Bagaholics Anonymous @ bagaholic.net

2007-02-09T21:19:00.000-08:00

Summer 2007 Report

Over sized bags swell to ridiculously large dimensions this summer with metallic leather, luxurious python and patent glossy neon being the newest ideas. Shoes are adorned with metal ware so heavy we'll be giving our ankles a work out every time we step out of the door. And platforms and wedges come high and heavy with sci-fi touches like mirrored heels or ball bearing soles. For sunglasses too go large in futuristic visors and '60s bug eyes.

Click here for the full report.

source: handbag.com

2007-02-09T21:15:00.000-08:00

The New Season Bags

From the 'Downtown' to the 'Maggie', get clued up on this season's newest, hottest handbag's. Click here for the slideshow at handbag.com.

source: handbag.com

2007-02-09T21:01:00.000-08:00

After word: ‘It’s In the Bag: Purses from the Permanent Collection’ from the Museum of the City of New York

#2. Vanity case, 1914 – 16
Gift of Judith Leiber, 80.138.4,

Silver plated openwork hinged oval frame, inset with black oval plaques, each encircled by row of marcasite with central metal and marcasite appliqué; silver embossed and marcasite-set drop with braided chain tassel; filigree link and bead chain

#3. Lady’s purse, ca. 1820
Gift of Miss Mary T. Cockcroft, 31.102.7.b,

Multi-colored worsted needlepoint pouch bag with ornamental cut-steel beads; drawstring handle; gathered at bottom with silver tassel

#4. Reticule, 1800-1820
Gift of Mary Hall Sayre, 36.65.3,

Drawn steel wire cording and mesh, silk lined

A show on ladies purses from the last three centuries is a really exciting and very ‘of the moment’ exhibition for the fashion/conscious and savvy gal, who is not only interested in a beautiful design and a brand-name, but wants to explore more and learn how this magnificent accessory has been a prized possession for so many years.

Fascinated with the exhibition and the beautiful purses on display, I asked the curator Phyllis Magidson to talk to me about this exciting accessory, explain why the bags on view are so important, and what we learn by studying them.

A walk though by the curator of an exhibition is a treat in itself; Phyllis Magidson helped me see the exhibition with a very different eye. Not only was I blown away with the beauty and craftsmanship of those portable treasures, but I also learnt historical and sociological facts depicted by their style and design. We traveled through time; it was a magical trip made up of stitches, crocheting, gilt-trimmed velvets, beautiful leathers, sparkly beads and precious stones. I felt a little bit like Cinderella, dressing for a ball in the 1870's & tucking my handkerchief in my silk reticule, strolling the lime stoned streets of Paris in the 1920's in my ‘power suit’ with my fabulous alligator clutch under my arm, walking down 34th street to buy a new silver-trimmed pocket book from Tiffany & Co. in the 40's, or dancing in the 70's, as a Studio 54 true queen, toting my sparkly beaded bag and bedazzling the crowds.

The exhibition is divided into sections of time, but most importantly style and design of bags. That way we can view a pouch bag that was crafted in the 1870s and compare it with one that was designed in the 1970's:
- Pouch Bags
- Reticule-Miniature purses
- Clutches
- Black Bags
- Beaded Bags
- Pocket books
- Evening Bags
- Purses

I am happy to share with you the magnificent journey in the handbag world with Phyllis Magidson. I asked her very few questions and let her talk to me about the exhibits in the way she wanted. Time flew so fast. Enjoy:

- PM: “This exhibition is based on one of the strengths of the Museum’s Permanent Collection, handbags. which is a collection that came to them through donations mainly, through New Yorkers, whose families have lived in the City from early points in History through Contemporary times. Since NYC has been a center of trade, we have had a very broad range and materials and a lot of money. People from early on have been into conspicuous consumption. Clothing and accessories have been pivotal in the way people perceived other people and handbags are a microcosm of life in NYC. They also tell a tremendous story of women and their position in society.”

PM: “The pouch is a form that existed in pre-history. It can be made from skins to cloths and it intended to transport something from gunshots to gold, anything you need to carry. Women who were of an upper class were not expected to leave their houses for a tremendous amount of time so they would take with them a scent bottle and another bag with needlework. It was expected for them to be doing something with a needle at all times. The knitting bags / the needlework bags would carry all that stuff. Little crazes in society show up in handbags. i.e. an innovation, a precious metal, a color, a window that you can peek in and see society at a particular period. It is made to hold your belongings loosely, no specific shape exists.”

She is showing me an example of a pouch made of a recycled Fortuni tea gown.

PM: “Mariano Fortuny was a Venetian designer who came up with a very exclusive technique for stenciling patterns on silk velvet. The material was very costly and if something happened to it, you would want to salvage the fabric in some way. This one became a pouch with a frame. There are also a couple of items that came to NY from grand tours including a Chinese needlework bag with a phoenix, embroidered in China, and a needle pointer brought back from Paris either a complete purchase of made from a kit.”

We are now looking over the reticule display.

PM: “The reticule was a bag that was suspended from the wrist, and in the 19th century it is part of your attire, it could be a little keepsake, a conversation piece and we have a vast selection from teeny tiny reticules which were suspended by rings and a mad-money little pouch with white gold and diamonds, (holding a single gold coin). Some reticules were purchased abroad and were brought back as souvenirs; that reminded the recipient that his/her friend was able to go abroad and he/she couldn’t. There is beadwork, examples of motifs that were probably taken from companion magazines, embroidered beadwork, beadwork done on a frame, an example with native-American motifs bought probably from a vendor at Niagara Falls, and custom-made reticules. Up to the 19th century the same people who did jewelry and metalwork, would also make bags. But they were also craftsmen that specialized in bags, parasols, etc.”

Moving along the clutch bag display…

PM: “Clutch bags were invented in the 20s. They are the deco interpretation of the handbag, they are very sleek, trim and they echo the overriding aesthetic of garments at the time, where everything was very linear. There is surface embellishment but the basic shapes are very clean and very modern. A pouch is very chic; it is quick, clean and very modern in feeling. There is one example, in its original Cartier presentation box, which has a jewel on it with gold and diamonds, whereas another bag is a Lalique bead. A non-traditional bag in the group: a long large John Frederique’s bag which is high late deco, which is rolled up and popped under your arm as a baguette.”

The black bag display is wonderful; bags from the 1870's up to the 1970's, in all shapes, designs and sizes.

PM: “Everyone needs a black bag and this display has examples from the 1870's, starting with the Chatelaine bag, which was suspended from the waist of the wearer. We also included an Elsa Schiaparelli triptych bag, black suede with a mirror – this is a vanity bag. Here’s a Chanel coule de sac, which has become the single classic signature bag instantly recognizable for stylistic elements. The Tiffany bags were marked and had status, but the Chanel form was something that is modern, and it embodies the money that is necessary to purchase it - the status of that. And a wonderful fan shaped bag. Black bags also say something not only about the society, but also about the wearer. You look at a bag and think: ‘I’ve never would have thought that of her’. It is a little secret revelation at times.”

From a distance, one can see a wide selection of beaded bags. I am drawn to it like a bee is drawn to honey.

PM: “Beaded bags; a very strong group that takes you from the latter part of the 19th century to the 1950's: you see the difference in techniques, color palette, popular motifs. A number of these bags are in the ‘carpet bag’ category, which was a very popular category in the early 20th century. Some of them are drawstring, and later on they make their way on to frames, which are more practical and it is easier for the user to get in and out a bag that has a frame, as it is less damaging to the beaded embroidery, and it is also easier to get something larger in there without having to fish for it. We have one bag, which is made entirely out of coral, probably from Italy; many Americans between the Wars were couture clients, and they would travel and buy not only clothes, but also shoes and accessories. The materials vary and the frames vary, some of them are 14carat gold, another one with enamel work, and a sapphire on the clasp of the bag, and paperclip gold chain.”

Next is the pocket book collection:

PM: “Tiffany & Co. was the first status purveyor and maker of pocket books. They were on 14th Street and Union Square during the time that all the bags on exhibition were made and sold. Tiffany’s was the cornerstone of the ladies mile, they were a tremendously prestigious store by the 1870's, and they were fabulous metal workers, engaged the best metal workers and metal techniques of the world. You can see motifs cropping up on some of the metalwork. The collection here has some beautiful with heavy silver frames. Many of the frames have motifs that Tiffany’s used for flatware and table service. And then you also have pieces that bow into various movements in the art world, i.e. organic motifs showing up, art-nouveau inspired. Tiffany was also known for its exotic leathers that they were able to acquire. Nobody went to Tiffany’s unless they had money. If you were giving a gift for a wedding or a debutant it would have been from Tiffany. It was a status gift and in effect this is the first status bag.”

Next is the display of the sparkly evening bags.

PM: “Evening Bags: As nightlife became increasingly important in NYC from 1890's, women would get dressed up for events, like the opera (the Metropolitan Opera House opened in 1883) and any event that pulled a lady out of the house would have made it essential for her to have more things with her, and many of these bags are larger and very decorative because now it intended to catch the light of the night time.”

She is showing me some examples of bags decorated with rhinestones, a Minaudiere with a shoulder strap done by Judith Leiber, a silver pouch, a late 19th century bag with beau and feather motifs, some recycled materials, a pinch clap, a bag with an Egyptian sun scarab on its frame, made of coin silver circa 1923, which coincides with the discovery of Tutankhamen’s Tomb and Egypt mania was fashionable.

PM: “A fashionable woman that went out a lot would be expected to have a wardrobe of dresses, bags, gloves, hair ornaments, etc.”

The last display is a group of hand-bags.

PM: “The hand-bag was luggage and it looks incredibly modern, down to the scale of a woman. Many bags were bought from catalogues or department stores. The shapes were luggage, but the materials were more feminine, like straw, or lunchbox form, utilitarian antiques, etc.”

As the tour was over, I couldn’t help myself and asked Phyllis what she thinks of the bags today, and how she feels about the craze with designer bags and celebrities. She was a little reluctant to answer, because as a social historian, she is mostly an observer and does not want to formulate opinions, and jump into conclusions quickly. However, she did tell me that she is a little dismayed at the decline of craftsmanship on so many things that were once hand-produced by various skilled artisans (and so are we). Also, she said, that because of this whole phenomenon of iconic celebrity leadership, the handbag has been removed from being an object that makes a statement about the wearer to a mass movement. However, she hopes that there are enough people out there who make personal statements and really like what they purchase no matter what. And… off we went…

IV: “Thank you so much! I know our readers will feel like they were at the exhibition.”
PM: “Thank you and our pleasure. We hope your readers certainly do enjoy it.”

source: handbagdesigner101.com

2007-02-09T20:57:00.000-08:00

10 Steps to Finding the Perfect Bag on eBay

The Manolos that I am currently bidding on...

The Cosmopolitan that I am drinking during my bidding process

The Burberry that I won

“Only 1 minute and 36 seconds left…TIME TO BID!” The rush of adrenaline that I get when I’m about to win an auction is enough for a doctor to prescribe medication. Ladies and Gentlemen (and the Shopping Obsessed) what I am talking about is the epidemic of eBay.

Being recently forced into making a budget cut due to my indentured servitude of completing an internship, this has left me with a less than functional “Bag Budget.” They say that when life gives you lemons make lemonade, I say when your cash flow becomes detrimental to your health, you must outsource!

I have purchased many items from eBay, and have had only FABULOUS experiences with my new favorite store! Here are some just to name a few:
Cashmere Burberry Scarf, Burberry Cosmetics Case, Bluetooth Headset, Adrienne Vittadini Handbag, Blackberry, Coach Passport Case, Juicy Couture Beach Hat, Limited Edition Ugg Boots, Coach Planner, etc. and etc! In total I have purchased 22 eBay items, and have loved each and every item more than the last!

eBay’s campaign is “Whatever IT is, you can get IT on eBay,” and they are 100% correct. As a ‘Budget Fashionista’ veteran I am constantly looking for steals and deals; eBay has turned out to be my perfect window of opportunity.

You can “eBay” your basic designer handbag such as; Gucci, Prada, D&G, Louis Vuitton; or your vintage accessories by Chanel and YSL. Also be sure to check out hard to find designers like Trina Turk or Goyard; as well as one-of-a-kind handbags.

Unfortunately, you are bound to face the issue of a “knockoff” or “imitation” handbag; so as an eBay connoisseur, I am here to give you some *VIP* tips to ensure your success at this online shopping experience:

1. Always type in “Authentic” when searching for a specific designer item. Also note the prices. If your dream Gucci bag is selling for $700 and the seller is only selling for $90, then this item may not be authentic.

2. Check the sellers’ feedback, if it is less than 95%, read the comments. It could be as minor as a misunderstanding customer, or as bad as never receiving the item from the seller. If you are noticing a recent pattern of negative feedback, I recommend that you not purchase from this seller.

3. Read ALL PRINT carefully, often times a seller will or will not mention that the item has minor scratches or stains.

4. Make sure to read the return policy, some sellers' make all sales final, while others are more lenient and will accept returns. Make sure this is exactly what you are looking to buy.

5. Become familiar with the eBay lingo. Here is a crash course: ‘NWT’ – New With Tags, ‘NWOT’– New Without Tags, ‘LN’- Like New, and ‘NIB’ – New In Box.

6. Understand that once you bid on an item it is like signing a contract. It is final and you are now agreeing to pay for the item at the price you just listed.

