Buy Haute Bags. Gilt - free.

Tons of new shopping sites are popping up and it’s like having your own personal sample sale! Gilt.com, a members only site, is one of these and is offering some haute handbags and completely gilt (guilt) free prices! And since it’s members only, you can use the following invitation link from What’s Haute to join!

Code: http://www.gilt.com/whatshaute

Two upcoming handbag sales that you won’t want to miss are Ralph Lauren and Gryson. The Ralph Lauren sale starts Friday, August 1 at noon and Gryson starts Tuesday, August 5th at noon. Here’s some of the bags and ridiculously low marked-down prices!

Black leather Ricky bag
Retail: $3,000
Gilt: $1,048

Small honey leather hobo
Retail: $1,600
Gilt: $478

Gunmetal Skye bag
Retail: $925
Gilt: $248

Python Olivia bag
Retail: $2,750
Gilt: $598

Don’t forget to join Gilt.com to shop even more haute stuff. Tell them What’s Haute sent ya! ;~)

Who Did it Better? Dolce & Gabbana vs. Ghibli

I really hope snake skin patchwork bags are not what’s haute this fall. But it seems like ever since Beyonce was spotted with the Dolce & Gabbana Miss Pocket Patchwork Snakeskin Satchel, the trend began.

The D&G tote is made of multicolored snakeskin patches with zigzag topstitching and suede trim. The Ghibli Multicolor Patchwork Python Tote bag is made of handcrafted python leather patched together in zigzagged strips. Both totes have flat, snake skin covered handles and roomy shapes, and neither will see the inside of my closet. But what do you think? Who did it better?

3.1 Phillip Lim ‘Lotte’ handbag

You can always count on 3.1 Phillip Lim for sleek, clean lines and unique styles. The 3.1 Phillip Lim 'Lotte' handbag is no exception. This gray leather satchel is embossed with small-to-large horizontal stripes of textured leather, giving the bag a velvety look. The top handles are top stitched in a tonal grey and the rounded top zips closed. I love that the hardware is an atypical black matte instead of the usual silver or brass - it complements the grey leather fabulously!

Carlos Falchi ‘Barbarella’ Medium Shopping Tote

I never thought I of all people would have trouble finding/picking a bag but for months I’ve been looking for a tote bag for work days. But everything I’ve found is either frumpy or ridiculously priced. I mean really, it is just a tote bag. But still I search, hoping to find something fabulously priced and simply fabulous. And then I stumbled upon the python Carlos Falchi Barbarella Medium Shopping Tote for less than $200! Ok, it’s not technically python…more of a python embossed microfiber. Even still, it’s Carlos Falchi, inexpensive and comes with an adorable ‘Falchi’ embossed zip pouch.

Celeb bag spotting: Christina Milian with a Hot Pink Fluo Marc Jacobs Stam

Christina Milian’s outfit may have been a poor choice but her bag was on point! She’s carrying the Marc Jacobs Collection Fluo Quilted Stam in fluorescent pink. The bag is made of quilted goatskin and comes with dual leather top handles along with a removable nylon shoulder strap. Even though I’ve never been a huge fan of the ‘Stam’, I adore the unexpected burst of pink, which makes the bag MUCH more appealing! Now, if we could just get Christina a stylist…

Image: TheYBF.com

Haute or Not: MARC by Marc Jacobs Dr. Q Shorty

I was never a Marc Jacobs girl. I just couldn’t get into the Quilted Stam bags and turnlock totes. But the MARC by Marc Jacobs line is another story. The handbags are quirky and kooky, much like the designer, but I kinda like them. MJ’s Dr. Q Shorty lookes a bit like a squashed pink croissant with top handles but there’s something about it that makes me keep staring. The dual handles are curved upwards into an upside-down V shape, and there’s also a detachable shoulder strap (which I always love on handbags). The bag is pretty big - it doesn’t look that way until you hang it on the shoulder so it makes a great city bag. The flat top portion and puffy body make it look somewhat disproportionate and complicated but it also has the potential to be a great bag.

What’s your take: haute or not?

Sergio Rossi - Bowler Blade Runner

I knew Sergio Rossi made sexy shoes but who knew he made sexy bags too? The Sergio Rossi - Bowler Blade Runner in Argilla) is absolutely lustworthy and has just made its way on my it list for fall. The description on Zappos’ website calls it ‘heart-stopping’ and I swear my heart skipped a beat when I first saw it. It’s big, it’s baaad, and it’s boss. This creamy tan leather bowler is simply beautiful and topped with lustrous patent-trimmed twisted handles and pockets. The bag is huge but not bulky - 9″ x 14″ x 13″. And there’s tons of pockets - zip pockets, slip pockets, flap pockets, interior pockets…you name it. You know you want to add it to your collection too!

