Zambos & Siega Full Moon Tote

Karen Zambos is best known for her carefree bohemian clothing which she calls “Vintage Couture”, but last year she partnered with longtime friend Lisa Siega to launch a modern yet retro handbag line. My favorite is the Zambos & Siega Full Moon Tote (available at shopbop.com) which is a fresh take on a handheld satchel. The half moon handles are quite mod but the rest of the bag is simple and classic. It’s a large satchel but also converts to a shoulder bag, giving a twist to the modern messenger. And since I’ve always been a fan of cutouts and geometric shapes, I love the triangular shaped body of the bag topped with the cutout handles. The ‘Full Moon’ looks like one of those great finds that you discover in a vintage store that will surely draw envious stares from your fashionista friends. The price for this ‘Vintage Couture’ bag? $803. But with it’s dual modern and vintage influences, this double duty bag will truly transcend time.

Longchamp Rodeo Luxe

If you’re thinking about doing a romantic getaway for Valentine’s Day, now is a great time to start shopping for a new bag. Why? Because you don’t want him to whisk you away while you’re carrying that dirty old duffel bag from college or some boring black overnighter. The Longchamp Rodeo Luxe is the perfect size for a weekend trip, the purple cracked patent leather gives a striking punch of color and the bag is overall just gorgeous! It has two long top handles, a front zip pocket and what I love the most in bags, expandable zippers and top side snaps to give you extra room inside. The contrast detail is pink which gives it a nice effect and very much Longchamp’s style of color mixing.

$730, Longchamp

Anya Hindmarch Clint Day Bag

I love Anya Hindmarch, I really do. She can just do no wrong. When other designers try to flash back to the past, it often turns out horribly wrong but I love her cute little retro Clint Day Bag. It’s a cream colored calfskin shoulder bag with a pop of orange leather on the handle and front flap. An off-center metallic gold strap and buckle gives it a super-mod feel. The colors and style of the bag are very retro - I can imagine Twiggy modeling it on the cover of a 70’s Vogue but I can also see it being worn now. It’s absolutely timeless. Anya does it (right), again!

$945, Saks Fifth Avenue.

Weekly Fashion Blog Bazaar

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Designer Planet is bowled over by the metallic brilliance of this stunning scarf.

Spring brings a bright spot in Fendi’s horizon all thanks to a handbag favorite. Read the details at Señora Cartera.

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Style Talk shows us how modern fashion takes a page from the past to brings us a new twist on clothing.

Browse splendid spring fashions at affordable prices courtesy of So Frugalicious.

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Lifestyle Buzz showcases a spot-on trendy bag with classic appeal and an enticing price tag.

What could be better than a classic pair of ballet flats? Well, nothing at all if you ask Designer Sense.

The Zac Sac by Zac Posen

I’m always looking forward to Spring. The colors are so much brighter than those dreary Fall & Winter colors and the bonus is knowing that hot Summer weather is just around the corner! But what I love most are the Spring bags! And I simply adore this canary-yellow/vanilla-colored Zac Posen Zac Sac shoulder bag. The color is gorgeous and very Spring-y, and the construction, like all of Zac Posen’s creations, is incredible. It’s a basic hobo shape with chain and leather drop handles, a flat front flap pocket and underlying bone piping around the edges. It’s priced at $1295, which isn’t so bad considering you’ll want to carry this all Spring and Summer long!

DVF Goes Green

These days it’s all about going ‘green’ and the latest designer to join the cause is Diane von Furstenburg. If you can’t afford one of her signature wrap dresses, you can certainly afford this handbag. Priced at $65, the “Go Green” Canvas Tote is affordable, eco-friendly (it’s made of certified organic cotton), and it’s a limited edition she personally designed for Art Basel. There’s a note inside the bag from Diane that reads “Save and Love the Planet”. Covered in ivory hearts, black edging and Intermix and DVF logos, this green tote is simply adorable, and did I mention affordable?

