leather. Now you can have the best of both worlds – black leather and blue suede denim in one handbag. I am also on the fence about this bag, in one sense it is over-sized and unstructured which I love. I also am excited about the dual straps which open on either side instead of a single strap.

If you were to categorize this bag as a tote then it is more appealing, then it would worn in a more casual sense such as weekends. The shape kind of reminds me of those nylon travel totes used for grocery shopping. Not so appealing. If this bag were in the black stamped leather on both sides then I would definitely buy one. Now with the two-toned blue suede I am not so sure. It does look durable though and could hold lots and lots of essentials and perhaps even work as a weekender bag. That is if you are a strategic packer. What do you think of this bag and will you be ordering one from Net-a-Porter?

via The Find

Original post by Guest Blogger

Dolce & Gabbana maybe not have as rabid or dedicated a following as some handbag brands, but that doesn’t stop them from going confidently in the direction of their artistic vision season after season. As with any very specific point of view, the results are often mixed but they’re always very obviously Dolce & Gabbana.

The Dolce & Gabbana Miss Rouche Ruffled Shoulder Bag is the continuation of an idea that we first saw in Fall 2009. Those bags were slightly more manic and ruffle-covered, but this hobo dials things back just a bit and gets it right.

The beauty of this bag is really on the zoom-in, so I encourage you to take a trip over to Saks and play with their photo tools a bit. In these pictures the leather looks a bit thin, but on closer inspection, this bag looks like it would be soft and the wrinkled effect is feminine without being too girly. The same with the ruffles – they don’t come off as too theme-y or unkempt because the bag is fairly simple in shape. It looks stiff in the photos, but something tells me it would loosen right up with a little wear and sag nicely. Buy through Saks for $1450.

Original post by Amanda Mull

What is this that we have here? Do my eyes deceive me? Is this a Fendi bag that I not only like, but would also semi-seriously consider purchasing for myself? This is the second time in several days that I’ve found myself having these thoughts (the first time was about an ornate baguette that Vlad photographed at Design Miami), and it sort of makes me wonder – might Fendi be at the beginning of an accessories design upswing?

It’s too soon to say, but based on the beautiful bags at their Spring 2010 runway show in Milan, I’m hopeful. It would be great to have Fendi back as one of the leaders of the designer pack.

As far as this bag goes, though, its design just seems terribly current to me. It’s the right bag for the right period in time when the right trends are happening. It’s small, slightly retro and built for crossbody wear, the logo embossing actually provides texture instead of just name recognition, and the color and giant tassel are fun and irreverent. But the best part is the price. At a sub-$600 MSRP for a cute, trendy leather bag, Fendi actually has the opportunity to reach out to a young, hip crowd that might breath new life and interest into their accessories line. Buy through Saks for $595.

Original post by Amanda Mull