7. DO YOUR RESEARCH! Often knockoff bags will appear to look real so be aware of the correct placement of labels, color patterns and overall appearance of bag.

8. Most sellers will offer an item at a “Buy It Now” price. This takes away from the bidding process and lets you buy the bag immediately. This is great if you are set on the bag and the price is right. Hurry! Don’t let it get away!

9. Paypal – This is the service most buyers and sellers prefer when sending payments. It is safe and secure and free to sign up!

10. Don’t be afraid to ask a seller a question, if they are professional they will respond in a timely manner. A seller will also let you know about the shipping fees associated with this item.

Here’s a bonus tip:
**Be Patient – it can take up to about two weeks for all transactions to clear and be shipped. If you are looking for a specific item and you cannot find it on your first shot, always go back even 24 hours later. There are millions of listing posted on eBay a day, and that day, may be your lucky one!

Most importantly HAVE FUN! In my opinion nothing else is better than sitting home on a Tuesday night sipping a Cosmopolitan in my pajamas and knowing that I will be getting a new YSL Muse bag for less than retail!

source: handbagdesigner101.com

2007-02-09T19:04:00.001-08:00

Handle It

Sure it’s a lady-like silhouette, but the resurgence in the structured satchel has allowed designers to dig deep into their creative souls and create modem looks. So, whether you’re a patent-leather-wearing vixen or a rock-and-chic bagista, there’s no doubt the right satchel exists for you.

	Dolce & Gabbana’s Patent Leather Frame Bag in black with larger-than-life goldtone logo. How Victoria Beckham of you? ($1,995)
	Jenny Yuen’s Sherlock Overnight Bag in almond. This is a newbie we’re going to be watch in seasons to come. ($475; PRE-ORDER NOW: will ship in 2-3 weeks)
	L.A.M.B.’s Mandeville satchel in saddle pebble grain printed and coated canvas with black leather trim Gwen’s Rasta style all and couture-licious. ($305; Bloomindales)

source: bagtrends.com

2007-02-09T19:02:00.000-08:00

Porcelain Skin

Nudity is always in fashion, and on the Spring/Summer 2007 runways barley there colors like blush, beige and cream were the hues of choice. Fleshy and fresh, we can’t get enough of these soft shades.

	Valentino’s Patent Leather Satchel with braiding detail is surprisingly practical and shamelessly pricy. Did someone say “V-day gifts”? ($1,695)
	Gustto’s Big Baca Satchel in white crème has a soft, tumbled leather finish and shapeless form ideal for the gal that just can’t let go of the down-town chic look. ($760)
	Rafe’s Vanessa Satchel in blush textured lambskin with braded handle and contrast stitching is sweat. ($475)

source: bagtrends.com

2007-02-09T18:59:00.000-08:00

Celine's in the Groove

We are really loving Celine these days, as if you couldn't already tell. Since Celine's Bittersweet won the poll as everyone's favorite shiny mirrored bag, we thought we'd share the white pebbled leather version with you as well. White is in fact THE color that goes with everything, not black. That is why every Spring there is a frantic search for the best white bags out there. This may not be THE best (the Lanvin Maxi-Miss is), but this bag is much more versatile and practical. Another Celine favorite is the Buffalo tote in silver, which is a flashier alternative to white for summer nights. I love the clean simple lines of this bag and of course, the very handy outer pockets are really well thought out. You can't go wrong with the classic beautiful elegance of Celine. Bittersweet at eLuxury for $1050 and Buffalo tote at Neiman Marcus for $1250.

source: bagsnob.com

2007-02-09T18:54:00.000-08:00

Coach Social Climbs with Legacy

Coach, the most popular affordable bag line ($195 - $300) in the world, has aspiration to capture the higher end market with it's new line named Coach Legacy (an alligator bag is $10,000, leather bags range from $495-$795). My question is, if you had ten grand to blow, would you buy a Coach bag made in China? Or would you go straight to Hermes and invest in a birkin or kelly? My opinion is that you can not go high once you've established yourself as the bargain brand because there is no perceived value attached to the brand. Existing luxury brands, however, do well expanding into lower end lines. For example, should Hermes ever branch out to the lower end market, they would do a bang up business because who wouldn't want a little piece of Hermes at a fraction of the price? I mean look at the Legacy bag featured above, I don't care what they call it, it still looks like a $200 Coach bag to me. "Coach Legacy" boutiques to open in LA on Robertson Blvd. and in New York on Bleeker St. in the Fall. What are your thoughts on Coach's new higher end line?

(Heh - I am not called CoachChick for nothing. I personally LOVE the new line and plan to get one in a few weeks or so.)

source: bagsnob.com

2007-02-09T18:53:00.000-08:00

Jimmy Choo Re-sold

Lion's Group International (owned by Texas gazillionaire Tom Hicks) purchased Jimmy Choo in 2004 and decided they've made enough money on their investment so they've sold it to TowerBrook Capital for $364.5 million dollars this week. Tamara Mellon remains as figurehead and says she plans to expand into sunglasses, lingerie, and swimwear under the Jimmy Choo brand. Sandra Choi, Jimmy Choo's niece, will stay on as Creative Director. Maybe we'll see an improvement in it's line of bags but don't hold your breath.

source: bagsnob.com

2007-02-09T18:52:00.000-08:00

Ah, so long since I have blogged...

Life has gotten in the way, but I am back, better than ever! So let's get on with it, shall we?

2007-01-08T12:14:00.000-08:00

Worst Bags of 2006

Just as thebaglady.tv is chronicaling the Top 100 Bags of 2006, bagsnob.com also has a delightful Worst Bags of 2006 feature. As stated at the site, "We are not picking the absolute worst bags out there, you walk into most mall shops and you will easily find worse offenders. Our honor goes to those whose contribution to fashion should be snob worthy but instead fall far short of acceptable. Many on the list are bags touted as the latest and greatest "it" bags but we disagree. Some on the list are just plain ridiculous and entertaining." Click here to see the list.

2007-01-06T21:54:00.000-08:00

The Holidays Are Over (Whew!)

But my fun just began! Check out the bag over in the Bagalicious section to the right and you will see my delicious new acquisition, that I just got today! As Rachel Ray would say, "Yum!" New York designer Betsey Johnson has built her long-standing career in fashion by following her own set of rules. Known for her celebration of the exuberant, the embelished, and the over the top, Betsey has been rocking the fashion industry with her unique and original designs since the 1960's. Now that I finally own one of these babies (oh so soft leather, by the way) I can understand why. The look reminds me of my old punk and goth days, erm, back when the punks and goths were original. Get one for yourself, too!

2006-12-20T16:01:00.000-08:00

Trend Watch: Bold Bright Bags

Like a ray of sunshine, vibrant handbags are back this spring, and many celebrities are making big style statements by pairing these shockingly vivid bags against a simple, monochromatic look. “My favorite bag is the new Marc Jacobs bright yellow bag, because it’s fun and cheerful,” says Rachel Bilson. Nicole Richie is also a fan of this hot MJ bag, and she smartly paired it with a chic little black dress at the MJ fashion show in New York. Designers like Jacobs and Luella Bartley are featuring crayon-colored bags that look super stylish against spring’s hottest neutral colors, like white, black, and tan. To capture the look, keep it balanced: “Pair any small or big handbag in a strong, bold color with a simple, contrasting color-neutral outfit. Don’t over-accessorize. Less is definitely more,” says celebrity stylist Nicole Chavez.

Celebrities Carrying Colorful Bags
Bang for Your Buck: Colorful Bags
Ultimate Selection: Colorful Bags

Source: glam.com

2006-12-20T15:55:00.000-08:00

Put a Patent on It

B. Fendi Patent Leather Large Satchel

B. Fendi Patent Leather Medium Bag with Gold Trim and Pearls

Versace Embossed & Patent Leather Tote

Go for high gloss where lux meets sleek
Fashion a fascinating shape and make it look chic
Lustrous for a lady of every taste or age
Patent leather is again style’s latest rage!

Seek a sensational satchel a tote or a clutch
Make it shiny all over or give it just a touch
Go for gleaming in red, black or blue
Perhaps you should patent in any old hue

So polish that look with something sheen
You’ll be glittering about to the point of pristine!

Source: handbagdesigner101.com

2006-12-20T15:50:00.000-08:00

Patented Perfection

Shiny, new things are all the rage during the holiday season, and there’s no better choice than patent leather. While we don’t think this trend will last – it really does look better on shores and even belts – here are some options for you glitterati lovers.

Cynthia Rowley’s Cecilla red patent leather tote with stud details.

Rafe's Conduit Shoulder Bag in teal Italian patent leather with antique brass hardware.

Goldenbeu’s Katie clutch in woven navy patent leather with gold hardware.

Source: bagtrends.com

2006-12-20T15:43:00.000-08:00

The SUV of Bags

You think the Muse or the Chanel trash bag is ridiculously big? Well then you haven't seen the Grande Louis Vuitton Suhali tote. This is not only 19" x 14.3", it is also goat skin so you can just imagine how heavy it is. At first I thought this was some sort of luggage but oh no, it is a regular bag. I mean, say you do need a bag this size for all your stuff, the problem is once you fill it how do you pick it up? I tried picking it up empty (except for the tissue stuffing) and my shoulders immediately started shouting obscenities at me. Seriously, this bag is the size of my refrigerator door. At eLuxury for $3200.

Source: bagsnob.com

2006-12-20T15:40:00.000-08:00

We Need To Stop Making Fun Of Him

Marc Jacobs had a premonition dream that we'd all forget his name so he decided to emblazon his name in gold bedazzles on quilted nylon, no less, so that his work can be seared into our minds forever. Someone had commented that the shopping bag looked like a Lancome gift with purchase but NOOOO! THIS is more like a cheesy gift with purchase. I know we're totally on his case but this just can't be ignored. Tote is $695, satchel $675 at eLuxury.

Source: bagsnob.com

2006-12-20T15:28:00.000-08:00

Topshop's washed four zip holdall

This may look like that lovely, aged leather I'm always warbling on about, but it's actually just good ol' pleather, which I guess explains the £35 price tag. The four zips of the name are found at each end, on the top, and on the little zippered compartment on the flap, so there's ample storage for all your essentials here, and it looks pretty good too, in a "This old thing? Oh, I've had this forever!" kind of way.

Source: thebaglady.tv

Funny thing. I ran across the above article this afternoon, while this morning I pulled out what I consider my most "luxe" bag and was startled at the similarities. Guess she and I have our head in the same place. My version, though, is Jones NY and the softest leather I have ever had in a purse. So soft, that sometimes I am too afraid to carry it. What if I scratch it? I have since learned to love it and forget my fear and it is softening into the most amazing bag I have. A rare, straight retail purchase from me, direct from Macy's, I spent the unheard of amount of $150 (my mental budget is usually 1/3 of that). But, now? This old thing? I've had this forever! :)

2006-12-15T14:14:00.000-08:00

Meli Melo London Bag

Meli Melo's limited edition bag is creating quite a stir in London. It is a pink metallic tote lined with printed phone numbers for important hot spots around town, like spas, restaurants, salons and even the dry cleaner. We love this idea! Wouldn't it be great if you could customized it with your own set of must have numbers? But they are coming out with Paris, New York and Milan editions soon. Margherita Missoni, Anna Wintour, Sienna Miller, and Elizabeth Saltzman (editor of Vanity Fair) have all been seen using it, although I can't totally picture Anna Wintour with this bag. The concept is great but the bag itself is just a giant utilitarian tote and although we love pink and we love metallic, this combo just somehow seems a little much. £450 (approximately $885 USD) by special order through Meli Melo.

Source: bagsnob.com

2006-12-15T14:09:00.000-08:00

Dead Cat Bag Makes #70 on The Bag Lady's Top 100 Bags of 2006

Yet again you're very lucky today, we're featuring another three bags in our Top Bags of 2006 list. This 'dead cat' bag provoked a lot of comments when we wrote about it March, some loathed it, but others, like myself, loved it. For some more bags - yes, more tasteful this time, check out the list.

Source: thebaglady.tv

2006-12-07T14:17:00.000-08:00

Ouch! My Bag Is Killing Me!

When Genevieve Roth decided to train for the New York City Marathon for the first time this year, she called Amy Youner, a physical therapist at SportsCare, a rehabilitation clinic in Manhattan.

During their first appointment, Ms. Youner spotted Ms. Roth’s enormous Sigerson Morrison handbag and refused to work with her unless she stopped carrying it. The bag, Ms. Youner said, would put stress on Ms. Roth’s shoulders and back, and could cause injury.

Ms. Roth, a 26-year-old editor at Details magazine, felt torn. On the one hand, she had heard that Ms. Youner was one of the best therapists in the city. On the other hand, she really loved that bag.

“Amy eventually agreed to keep seeing me, but it became a constant battle,” Ms. Roth said. “Sometimes I’d drop my bag off at work before my morning appointment with her, so she wouldn’t know I was still using it.”

In the last few years, bags have become ever more voluminous, and as women have fallen sway to their chunky charms, they have filled them up with necessities. These days many women are as burdened as mail carriers.

As a result, reports of shoulder soreness and stiff necks are on the rise and doctors, massage therapists and chiropractors are tailoring treatments for the bag-obsessed.

