She Sells Sea Shells

Bulga burst onto the scene a few years ago with their excessively studded butterfly bag, seen on the arms of virtually everyone. But since then, most Bulga creations have been fairly stud free, and now it seems Bulga is relying on odd shapes for its new designs.

This shoulder bag from the new Spring collection appears to be the long lost cousin of the clam. The multiple pockets conjure up images of a collection of shells piled up on the beach, and the pinkish-beige tone only adds to that effect. It seems that ‘Under the Sea’ is one of the new themes for Spring, since tons of other designers are gluing shells, seahorses, and other underwater finds on their bags. This one is not too obvious; just underwater inspired. And it’s refreshing to see Bulga try something new, even though I’m still not sure I like it.

Weekly Haute Bag Round-up

Invade My Closet introduces us to the Louis Vuitton Tribute Patchwork bag (pictured at left)

Frapp-Induced Fashion features Fendi B Bags in every color and style

Karina XOXO rocks across-the-body bags

Cool Like Chloe tells us Chloe’s Bay Bag is of the new breed of It bags

In My Bag features Hayden Harnett’s Boca Rattan Spring bag

Kristopher Dukes lists the top 5 bags for Spring 2007

The New Pink finds a great printed Spring bag on the River Island website

Daddy Likey spots a Fendi Barf Bag

Fashionalities discovers a new handbag line - Creations by Kage

Gucci Sucks!

Gucci, to me, has always been the Mercedes-Benz of handbag brands - iconic, luxurious, and highly coveted. I had a few vintage Gucci bags given to me throughout my life, but on a trip to Italy in 2005, my mother bought me my first, brand spanking new Gucci hobo. I fell in love instantly, clutching my new bag tight, (receiving many strange looks from my boyfriend I might add), and promised to take really good care of it. So what happened? Only several months later I began to notice some minor wear and tear. Now look at it!

I’m so pissed off that such an expensive bag from such a notable brand could get this damaged just from the friction of being carried on my shoulder. I mean, I’ve bought bags for way less money, and used them the same way and to this day they are still in pretty good condition. Less than two years later and the Gucci I so loved, looks as if it’s been ripped to shreds! And I didn’t even carry it everyday!

What do you think? Is it time for my love affair with Gucci to come to a bitter end?

Who Did It Better?

Is there true originality in fashion? It seems as though whenever a designer comes out with a new style, several other designers happen to have the same idea. It’s tough to say who did it first, but who do you think did it better?

Anna Corinna, Crosshatch Satchel, $398

OR

Isabella Fiore, Tula Tote, $695

AND

Poesis Slouchy Tria, $175

OR

Bottega Veneta Lichti Fume, $10, 100(!!!)

Break the Chains of Love

Usually when designers create a younger, cheaper line, it looks just that - young and cheap. Dooney & Bourke is a prime example - I much prefer their sturdy pebbled leather bags with the simple duck logo over the more recent ones printed with DB hearts that look like stale Valentine’s candy. Anyway, I digress. Though most designers get it wrong, Carlos Falchi did it right.

His new line, Sloane & Alex, has all the Carlos Falchi sensibilities - soft skins and simple shapes, but with an equally expensive price tag. (So much for the cheap part.)

Anyway, the Spring ‘07 Chains of Love bags are the standouts of the collection - hobos, satchels and pouches with arrow-trimmed top handles and chains passing in and out of the leather body. Prices range from $295 to $590.

Came straight to this page? Visit What’s Haute for more haute bags!

Weekly Haute Bag Round-up

Welcome to the first weekly bag round-up. See what haute bags were featured on the web this week:

Hauteness - The Handbag Magazine feaures Sang A.’s luxury handbags (Ilana Clutch, pictured at left)

FabSugar presents Stuart Weitzman’s new line of handbags

Bag Snob presents the newest IT bags from Bottega Veneta

The Bag Lady loves the Harajuku Lovers ‘Uh-Oh’ Tote

Bunnyshop says Intermix has designer bags on sale

eBelle5 features Dior’s new Limited Edition Saddle Bags

Enter Iguana Fashions ‘Find a Transparent Handbag’ contest to win $50

Fashion Plate features cute Spring clutches from Bambina di Cioccolato

Ma Petite Chou says Poppie Couture’s Foldover Bags are all the rage right now

Haute or Not: Tory Burch ‘Frida’ Canvas Tote

I never saw ‘Frida’ but I heard it was a great movie. Looking at this bag, I think it’s safe to assume that Tory Burch saw the film and was perhaps inspired by Mexican art. But is that really an excuse to design a hideous handbag? Her ‘Frida’ Canvas Tote is (I’m assuming), meant to have a Mexican feel, but it winds up looking cheap and tacky. It looks like a novelty bag that was purchased at a Mexican street fair - something you might hang on your wall as a souvenir, but certainly not meant to be carried out of the house. And priced at $295, it better come with a Frida Kahlo original.

