Celebrity bag spotting: Serena Williams with Valentino Nuage

When I think of Venus and Serena Williams, I have to admit that high fashion is not the first thing that comes to mind. But Serena was recently spotted out shopping looking casually chic in Nike sweats and carrying a black patent Valentino Nuage bag. The bag is a large hobo with a big patent bow on the side. It’s overly girly and cute and very un-Serena like, but I love the pairing of casual wear with a luxury, haute off the runway bag.

$1,195, Bergdorf Goodman

Pre-order a Fall 2008 Tory Burch ‘Lux T’ Canvas Tote

This Tory Burch ‘Lux T’ Canvas Tote comes from the pre-Fall collection but it makes me think of Spring. Probably because the weather is so gloomy in New York that any burst of color makes me yearn for warm, sunny days! Anyway, this beautiful brown canvas tote has another reincarnation of the Tory Burch ‘T’ logo in provence pink patent leather. It’s one of the perfect tote bags for those of you who take the train and need something other than a boring black tote to carry your work essentials. Even though there’s no top closure (boo), the bag is still haute and it’s $295 (not bad).

Pre-order yours now!

SJP’s ‘Sex and the City’ Eiffel Tower bag

Only one more month until the Sex and the City movie - woohoo! There have been movie spoilers all over the web and I’ve been trying to ignore them all and just focus on the fashion! Sarah Jessica Parker has been photographed on set wearing all of her fabulous Patricia Field-styled outfits, shoes, jewelry and handbags and this one in particular has received loads of attention - the Timmy Woods ‘Eiffel Tower’ Limited Edition Clutch. Woods is known for her handmade wood, cheeky-chic clutches and this one is perhaps a snub at Alexander Petrovsky - remember Carrie’s French lover?

Anyway, the bag is made of acacia wood with a black bengaline shoulder strap. While Carrie’s bag has 6,300 Swarovski crystals and costs a ridiculous $2500, the non-crystallized version is only $415. But you have to either be a die hard SATC fan or lover of all things French ’cause this is no everyday purse!

Check out more of Sarah Jessica Parker’s handbags.

De Couture Print Flap Over Bag

The reason I never throw anything away (in fashion) is that it always comes back in style. Remember when scarf accessories were in style? Scarves as belts, scarves as necklaces and scarves as bags. De Couture has brought the scarf trend back with it’s Print Flap Over bag. A brown and cream floral print silk scarf is fashioned into a soft, slightly structured bag with brown leather handles and back leather pocket. It may not be really worth the $1195 price tag but it’s one of those modern vintage pieces that will always be in style.

Cynthia Rowley ‘Vivienne’ Patchwork Dome Satchel

Cynthia Rowley is one of those womenswear designers that actually designs for women. Her silhouettes are always a perfect fit and the materials and details are super feminine. So it’s no surprise that her bags display feminine details and beautiful silhouettes. The Cynthia Rowley ‘Vivienne’ Patchwork Dome Satchel is in a neutral taupe / gray tone with multicolored patchwork pieced leather. The patchwork isn’t your typical square shaped patch pieces - they’re rounded shapes that look like flower petals. The dome shaped top features a triple zip compartment giving it extra space and comes with a removable shoulder strap. It’s utterly feminine, gorgeously designed, practical and chic and under $500!

Kooba Nelli Double Zip Soft Shopper

I love to see fresh new takes on handbag styles, like this hobo from Kooba. The Kooba ‘Nelli’ Double Zip Soft Shopper represents the new soft and pretty Kooba. Unlike rugged styles like the Sienna, this unstructured bag has soft and lush leather, and strikes the perfect balance between edginess and femininity. The navy leather is unexpected but lovely and just right. The dual zippers and side studs give it a polished look, and a bit of edginess without looking too tough. If you love Kooba’s sturdy, functional bags but prefer a luxe look, this is the perfect bag for you!

Gryson Olivia Bag For a Steal! (Sorry, New Yorkers Only)

I don’t believe in fad bags anymore. When I was younger I always wanted to carry ‘It’ bags for the moment, but as I matured, I now prefer classic styles that I can carry for years. I wasn’t convinced when Gryson handbags first hit the scene but I’m starting to like them more and more, particularly the woven Olivia. It’s on sale online for $907 (marked down from $1295) but if you live in NYC (or the tri-state area), you can pick one up at Century 21 for $497! When the price is this low, who cares if it was last season! Made from 100% Italian leather, this oversized satchel/shoulder bag is versatile - it’s a convertible bag with twisted double handles and an adjustable shoulder strap and features wide weaving on the body. It’s lined in suede and has understated brass hardware throughout. It’s both sumptuous and sophisticated and, don’t forget, on sale!

Jessica Biel’s a fan:

Only 5 Days Left to Enter the Independent Handbag Designer Awards!