“In the last year or so, I’ve been seeing the same kinds of issues with adult women that I’m used to seeing with kids who carry heavy backpacks on one shoulder,” said Karen Erickson, a chiropractor who has a private practice on the Upper West Side, and also serves as a spokeswoman for the American Chiropractic Association. “They’re experiencing neck pain — not just while they’re carrying their purses, but all the time. A lot of women even get bad headaches.”

“Lately, when a patient comes in complaining of these symptoms, I walk over and pick up her purse,” she added. “Without fail, it weighs a ton.”

For the past several months, Robin Ehrlich, the director of the Eastside Massage Therapy Center on the Upper East Side, has observed clients old and new staggering under the weight of huge purses and griping about neck pain. “It’s an epidemic,” Ms. Ehrlich said. “We’re busier than ever before right now and big bags are the reason.”

A common side effect is that one shoulder becomes slightly higher than the other, she said. “A lot of women talk on their cellphones while they’re carrying these bags, which only intensifies the problem, because in addition to balancing too much weight on one side, they’re lifting the shoulder at the same time.”

Ms. Ehrlich recommends weekly massages for the pain. Gentle stretching and warm baths with Epsom salts can help bag abusers, too, she said. But she would never tell a client to ditch her Mulberry Elgin tote.

“It’s like telling a woman, ‘You cannot wear Manolo Blahniks,’ ” she said. “It’s just not realistic.”

On this point, the experts tend to agree. Marta Callotta, a chiropractor in Long Beach, Calif., said that she advises patients to clean out their purses once a week, and to use all the pockets so that the weight is dispensed evenly within the bag.

“At the end of the day, handbags are one of the biggest culprits for back pain right now,” she said. “For a year patients have been coming in to me with these giant purses and complaints of soreness. This will keep happening until the trend dies down.”

Robyn Fishelson, a spokeswoman for Bliss Spa, which has branches in London and five American cities, said that this year all locations are reporting an increase in massage clients with bag-induced back pain. To them, Bliss recommends its 75-minute deep tissue treatment at $150, which is an intense sports massage.

Dr. David Golden, an orthopedic surgeon who practices sports medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills, Calif., said the effects of carrying a heavy purse are similar to those of exercising too strenuously. “The good news is, the pain will be temporary,” he said. “You usually need to carry 50 pounds or more to cause lasting back damage.”

Dr. Golden added, “As with an overly taxing workout, you can strain the muscles and induce joint pain if your bag is too heavy.” He recommended taking an anti-inflammatory, resting the injured muscles, and then starting over with a very light bag, “making sure you employ the correct form.” That means keeping the bulk of the purse toward the center of the body. The strap should rest close to the neck.

Who knew that fashion had so much in common with athletics? Perhaps this explains why loyal fans of outsize handbags tend to tick off their purse-induced woes like proud veterans of the football field.

“I’ve suffered major back, neck and shoulder pain from carrying heavy bags,” said Kimberly Whalen, 37, a literary agent in New York who recently bought the ubiquitous black Chanel carryall, which more than one fashion Web site has compared to a trash bag. “I’ve even had M.R.I.’s and cortisone treatments to help alleviate the problem.”

Sasha Charnin Morrison, 42, the fashion director at US Weekly, admitted that her bags are so large that she often gets stuck in revolving doors. “They may not be practical, but so what?” she said. “When it comes to fashion, being practical is a huge bore.”

For years, Ms. Charnin Morrison pointed out, women complained that designer bags were too small to hold anything. “Well, the designers are finally listening up,” she said. “If you go to Yves Saint Laurent or Prada or Tod’s or Chanel or Hermès this season, there are three different versions of the same bag: mini, regular and oversize.”

She said the last word as if she were describing seeing a unicorn — magical, beautiful, altogether perfect.

Ms. Charnin Morrison said she alternated between the Yves Saint Laurent Muse, the Miu Miu Coffer, the Chloé Paddington (notorious for its half-pound padlock) and the Chloé Gladys, which measures 16 by 17 by 6, and is, she said, “so heavy that some days I don’t think I’m going to make it to the end of the block.”

Dr. Erickson, the chiropractor in Manhattan, said there are ways to minimize the damage. Instead of always carrying a bag on the same side, women should switch back and forth. Because many women have a habit of unconsciously lifting the shoulder that has the purse on it to keep the straps from slipping, she suggests making an effort to square your shoulders. Or carry the bag in front of you. “It’s not exactly glamorous, but if at the end of a long day you find your shoulders aching, slip the bag off and carry it in front of your body with both arms like it’s an infant,” she said.

The American Chiropractic Association recommends that a handbag weigh no more than 10 percent of its owner’s body weight. Given that so many slim women seem to be in violation of this guide, it raises the question: What exactly are they carrying in there?

“The bigger the bag, the more I seem to need to bring with me,” said Gloria Dawson, a 25-year-old photo editor in New York. “I carry an iPod, a book, a backup magazine in case the book doesn’t go over well, makeup, a phone, my wallet, extra shoes and workout clothes, most of which I won’t even need, but it’s nice to know that it’s there.”

Chloe Thompson, 24, is used to the back pain caused by carrying big bags, but she suffered a different kind of sting in July, when her Lucky Brand slouch bag was stolen during a reunion at Brown University. “I had over $2,000 worth of stuff in that bag,” said Ms. Thompson, who works in retail analysis for Cynthia Vincent, a fashion company in New York, “my iPod, digital camera, cellphone, glasses, sunglasses, makeup kit and a ton of other belongings, including a Care Bear that I’ve had since I was born.”

Because she lost so much property, Ms. Thompson found that the theft was actually covered by her homeowner’s insurance. But before she could collect any money, she had to convince the insurance adjuster that it was possible to fit everything into a single bag.

“The woman was shocked that I could cram so much into a purse,” she recalled. “I had to explain to her that this was no ordinary-size handbag.”

Source: nytimes.com

2006-12-07T14:15:00.000-08:00

Want To Shop Like the Stars but Words Fail You?

Like, it's a bag, like Mischa Barton's.

If words fail when it comes to specifying the exact attributes of the handbag, watch, shoes, or jewelry of the celebrity you most want to imitate, you might have some joy with www.like.com.

Munjal Shah, CEO and co-founder of Like's parent company, Riya, hopes his new Web site will spark an online shopping revolution as fashionistas stampede for its new visual -- not verbal -- search engine.

Launching just in time for Christmas in the high-margin accessories market, the site differs from most celeb-led Web-shopping options by letting users search by appearance rather than by keyword or tag.

"We believed the way to innovate was to look inside the photograph," Shah told Reuters by telephone.

If, for instance, you like the pointy toe of Brad Pitt's boot, or Kate Moss's teardrop earrings, the site prompts you to emphasize shapes, colors or patterns you like to find similar versions elsewhere on the Web.

"The introduction of a new search engine does not ordinarily elicit the same oooh's and aaah's as the introduction of the new Prada collection, but this is unlike any search engine we've ever seen," enthused the blog at women's Web-shopping site www.shefinds.com.

"Now we don't even have to be able to read and write, to be able to shop," it says. "Text searches are so last season."

The promise of matching a look by pointing at it has generated huge publicity for the site, which launched November 8 despite not being technologically ripe. It is in its "Alpha" version, which usually marks a project being tested in-house.

Riya, which spawned Life, offers a photo-matching face-recognition service which has been difficult to turn into cash, but Shah said Like is already generating commission revenue.

29 SHADES OF BLUE

So far the site seems to be attracting geeks keen to try the technology as well as women. Shah also sees a market in men needing to buy accessories for wives and girlfriends.

But chic clickers will need patience before like.com brings them close to many of the objects of their desire.

So far, it only links to U.S.-based shopping sites and users can only match accessories to pictures in the site's own library. Only 16 celebrities feature in its gallery, although it is possible to search for others.

"The real test will be when you'll be able to upload images of your own and do searches," wrote Danny Sullivan in a blog at http://searchenginewatch.com.

Shoppers should be able to put their own pictures into the system's search engine from January, Shah said, adding that the site is also poised to add around 100,000 celebrity pictures.

Tediously for shoppers who want it now, the site's search engine uses a lot of maths and a lot of computing power as each element of a picture is converted into a "visual signature." The processing power involved has, Shah says, put many people off attempting visual search.

To illustrate, he cites color. Riya's technology experts thought like.com needed to encode 10 basic colors, but marketing disagreed and to prove it women in the team came up with 29 different shades of blue in two minutes.

So far, at least one fashion victim has been disappointed. Blogger Cristina, writing a new diary at www.thefashionfaction.com, tried to match a pair of strappy shoes -- but the site's offering included workboots.

"What?! Workboots? Workboots?! I mean, come on!" she wrote. "If the site doesn't return relevant results what use is it to people like me and my readers?"

Shah said she had used the site when its technology was very raw, and the latest of regular upgrades should have fixed that. He said he chose to move fast with the launch to speed up the learning process.

"You learn slower than if you just accept the criticism," he said. "And there really is nothing like it."

Source: news.yahoo.com

2006-12-07T14:03:00.000-08:00

The Votes Are In and the Verdict Is.....Hate It!

Both bagsnob.com and thebaglady.tv have ringingly UNendorsed this monstrosity from LV:

Bag Snob:
This to me is comedic genius. What can you possibly wear with this without looking like you just fell on top of a harp seal? Look how big it is! It is 18" x 10"! It is mink with python trim, all good things, until you add crayola colored LV monograms to it and make it into a fanny pack. What a total waste of resources. I usually am not a Peta advocate but all I can think is, the poor little minks who started off so cute gave their lives for the sake of this fashion atrocity! So I guess it is not funny afterall. It's like, it's ok to eat meat cuz it's yummy but if you're going to ruin lamb chops with a jellybean and banana chutney, I'd rather just have a salad.

Bag Lady:
You know, I'm not sure I can even find the words for this offering from Louis Vuitton, which is proudly occupying the Ugly Accessory of the Week slot today. Three things do spring to mind, though: 1. It's a bum bag/fanny pack (snigger!)/whatever you want to call it 2. It's covered in logos and 3. It's made of real fur - mink, to be exact. Oh, and 4: it's ugly. Enough said, I think...

Source: bagsnob.com and thebaglady.tv

2006-12-03T19:58:00.000-08:00

Cult of the It Bag

What a carry on
How much would you pay for a designer handbag? £300? £600? £11,000? Somehow the goalposts have shifted so that no-one bats an eye at a bag that costs as much as a weekend in New York, but the fact is, the cult of the 'It Bag' means what you choose to carry is big business. Where 5-10 years ago you'd think long and hard before investing £300 in something as frivolous as a handbag, now the average price of an 'It Bag' is more like £600. And the £11,000 bag? That's the so-exclusive-it-doesn't-even-see-the-salesfloor limited edition Fendi B from Harrods' By Appointment only personal shopping service.

Because it's worth it
House of Fraser explains, "A great handbag works with many outfits so the price per wear starts to look very affordable. Plus, you don't need to worry about squeezing into it, it looks fabulous on every size." The tipping point of the It Bag phenomenon dates back to Why are we prepared to pay so much? Nicola Sugden, handbag buyer for Mulberry's Giselle, a canny collaboration with London designer Luella Bartley whose cool credentials lent instant cachet to the brand. As Sugden puts it, the combination of luxury label, stylish design and media frenzy adds up to a must-have bag that will be obtained at any price. The high cost in itself defines a strong level of aspiration.

She's gotta have it
There's no question women have an emotional attachment to fashion - we honestly believe a new bag might change our life. The latest clutch of roomy, pocket-laden bags are so functional it's easy to feel that they really do make life easier (mmm, and they look so gorgeous too). If you want the bag badly enough you'll convince yourself it's worth it. And don't disregard the power of the media. However immune we think we are, it's easy to get sucked into must-have mentality with every new label that hits the stores. Take Stella McCartney's recently unveiled bag range. It's not even leather yet these high fashion tote bags are certain to sell out despite their £700 price tags. Or look at the impact It bags have on the stars - Nicole absolutely adores the Balenciaga Lariat bag, confessing that she has it in five colours, whilst Alex Curran prompted a cacophony of complaints to the buyers at Harvey Nichols from the WAGs in Baden-Baden when she was the first to be photographed with the latest £2,400 Chloé Python tote.

Buy it now!
So what should you look for if you fancy an It Bag but are scared of the commitment?

Go for a roomy size like a Fendi Spy. It's more practical so you'll use it more.
Invest in a style that's been around forever. A Birkin by Hermes ( if you can get your hands on one), or the Chanel 2.55/ Classic is beyond fashion and you can even resell at a later stage should you want to release the equity.
Choose a neutral colour for the same sensible reasons as above. Neutrals go with everything and don't date like bright pinks or greens

Source: handbag.com

2006-12-03T19:52:00.000-08:00

The Fendi Bag Lady

Carrie Bradshaw, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, star of the hit show Sex and the City, explains that she has no money and is in fear of losing her home. She exclaims, “I'm homeless! I'll be a bag lady! A Fendi bag lady, but a bag lady!!” This is one of my most beloved quotes, that I keep near and dear to my heart.

For fear that those words might become a reality to me; I have started a small savings account entitled, “Do not spend on bags.” Paying full price is not something I am prepared to do all the time. My latest purchase included the words “Marc Jacobs” and “on sale.” As an Internet savvy person, I am always getting mail telling me about sales and discounts, and this one was for shoes! I ventured into the city that lives and breathes fashion, New York. On the shelves of tossed up shoes were my latest conquest. There they were Marc Jacobs lace-up, taupe colored espadrilles with coordinating colored ribbon to lace-up the leg. Calling my name from the second I tried them on, the $250 price tag that was marked down to $125, I got them for $99 with no tax, need I say more?