What do you think: haute or not?

Wicker - It’s not Just For Lawn Furniture

I love Resort season because all of the bags have such an airy, breezy feel. Even if you can’t go on vacation right now, getting a resort bag makes you feel like summer is just a little bit closer. Also, the bags are light, easy to pack, perfect for toting to the beach traipsing around sunny locales.

Cork was the big resort material of last year but wicker also made a brief entrance. For the 2006/2007 resort season, wicker bags have come back strong. Here is a sampling of some of the best wicker clutches:
About half of Savoy Accessories’ collection includes adorably cute wicker bags. The Marbella Mariel is a dainty little clutch, with a teardrop-shaped leather flap closure and a cute gold chain. This bag is perfect for dinner and dancing in the Hamptons, and at $125, you can get one of each color to switch things up.

Kate Spade’s Minu Wicker Clutch ($195) is sparse in detail, as is common of her bags, but sweet nevertheless. I like the fish hook closure, and the gold leather trim which is not too garish, and the tiny gold-studded leather tabs at the bottom.

MICHAEL by Michael Kors barrel-shaped Santorini Wicker Clutch ($148) is THE resort bag for the modern woman. An auburn-colored leather flap looks great with a gold twist-lock clasp. I love the elegance of this clutch, and the overall Michael Kors style of it.

Ferragamo’s surprisingly different Wicker & Leather Clutch is nice because it is atypical yet still stylish. I like that the wicker appears weathered, while the black leather keeps it crisp. A leather strap lets you tuck it under your arm or swing it from your hand. And the only sign that it is a Ferragamo is the omega-shaped buckle and price tag of $850.

Best and Worst Bags of 2006 Awards!

It’s finally here-the best and worst bags of 2006! See which of your favorites made the list:

Best bag of the year - Reader’s Choice: Fendi Spy

Though everyone and their mother had one, real and fake, you have to admit the ‘Fendi Spy’ was the best bag of the year. The innovative design, unique knotty handles and that adorable flap/coin purse made it haute.

Best bag of the year - New Designer: Begeren Moorea Tote

The Begeren ‘Moorea Tote’ is such an adorable bag, it had to be the best of they year (from a new designer). The design is great - the handle looks easy to hold (unlike many other satchels), and the leather just looks buttery soft, doesn’t it?

Most unique bag: Tie - Femme Sud Ex-Libris,

The Femme Sud Ex-Libris was hands down a truly unique bag. Anya Hindmarch made book bags before but none with the amount of cheekiness of these. I like that the designer was extremely thorough in the design of each ‘book’, with embroidered inscriptions inside, and a cute change purse and complimentary lipstick to accompany it! Even better, each ‘book’ was made in limited editions so there won’t be too many people ‘reading’ what you are.

Stylesse Lightning Strikes Tote

The Lightning Strikes Tote is cleverly designed – the lightning bolt flap is a closure and handle, for hands free access. I love the ability to transform nature into fashion, and I love the black, silver and red trio of colors.

Most innovative handbag brand: Freddy & Ma

Freddy & Ma took basics to a new level with their do-it-yourself line of handbags. Their addictive site features a handful of basic bag shapes and thousands of fabrics to choose from. It’s like shopping in a virtual fashionable candy store!

Most loved by celebs: YSL Muse

I prefer emerging and indie designers over established ones because the bags are typically more fashionable and fun. However, Hollywood loves luxury, and this explains why the YSL Muse was celebrity arm candy for most of 2006. It looks like any other bowler bag to me, with leather panels shaped like a Y. I still don’t get the hype.

Hautest new handbag designer: Zefanya

Zefanya was a brand new designer in 2006 and will probably stick around for quite awhile. Her designs are incredibly unique, and luxe - slouchy shapes with slanted drawstrings and that seemingly impractical but oh-so-cute bottom snap closure. Haute.