Anya Hindmarch Cholet Hobo Handbag

I first fell in love with Anya Hindmarch’s handbags a few years ago on a trip to Los Angeles. A friend and I went shopping on the famed Robertson Boulevard where we saw Lindsay Lohan (a story for another day). Anyway, we visited the Anya store and my friend wound up buying two bags and has been in love with Anya ever since. I didn’t buy any that day (what was I thinking?) but I also fell in love with her bags that day. She is one of those designers that never disappoints while continuing to make innovative yet classic styles that you always lust over. Hobos have always been my favorite handbag shape, and I especially love the slouchy kinds - they give just the right bit of edginess and a not-too-structured feel. The Anya Hindmarch Cholet Bag is a hobo with timeless appeal - everything from the neutral grey color to the simulated gem detail - it is definitely a bag that I would carry for years. It has a magnetic closure, studded exterior flap pocket and multiple interior pockets, and lined in suede.

Botkier for Target

Botkier is the latest handbag label to do a line at Target. The collection is now available in stores and online and I have to say it’s the best one I’ve seen at Target as of yet. I’m not really into PVC bags - I really prefer good quality leather and the occasional skin - but if you’re not willing to shell out hundreds of dollars for an original Botkier, then this collection is just for you. The designs in this lower-priced collection are almost as fabulous as the designer line. Really, you can’t expect complete fabulosity with PVC and at Target but the bags come pretty close. The Botkier for Target^® Hobo Bag looks like it was designed based on the Botkier Isis Hobo, which was one of my favorite bags for Spring. The fuschia color is the same and the design is pretty close too. Both bags are actually pretty great, depending on your preferences. I have to say, if I liked PVC bags, I’d pick up a few of these.

Who Did it Better? Alexis Hudson vs. Zac Posen

After looking at so many images of handbags all the time, I’m surprised I can still tell the difference between all of them! But when I saw this
Zac Posen Handbags Madison Bag, I knew immediately that I had ’seen it before’. Alexis Hudson’s ‘Hera’ looks almost exactly the same. I’m not sure who designed it first, but one definitely looks inspired by the other. Everything from the small box-shaped body to the gold double rope chain handles and the gold locked clasp closure is just too similar. Hudson uses crocodile skin while Posen uses perforated leather but still…

What’s your take? Who did it better?

Alexis Hudson photo: Joel Koyama, Star Tribune

Celeb bag spotting: Kimora Lee Simmons with Versace Quilted Snap Out Of It Bag

Diva Kimora Lee Simmons was spotted after causing commotion on a passenger flight looking angry but stylish as always. The Baby Phat / Phat Farm President claims to favor her own brands but she’s always spotted with some other luxury designer bags. Though Versace clothes are a fave of mine, their handbags are less than desirable, but Kimora seems to love her Versace Quilted Snap Out Of It Satchel. (I mean really, she has about a million Louis Vuitton bags but she chose to carry this instead?!?!) Anyway, the bag is made of Italian calfskin leather, has braided double handles and a signature quilted ‘Greek Key’ pattern. FYI: This bag is also a fave of Britney Spears, which makes it even less desirable…ugh!

Check out more Versace Couture handbags at the Designer Shop at NORDSTROM.com.

Tory Burch ‘Happy’ Chain Strap Hobo

In my mind, Tory Burch is my cool friend who dresses great all the time, takes me shopping and lets me raid her closet, full of pieces she designed. I’m really loving her neo classic style - it’s like modern day Polo Ralph Lauren but for the younger, hipper, chic-er set. The Tory Burch ‘Happy’ Chain Strap Hobo is really the only bag you need for Fall. The tri-colored hobo has a large dot pattern resembling oversized pennies, mixing caramel glazed leather with light and dark brown suede. It has a discreet flap closure and square cabled chain strap with smooth leather for shoulder comfort.

Pre-order now at NORDSTROM.com)

Gustto ‘Salto’ Flap Bag

I love the fashion industry. Just when you start to get immersed in the fashions of one season they start to bring out new styles for the next season to tempt you all over again. Although the color palettes for Fall typically aren’t as fun as Spring and Summer, I love the rich colors of Fall accessories, like caramel patent leather.

Lately I’ve been less than impressed with new Gustto designs (and to think I once loved all their bags!), but I’m adoring this Gustto ‘Salto’ Flap Bag. The structured shape is offset perfectly by the rounded bottom edges and flap front. The handle is unique in that it attaches to the back of the bag, and two front pockets offer practicality, and how cute is that random left front pocket?