There are many theories of how and where fashion comes from; for me, I use every resource possible to keep up on the latest trends and styles, which in turn, influence, what I will be wearing each day. Fashion publications are huge: Vogue, Vanity Fair and Glamour are all major players in key looks and pieces for each season. Obviously as a college student, I do not have the budget to afford the classic couture looks, but I find a way to make my own and at my own price. I make what I call a “fashion scrapbook.” I tear looks from magazines that I find irresistible and use them when I am shopping for focus. It’s a great way to only buy things you need and to get those hot trendy looks for a fraction of the price. Style I feel is not only a look, but also the attitude in which you carry yourself. If you are confident in what you wear, no matter where you buy it or what it is: if it’s shorts, sweats, or a women’s collared Polo, you have style.

“People watching” is another one of my style influences. Going to school in Manhattan has definitely given me an advantage to see street fashion, turn into runway fashion. In fall 2006, we see 80’s flashback: leggings, long tunics, and big hair. A true people watcher, or lucky resident of SoHo, could have told you this last spring!

Bonjour! Merci! and most importantly, where can I go shopping for exquisite vintage fashions? While attending ModSpe’, a Fashion school in Paris, backed by the French Federation of Woman’s Ready to Wear, I knew that shopping was going to play a major part in my educational “vacation.” At a small consignment shop, I found what would be later known as “The Bag.” Made in Paris, a crème-cotton, vintage Hermes shopper! Not only was it my first Hermes purchase, but also the coincidence that the bag actually says “Paris” on it, how perfect. Hermes Sellier Paris is done is black stencil writing on the front flap, it has silver snaps, and a tanned leather strap for closing. The bag still smells of Dior perfume, and went with me everywhere in my travels through Paris. No matter how many new bags I get, whether it be a new snakeskin Gucci, or a trendy rhinestone Dior, my Hermes shopper will always my most coveted handbag.

Source: handbagdesigner101.com

2006-12-03T19:51:00.001-08:00

The Hot Betty Bag

This past summer I traveled to Paris and stumbled into the Marc Jacobs store. I have always loved his bags because of their classic shapes, the unique colors, and his use of hardware. I had saved for something special to buy when I was in Paris and of course I thought of buying a bag. I walked in and my eyes went directly to a satchel bag that was quilted black leather with gold hardware. I made eye contact with the bag; I studied its lines and shape. The leather looked like butter and when I touched it, it was softer then I expected. I held it on my arm and walked over to the mirror. I compared my body proportion with the bag’s proportions; we matched. I pictured the bag with different outfits and the much use I would get out of this bag. The bag was calling me; I knew I had to have it. There was no way I was leaving that bag in Paris. So the bag and I made the 8-hour flight home together and we have been happy ever since. That was the latest purchase I made.

My style is influenced by my desire to be understated, elegant, preppy, and chic all at the same time. Ralph Lauren influences me because of his use of vibrant colors and classic shapes to create a look that is both preppy and elegant. I find influences all over the place and they are always changing with the season. This fall sweaters and turtlenecks are influencing me. Also by the use of black, brown, and navy blue that is popping up in all the stores is very influential picking pieces for my wardrobe.

I covet all of my bags, but one in particular is my vintage Louis Vuitton "Speedy" bag that was given to me by my grandma. She had purchased it on one of her many trips to Europe when she was younger. A few years ago I was looking through her closet and I stumbled across it. I took it out and showed her what I had found. She told me of when she went to Italy and purchased that bag in the late 1970’s. She surprised me when she said that I could have it. The Louis Vuitton Speedy bag that my grandmother gave me is more than a bag to me; it is a symbol of my grandmother. Every time I use it I am reminded of her and what she taught me. The bag has aged beautifully with the leather becoming softer and darker. The hard ware has become tarnished, but I don’t care about any of that. To me all those things just give the bag character, and my grandmother is a character.

Source: handbagdesigner101.com

2006-12-03T19:49:00.000-08:00

Birkin from Queens

Many women all agree upon one thing - that all their handbags are diverse; small, large, day-wear, night-wear, work bags, sports bags, etc. I could say that the handbags that I own are very different as well. I was influenced on purchasing one of my most recent handbags because I was heading in a new direction in my life. There are women who obsess over handbags, as I can agree I am one of them. There are those women who buy based on a pure admiration for a handbag design, while others purchase handbags because they are in need for a change; they're heading in a new direction, and are in need of something more versatile for this purpose.

In my case, the direction I was heading in was something completely major and life changing - college. When you head off to college, you think about changing your image to something more simple, yet stylish and convenient- especially when you go to school in the big city of Manhattan. Living in Queens, I have been to Manhattan on many occasions and I know that when you travel to Manhattan for the day you are in need of a handbag that suits your personality. However, when going to college you need something stylish that will fit the many belongings that you need to carry with you on a daily basis. After going to stores in Long Island, Manhattan, and Queens I decided that for the beginning of school I would purchase a Longchamp bag. Not only do these bags serve the purpose of being spacious and have the ability to hold heavy things, but they seem to not get ruined when weather conditions arise (such as unexpected rain.) Longchamp is known for making their bags spacious, simple, and in many colors. They also have an online boutique that lets you customize one of their most popular handbags, "les pliages," in any two colors that you want, engraving of your initials, and the kind of metal hardware that you want. In the weeks that followed my purchase I was glad on the decision that I had made because I was able to comfortably adapt to carrying many things at once.

Like I've said, all the handbags I own are diverse, but have one thing in common- my personal style is in all of them. My general style that I admire is not only designer handbags, but something that appeals to me and will flatter what I'm wearing and my figure, but won't empty my wallet. My style is mostly influenced from magazine ads, not the trend of the moment. When I view a magazine ad, I don't just look at a picture and say, "I like how this bag looks in the ad and how it looks on the model, I want to buy it". However, I look at the details of the handbag independently and I ask myself, "Is this something I would wear more than once, will the bag be unique that not everyone owns it, and do I absolutely love it so much that I have to have it?"

Before I buy a bag on impulse, it's important to ask myself those questions as well as, "Will this bag serve its purpose?" I have handbags from very different designers and companies; from LV to Express, Dior, Gucci, Coach, BCBG, Longchamp, Guess, and probably more in the future. One bag I dream of owning (as I imagine everyone else would) is the Hermes Birkin bag. I most covet this bag because it exemplifies my style. If I owned this bag it wouldn't just be because many important people have it and it's expensive. However, owning this bag would flatter my figure, it would be of a big size, and would most importantly be unique. There is an insane waiting list just to receive the bag, and if that's not enough of a wait, the wait is even longer to accumulate your money to even purchase the bag for the average person. The bag sells for at least $10,000 and is well known among celebrities such as, actors, singers, and especially models. Many of the star tracks in People Magazine show stars carrying the bag wearing slim flitting clothing which isn't of proportion, however the slim fitting clothing flatters the bag.

Whichever hand bag consumers purchase, or wish of purchasing should be something that they make their own. You shouldn't just flip open any Coach or Macy's catalog and buy something you see just because it's in style at the moment. Most importantly, the bag that you choose to buy should be something that you can apply to your life and lifestyle. Also, before you make a purchase you should shop around, get the best price, and make sure you don't regret your purchase when you get the bag home. Shopping can be a fun, enjoyable experience if you can search for your own style, make purchases that flatter your style, and most importantly - be yourself!

Source: handbagdesigner101.com

2006-12-03T19:40:00.000-08:00

Get Her Look - Ashlee Simpson's Louis Vuitton 'Manhattan GM'

Louis Vuitton have been producing some "interesting" designs lately for our delectation, but sometimes a starlet just wants some classic monogram to satisfy her designer hunger. Ashlee Simpson has been spotted out and about with her latest love, 'Manhattan GM', which is apparently infused with the 'urban-feminine style' characteristic of designer-extraordinaire Marc Jacobs. Hailed as the latest 'must-have' from Louis Vuitton, it too can be yours for $1870 from eLuxury.

Source: thebaglady.tv

2006-12-01T12:52:00.000-08:00

eFashionHouse.com Discount Designer Purses Gives the Gift of Savings 'til Year End

In the spirit of the holiday season, eFashionHouse.com features additional discounts on its huge selection of designer handbags and accessories.

Starting today through December 31st eFashionHouse.com will feature additional markdowns of 10-30% on select designers and free shipping on $100 purchases. With the additional designer handbags and purses markdowns, shoppers can receive up to 90% off their favorite designer brands, including Juicy Couture, Coach, Prada, Gucci, Fendi, Chanel, Marc Jacobs, Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Celine, Chloe, Tods, Burberry, Kate Spade, Furla, Diesel, Tano, Latico, and hundreds more of 100% authentic designer handbags and accessories.

"We have a Holiday Sale Plan posted on the website plus we'll be running unadvertised specials for our private email list members. Currently, we are running an additional 25% off all Yves Saint Laurent designer fashion accessories, and tomorrow our additional 15% off the 'Sale Section' begins," said Anna Miller, eFashionHouse.com owner and operator. "We wanted to live up to our reputation as People magazine's 'Best of the Web' for discount designer handbags and purses. So, we're passing on as much savings as possible to our shoppers for their holiday purchases."

The following is a list of some of the Holiday Specials shoppers can look forward to at eFashionHouse.com:

• Extra 15% off Sale Section
• Extra 10% off the Entire Site
• Extra 15% off Cold Weather Accessories
• Extra 10% off Gucci, Prada and Fendi
• Extra 20% off Entire Site
• Extra 30% off Clearance Section

To take advantage of the current and future sales, shoppers can visit http://www.eFashionHouse.com and click on the Daily Discounts link. Plus, shoppers are encouraged to register for "Free Gift News," which allows email sale notifications and the corresponding coupon codes to be delivered to their in-boxes.

In addition to receiving sales updates, customers who register for Free Gift News will have the chance to win a free designer handbag each week throughout the holiday season. Winners are listed at http://www.eFashionHouse.com on the Free Handbag Offer page.

About eFashionHouse.com

Anna Miller is the President of i-GlobalMall.com, Inc. She operates the website http://www.efashionhouse.com and sells high-end authentic designer handbags and accessories at off-retail prices. EFashionHouse.com was named BEST OF THE WEB by People Magazine Fall 2006 StyleWatch for Discount Designer Handbags and Purses. EFashionHouse.com should not be confused with any other website selling a similar product or using a similar name. EfashionHouse.com is the home of five fashion ecommerce stores: BrandsBoutique, LuxuryVintage, DesignersLA, ItalysOutlet, and ValueBags. Anna is considered an Internet Pioneer and has been reselling Designer Merchandise online since the early 90s.

Source: prweb.com

2006-11-30T22:19:00.000-08:00

Let's Chat....

in the new Bagaholics Anonymous forums. Just click the Visit Our Forums button to the upper right and let's start talking!

2006-11-30T16:21:00.000-08:00

Hilary Duff

How did she just turn too cool for school overnight? Lady Duff can pull this off like the Marc Jacobs E/W Stam in black quilted leather just happened to be the first thing lying around on her big chair with the clothes she didn't hang up from the day before. (Oh wait, that is me - not her.) Fierce she looks but I have my eye on that bag.

Source: handbagdesigner101.com

2006-11-30T16:16:00.000-08:00

Derek Lam named Creative Director for Tod's

We are thrilled to hear that Derek Lam has been promoted to Creative Director at Tod's. It is clear that Tod's has had a fresh direction of late and it is one that we have been loving. He has revitalized this legendary house by giving it back some much needed youth but still keeping in mind the impeccable feel that is Tod's. Our only concern is that he tends to be a little embellishment happy in his bags but let's just hope that that is something he strickly keeps for his eponymous line. We obviously love the Bensonville so we are not too concerned. So how did he get here? He graduated from Parsons and went to work for Michael Kors for 12 years. We see that Kors has not recovered from this loss. He started his own line in 2002 and in 2004 won the Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation Award for new designers and won the CFDA Perry Ellis Swarovski Award in 2005. Certainly with this resume he can get a job anywhere but we feel Tod's is the perfect fit for Derek with his flirty girly designs and we cannot wait to see what he has in store for us now that he has total control and power!!

Source: bagsnob.com

2006-11-30T16:11:00.000-08:00

PVC by Marc Jacobs

I predict the next step for Marc Jacobs is licensing his name to Sears for a line of polyester elastic waist band pants in mousy colors. At least that's what it feels like the direction is going based on this crap. First we saw his leather shopper, which was gross but could have been construed as humorous. But this!!?? It is black PVC, otherwise called plastic, with contrasting top stitching to make it look even cheaper and to top it all off, shiny gold hardware. It is a plastic tote with no design behind it (Vivienne Tam did fiberglass fabric bags that were well designed and super chic). I am offended that Marc thinks we are all so stupid as to follow whatever he puts out the way his celebrity pack dogs do. By the way, this bag is $1400 at Neiman Marcus.

Source: bagsnob.com

2006-11-29T10:58:00.000-08:00

Out of the Box

Style.com reports on the most wanted spring accessories. Click here to go to the interactive slide show. Some of my favorites:

Source: style.com

2006-11-29T10:54:00.000-08:00

Bag Ladies

At first glance, you might think these women are carrying trash bags. Well, they’re not. It’s the latest Chanel plastic carryall, about $1,000, with chain handles and a signature double-C charm. A few are in leather, and, one, below, is a rare satin one. The bag, first spotted in Paris last month, above, is the superstatus bag carried by shoppers on Madison and Fifth Avenues. There is a waiting list of months to buy one.