Most popular: Patricia Field Bag from The Devil Wears Prada

This convertible shoulder bag/clutch was lucky to be a part of such a hit movie because otherwise it would have likely been relegated to the clearance rack at Target. Or maybe even Wal-Mart.

Most coveted: Paul & Joe for Target Owl bag

Speaking of Target, big in 2006 was its Go clothing lines, with designers that most of us couldn’t regularly afford, but could sport their clothes made possible by Target. Again I don’t get the hype (this bag was selling for hundreds of eBay when it probably cost $5 to make), but it was THE most coveted bag of the year. Go figure.

Best trend: Snake accents - Rachel Zoe for Leiber – Cleopatra,

Pirates of the Caribbean spawned pirate everything - scarves, bags, clothes, jewelry, etc. ‘Snakes On a Plane’ was another much hyped about movie and spawned not so much snake gear. But a few designers incorporated the trend and did it well. Rachel Zoe ‘designed’ (and I use that term loosely) a gorgeous Medusa-inspired bag for Judith Leiber, covered in crystals and complete with a duo of slithering gold snakes.
Handmaid by Michelle Frantz Clutch with Snake

Handmaid used a snake as a hook closure on this cute clutch.

Most popular color: White - Lorelei Lucia Clutch

Winter white was haute all year long. Lorelei’s python ‘Lucia Clutch’ was so sleek and chic for winter, spring, summer and fall.

Most innovative material: Cork - Elezar Highbury,

Cork made a comeback in 2006 and when flecked with gold accents, was pretty haute. Elezar’s ‘Highbury Tote’ was cork trimmed with gold leather for a great Spring bag, and Lauren Merkin’s die-hard ‘Eve Clutch’ was given a makeover with cork, for a cute Spring/Summer clutch.

Lauren Merkin Eve Clutch

Best hobo: Botkier Trigger Fan Hobo

Botkier introduced the ‘Fan Hobo’ - basically the ‘Trigger’ with rounded edges. Not much of a departure from their trend of two slanted zippers and center buckled strap. Even still, I this hobo as I love all of Botkier bags - they’ve got everlasting style and appear to be quite durable.

Best satchel: Zefanya Sharpei

Zefanya makes the list again with its ‘Sharpei’ which actually resembles the dog of the same name. It’s cute, it’s slouchy, and it’s innovative. I love it.

Best comeback bag: Goyard

Goyard has been around since like 1776 but last year the French fashion house came back with a vengeance. Goyard is the new IT bag, but what I love about it is that not everyone has one, like a Gucci or Fendi. It still has a sort of exclusive status. Hope it stays that way.

Best metallic bag: Alessandro Dell’Acqua Metallic Mirror Leather Tote

What a gorgeous shiny bag.

Best tote: Anna Corinna ‘City’ Tote

I like the fact that this tote looks so unassuming, so non-girly. It looks like something you’d schlep all your stuff in while you carry a cute purse in your other hand. But even packed to the gills, the Anna Corinna ‘City Tote’ still looks stylish. And you can carry it in your hand or on the shoulder.

Best clutch: Hayden Harnett ‘Mercer’ Clutch

Hayden Harnett is by far one of my favorite new designers. Their bags have such a rebellious feel to me - like they don’t care about fitting in. They are definitely trendsetters and the ‘Mercer Clutch’ is evidence of that. Everything about it screams different and isn’t that just the way you want to be?

Best celebrity designed bag: Gwen Stefani for LAMB

Although I’m sure Gwen didn’t sit down with a sketchbook and draw her handbag line, I can still see her influences in it. The L.A.M.B. collection is very ‘fashionista rockstar,’ and the bags give us the opportunity to have a little bit of Gwen in our lives. No doubt.

Best ruched bag: Prada Pleated Tote

Ruched is the new wrinkled. Who would have ever guessed that a bag resembling a box of Sun-Maid raisins could be so haute? Prada made an entire collection of ruched totes this year, setting the trend for more and more ruching. They’ve even got an entire line of ruched totes for Spring 2007, in a rainbow of colors.

Best use of natural materials: Tivi Clutch

Many have tried to make wood handbags, and many have failed. Most attempts wind up looking like a lunchbox or are so lacquered it looks as if they may burst into flames. But Tivi’s wood-paneled clutch looks rich; its soft curves have the graceful beauty of a calla lily, and the lambskin interior softens up the hard exterior.

