Elisa Atheniense Big Weave Bag

At first glance, I thought this was one of those Gryson bags at Target, but was surprised to discover that it’s actually made by Brazilian designer Elisa Atheniense. Atheniense’s roomy handbags are made in Brazil of luxurious leathers and her Big Weave Bag represents her decadent design aesthetic. Though it’s a bit of a Gryson rip-off, the Big Weave features weaving (duh!) - a stunningly woven body in a bright green butter-soft leather. The color looks crisp against the tightly-braided brown handles and zipper trim. And it’s practical too - two interior compartments are separated by a center zipped compartment and the side panels are positioned in such a way that gives you more space inside. I love how the shape is so utterly simple yet the weaving, braiding and side panels come together to make it more complex yet chic. The color, the style, the details are all so timeless and beautifully constructed. If you can stand the green color and can stomach the $880 price tag, it can be one of those long lasting pieces to add to your handbag collection. (Measures 16″ x 5.5″ x 12″)

At tobi

Pauric Sweeney Python Ostrich Ryder Bag

One of my favorite online boutiques, Shop Jake, has the most carefully edited selection of affordable luxury goods. I love the clean feel of the site along with the cosmopolitan chic-ness of the items. Jake already carried a cool mix of designers but I’m excited to discover that they now carry Pauric Sweeney handbags too! I’m a lover of all things python and Pauric Sweeney is the master of designing divine python bags. One of the new styles that I discovered on ShopJake is the Python Ostrich Ryder Bag. A gleaming metallic silver python hobo is pleated at the top and boasts brown leather and acid green ostrich accents. The bag is lines in suede and measures 20″ x 10″ x 4″. This bag, like ShopJake, is the ultimate in luxe!

 

 

 

Miu Miu Small Shoulder Bag

Living in New York City brings out your fashion competitiveness. There are so many fashionably dressed women everywhere that it makes you want to shop all the time just to keep up! Along with the fashion comes especially enviable accessories, shoes and bags. But in a sea of ‘It’ bags, logos and tons of other bells and whistles, simplicity still seems to stand out. I’ve been noticing a lot of New York women with Miu Miu bags which are almost completely void of hardware and display only the smallest logoplate on the front. This one in particular caught my eye (online) - the Miu Miu Small shoulder bag. It’s perfectly constructed - I love the hobo-style and ruched body, and the front flap with a gold lock closure. The turquoise leather is the perfect shade for summer and sets apart the otherwise conservative bag.

Buy Miu Miu at NET-A-PORTER

Celine Patent leather clutch

Here’s a great summer clutch (if summer would ever come…) - the Celine Patent leather clutch. The bright turquoise patent leather is blended with tan leather trim and the combination looks stunning. Silver hardware edges the flap closure which also features a turnlock fastening. A silver chain handle can be tucked in or carried on the shoulder. I love that it looks dainty but it’s really an oversized clutch that you can cram all your stuff inside.

Botkier Lita Clutch

So, it turns out that yellow isn’t as big as predicted this season. I’ve seen yellow fashion being sold all over the internet and in the mall but not so much on human beings. The reason? It’s hard to wear, and hard to pair. Yellow is a bright, somewhat harsh color for most skin tones, but if paired the right way with another color, it can work. The
pairs a softer yellow tone with surprising light tan leather trim. I would have never thought to combine the two colors but the result is fabulous. This nylon rectangular clutch features center ruching and a center tunrlock closure. The bag is soft and pretty and is a ray of sunshine in these gloomy May days!

Prada’s (Unattainable) Plum Fairy Bag

Prada debuted it’s Fairy bag earlier this year in a simple cream deer skin base but did you know it’s also available in a plum color? The catch? There’s only one available! The bag is offered through Prada’s Prototype Auctions so unless you’re really lucky, it won’t be yours.

Sorry.
Image via Fashionising

What’s Haute and the Independent Handbag Designer Awards

What’s Haute is a friend to Handbag Designer 101 so I was honored to join the preliminary judging panel for the 2nd Annual Independent Handbag Designer Awards. Over 600 photos were submitted and I, along with Handbag Designer 101 founder Emily Blumenthal and several others, pored through all of them to select five finalists in each of the following categories:

Best Green Handbag, Best Handbag in Overall Style and Design, Best Handmade Handbag, Best Student-Made Handbag, and Most Socially Responsible Handbag.

It was difficult to choose since the quality of the bags was incredible, and the talent in the handbag world is simply amazing! But here’s a look at a few of my faves who were picked to be finalists (their bags are pictured above)

Nelle Handbags: I fell in love with her adorable black ruffled clutch, as did the other judges. The detail is perfect – can you believe it’s handmade?

Diego Rocha: another stunningly handmade python bag, though we nominated this one for Best Overall Design. The design, detail and construction are incredible.

Lina Motoki: we were captivated by this student-made red hobo-style handbag and can’t wait to see it in person!

How could you not love gorgeous handbags that help to save the environment and give back to their communities? Tracy Penwell’s ‘green’ bag is made up of recycled watches - how cool! And La Chica Chic works with TodosPelaeducacao, an organization dedicated to educating and empowering the children of Brazil and the bags are beautiful!

Congratulations to these and all the rest of the finalists!

Minority Ultra in Printed Leather - not Python!

I’m in love with python. Some people don’t like the scaly feel of snake skin but python is just so luxurious to me, but pricey. So anytime I can get my hands on an affordable python piece, I grab it! LuxCouture has one of the best selections of luxury bags (thus the name LuxCouture!) and they have an enviable selection of python bags. This one in particular caught my eye. I was surprised to discover it actually isn’t python but looks so much like it I love it anyway! The Ultra in Printed Leather is by Minority and it’s a brilliant bronze-y oversized clutch with scalloped, snakeskin-like leather detailing. $725 is a price typically reserved for authentic python skin but this bag is so gorgeous it might just get a pass! And for those of you who don’t like snakes, this one’s for you!

Fashion Inspiration Comes From Everywhere: Jean Paul Gaultier

I never thought I’d see the day I put John Paul Gaultier on a ‘Not Haute’ list. But designing a women’s clutch inspired by men’s boxing shorts? That’s not haute. Every time I look at this clutch I feel like pulling out my boxing gloves and hitting the speedbag. Ok, he gets points for creativity but really, what woman wants to carry her stuff around in a pair of luxury satin boxing trunks?

Jean Paul Gaultier Satin Boxing Pochette, $415, eLuxury.