Donna Karan Collection Zodiac Handbags

It’s been a long time since I’ve coveted a Donna Karan handbag. But her Zodiac collection has caught my eye. The collection of handbags are named after different astrological signs, and her designs have stepped up quite a bit. Though I’m a Cancer, my favorite is the ‘Modern Aries’ Messenger Bag. It has a rough, biker feel to it, with zippers to expand the gusset and which double as trim. The strap is long enough to be worn as a crossbody bag which is great for work (a chic alternative to a tote or briefcase) and for cooler weather to wear over a bulky sweater or coat.

Shop the Modern Aries, Scorpio, Leo, and Libra (what, no Cancer?) at NORDSTROM.com.

Celebrity bag spotting: Blake Lively with Loeffler Randall Bedelia Satchel

Blake Lively, star of my favorite show, Gossip Girl was spotted on set with co-star and cutie Penn Badgeley filming the new season. Though I love the show’s accurate portrayal of catty, spoiled rich high-school girls, I really watch for the fashion. This show is like a mini Sex and the City, with almost as much sex but just as much in the fashion department, particularly between Blake (Serena) and Leighton Meester (Blair). Anyway, Blake’s carrying the luxe Loeffler Randall Bedelia D Ring Satchel in nude. It’s a gorgeous bag - so much so that you can dress down like Blake and let the bag be the highlight of your entire outfit!

Devaney/WireImage

Fake Handbags Are Never in Fashion…

No this is not another post about Louis Vuitton bags. This is about spending your time and energy on creative pursuits only to have someone come in and steal your work. Just like fake, knockoff handbags, plagiarism is never in fashion. Lately I’ve discovered that other ‘bloggers’ - and I use that term loosely, as real bloggers, editors and journalists understand the writing code - have been stealing my images and posts (from my blog, handbag magazine and fashion/lifestyle magazine) and re-posting them on their site as fresh, new content. I know this is not a new, unique problem but it’s happening to me more and more and while some think I should feel flattered that my work is theft-worthy, it’s incredibly frustrating to me to see my hard work stolen. I understand how designers, artists and any other creative types feel when they discover that someone else ‘repurposed’ their work for their own benefit. It’s simply wrong. It’s certainly not what’s haute. Some may say ‘It’s just blogging, it’s no big deal.” But this is my work, whether or not one considers it frivolous - it’s my thoughts, my creative process, my output, and my time. It belongs to me. Now let’s see if this post winds up on another ‘bloggers’ site.

Haute or Not: Louis Vuitton / Comme des Garçons ‘Speedy’

It looks like LV is going to dominate the Haute or Not posts for a while. Fresh off the heels of its collaboration with Takashi Murakami, Louis Vuitton collaborated with Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garçons to design a limited-edition collection of six handbags with the signature Louis Vuitton monogram canvas. In my opinion, most of the bags are nothing special - just standard fare LV with some weird dangling charms or extra long handles. But the ‘Speedy’ caught my eye. It has a smaller body and a tangle of handles which makes it look equally weird and wanted. No price as of yet but this and the other bags are only available for special order exclusively at the Louis Vuitton pop-up shop at the Tokyo Comme des Garçons store, beginning September 4.

What do you think? Is it haute or not?

Haute Bags on Sale at Vivre!

I’ve been looking for the perfect tote all summer and I’ve come up short because all the ones I’ve seen either are of the cheap canvas variety or they’re too structured and briefcase-like. But this Gunmetal Shoulder Bag by Deux Lux is just perfect. The classic tote shape is what I need to carry all my papers and stuff, but the edgy, metallic color keeps it from looking to matronly. There’s a zip top which is another characteristic that’s usually hard to find in a tote. And the cluster of glittery gems on the front gives the bag a bit of bling without being too gaudy or old-lady-like. And it’s on sale for $137! (Measures 12½” x 5½” x 13″).

Luana Handbags & Accessories

I always love attending Glam-sponsored events because I get to meet fellow bloggers and of course, survey handbags. At a recent event, I met fashion blogger Karla Borders-Pope of Brown Girl Gumbo. I was spying her gorgeous brown leather bag which at first glance I thought was a Coach because of the quality of the leather and the chunky brass hardware. But the styling was less structured and a bit softer. So of course I just had to know what brand it was. After a bit of searching, I discovered that it was a Luana handbag. Luana designer bags and accessories are an Italian brand of handbags made of lush leather and gorgeously designed, as most Italian handbags are. The bags are so well made and the hardware and materials look absolutely rich. Check out more Luana bags.