The next big ‘IT’ bag: Zac Posen Beatrice Quilted Bag

If I could marry Zac Posen I would. Then he could supply me with a lifetime of beautiful dresses. And now he’s a handbag designer too. What a lucky woman I would be. Although I’m sure there are many women in line to be with him, the ‘Beatrice’ is in the front line to be the next IT bag. Late in 2006, a bevy of celebs were spotted with this swinging from their arms. Zac (and his handbag line) is going to be big in ‘07. (As if he wasn’t already.)

Worst bag of the year: Tie - Chanel Vinyl Tote,

I know many of you love this vinyl Chanel bag but it looks like an expensive trash bag. Hefty or Glad should get into the handbag market-they’d rack up! Louis Vuitton Chinatown Shopper

And someone over at Louis Vuitton probably was fired because of this Chinatown Tote. It looks like one of those bags you get from the farmer’s market, to carry your potatoes home.

The “What were they thinking?” bag of the year: Marc Jacobs Miss Marc Canvas Tote

Marc Jacobs should be ashamed. What is this?? Does he have a five year old niece that he’s trying to get into fashion design or something? Is her name Miss Marc? It’s even more hideous in person. There’s not much else to say.

Best bag for people with too much money: Judith Leiber Cat Clutch

Who was the poor soul that had to sit and glue all these crystals on this Judith Leiber bag? And who would pay $3,695 for it?

Best use of studs: Michael Kors Kiltie Shoulder Bag

Michael Kors knows good design. I love the Scottish feel of this. I like that the studs are pyramid-shaped - different from the over-used round studs, and are strategically placed and not overdone.

Most ubiquitous bag: Fendi B

The Fendi ‘B’ was everywhere in 2006.

Worst use of logos: LV mink

Louis Vuitton must have gone on a firing spree at the end of 2006. The mink collection looked liked someone tagged a bunch of polar bears with graffiti.

Most over-hyped new line: Gryson

Gryson is a new handbag line that everyone raved about but when I glanced at the bags, I wasn’t that impressed. Am I missing something?

So Sick of ‘It’ Bags: Marc Jacobs Quilted Stam Bag,

These ‘It’ bags are hopefully on the way out. I am so sick of seeing every girl on a Manhattan street with a variation of the quilted ‘Stam’ and the Chloe ‘Silverado’. I’m even sicker of seeing fake versions being sold all around the city. Chloe Silverado,

What were your favorite and not-so-favorite bags of 2006?

Came straight to this page? Visit What’s Haute for more haute bags!

Bagaholic

Bagaholic = Bag + Shopaholic
One who likes to shop for bags. I think that pretty much describes me.

How would you describe yourself? Maybe you’re a Shoeru (Shoe + Guru), or a Shoeoff (Show Off + Shoe). Or do you Ex-Pose (pose + ex) yourself? Ever have a moment of Rejeaneration (regeneration + jeans)? What does this all mean?

These witty word combinations (and more) are the brainchild of friends Mia Christou, Scott Lobdell, and John Nee, creators of Mixtionary, a delightful book of mixed up words. Come up with your own creative combination and win a copy of Mixtionary. I’ve got 5 copies available to giveaway so the five most original will win! Email or post your combos now!

A Little L.A.M.B. and Some Harajuku Love

Gwen Stefani is a true celebrity fashionista, with her own unique style both on stage and everyday (sans the help of an over-hyped stylist). Both of her handbag lines, L.A.M.B. and Harajuku Lovers represent who she is, and who I am, for that matter.

With all the ‘It’ bags out there, I find myself being drawn to purses that take themselves a bit less seriously. I prefer tongue-in-cheek bags, interesting prints, and anything exceptionally different. So I adore her collections, the classic line stamped with Gwen influences; the other, a tribute to Japanese style, described as a ‘fatal attraction to cuteness.’ Cheeky and chic, these bags are haute, just like Gwen herself.

Is Brooklyn in the House?

Designers are often inspired by past trends, historical periods and even other designers. While that is all well and good, I prefer designers who buck tradition and search for interesting and unique things from which to design their lines. Take this bag from Bliss Lau. Inspired by the Brooklyn Bridge, the Suspension Chain Tote from her Spring 2007 collection has crisscrossed brass chains draped down the front of the bag, giving the impression of suspension cables which hold up the bridge. Three additional brass ‘cables’ also hang the bag from your shoulder. I love the perfect symmetry of the bag, and the New York feeling it invokes.