Handbag Designer 101 invites you to compete in the Second Annual Independent Handbag Designer Awards™, the only handbag competition of its kind in the world. Win a chance to present your handbag at a high profile New York event and compete for one of six Awards for Handbag Design Excellence, international recognition, a variety of coveted prizes and a chance to have your handbag go on a marketing press tour.

Participate in any one or more of the following categories:

Best Student Made Handbag
Best Handmade Handbag
Most Socially Responsible Handbag
Best Green Handbag
Audience-Selected Handbag*
Best Handbag in Overall Style & Design

All finalists will be invited to participate in the Second Annual Independent Handbag Designer Awards™ that will take place on June 18, 2008, at the New York Historical Society in New York City. The finalist’s handbags will be on display on the evening of the event. Over 500 members of the fashion industry, including press and retailers, will attend the Independent Handbag Designer Awards™.

Deadline: All entries must be received by 11:59pm on April 25, 2008.

Learn more at Handbag Designer 101.com

Roberto Cavalli’s Spring Suede Clutches

Even though I’m not much of a clutch girl (I carry way too much stuff and prefer larger bags), I still admire them from afar….while wishing I wasn’t such a pack rat! If I could part with some of my stuff that I carry every day, I would snatch up both of these clutches by Roberto Cavalli.

The Roberto Cavalli Runway Suede Leaves Clutch is the perfect shade of pink (actually it’s lavender but it looks like pink to me) - not hot pink and not salmon, but a pretty pastel pink that’s just right for Spring. The suede material gives it a softer side and the leaf-like fringe detailing is amazing. This is quite different from Cavalli’s usual cheetah/leopard prints (for those of you who like that, don’t worry, it has an animal print lining) - less tacky, more feminine and sweet.

The Roberto Cavalli Runway Suede Fringe Clutch is a 70’s style fringe clutch but doesn’t look too hippie. I love that the fringe is various lengths and widths - there’s string and petal-like fringe all over. It’s also made from a neutral beige suede (and lined in animal print).

Check out more Roberto Cavalli at eLUXURY

Maison Martin Margiela Spotlight Clutch

Celebs love the limelight - ever go a day without hearing about ParisLindsayBritney? If you don’t want the paparazzi stalking your every move but still want to live in the limelight, you can rock this Maison Martin Margiela Spotlight Clutch. Smooth black leather is screened with a spotlight on the front flap which has a magnetic snap closure. This oversized clutch (on-trend) is $995, which is pricey for a clutch, but it is lined in leather which is truly luxurious star style.

Botkier Marysia Clutch

The little black clutch may be perfect for fall and winter but a chic white clutch is always what’s haute for spring and summer. Botkier has perfected the clutch with the ‘Marysia’. This clutch incorporates snake embossed leather, weaving, knotting and hardware without looking like there’s too much going on. This clutch is simply gorgeous and perfectly chic. Available at shopbop.com.

Devi Does it Again

As much as I would love to own almost every bag ever made by every handbag designer, that’s just not practical or realistic. But the ones I do own allow me to make better judgments about the quality while carrying them every day. My Devi Kroell ‘Tiffany’ bag is one of the best bags I’ve owned in terms of materials, design and construction, so now I’m a lifelong fan! Kroell recently launched her Spring/Summer 2008 collection which is full of even more beautiful bags with mixed exotic skins and innovative designs. One of my favorites is the Frame Bag in Patent. The purple shoulder strap and turquoise body provide contrasting tones that blend brilliantly and the patent leather shines without looking cheap. The shape is innovative - I love the shoulder, bucket-style with the frame closure which solves the issue of protecting your stuff in an open-top bucket bag. The closure is practical and looks amazing, especially coupled with the fold over aspect. It seems that Devi doesn’t know how to design a bad bag!

Check out more of her chic handbags here.

Celebrity bag spotting: Camila Alves with her own Muxo Handbag

Are the girlfriends of celebs now celebrities themselves? It looks that way. Camila Alves (girlfriend of Matthew McConaughey) is a fashion model turned celebrity girlfriend turned handbag designer. She was spotted buying leather for her line, Muxo, (which she designs with her mom) that is full of handmade, imported Brazilian leather handbags which she describes as “ready for the beach as they are 5th Avenue.”

I’m not particularly a fan of fringe but I do love a sturdy fashionable bag and the Muxo collection is full of them. Camila’s carrying the Soho, a large shoulder/bucket bag with a front pocket embossed with the Muxo logo and bottom fringe detail. But my favorite piece is the Broadway clutch. The Aztec-style print on the leather looks rich and sumptuous and the whipstitching detail on the edges gives it a handmade feel.

Check out MyMuxo for more bags!