Pick one up at Intermix

Visit the Haute Forum for even more handbags and fashion!

Haute or Not: Louis Vuitton Monogram Shearling

The House of Louis Vuitton never ceases to amaze me with all of the different ways they can stretch the LV logo. Just when you think it gets old, there’s a new group of handbags covered in the logo, yet they all seem to look different and new. Anyway, R&B songstress Ciara and MTV VJ LaLa were spotted at a game rockin’ matching Louis Vuitton Monogram Shearling bags (and similar overall looks too!). LaLa is carrying the Shearling ‘Storm’ ($3850) and Ciara has the Shearling ‘Thunder’ ($3450). I don’t know how I feel about the wrinkled patent leather with fur bursting out at the edges. They’re too reminiscent of Ugg boots, and the wrinkling of the leather makes the bags look kinda cheap. I believe in building brands but sometimes Louis Vuitton just takes it too far.

What’s your opinion - love them or hate them?

And while we’re on the subject of Louis Vuitton:

Has the brand extension gone too far?
Source

Check out more Louis Vuitton available online at eLUXURY.com

Technorati Tags: handbag, handbags, Louis Vuitton

W Magazine Spring Bag Giveaway

One of my all time favorite fashion magazines, W, is now online at Wmagazine.com. I love W for their artistic spreads and fashion news that you won’t read anywhere else. W is the magazine for the serious, die-hard fashionista! Anyway, to celebrate the launch of the website, W and Saks Fifth Avenue are giving away four designer ‘It’ bags (valued at over $11,000)! One lucky reader can win all four designer bags:

Chloé Bay Patent Hobo Bag
Marc Jacobs Lace Robert Bag
Dior “Babe” Python East/West Frame Bag
Jimmy Choo “Pilar” Clutch with Face Design

You can enter the contest here. The contest ends on March 31, 2008 at 11:59PM ET. Check it out!

Maison Martin Margiela Satin Sac Bags

I just love a big slouchy bag. Even though the weight of my bags have been causing me to practically tip over, (since I stuff everything inside), I will never give up on carrying big bags. And a big slouchy bag just looks so carefree, like you just threw on your favorite jeans and T-shirt, and slung the bag over your shoulder. The Maison Martin Margiela Large Satin Sac Bag ($745) is just right for that kind of look. It’s casual but the satin adds a slightly dressy factor. I love the gathers and draping on the front of the bag and the short leather shoulder strap is just big enough to rest on your shoulder. No excess baggage here!

For those of you who prefer not to tip over carrying your bag, there’s a smaller version, the Maison Martin Margiela Small Satin Sac Bag ($645), which is just as cute.

‘Tis Better to Receive Than Give?

As much as I love to give, I love to receive, so I was thrilled to be selected by My Fashion Life as the winner of their Ignes Bag Giveaway! I won the Veronica Max Clutch in Soft gold (pictured above). I’ve been a fan of Ignes since I featured their Romy Clutch on What’s Haute a few months ago, and this Veronica Clutch forever seals my love for the brand. The bag is a soft oversized clutch in a liquid metallic gold lambskin. The craftsmanship is incredible and the clutch is simply beautiful. Each bag comes with a gold Ignes purse hook so it never has to rest in my lap or on the floor! And even the customer service is amazing - Ignes co-founder Maria Estrada personally emailed me to congratulate me on my win and to find out if I loved the bag, the answer to which is ABSOLUTELY!

Click here to read more about Ignes Bags and get 20% off!

Win a Spring/Summer Clutch from Laura Matthews!

Some time ago I attended an accessories tradeshow which was mostly full of disappointing mass market handbag designers and jewelry vendors. I was looking for haute new designers and most of the collections I saw lacked creativity. However there were a few ‘ones to watch’. And one of those designers was Los Angeles based Laura Matthews. I immediately fell in love with her bags. They were both creative and unique, not packed with trendy details but full of personality nonetheless. Her standout pieces were the calfskin structured satchels ($550, above) with a distinctive front metal logo plate and studs, and the ruched soft lambskin clutches with a metal plate at the top.