Lui Antinous

Over 600 designers entered but only one could win the Independent Handbag Designer Award (IHDA) for Best Handbag in Overall Style and Design. Accessories designer Lui Antinous wowed the judges with his incredibly unique ‘Diodora’ handbag – a scalloped shell-style calfskin leather shoulder bag accented with a semi-precious stone. Handbag du Jour caught up with Antinous following his big win to find out what’s next for this haute designer.

Handbag du Jour: How does it feel to have won the IHDA?

Lui Antinous: Blessed, I feel truly blessed and privileged, this award has pushed me onto the next plateau of my career, it has availed me of countless resources and placed my work in the hands of some of the most talented and influential people in the industry. I feel more motivated than ever, as if a thousand wild horses were pushing my vision towards the world and now it’s my job to be strong and focused to guide them carefully through this path.

HDJ: What was your inspiration for this winning handbag?

LA: A combination of streamline design from the late forties and early fifties, Mediterranean shells, and the sci-fi movie Dune.

HDJ: Which piece is your personal favorite of the collection?

LA: I would have to say the Aurelius, this bag originally began as a leather hat and it evolved to a bag, it was also the reason why I decided to create my first handbag collection. The best designs are those which you let evolve, you start with a concept a glimpse and before you know it, you are looking at a landscape of possibilities.

HDJ: Tell us how you got started in the handbag industry.

LA: In 2004 I came out with a couture line of clothing and accessories. After seeing that my handbags got such an incredible response (especially the “Aurelius” handbag) I decided to put clothing on hold and focus my all on accessories. It has taken some time to lift myself off the ground, being that I had little to no backing for the first four years. But perseverance and the love of my work helped me push on through to where I am now, all I can say to anyone who is struggling is, it will happen if you allow it to happen, don’t thwart your dreams with others ideas, be strong, focused and stubborn as hell!

HDJ: Your handbags are so beautifully designed. How do you come up with these designs?

LA: I’m also a painter and when I design something it’s as if I’m painting it, I focus on substance, concept and aesthetic. Inspiration can come from any were, most of the time it has little or nothing to do directly with fashion, I’m inspired by nature, history, philosophy, literature, painting, sculpture, architecture, etc. The more you open your eyes and learn about everything the more impact and beauty your ideas will have.

HDJ: What kind of woman carries a Lui Antinous bag?

LA: The singular achievement of my handbags is in their reconciliation of the paradoxical – structure and fluidity, beauty and utility, femininity and masculinity, classicism and modernism. Resonating with power and harmony, this design dialectic appeals to a strong, confident and grounded woman, one who knows what to wear and how to wear it.

HDJ: Besides handbags, what’s your fashion obsession?

LA: Millinery, I love creating couture hats, it used to be that a woman would buy three hats per one dress, I would love to bring that back.

HDJ: Who are your favorite designers and/or fashion icons?

LA: Erte, Adrian, Thierry Mugler, Grace Jones, Anne Slater, and Iggy (not to be confused with Iggy Pop).

HDJ: What can we expect from Lui Antinous in the future?

LA: It may sound a tad cliché, but always expect the unexpected – I love a bit of shock value.

HDJ: What’s next for Lui Antinous, following your win?

LA: I will be launching my pre-spring/spring collection at the ENK Accessorie Circuit show in New York, August 3, 4 and 5. I will also have a booth at the MAGIC show in Las Vegas, August 24, 25 and 26. I am planning to cover the national market as much as possible in the next year with my two collections, “Lui Antinous” and “Lui Lux” and by the second year expand to the international market and launch my couture hat collection.

For more information or to purchase Lui Antinous handbags and accessories, visit Lui Antinous online or visit the following locations in New York City:

Patricia Field NY
Legato Boutique
Parker Boutique

Haute or Not: Louis Vuitton Monogramouflage Speedy 35

As much as I love Louis Vuitton, I have to say enough is enough! The hideousness that was the camouflage fashion trend was over long, long ago. So why do designers insist on bringing it back to the masses and why do celebrities think it’s ok to wear on the red carpet? This limited edition (thank goodness!) Louis Vuitton Monogramouflage Speedy 35 satchel was designed by Takashi Murakami just in time for his exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum. If Murakami wasn’t such an artistic genius, I would bash him for this multicolored green mess of a handbag. Rihanna manages to make it look more edgy…or maybe it’s just the latex leggings and feathered skirt(?). Trina sports the bag in it’s worst form - on the red carpet next to a bright yellow dress. She manages to make the bag look less tacky.

What do you think of the Monogramouflage print bags? Haute or not?