Custom Design

I’M BA-ACK! I’m minus two tonsils, five post-surgery pounds, and a week of my life, but I have returned triumphant to do one of my absolute favorite things: make fun of a truly horrific Versace bag.

It’s almost as though the universe placed the galacticly awful Versace Scream Shopper on Nordstrom’s website to welcome me back to the land of the living – It’s been quite a while since Donatella & Co. have provided us with a bag so thoroughly worthy of ridicule. When pitched such a softball, I can only hope to hit it out of the park. Won’t you join me?

Can someone call Donatella and tell her that putting out crap like this is why her company is failing? Does she not realize that? How could it not be obvious? Am I taking crazy pills?

That a company could put out a bag made of mismatched patterned leather, acid yellow trim and baseball stitching and expect people to spend well north of three grand on it absolutely boggles the mind. The people that made this bag live on a different planet from the rest of us, and it’s not a place that I hope to visit. Ever. It probably smells like Axe body spray mixed with fake tan. I’d say that this bag looked like a Junior’s Department nightmare, but really, it might be uglier than that.

On the other hand…has ever a bag been so aptly named? Buy through Nordstrom for $3395.

Original post by Amanda Mull

Can someone, ANYONE, explain to me why this pastel-potholder-looking abomination against fashion costs 1100 freaking dollars?

Well, the line is owned by part of the Fendi family, so that should give you a clue to the price. And the bags are handmade from recycled materials, which is nice, but not really an explanation of how much we’re all expected to pay for them. I’m pretty sure that lots of small brands use similar manufacturing practices, make bags that don’t look like granny craft projects, and don’t charge nearly as much for the (much more attractive) end result.

As if the whole “green” factor wasn’t enough to make me feel slightly bad for hating this bag in such a visceral way, apparently they also donate some proceeds to charity. But when you’re making bags that are this ugly and this expensive, are you really doing anyone but yourself any favors? Wouldn’t more attractive bags at a slightly lower price point sell more units and, as a result, make more money for charity and do more to make the “green” movement seem palatable to fashionphiles? For $1100, I’m going to need them to do more than make a bag that looks like an irregular Vera Bradley laptop tote that got sent to TJ Maxx. Buy through Luisa Via Roma for $1131.

Original post by Amanda Mull

Yves Saint Laurent is loving the chain under leather look for this season. First we saw all the celebs crushing on the YSL Roady. The Roady of choice for many of the celebs and customers alike is the black leather with metal chain insert. And that version of the YSL Roady has a very familiar feel to this YSL bag.

The Yves Saint Laurent Nappa Leather Clutch mixes chunky chain metal hardware with sleek gray leather. There is an optional shoulder strap which is always a nice touch. To go hand held or shoulder strap is the question? Sometimes I like to use the optional shoulder strap as a wristlet handle. I know, so bold and daring. Back to this YSL bag.

This is Yves Saint Laurent afterall, so we can be assured that the Nappa leather, chain detailing, and chocolate suede lining are all completely divine. I am sitting on a fence about my overall feeling on this clutch. If someone gave it to me I would take it in a heart beat, but I am not feeling a deep yearning for this clutch either. Don’t get me wrong, it is a great classic, but would I buy it? Long answer short is no. This clutch simply does not have the wow factor which is entirely surprising as the simply Roady hobo did it for me but this simple clutch counterpart does not. Buy through Net A Porter for $1,495.

What do you think: Love it or leave it?

Original post by Megs Mahoney Dusil

This week on Bag that Style we had a great array of celebrities with their handbags. But we were stumped on a few designs, so maybe you can help us out!

We ID’d most of Vanessa Hudgens outfit, EXCEPT for her bag [link]

Kate Hudson carries a purse that think is on the tip of our tongues, but we just don’t know [link]

Original post by Megs Mahoney Dusil

I make a lot of fun of Versace, and it’s for a lot of good reasons. They make largely unattractive handbags in weird shapes and with odd stuff stuck to them, and then they charge prices so high that they verge on insulting. They’re not a brand that’s famous for their quality handbags, nor are they widely carried by tastemakers or celebrities, so it’s hard to say why they think they can get away with such ridiculous designs and pricing. They end up in the sale section a lot.