Source: nytimes.com

2006-11-28T15:23:00.001-08:00

Bag – that which a BagTrends.com girl can not live without; short for handbag; almost as essential as oxygen

Bag-a-licious – a handbag so hot it could only be called bag-a-licious; the combination of bag and delicious, because some bags are so good, they look delicious

Bagista – one who works at BagTrends.com or is a loyal member of BagTrends.com

Bagtionary™ – a bible for any bag lover; a dictionary with only bag terms

BagTrends.com – a fun fashion website devoted to all things handbags

Barrel bag – a bag shaped like a wooden log with a zipper closing and handles attached to the sides

Chanel 2.55 – made of quilted leather, this classic shoulder bag was designed by French couturiere Gabrielle Chanel in 1955. The distinct interlocking gold c’s and chain strap ooze class and sophistication.

Clutch – a bag that doesn’t have a handle and is held in the arm or clutched under the arm; typically worn in the evening, though lately it has been making appearances on the arms of chic starlets during the day hours

Doctor’s bag – a large bag with two handles that is shaped like a physicians bag. A great style for work.

Duffle bag – canvas bag with drawstring top that’s great for traveling because of its many compartments both inside and out.

Fanny pack – a pouch-like monstrosity that’s worn around the waist. Avoid at all cost unless you are 7-years-old!

Grommets – a reinforced eyelet through which something may pass. Often used to pitch a tent, but much more practical to use as a fashion embellishment

Handbag – a word that sounds like sweet music to our ears. The handbag has been around for centuries. However, it gained fame and became an accessory must in the roaring twenties thanks to stylish flapper girls.

Kelly bag – the Hermes bag, made famous by Grace Kelly in the 1950’s and then named after her. It has a rectangular shape and comes in a variety of colors and textures, though us girls at BagTrends.com love the crocodile Kelly in chocolate. Some day, we hope to pool all our money and purchase a bag for community use.

Louis Vuitton Speedy – The doctor’s bag with the LV monogram pattern was created in 1959, though the shape itself was introduced in 1933. Always a classic, the Speedy can be seen on the arms of many starlets and chic women around town.

Manbag – a bag for men that usually comes with a shoulder strap or a wrist strap. The style gained popularity in the early 1970s.

Marc Jacobs – the king of handbags. Between his own lines, Marc Jacobs and Marc by Marc Jacobs, and his work at Louis Vuitton, Mr. Jacobs deserves a round of applause from all bagaholics. So we dedicate this spot on our bagtionary to him, the man who makes us save a months salary for a little piece of heaven.

Messenger Bag – A large bag with an envelope compartment that closes with a snap and has a flap over the front that clasps with a buckle. It's very comfortable and is surfacing as a big trend for Spring/Summer 2006.

Purse – another name for our favorite word, bag

Saddle bag – pair of soft leather bags joined to central strap handle

Safari bag / caravan bag – a double handled bag with a zippered closing and numerous pockets on the front and side

Satchel – a leather bag with a structured bottom and sides that slop upward. The handles tend to be rigid. These days, many bagaholics accessorize their satchels with of-the-minute charms.

Shoulder Bag - a large handbag that can be carried by a strap looped over the shoulder

Tote/Carryall – a large, utilitarian bag that can carry all your “in the bag” goodies; usually has inner zippers and two handles for easy carrying

Umbrella tote – a tote with a side pocket for an umbrella.

Wristlet – a clutch shaped bag that comes with an attached leather, bracelet-looking strap allowing you to hold your bag and dance freely.

Source: bagtrends.com

2006-11-27T19:47:00.000-08:00

Through Jacobs' Eyes

Handbags and modern art may not always go hand in hand but for Louis Vuitton’s Marc Jacobs, excitement always lies in the road less travelled.

NINE years ago, a certain Marc Jacobs was asked to be the creative boss of Louis Vuitton. He of the boyish charm and hair ever so casually mussed up. He wears clothes an average man would: T-shirts, sweaters, crisp white shirts.

Designers who shout rebellion play with stark looks or riotous colours. Think Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garcons and you get the picture. So you’d be forgiven — just by looking at Jacobs — if you thought him a conformist.

But consider this. A few years before Jacobs joined the French fashion house, he designed a grunge collection for Perry Ellis. The clothes were loathed (before they were loved, much later). Jacobs lost his job.

So... conventional? Hardly.

Jacobs is a lover of all things modern. Brazenly, he pairs loud modernism with Vuitton’s super-conventional, super classic print — the monogram.

He embossed the monogram on patent leather and weaved it on denim and satin.

The result could be a little shocking. But as you see these creations more frequently, you will slowly understand this notion of beauty — of old and new, convention and rebellion —that he tries to project.

He collaborated with Stephen Sprouse for the graffiti bags. Prim Vuitton users were appalled when paint-brush graffiti was sprawled across the bags. But youngsters were intrigued. Suddenly the traditional Louis Vuitton didn’t appear so old.

With Japanese artist Takashi Murakami came the vibrant prints with little eyes — or at least that’s what they look like — interspersed on multicolour monogram. And then the graphic cherry blossoms with yellow smileys in the centre.

And what about those little cherries in the Cerises collection that seem to have comical expressions?

By now the world has seen beauty through Jacobs’ eyes. And Louis Vuitton bags, while always classic, suddenly packed a little more attitude.

This year, Louis Vuitton takes the pairing of carriers and modern art to another level with the Icons exhibition at Espace Louis Vuitton in Paris. (I know we all cannot afford to fly to Europe for the show, so I’m “bringing” the exhibits to you.)

Here’s how it evolved. Nine “artists” were chosen by Louis Vuitton for the show, among them architects, artists and designers. Each was given the liberty to interpret the house’s nine iconic bags. (See sidebar)

Among those involved are Iraqi-born British architect Zaha Hadid, the only woman who has won the Pritzker Prize (the architecture world’s Nobel counterpart, if you like) in 2004.

She is known for “intertwining supple forms and taut lines, acute angles and superposed planes”.

True to her daring approach, Zaha created several versions of a futuristic Bucket bag — twisted and deformed, rounded and sharp, that she grouped together in an archipelago.

Reminiscent of Salvador Dali’s “The Persistence of Memory” (the one with melting clocks), Zaha’s re-imagination of the Bucket is like a white rounded vase, adorned with different facets of the monogram.

Another architect, Tokyo-based Shigeru Ban, is famous for his paper tube structures which allow him to escape technical constraints and structural tensions in favour of dynamic spaces.

Unsurprisingly, his take on the Papillon had him covering his paper tubes with monogram canvas.

Imagine 10 Papillons arranged vertically on their sides to make a pillar and maybe 15 more to form what looks like a bicycle tyre.

All this takes place at the Espace Louis Vuitton, a rotunda under which visitors can enjoy a bird’s eye view of Paris in its autumn shades.

Artist Bruno Peinado, meanwhile, is inspired by record sleeves, video games and comics.

He said there’s a pop dimension to his work because he reuses images found in magazines.

For his reinterpretation of Speedy, Louis Vuitton’s quintessential city bag, he decided to present forms cut with water jet from aluminium in white, black and green. The whole display evokes the myth of great journeys.

If there is such a thing as a literal reintrepretation among the exhibits, it has to come from artist Sylvie Fleury.

Known for her connection between art and society, Fleury takes certain “highly symbolic products” and reproduce them in sculpture form, mainly in chrome-finish bronze.

So she remade the Keepall, Louis Vuitton’s soft luggage. Under her hands, the cabin bag has embossed monogram in patent leather. The colour? Chrome-finish bronze.

You can almost see the bold stares of your fellow passengers at the departure hall as you walk by with your shiny bag. You don’t care. That attitude Louis Vuitton gives its bags? It has has rubbed off on you.

Source: nst.com.my

2006-11-27T19:44:00.000-08:00

Carried Away

Earlier this year, something rather seismic happened in the world of retail. On a quiet street in west London, a boutique moved its front door. Tom Chapman, owner of the designer chain store Matches, decided that, after several years of the front door opening into the clothing department, it needed to be moved a crucial couple of yards to the left in order to open into the shoes, bags and sunglasses. A minor adjustment, certainly, but this architectural shift reflects and echoes one in the fashion industry: clothing is now the afterthought; it's bags and shoes that come first. "There's been a real shift to accessories for customers and so I realised that it was important for the customer to be confronted with a lovely big wall of shoes and bags as soon as they come in, like sweets in a jar," says Chapman. It's no surprise that he is so keen to celebrate his "lovely big wall": in just two years, his total profits from those sweets has doubled.

According to Mintel, the accessories business, particularly handbags, is the fastest growing sector of the luxury fashion market, "outperforming the other aspects of the market with ease". Claudia d'Arpizio, a partner at the consultancy Bain & Co Inc, was quoted on the Dow Jones newswires last month as saying that the leather goods market alone grew to €15.5bn (£10bn) last year, up from €11.9bn in 2001 and far exceeding growth in the overall luxury market.

The current trend for oversized bags, goggle-like sunglasses and clumping great wedges and boots reflects the way accessories have become the main focus. Next season's catwalks were filled with more of the same: bags decked with clanging chain handles, so large you could carry your child in them, owlish shades, and tottering wedges and platforms causing more than one Naomi Campbell-esque catwalk tumble. At the Louis Vuitton show, one of the bags was simply printed with images of other Vuitton bags, apparently the most aspirational image that designer Marc Jacobs could think of. A headline in the International Herald Tribune above a story reviewing Paris fashion week simply read: "Baubles, bangles and bags: Who cares about the clothes?"

There is now even a slew of websites in the US, including Bagborroworsteal.com and Frombagstoriches.com, where people unwilling to pay £1,500 for a bag can hire one for an evening or so, reflecting the levels of desire handbags have acquired.

Cosmetics, in particular perfume, have long been seen as the oxygen that keeps the fashion industry afloat, mopping up the clothing sector's frequent heavy losses with its more commercial affordability. But although perfume is still a £15bn annual industry, it has become tainted with tacky duty-free associations and sales have been slowing dramatically: for the past two years the sector has grown only by about 3% worldwide, whereas the bags sector is predicted to grow at about 11% over the next five years. According to Cathy Horyn, fashion editor of the New York Times: "Accessories are absolutely the new perfume." Last month, Versace credited its accessories for pushing the company back into profitability after last year's losses.

Just 10 to 15 years ago, the words "designer handbag" were redolent of bouffanted stuffy Sloanes, clutching on to their Chanel quilted bags as they lunched at Le Caprice. Now, announcements heralding this season's It bags make front covers of fashion and gossip magazines, and news of which bag Kate Moss or Sienna Miller is carrying this season causes mass waiting lists. Ask a woman why she would shy away from spending £700 on, say, a Balenciaga jacket but will save up for a similarly priced Balenciaga bag and you get the same answers: you use shoes and bags more than a jacket, accessories don't make you feel fat, you don't have to bother with a changing room to try on accessories in a store, they go with everything and dress up everything.

"I can buy clothes for work, parties and weekends on the high street, which is great. But I then want something, like a bag, to lift my look above that of my friends' teenage daughters, and I can afford it as I save on clothes," says Teresa Lawson, 39, who recently bought a £900 Mulberry bag. "Because high-street clothes are so good it seems profligate to buy designer clothes. But to invest in an amazing bag somehow feels clever because you can't get that kind of quality from Zara. I save up for them, so it feels like a real treat, which is not a feeling I get from Mango, or wherever," agrees Ellen Hoffman, a lawyer who earns £35,000 a year and admits to one Gucci bag (£600), one from Chloé (£800) and a growing yen for a Chanel handbag (£1,000). But none of these is exactly a new development, so what started this trend?

First, there was the emergence in the late 90s of designer brands - such as Marc Jacobs, Chloé, Balenciaga and Luella - that targeted younger customers and made the accessories to match. Sofia Coppola featured in the adverts for Jacobs' bags and he named one after her. This naming of bags has also proved to be a clever and successful tactic as it gives the bags a kind of identity and it is now done by almost all fashion companies. Luella and Marc Jacobs name their bags after models and celebrities (respectively, Giselle and Stam, after the model Jessica Stam) while Mulberry and Chloé give their bags names that conjure images of sassy, if imaginary, women (respectively, Roxy and Edith).

As just the names of the Hermès Kelly and Birkin bags prove, celebrity endorsement of an accessory isn't anything new. What is new, though, is the numbers of bags competing for the endorsement, with every season bringing more, and the fact that they are aimed at younger celebrities and, by extension, younger customers. "Bags and shoes are everything in fashion now. At the shows [in Paris last month] I saw about 20 different new It bags," says Rachel Zoe, the celebrity stylist who has particularly encouraged the accessories craze, thanks to her penchant for oversized bags and sunglasses now sported by her clients including Keira Knightley, Lindsay Lohan and Nicole Richie.

Stuart Vevers designs the successful accessories division of the British label Luella and is the creative director of one of the biggest accessories success stories of the decade, Mulberry, which last year increased sales by 44% and whose first US shop opens in New York next week. But even he admits to being taken aback by how sharply accessories sales have risen: "I was really surprised when this craze took off a few years ago. There have always been successful handbags but British women didn't seem to have that desire for high-end bags before. Maybe it has something to do with the way women dress, in that now they dress much more casually so a designer bag has become a way to show that you are fashionable."