Laura Matthews Spring/Summer collection includes a sporty black patent hobo ($600), a gorgeous grey croc-embossed calfskin satchel ($575), and her signature clutches in various colors and styles complete with metal logo plates and new metal butterfly detail.

And you can win one of these hot Spring clutches. Laura Matthews is giving away one of her yellow patent butterfly clutches, valued at $275!! All you have to do is answer the following question:

What colors are Laura Matthews’ ruched clutches available in this season?

Email your answer to contests@whatshaute.com. Contest ends at 11:59pm ET on February 14, 2008. A winner will be randomly selected and contacted on or around February 17, 2008. Good luck!

Weekly Fashion Blog Bazaar

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It’s “tea time” at Fashionably Cute.

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Head over to PinkRockCandy and find out who made Mr. Blackwell’s infamous “Worst Dressed” list for 2007.

Find out why Paul Stuart-Holden’s knee length coat has caught Designer Planet’s eye.

Browse Fashion Fling’s “stormy blue” fashion selections.

Elite Choice showcases a truly unique and elite jeweled bracelet.

Style Talk hearts bold-colored headbands as the perfect fashion accessory.

So Frugalicious picks fabulous and frugal Target fashions worthy of any budget-conscious fashionista.

Check out GLAM & Tonic’s choices for the ideal LBD.

Discover Sandy Rueve’s SheBeads unique jewelry designs via Spork Fashion.

Check out bold and beautiful cocktail rings via Designer Tips.

Feast your eyes on Rita Saardi’s hypnotically romantic designs courtesy of Lifestyle Buzz.

Marc Jacobs ‘Bags’ Rihanna

You know you’ve truly reached ‘It’ girl status when Marc Jacobs begins designing bags in your name. Marc Jacobs just designed two new bags named after the pop star.

The Marc Jacobs Collection Large Metallic Rihanna Bag ($1,650) and the Marc Jacobs Collection Large Rihanna Bag ($2,075) are the latest in MJ’s collection. Both of the metallic leather bags have short rolled leather handles, a front flap with twist lock closure, and a detachable chain handle. They are atypical Marc Jacobs designs, and the verdict’s still out on whether or not that’s a good thing. And the prices are extreme for such basic bags. If you’re a huge Rihanna fan, you may want to nab one. Otherwise, I would suggest saving your money for the next fad ‘It’ bag.

Find more Marc Jacobs Collection Handbags available at eLUXURY.com

Marni’s Work of Art

I’m a huge fan of art - particularly modern, impressionist, and surrealist. I love spending a Saturday or Sunday afternoon in a museum and even like to purchase prints of some of my favorite pieces. However, I hate to see famous artwork plastered on an umbrella or cheesy canvas tote bag (like this. It just irks me. But original art on a chic bag is a different story. The Marni Slouchy fabric tote ($507) is a multicolored, abstract-printed slouchy tote measuring 14″ x 11″ x 4″, with brown leather handles and a drawstring closure at the top. It has the look and feel of expensive art but it doesn’t look like it’s trying too hard. The color scheme is beautiful - I love the mix of green, yellow white and black - so perfect for Spring! And it’s the perfect bag to accompany you to the museum, or while running other errands on the weekend.

Fendi’s Got a Dead Peacock on their Hands…

Somehow I knew that when I started singing the praises of Fendi, it wouldn’t take long before they started churning out crap bags again. What the fug is this? I am so disgusted I don’t even know where to begin. The Fendi Peacock Evening “To You” Bag ($1,680) is definitely not “For Me”. There’s simulated peacock feathers, plus metallic leather, plus jeweled acrylic plus Fendi’s handbag design team which altogether equals too much crap and one ugly bag. This silver bag with leather feathers and shiny plastic looks like a reject project from a kid’s arts and crafts class. The worst part of this bag is that it converts into a clutch, which makes it look like you’re holding the remains of a dead silver peacock in your hand (that is, if peacocks were silver, and made of metallic leather). Not cute, Fendi. Not cute at all.