And maybe, just maybe, someone at Versace has been paying attention, because the Versace Croc Embossed Satchel is decidedly unoffensive. It’s not the best bag I’ve ever seen, but it has a structure that subscribes subtly to the recent origami bag trend without being unnecessarily complicated. The structure is classic Versace, but it lacks the obvious, gaudy branding and enormous, shiny gold hardware that have characterized so many of the brand’s less-successful bag ideas. The color is gorgeous, as is the variation of the croc-stamped leather, and it all comes together in a reasonable, tasteful way. The best part, though, is the price. It’s still too high, but compared to some of the brand’s recent price points, it’s fairly unoffensive. Buy through Nordstrom for $1770.

Original post by Amanda Mull

I wrote about another Mulberry bag with this finish a few weeks ago, and I love it so much (and so did a lot of you guys, to my everlasting surprise) that I had to bring you guys the Mulberry Ava Chain Clutch when I saw it.

Because, I mean, look at it. It’s got all the great parts of the last bag, but this time in a cute, bite-sized portion. It’s like a fun-size candy bar, but the purse version. But it’s still got the amazing, dark silver, shiny, croc-stamped leather, and I think it might go with just about any cute dress that I’ve got in my closet. And, honestly, most of the not-cute dresses I have, too (because, fess up, we all have them). And because of the finish and the color, I doubt it would show wear very quickly, making it a perfect going-out bag for a night of clubbing or barhopping. And really, I just want something-anything-made out of this material. Buy through Mulberry for $495.

Original post by Amanda Mull

Sometimes when I pick a bag to write about, I know I’m asking for trouble. I don’t mind the disagreement, though - I possess that rare and endearing quality of always thinking I’m right, no matter what (that IS endearing, right? No? Oh). So I present, without fear, the Mulberry Metallic Croc Print Bayswater. Super shiny? Yes, it is. Stamped with an exotic texture? Yes, that too. Too big to pull it off? Probably, but I really like it anyway, and you can’t convince me otherwise.

Despite the fact that its texture is mirror-slick and not distressed like the metallics I usually prefer, the fact that they used a gunmetal silver instead of a bright, blue-based silver is really winning me over. The texture reminds me of a much less expensive, much more useful version of the Balenciaga Metallic Crocodile Wristlet we’ve talked about recently. I’d choose the Bal in a second, but since I don’t think my credit card limit is that high, the Mulberry version seems like a fun substitute that might actually hold some of my stuff. Buy through ShopBop for $1250.

Original post by Amanda Mull

Known for her use of exotic skins, Devi Kroell’s handbag line is just as stylish as the designer behind it. We had the pleasure of getting to learn more about Devi Kroell and her handbag line and since then I have a long list of Devi Kroell wants on my wishlist.

Do you have any Valentine’s Day traditions? Usually I celebrate with my husband. He always has a beautiful giant bouquet of flowers for me to wake up to, followed by breakfast in bed, and finished with a lovely late lunch date with a glass of champagne to celebrate!

If you could celebrate Valentine’s Day in any city, where would it be and why? Paris - of course! - It is the city of love and has the perfect romantic back drop.

The perfect bottle of wine for Valentine’s Day… A wonderful Brunello di Montalcino.

The most romantic restaurant for Valentine’s Day is… La Grenouille on the Upper East Side for its fantastic french food, delicious fine wine, and enchanting atmosphere. They also add the most beautiful flowers to complement valentines day colors of pinks and reds and deep purples.

What are your plans for Valentine’s Day this year: For the first part of the day, I will be working on adding the final touches to my collection for our FW09 ready to wear presentation that takes place on the 18th of February, followed by a charming date at La Grenouille with my husband.

The best Devi Kroell bag for a Valentine’s Day gift, why?: Option 1: Small Envelope in Raspberry not only is the pink toned color perfect for valentines day, and it is also the perfect sized bag to carry on such a romantic evening with your admirer.

Shop Devi Kroell online

Original post by Megs Mahoney

Last month we had some amazing giveaways. Adriana Castro sponsored a giveaway on Purse Blog while Hayden Harnett and Elliott Lucca sponsored giveaways on Purse Blog Savvy. We are pleased to announce the winners of the Hayden Harnett giveaway!
Hayden-Harnett Wyeth Clutch: entry #673 - Kellee
Hayden-Harnett Wyeth Hobo: entry #1378 - Luce
Hayden-Harnett Wyeth Tote: entry […]

Original post by Shannon

Marni Handbags
Much of the fashion world has clamored to grab a Marni handbag. Not this girl. There is something about these bags that I like and then a bigger part of these bags I do not like. So as I stare at the bags I attempt to pick them apart and decide what exactly it […]

Original post by Megs