Every designer brand is, to use the industry parlance, focusing on their accessories. Bulgari, best known for jewellery, announced last month that it was doubling its accessories stores by the end of this year. Chloé and Balenciaga have made dozens of bag styles for this season. Alice Temperley, the British designer best known for floaty dresses and delicate blouses has launched a line of bags and sunglasses for next season costing on average, respectively, £700 and £178. "The bag business is very different from what it used to be. It's so much faster, faster, faster, and the bag you carry has become a statement. If you are building a brand then branching into accessories is definitely something you have to consider as these create a stronger brand image," she says.

The linking of accessories with fashion and a company's brand image has also played a part. It was Tom Ford in the 90s who first realised that in order for an accessories line to be desirable, it had to be connected to clothes. When he was creative director of Gucci he emphasised the previously all-but-ignored clothing line of the house, which had been known primarily for its accessories. It is a telling sign, though, that after Ford left Gucci and was under pressure to start up his own successful line, instead of launching a menswear line, as was widely rumoured, he brought out a range of sunglasses.

Fashion houses are happy to own up to the fact that accessories are an important part of their business. Prada concedes that they made up 63% of last year's profits, Gucci owns up to 54.3%, but they try not to make them sound too important, as that will give away the game that the brand is actually more about accessories than clothes and therefore detract from the brand name's cachet. "If you focus too much on the accessories you risk losing the image but at the same time, in terms of business, you really want to focus on the accessories," says Tomaso Galli, Prada's director of external relations. In other words, the clothes give the bags the image but the bags earn the money to make the clothes.

Traditional accessories labels, such as Louis Vuitton and Hermès, have made huge investments in their fashion divisions, installing respectively Marc Jacobs and Jean Paul Gaultier to give their bags and shoes the kind of high-fashion sheen that accessories need these days, but it is widely accepted that clothing accounts for only a small amount of their annual revenue. Many industry insiders suggest that some big brands massage their accessories sales figures downwards and the clothing ones up. "Everyone knows that most Italian labels make their money from leather goods, some up to 90%," said one fashion editor who asked not to be named.

Accessories have always been a key part of the fashion industry, now they dominate. Last spring's Prada show featured models in simple clothes dragging great wheelie luggage down the catwalk. At the Chanel show in Paris, Karl Lagerfeld seemed to have been so distracted by making gold, quilted bags and hulking great shoes that he forgot half the clothes, leaving the models with nothing to wear on their bottom halves other than hotpants. But then, what's the point in bothering to design a tweed skirt when you know that what everyone's really going to be looking at is the bag? "It's not that we don't concentrate on our ready-to-wear - we do invest in it and grow it - but accessories are more profitable," says Galli.

The appeal of accessories for retailers is obvious: on pretty much every level, they are easier to sell and more lucrative. "The margins are always better with accessories than clothes. You don't have to think about sizes, you need less space to store them than you do with clothes, you don't need as much space to show them off in shops and you don't need changing rooms," Galli points out. "For us, handbags have the highest margins because our sunglasses are licensed [to another company] but their margins are good, too."

Now that accessories have become so popular, prices have skyrocketed far above what anyone could have predicted just three to five years ago. A Chloé bag is £800, a Marc Jacobs is anywhere upwards of that. Back at Matches, you can find Balenciaga bags for up to £8,000. "We've actually sold quite a few of those to a mix of people. They are serious purchasers who want a collector's piece that isn't all that recognisable," says Tom Chapman.

"Our prices have been going up in recent years but they are reasonable for luxury products and prices are no longer what they used to be," says Galli. Perhaps more surprising than the hoiking-up of prices is that the only effect this has had on sales is to increase them. "It's not that price is irrelevant to customers, just that it is no longer the most important variable," he adds.

Prices have risen partly because manufacturers can get away with it - if there are customers who will spend anything on a bag, why sell it for £500 when you could get £800? - but also because accessories, bags in particular, have become so much more complicated. As anyone who has been inadvertently hit in the back of the head with the padlock dangling from a Chloé Paddington can tell you, superfluous hardware has become unexpectedly popular; ditto gold chain straps, oversized snaps and fastening and quilted leather - and all this has raised prices. But even those in the industry are shocked by how much women are prepared to pay: "I am surprised at how the prices have risen in the past five years. But women today seem to want so much more from their bags," says Stuart Vevers.

Another factor contributing to the accessories phenomenon is the success of the high street. Zara, Topshop et al may be adept at tricking out a Chloe-esque tunic dress but it is harder to copy a bag or shoes and it is on this front that designers have been fighting back. This is why most accessories are still made in Italy instead of China and developing-world countries, as fashion companies know that it is only on the quality front that they can keep aspirants at bay.

However, the high street is retaliating. In 2004, Topshop opened its first stand-alone shoe store in Manchester, reflecting the investment the company is now putting into accessories and, thanks to a similar financial focus on shoes and bags, New Look's shoes have garnered a similar reputation for high quality, despite the £20 price tag (one pair is sold every three seconds). But ironically, this has probably driven designers' prices up even more as they add yet more chains, buckles and expensive handiwork to distinguish their cashcows from the high-street versions.

More worryingly for designers, many of the bags are losing their aura of exclusivity and desirability. As customer demand has risen, so have the number of places you can buy the bags. Just a year or so ago, you had to get on a waiting list to buy a Chloé bag; now anyone with the desire and the funds could walk into a department store and buy one. Balenciaga was so horrified at having become associated with the footballers' wives and girlfriends due to their love of its Lariat bag that it changed the bag's name.

So is the designer accessories market reaching saturation point? An interesting indication of this was, in fact, revealed at the fashion shows. While nearly all the editors in the audience and the models on the catwalk swung around their identikit supersized bags, it was notable that some of the most influential figures in the business were bare-wristed. "I don't get [the It bag phenomenon], I find them clunky," says Cathy Horyn dismissively. Anna Wintour, editor of US Vogue, never carries a handbag to the shows, suggesting, as some have pointed out, that she has that even more desirable accessory - a chauffeured car - waiting outside in which she can leave all her important papers. With every Wag worth her oversized sunglasses carrying a designer handbag, and copies being sold on any street corner, it may well be the biggest statement bag a woman can carry is no bag at all.

The bags of the season

Early 1990s - Prada's nylon knapsack
With its plain style and designer label placed on the outside, the nylon knapsack let people who thought they were too cool to show off to - show off.

Late 90s - Fendi's Baguette bag
Too small, too expensive, too flash by half, the baguette was the inevitable bag of 1999, warning us all of the bling-bling apocalypse to come.

2000 - Christian Dior's Saddle bag
Shamelessly ritzier sorts paid out hundreds of pounds to wear a saddle on their backs. Yes, a saddle. An ironic homage to Helmut Newton or the nadir of misogyny as fashion? The jury is still out.

2001 - Balenciaga's Lariat bag
Small and simple, and with an appeal utterly incomprehensible to anyone not obsessed with fashion, this bag became a victim of its own success when the Wags adopted it.

2004 - Mulberry's Roxy bag
The bag that made the once staid fashion label into one of Britain's trendiest and most successful designer brands.

2005 - Chloe's Paddington bag
It has got a pointless padlock that weighs more than a small dog and it doesn't shut properly. None the less, this became the object of desire for fashion-obsessed twentysomethings around the world.

2006 - Marc Jacobs' Stam bag
Named after model Jessica Stam, with its quilted leather and chain strap this bag bore more than a few resemblances to styles one generally associates with Chanel.

2007 - Marc Jacobs' Sonic Shopper
Another guaranteed winner. It's cute, it's pretty, it's covered with crystals. That it will cost more than £4,000 is a downside negated by the fact that it will be very easy for the high street to copy.

Source: guardian.co.uk

2006-11-27T12:10:00.000-08:00

Why does the fashion industry thrive in spite of rampant IP "piracy"?

In a forthcoming Virginia Law Review paper, entitled "The Piracy Paradox: Innovation and Intellectual Property in Fashion Design," two law professors investigate how the fashion industry manages to thrive despite rampant copying of clothing designs.

The paper's authors, Kal Raustiala of the University of California, and Chris Sprigman, start by observing that the fashion industry has what they term a "low-IP equilibrium," in which clothing designs enjoy almost no copy protection and designers frequently turn large profits by copying each others' work. In spite of the lack of IP protection for clothing designs—or rather, because of this lack, the authors argue—the fashion industry remains vibrant and profitable, exhibiting none of the negative effects on creativity that advocates of strong intellectual property (IP) rights would predict in the absence of government-enforced monopolies on creative "content."

Part of the overall reason for undertaking this investigation of the fashion industry is to question the standard assumptions about the relationship between intellectual property laws and incentives to create that underly all of modern intellectual property law. The standard theory goes that if a creator's exclusive right to profit from the distribution of her work is not protected by law, then creators will lose the incentive to create, as "free riders" drive down the price of the work by filling the market with copies.

This theory may hold true for books (the original "intellectual property" of Renaissance IP debates), inventions, and music, but it's apparently a poor fit for the fashion industry. If it weren't for widespread copying of clothing and accessory designs, there would be no such thing as a "fashion trend." The fashion industry, it seems, has settled into a relatively stable state (an equilibrium) in which a large amount of intellectual property "piracy" effectively drives the market.

Note: I'm going to keep putting the word "piracy" in those annoying scare-quotes because it's a terrible term for IP infringement. If pirates hijack a shipload of cannonballs in the Mediterranean, then the owners of that shipment are now short a few tons of cannonballs. If I download a copy of a song from a P2P service, then the owner of that IP may be out some money (assuming I would otherwise have bought that track elsewhere), but they're still in possession of the IP for the song; I haven't taken anyone's property from them, and it's not even clear that I've cost them any money if I wouldn't otherwise have purchased the track. Infringement, though illegal and possibly costly to an IP owner, does not equal piracy or theft, and the misuse of the term in this paper is unfortunate.

Anyway, Raustiala and Sprigman locate the roots of the fashion industry's successful low-IP equilibrium in two factors: induced obsolescence and anchoring.

Induced obsolescence

Because clothing is closely tied to status, especially in the realm of fashion, every design eventually becomes obsolete (i.e. it goes out of style) when it loses its ability to confer status on the wearer. When is something well and truly out of style? When everybody is wearing it, and that's where the open nature of fashion copying helps drive the fashion market. The authors write:

As Miucci Prada put it recently, "We let others copy us. And when they do, we drop it." The fashion cycle is driven faster, in other words, by widespread design copying, because copying erodes the positional [ed: or "status-conferring"] qualities of fashion goods. Designers in turn respond to this obsolescence with new designs. In short, piracy paradoxically benefits designers by inducing more rapid turnover and additional sales... What was elite quickly becomes mass.

So rampant, unauthorized copying drives the fashion cycle, and in doing so it spurs designer creativity; this is the opposite of what the standard assumptions about the relationship between unauthorized copying and incentives to create would predict.

It's important to include the authors' caveat about the importance of trademark law in this scheme. A genuine Prada purse confers more status than a Prada knock-off, so designers must protect their trademarks aggressively, even if they don't protect the designs to which those marks are attached.

Anchoring

The second phenomenon that Raustiala and Sprigman identify at the root of the fashion industry's low-IP success is what they call anchoring. Anchoring describes the process by which the industry converges on a few major design themes, or trends, during a fashion season—whether skirts are fitted or flowing, or cuffs are wide or slim, and so on. Anchoring is also the mechanism by which the fashion industry signals to consumers that trends have changed, and it's time to update the wardrobe.

While the industry produces a wide variety of designs at any one time, readily discernible trends nonetheless emerge and come to define a particular season's style. These trends evolve through an undirected process of copying, referencing, receiving input from consultants, testing design themes via observation of rivals' designs at runway shows, communication with buyers for key retailers, and coverage and commentary in the press.

Copying helps to anchor the new season to a limited number of design themes, which are freely workable by all firms in the industry within the low-IP equilibrium. A regime of free appropriation helps emergent themes become full-blown trends; trendy consumers follow suit. Anchoring thus encourages consumption by conveying to consumers important information about the season's dominant styles: suits are slim, or roomy; skirts are tweedy, or bohemian; the hot handbag is small, rectangular, and made of white-stitched black leather, and so forth. Thus anchoring helps fashion-conscious consumers understand (1) when the mode has shifted, (2) what defines the new mode, and (3) what to buy to remain within it.

So unrestrained copying not only drives the production of new designs by making older designs obsolete, but it also helps shape the new designs around themes so that consumers can easily identify what looks are "in" or "out" at the moment.

What does this mean for Big Content's crusade against peer-to-peer copying?

Probably not much, at least in the near term. The two phenomena identified above are at the very least peculiar to markets involving "positional goods," and may well be peculiar to the fashion industry in particular. The models developed in the paper aren't really that generalizable to other IP regimes, and the authors acknowledge as much.

Nonetheless, the paper may be a good first step in moving beyond traditional, blanket assumptions about the relationship between copying and innovation, and it may spur legal scholars to develop more detailed models of intellectual property that fit specific industries. The paper also suggests that when technological and market conditions change dramatically, as they have in the wake of the P2P revolution, the relationship between unauthorized copying and incentives to create may change dramatically as well.