If you’re a glutton for fugly bags, check out more Fendi Handbags at eLuxury.

De Couture du Jour

Do you like busy bags? I love them - not those hideously embellished bags covered in jewels and with dangling paillettes and sequins, but bags that have multiple design elements yet remain stylishly chic. Like this Multi Chain Hobo by De Couture. As if the patent crocodile body wasn’t enough, this oversized bag is nicely decorated with details such as a draped silver chain, a patent leather-encased chain, double handles and a shoulder strap. While most larger bags have some sort of snap closure to discreetly close the bag, this one has a drawstring and magnetic closure which doesn’t make it look bulky, but rather it looks quite edgy and cool. To add to the cool factor, each bag is lined in bronze satin and comes in a dustbag made of vintage scarves (how cool is that?). Measures 14″ x 15″ x 5″.

$1195, shopjake.com

Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend

It may sound cliché but diamonds truly are most girl’s best friends. And since handbags are my other ‘best friend’, I was excited to discover that one of my favorite Project Runway ‘outees’, Malan Breton, recently launched a glamorous handbag line with this ‘Black Diamonds’ Clutch as the central piece. This limited edition clutch is an evening bag covered in Black Austrian Crystals (ok, not really diamonds but still gorgeous). It’s a simple clutch which I love since it’s covered in crystals, there’s no need to go over the top. And the snap closure has a handful of ‘diamonds’ for a final touch. The price is steep - $955 - but I’m always willing to pay more for limited edition bags since not too many other women will be carrying them, and it’s such a chic addition to an evening wardrobe, it’s worth it.

Minority Printed Leather Hobo

I’m really starting to favor bags made of luxe materials, at least the look of luxe. Even those of you who don’t like snakeskin, python and crocodile can appreciate and carry this bag! The Minority Printed Leather Hobo is a made of a beautiful multi-berry colored leather, printed to resemble some sort of animal skin. And I love bags that require minimal hardware yet still look absolutely breathtaking. This bag definitely accomplishes that with its color, the ruched sides and the gathered front and back pockets. Best of all, it’s on sale for $646.75. Luxury bags and low prices are always a lovely thing…

What’s Haute? Haute Look!

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Forget all the claims to lose weight and stop smoking - I’m resolving to shop smarter in 2008! And I’m here to help you. I’m extending an invitation to you, my loyal readers, to join Haute Look, an online fashion club that arranges exclusive 24-48 hour private sales online! And on January 10 (mark your calendars!), Haute Look is having an amazing sale on Thomas Wylde handbags and accessories - up to 75% off! As you know, the best time to do holiday shopping for yourself is after the holidays when everything is on sale. So sign up for Haute Look today so you’ll be the first to know about these special deals. And don’t forget to tell ‘em Haute Girl sent ya!

Fendi Rectangular Leather Clutch

Let’s start the New Year off right with a Fendi I actually love! I honestly believe Fendi is better off designing bags that refrain from boasting their logo in various forms, and are not adorned with wild embellishments. This bag actually has the class and style that Fendi was once known for. The Fendi Rectangular leather clutch is the perfect size and shape, since oversized clutches are definitely the way to go this season, and the embellishments are beautiful - not overly tacky like some other sequined Fendi bags (for example, the Fendi Sequin and wool embellished tote). Anyway, the rectangular-shaped clutch is made of ivory and mushroom colored leather with a geometric sequin pattern, a removable twisted leather handle, and a hidden magnetic closure. I’m so in love with this bag that I’m almost tempted to ignore this Fendi Patchwork tote. Almost.

On sale for £429.