Kale ‘Lyndon’ Satchel in Mustard Yellow

If you want to hop on the ‘yellow’ fashion bandwagon but can’t get with the bright yellow tones, try a more muted tone, like this mustard yellow bag from Kale. The ‘Lyndon’ shoulder bag is a perfect choice for summer. It blends the yellow and patent leather trends nicely, and without looking too trendy. The yellow calfskin leather looks soft to the touch and the classic shape has a youthful feel with contrasting patent leather shoulder and corner straps. The zip top closure has a dangling studded tassel pull. It measures approximately 15″ x 14″ x 4.5″ so it’s large and roomy, and best of all, it’s on sale now for $355!

Who Did it Better? Anne Klein vs. Jalda

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery…blah, blah, blah. Not when it comes to design. Even though no design is truly unique (’inspiration’ and all that jazz), there’s a fine line between ‘inspired’ and obvious, outright copying. Take these two clutches, the Anne Klein New York - Empire Clutch and the Jalda Foldover Clutch. Both have the same envelope shape with a bean-shaped metal handle. I have a pretty good idea which designer came up with this style first but I’ll keep that to myself (for now). Which one do you prefer?

Beyonce & Jay-Z’s white haute wedding

Everyone’s buzzing about the alleged wedding between power couple Beyonce and Jay-Z. Did they or didn’t they tie the knot? Who cares! We just want to know who she was wearing, what she was carrying, and the size of the ‘roc’ on her engagement ring! Word has it that the bride wore a white, Parisian-designed wedding gown. As we’ve seen on the red carpet, Beyonce favors mermaid- and Cinderella-style full-length gowns so we’re pretty sure that’s the look she replicated on her wedding day. And as far as what she was carrying, it was probably a custom designed clutch from the likes of Giorgio Armani, likely covered in diamonds! The pair already has matching ‘IV’ tattoos on their ring fingers, but we’re sure Jay-Z pulled out all stops to grace Beyonce’s finger with the biggest, brightest diamond ring ever seen! We’re anxiously awaiting the (leaked) wedding pics which are sure to surface soon…

~This has been a What’s Haute sponsored post.

More Bag for Your Buck: Tracy Reese ‘Tangiers’ Tote

Tracy Reese designs for the ‘girly-girl’. Her clothes are ultra-feminine with the usual girly details like flowers, ruffles and pastel colors. But this bag has an unexpected rough edge, which I love, and I also love the fact that the bag is huge but still maintains a feminine feel (it has a floral lining, after all). The Tracy Reese ‘Tangiers’ Tote is an expensive looking textured leather bag that is priced at only $594! It looks like it is worth so much more! It measures 13″W x 16″H x 6″D with an 8″ strap drop and displays angular seams across the body of the bag. A front pocket with a zip closure also has a magnetic bridged strap, and there’s an exterior pocket as well. Best of all is the top zip, as large totes generally tend to have magnetic or no closures at all, so I love that this one does. This is truly ‘plenty‘ of bag for your buck (pun intended).

Valentino’s Couture Bag is Pretty in Pink

Even though yellow is apparently the color for the rest of the year, my heart always lies with pink! I love, love, love pink accessories, preferably bags, and this luscious creation is on my It list. It’s the (soon to be iconic) Valentino Couture bag in a gorgeous glazed pink crocodile skin that looks soft and plush, and well-made - it’s Valentino of course! The braided, twisted leather handles, intricate weaving and exquisite ruching give it a couture feel already and the pink croc adds another level of luxury. Only Valentino could create something so beautifully feminine and extraordinary!

Burberry’s ‘Choppy’ Check Bucket Bag

I don’t blame Burberry for wanting to try something new, I really don’t. I mean, Louis Vuitton continues to come up with millions of new ways to re-design its logo and re-brand itself, so why not Burberry? But mixing up a plaid pattern is not quite the same as re-doing a logo in denim or grafitti, and this bag is looking less ‘luxury’, and more ‘Dooney‘. The Burberry Patchwork Check Bucket Bag looks like something went awry in the Burberry factory, like the patternmaking machine skipped a few beats. I know Burberry is an iconic brand and the ‘check’ pattern is as well, however there comes a time to just give it up. And Burberry, with this ‘choppy’ version of the ‘check’, I’d say that time is now.

Chloe Shopper in the Color of the Moment - Yellow

Yellow is the color of the moment and it seems like I’ve been seeing nothing but yellow bags. Such a vibrant color doesn’t really require brilliant design since the color stands out on its own but I’ve spotted a few yellow bags that I like, but this one is particularly pretty, in terms of both color and construction. I’ve never been one of those girls dying to have the latest Chloe bag but this one is lustworthy. This spring-y yellow Chloe Shopper (£890) is a great warm weather bag for both work and play. The large leather bag displays diagonal tonal topstitching and has lighter yellow-colored ruched straps and a triangular-shaped, trapunto-style design. The contrasting yellows give the bag a nice balance, and the side snaps and lengthy straps give it practicality.