Further reading

The University of Chicago Law School Faculty Blog, Mobblog discussion of the paper.
Intellectual Property and the Good Society

Source: arstechnica.com

2006-11-26T18:27:00.000-08:00

Chanel Round Bowling

Meet the new love of my life! I am so in love right now. Chanel came out with the Round Bowling collection for Fall to lure a new generation into Chanel obsession. Although I am already Chanel obsessed, I sometimes find myself wanting something slightly younger and more casual. That is why as soon as I saw this bag, I knew it had to be mine. We are always preaching to invest in classics and this is a bag that is definitely a classic without the hard to wear formality of a totally classic bag. The calf leather is less precious but also makes it lower maintenance than the uber luxurious lambskin that scratches and stains easily. The stitching gives it the timeless touch, it is not quilted so it is less "stuffy" and more run around chic. It comes in 3 sizes but the large one is almost the size of a carry on at 9" x 15"; there is also a cute little cosmetic bag in the collection. In either black, white or dark beige, you can be sure this bag will be a staple that will last you a lifetime. $2195 for medium, call Chanel at 800-550-0052 to locate a bag at the Chanel boutique closest to you.

Source: bagsnob.com

2006-11-26T18:25:00.000-08:00

Topshop's Leather Zip Top Holdall

There's been a lot of talk lately about Topshop and it's rising prices, but I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a real leather bag of this size for less than the £45 they're currently charging for it. This holdall comes in a lovely colour which Topshop describe as "berry red" and which I'd probably call "plum". Whatever you want to call it, though, it's a nice, roomy bag for the price, and the leather has a nice, slightly aged look in the close up. It's also machine washable: what more could you want?

Source: thebaglady.tv

2006-11-26T18:23:00.000-08:00

Luxury handbags boost for Burberry

Fashion house Burberry today said that "outstanding" demand for its new range of luxury handbags helped it to a 7% hike in half-year operating profits.

The London-based firm said the handbags, modelled by Kate Moss, ensured revenues for the six months to September 30 rose 11% to £392 million, while operating profits before one-off costs were up to £84.2 million.

Retail sales rose 23% as the firm, famous for its black, tan and red check design, also benefited from the celebrations surrounding its 150th anniversary.

The company said it enjoyed international sales growth, with strong trading at its Hong Kong stores lifting Asia Pacific sales 17% to £75.8 million, while sales in new markets including Russia, eastern Europe, the Middle East and South America surged 39% to £8.9 million.

However, the sales boost failed to prevent a slide in pre-tax profits as the firm was hit by the cost of its Project Atlas restructuring initiative.

Profits for the six months fell from £78.1 million to £73.4 million as restructuring costs climbed from £3 million last year to £9.6 million.

Alongside sales at its 300-plus stores, including sites in Regent Street and Knightsbridge, Burberry added that wholesale revenues climbed 1% but warned that production delays for key outerwear and handbags and its limited ability to respond to repeat orders had curbed wholesale growth.

Chief executive Angela Ahrendts said: "Led by excellent retail performance, strong outerwear sales and enthusiastic demand for new accessories collections, Burberry delivered a 10% gain in adjusted operating income in the first half.

"The management team moves confidently into the second half as we continue to execute our strategies."

Burberry raised its interim dividend from 2.5p per share to 2.875p per share, but the fall in pre-tax profits sent shares in the company down more than 1% today.

Source: icwales.icnetwork.co.uk

2006-11-26T18:20:00.000-08:00

South Africa: Fantasy Handbags And Fabulous Tales

Lana Marks has a good story. Perhaps too good. Born in East London she now lives in Palm Beach, Florida, and sells expensive handbags to the world's rich and famous. "After about 15 years of business I've sold to most of the royalty of the world, the celebrities of the world and the wealthy of the world," she says matter-of-factly. "I marketed myself very well."

Her handbags, some of which sell for the price of a suburban South African house, have an impressive following. US first lady Laura Bush and actresses Jennifer Aniston and Kate Winslet carry her bags. So, too, did Princess Diana, who even has a Marks bag range named after her.

Marks, perhaps, had her greatest moment of public triumph when actress Charlize Theron carried Marks's most expensive bag -- the Cleopatra Clutch, made out of white gold, with 1500 diamonds set into the frame and a price tag of $100000 -- on the red carpet to the 2004 Academy Awards, when she won the Oscar for her role in Monster.

Her company, Lana Marks, has stores in Palm Beach, in New York, in Beverly Hills and in Dubai. How she came to this stage is a story Marks purrs out down the phone line from her Madison Avenue office.

The woman who was born Lana Bank in 1953 has a refined voice that oozes confidence. She comes across as a person of quality, as polished as her collection of handbags that offers 150 designs available in alligator, ostrich, crocodile and lizard skin.

"I went to very fine schools," she says of Sterling Primary School and Clarendon High School in East London.

"I did ballet with the Royal Academy of Ballet's South African affiliate in East London. I started my tennis career in East London. I have played in Wimbledon, the French, and South African Open."

After what she describes as a whirlwind romance, in 1976 she married Neville Marks, a British psychiatrist who was working at Cape Town's Groote Schuur Hospital. The marriage cut short her commerce degree studies at Wits and they left SA. After a stay on an island she is not keen to name -- "just one of the islands where he helped in a medical capacity" -- they settled in Palm Beach, Florida, in 1987.

Do I know Palm Beach? She then describes it.

"It's the most exclusive part of the US. It's a small enclave, an island north of Miami. One-third of the world's wealth passes through Palm Beach in season. The crème de la crème of the world lives there."

Her entry into the world of accessories, she says, came about after she was unable to find a suitable alligator skin handbag to take on board the royal yacht Britannia, for a cruise to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's birthday.

"I looked up Palm Beach's main avenue where all the luxury brands have shops. I came back unsuccessful. There was nothing in my style and the colour I wanted," she says.

This gave her an interest in making bags for people like herself. She says she spent two years learning about the industry.

"I researched all top factories, persuaded them to do business with me and teach me. I'm extraordinarily persistent and love people and fortunately I have good taste," says Marks, above.

Having made her first bags, the next step was to market them.

"I persuaded the then magazine European Travel and Life -- similar to Vanity Fair -- to print a page in colour of the large pink alligator skin lunchbox -- the first handbag I created -- and then I persuaded the buyer of Saks Fifth Avenue -- after more than 60 phone calls -- to let me do a small show in their regional store in Palm Beach for two days, with no fanfare, and only to display the five handbags which comprised my first collection, on a counter," she recalls.

"The show was to be from 2pm until 4pm. I arrived at 9am and left at 6pm both days. At 5.45pm on the first day someone passed by the counter and ordered three handbags, for her and her two daughters, and paid $15000 up front, and a similar purchase happened at 5.50pm on the second day for $16000. Saks Fifth Avenue sat up and took notice; the rest was history."

It is a mistake to ask Marks how she competes with big-name brands such as Louis Vuitton, the current must-have bag.

"I don't compete with them. Louis Vuitton's market is not mine at all. Mine is a much, much more upscale brand. My customer isn't carrying Louis Vuitton. They don't own one."

Rivals do exist, but Marks says her bags are better value.

"My prices for my quality styling are the best internationally. If you compare a handbag by Hermes, an alligator skin Hermes Kelly bag, in crocodile, it's $25000, while my Princess Diana will be $8000. If you compare, ours is a third the price."

Having on the other end of the phone the Official Handbag and Accessory Consultant for the 2000 Academy Awards, it is a good opportunity to ask a style question. Do handbags have to match clothes these days?

"Absolutely not," she replies. "I'm working with top Hollywood stars and they're getting my bag and choosing their clothes based on that.

"I have a new handbag, the Positano Tote (pictured below), which costs $9500 or $12500. I'm wearing it with fuchsia pink as a neutral and training all my customers to wear a hot colour as a neutral, eg hot pink, and wear it with everything and treat it as a fashion accent."

It is strange to hear of someone "training" their customers rather than the other way around, but Marks makes it sound the most natural thing in the world.

"They trust my fashion and style sense. Because I've been doing it for quite a while."

Marks's story is fascinating. Verifying the details of that story, however, is harder. Her husband, who is listed in Groote Schuur's 1974 and 1975 annual reports as a full-time psychiatrist, came to SA to be involved in heart transplant work, Marks initially says.

"He came out to help Chris Barnard with the heart transplants," she says.

When pushed for further detail on this in a conversation yesterday, however, she gives a different answer.

"I never said he worked for Chris Barnard. He was seconded by Chris Barnard to see the patients post-operatively after the transplants."

Her tennis career is also hard to find evidence of. The East London Daily Dispatch newspaper has no archived stories of her and a search of records on the WTA Tour website of professional women players yields no record, even though it has record of her contemporaries, Linky Boshoff and Ilana Kloss. When asked for details of her apparent appearances in Wimbledon qualifiers and first round of the French Open, Marks' memory is hazy.

"In the French Open, I played at Roland Garros, and lost in the first round to an Australian, Ann Smith. It could have been '70s or '80s ... probably the '80s."

The French Open website has no record of her on its 1970s or 1980s tournament lists.

Johannesburg-born Ilana Kloss, winner of the Wimbledon junior title in 1972 and US Open junior title in 1973 and now the New York-based CEO and commissioner of World Team Tennis, also has no recollection of Marks' international tennis career.

"As far as pursuing a professional career, she was good but not great. For the most part, I used to beat up on her. I don't recall her having any great success outside of SA," Kloss says.

"I think she's a great self-promoter and my hat's off to her."

It does turn out that Marks did play international tennis -- for Bermuda. She also represented the US in tennis at the Maccabi Games and won two bronze medals, although she says she cannot remember the years.

Marks represented Bermuda in the Maccabi Games in 1985. This Atlantic haven for the wealthy was the island she does not mention and was home to Lana and Neville from 1976 until 1985. He had worked there in private practice since the early 1970s and returned there with his newly wed wife.

The Marks' stay on that island turns out to have been controversial. The couple were convicted of breaking Bermudan immigration laws in June 1982, for hiring a South African nanny illegally, but the conviction was overturned on appeal the following year. However, the Bermudan immigration department refused to renew Neville's work permit and the family was forced to leave the island in 1985, local newspaper reports say.

When asked yesterday if that was the reason she left Bermuda, Marks's response is blunt.

"I have no idea."

You don't remember?

"No."

Controversy also dogged Marks' appearance in the 1985 Maccabi Games. The island's tennis body, the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association, said afterwards she had participated in the games without their knowledge, the local Royal Gazette newspaper reported in August 1985.

Her recollection of details may be hazy, but Lana Marks has successfully convinced the rich and famous to buy her handbags and marketed herself on that basis.

In November 1997, three months after Princess Diana's fatal car crash, the now-defunct Personality magazine published an eight-page article in which Marks wrote about her 11-month friendship with the late princess and published handwritten notes to her written on Kensington Palace stationery.

"I want to tell the world about this friendship -- the most exciting dream of a lifetime," Marks says in that article. "Had she not passed away, my lips would have remained sealed."

Marks has a great story. She has built up a successful brand. As for the rest of her story -- that's quite a brag, lady.

Source: allafrica.com

2006-11-26T18:18:00.000-08:00

Handbags can make a fashion statement

It's all in the bag.

And this season, that bag is a big one -- and all the rage.

Not to mention pretty versatile, as well. Consider: It's a mobile office and day-care center, and, for some, a roving abyss for all those necessary doodads of life: lipstick, stray Tic Tacs, the lonely Sharpie or two.

Still, despite its propensity for being a carry-all for everything, the big bag is also an, er, big fashion statement this fall.

Ranging from affordable (20 bucks or so) to astronomical ($5,000), from denim to leather, and in this year's must-have shade of black to sporting multicolored patterns, admittedly much of the big-bag frenzy is driven by images of celebrities carrying their 2-foot-tall purses at the behest of the designers who created them.

"Women who are very fashion-conscious pay attention to the collections, particularly in magazines and on the Internet," says Irenka Jakubiak, editorial fashion director at Accessories magazine. "The celebrity thing still seems to influence their purchases."

(So much so that the "It" bag of the season -- Chanel's shiny $995 black vinyl shopper -- was pre-sold by the Chanel boutique in San Francisco before any of them ever reached the store.)

But big bags have a practical, universal appeal all their own.

For one thing: Age and dress size don't matter. Big bags look great when carried by most women; just don't let them overwhelm you.

Plus, they make a big impression.

"(Little bags) don't get noticed from a distance," says Marshal Cohen, chief analyst for the NPD Group, which tracks consumer spending.

On top of that, bigger bags suggest luxury.

"Bigger bags are often equated with how much you're willing to spend," Cohen says. "That's because handbags are one of the few things women have convinced themselves are a worthy fashion investment."

Women love their handbags; most buy about three a year. And sales of bags in the United States are estimated to reach $6 billion in 2006, according to a report from the market research firm Mintel International Group.

Of course, price tags correspond to labels. For example, you can grab a Mossimo riveted satchel at Target for $29.99 or a $3,350 crocodile satchel by Nancy Gonzalez at Neiman Marcus.

Cohen adds that the dynamics of handbag buying have changed. Women often charge through stores with a particular purse in mind.

Nothing else will suffice.

A new book, "It's in the Bag" (Harper-Collins, $19.95, 128 pages), traces how this everyday object has become such a focal point of women's lives. Author Winifred Gallagher admits she "had a ball" getting to the bottom of bags.

"In the process, I found out several important things," she says over the phone from New York, including:

A purse parallels a woman's emergence into the larger world.

"In the 1920s, purses became a big accessory. Women were out and about -- not necessarily in the workforce -- but they needed something for their money, a compact and a lipstick," Gallagher says.

Women needed a status symbol.

"Spend $1,500 and up on a handbag, and that's like a Rolex or a BMW to a man," Gallagher says. "It says, 'I'm working and successful enough to buy myself this fancy bag that people will recognize.' "

Credit the French fashion house of Hermes for generating some of the label-dropping trend.

In 1956, actress-turned-princess Grace Kelly appeared on the cover of Life magazine, using a Hermes bag to disguise her pregnancy.

The "Kelly" bag, as it came to be known, still fetches upward of $10,000 to $25,000 today; Gallagher says an auction in New York saw one go for more than $50,000.

In the 1980s, Hermes struck gold again with the Birkin bag, which was designed for actress Jane Birkin because she complained about having to rummage through her purse. That bag moved into pop culture via shows such as "Sex and the City."

In 2006, handbags are having even more of an impact from a fashion industry perspective.

"Most couture (clothing) designers hadn't been designing bags until Miuccia Prada's 1988 black backpack purse came along," Gallagher says. "She made a ton of money for her company and other designers followed."

As a result, bags started popping up on runways. Check out the recent shows from New York to Milan, where models routinely carried handbags.

No matter where you live, however, there's instant access to the hottest handbags, especially online.

"In the past, if you wanted to see what was popular in Paris, you had to wait a couple of months," Gallagher says. "Today, the electronic media explosion has accelerated that trend cycle."

Source: pe.com

2006-11-22T21:40:00.000-08:00

Balenciaga Red Patent Bowler

This is quite a departure from the distressed leather motorcycle Le Dix bag we've come to associate Balenciaga with and we absolutely love the change. The red patent leather is slick as laquer and the rounded kelly shape is adorable. Unlike the B Bag, the logo on the polished hardware is subtle and tasteful. It is the perfect bag to wear to a luncheon with this season's Balenciaga bubble skirt suit. We usually don't like modern interpretation of the kelly bag but in this case, it works beautifully. $1095 at Barney's New York 212.826.8900.

Source: bagsnob.com

2006-11-22T21:39:00.000-08:00

Wild about Thomas Wylde

Former model Paula Thomas has been a lot of things: Bond girl, Playboy model, Julian MacDonald’s muse and even CEO of his company. But the one thing she has never been is unfashionable. She continues that trend with her Thomas Wylde line. You might recognize the signature skulls from the heads and arms of Hollywood’s fashion elite (her skull print scarf was everywhere in the last year and Sienna Miller rocked a Thomas Wylde dress at the Academy Awards.) The Kings Cross Skull bag is not a typical bag for the Bag Snobs but it appeals to our rebellious side. The signature skull details are subtle enough where you won’t look like you’re trying too hard (Ahem. I’m talking to you Lindsey Lohan), but they add a nice rock 'n roll twist to a classic shape and color. But buyer beware - Thomas sells her line in “limited capacity” only, and trust us, they go quickly! At Barneys for $2360.

Source: bagsnob.com

2006-11-22T21:36:00.000-08:00

Hermes Lindy

This is the fabulous younger cousin to the Birkin that you may not have to wait years for (though you should keep your name on the Birkin list cuz by the time you get it, you will finally be old enough to carry it). The Hermes Lindy is a stylish and super functional bag with double sided compartments so you can keep your stuff separate and organized. I love how it collapses in the center when empty but expands to hold all the essentials a girl needs to look gorgeous throughout the day. Available in leather or canvas with calfskin trim, this is THE bag I'm obsessing over for Spring (pink please, it will go with all of my Hello Kitty accessories). Just when I thought I couldn't love the House of Hermes more (though not so much that I'd name my son Hermes like that skanky has been Kelly Rutherford. Who is she you ask? Exactly) they delight me with a bag that will certainly earn a coveted place in my bag wardrobe. The Lindy is destined to sell out so call your local Hermes boutique quickly: Ask for Craig at Highland Park (214) 528-0197 or New York (212) 751 3181. Choose from size 30cm or 34 cm, prices range from $4300-$4800.

Source: bagsnob.com

2006-11-22T21:32:00.000-08:00

Why Does This Bag Cost Money?

This bag should be free. When I buy a Marc Jacobs bag for $1,200, they should package it in this shopping bag and it shouldn't cost me any more than I've already spent. Like at a department store. But instead, this bag is $750!!!!! I don't care if it's leather, from afar you look like you are toting your stuff in a shopping bag. I know I save all my shopping bags for certain things like dry cleaning or a trip to the post office but would I spent $750 on a bag specifically for those errands? Do I seem like a moron? Cuz that's the only ones who will buy this. It comes in silver metallic which is slightly better, but only slightly. At eLuxury.

Source: bagsnob.com

2006-11-22T21:31:00.001-08:00

Victoria Beckham's Giambattista Valli Handbag

Victoria Beckham has been flashing some serious arm candy lately, and it's not her matching husband or bestie this time 'round! Good ol' Posh may have lost the kudos of a few designers, but evidently not all. Word has it that this swanky patent doctor's bag she's been toting is from the Spring / Summer 2007 line by Giambattista Valli. Ah, the perks of celebrity. We mere plebs will have a while to wait - until its official debut next year!

Source: thebaglady.tv

2006-11-22T21:05:00.000-08:00

Chloe's 'Betty' Tote

A new Chloe 'Betty'! A new Chloe 'Betty'! Hold your horses girls, it's a pricey one, at $1,995, and remember, none of you actually liked the 'Betty' when it first came out, did you! This is a new season 'Betty' tote, you can see the addition of the chain shoulder straps, and that the front pockets are slightly deeper than on the original. Do we still not like it? I'll let you be the judge on that.

Or for the more budget minded

Dune's Chloe 'Betty' Inspired Bowling Bag

Where would we be without Dune? Certainly missing out on sparkly numbers for our tootsies, and last-minute evening clutches on a Friday afternoon. Don't just stop there at buying last-minute items however, take a look at this leather-effect bowling bag, which looks suspiciously like Chloe's 'Betty', with the two front pockets and side pockets. Heck, it even has the coin purse dangling off the strap! A great find, at £45, although it would be much nicer if it were real leather.

Source: thebaglady.tv

2006-11-22T21:04:00.000-08:00

Stuart Weitzman Launches First Handbag Collection

Stuart Weitzman, normally a name synonymous with shoes will be launching his first handbag collection in January 2007 (so not long to wait). He has assured his customers that this will not affect the quality of shoes that he will produce, in fact he'll now be able to add coordinating handbags to his collection. So, just to whet our appetite he has put forward the Cargo Small Tote as a taster of what is to come. If you can't wait and have $495 lying about you can reserve it now.

Source: thebaglady.tv

2006-11-22T19:18:00.000-08:00

Mischa Barton: Mirror Mirror on the Wall - Who Carries the Fairest Bag of All?

Mischa Barton spent the day traveling the town with her new Zac Posen Alexia bag. She went to the movies, out for a latte and even did a little shopping at Urban Outfitters in L.A. (I should know, I was there too.) (Just kidding.) This mirror frame-like bag comes with a signature Zac Posen name plate dangling from a metal chain where you can tuck the logo away for safe keeping. Mischa Barton definitely knows how to match her killer vintage style with a trendy vintage inspired bag. This bag is by far my favorite for the fall. (Maybe she will let me borrow it when we swap clothes for next Friday night out?)

Source: handbagdesigner101.com

2006-11-22T19:13:00.000-08:00

Take note of this season's handbag hot list

From wild prints to polished perfection, this season's must-have handbags all have one thing in common — they're sure to turn heads! Bobbie Thomas, “Today” style contributor and author of “The Buzz” for In Touch Weekly, is here to help you find the perfect carryall companion with this handbag tutorial.

Lesson one: Animal instincts
If you're afraid to jump into this season's jungle of ferocious fashions, tame this trend with a tote. Take a walk on the wild side and hunt down a handbag that will liven up any outfit. While some of the most exotic styles are made up of skins, fabulous fauxs are also catching the eye of many fashionistas. Bebe’s Snake Embossed clutch ($89; bebe.com) and Rampage’s Tabloid Hobo ($68; rampage.com) will charm any PETA activist with their look-alike luxe feel, while Moo Roo ($665; mooroo.com) and Freda LA ($45; fredala.com) flaunt various forms of faux fur.

Prowl for printed bags like Coach’s Legacy Zebra bag ($798; 866-262-2440), Nine West's In Your Dreams cow patterned tote ($145; NineWest.com) or Bebe’s Signature Jacquard Leopard Trim hobo ($239; bebe.com) to help unleash your inner-trendiness. And of course, the designer kings' roar! Louis Vuitton’s signature monogram has mated with a leopard look this season, while both Prada ($2,850; 212 327-4200) and Derek Lam ($990-$2,150; Intermix; 516-627-5840) have opted to ornament their designs with dragons and rams respectively. But rest assured, chasing and capturing a couture-like creature can be easier than it appears, as stores at your local mall are following the pack and stocking their shelves with fierce handbag finds.

Lesson two: Heavy metal
Mohawks and pleather pants may be trying to climb back up the charts on the fashion hit list, but it's metallics and hardware that are taking center stage this season, with easy on the ears (er … eyes) styles that are sophisticated and simple. From classical listeners to rock star ravers, everyone is part of the chain gang. While Chanel’s classic chain styles are hotter than ever, their newest designs have an edgy twist ($1,225-$2,285; Chanel.com). Meanwhile contemporary line Kooba has its own loyal fans, all of whom are cheering loudly for the Haydon chain handle bag ($295; Neiman Marcus stores).

Carryalls with zipper details like the Cynthia Rowley Zipper Bag ($385; Cynthiarowley.com) are helping to seal the deal on hardware as a must-have for fall. But if actual metal is too tough a trend for you to take on, seek out some shine with a metallic bag. Yves Saint Laurent’s Double Bag ($995-$1,195; 212-980-2970) is a two-in-one designer deal, with a metallic side for your star moments, and a matte reverse for discreet days off. And finally, Lotta Stenson’s boutique has hit a high gold bar with their hard case metal clutches ($89-$110; Lotta 323-852-0520). So whether you're touring from town to town or setting up for a studio session, you'll be sure to have a hit with a heavy metal handbag!

Lesson three: Framework
Hallelujah for handbags that are literally taking shape this season! With layers of knitwear and volume galore waiting to be worn, why not add some form (and chic contrast) with a fab frame bag? As slouches are being left behind in favor of more defined designs and top handle totes, it's the granny-chic elements that are sure to inspire you to add structure into your life! Styles like Hunting Season's quilted leather bag ($1,295; 212-249-2254), Tod’s T Bag ($1,245; todsonline.com) and Marc Jacob’s Maggie bag ($1,650; 212-924-6126 or marcjacobs.com) are leading the pack with perfectly polished examples of this trend.

And for those who like to clutch more than a cell phone and lipstick for an evening out, it’s time to celebrate because your little companion has just gotten bigger! That’s right, it’s time to size up your evening accessories with a clutch that carries a whole lot more than it used to. Amici ($57; Girlshop.com) and Nine West ($65; ninewest.com) are just a few brands who offer affordable oversized options similar to the super-sized celebrity versions you’ll see on the red carpet.

Lesson four: Patent and a pop of color
While black and gray ruled the runway for fall, a burst of color on a shiny patent bag provides a fashion-forward look that is both brilliant and bold. Hot hues like purple, red and green are gearing up to be the surprise shades in handbags this season, and designer dream bags like the Gucci shoulder bag ($1,790; 800-234-8224 or Gucci.com) and the Goldenbleu Parker Collection ($270-$960; Goldenbleu.com) are putting the ‘pop’ back into patent. Affordable options like the Maxximum Zhivago bag from Maxx New York ($135; maxx.com) make a bold bag decision less intimidating. But no matter which style you choose, with an eye-catching handbag as your arm candy, it’s safe to say that your future is definitely looking bright and shiny (even on a rainy day).

Class dismissed.

Source: msnbc.msn.com

2006-11-22T19:11:00.000-08:00

Handbags: Pocket History

Unlike clothes or shoes or jewelry, handbags add nothing to a woman's appeal; no man was ever won by a beautiful Gucci slung over the back of a restaurant chair. And notwithstanding the ingenuity of designers in creating fancy clasps and adjustable straps and cunning inside pockets for cell phones, the function of a handbag could be filled almost as well by a shopping bag—with the difference that shopping bags don't tend to accumulate loose aspirin tablets, crumpled tissues and leaking pens.

The history of the handbag parallels that of the women's movement, says Winifred Gallagher, author of a small, engaging appreciation called "It's in the Bag." Purses were invented in the Victorian era, when women began to travel on their own, and widely adopted in the 1920s for stashing the new mass-produced cosmetics (and cigarettes). In the 1980s they took on a new function as auxiliary briefcases, and grew in importance as fashion accessories and luxury objects and status symbols; Gallagher notes that runway models now commonly carry a couture purse, which was rare a couple of decades ago. These qualities come together in the "It" bag for all time, the Hermès Birkin. (The "It" bag of the moment, according to Gallagher, is the Yves St. Laurent Muse.) Yours for $6,000 or more, depending on materials. Or, not quite: there's a waiting list, and it can be as long as two years.

Source: msnbc.msn.com

2006-11-22T18:54:00.000-08:00

The Bag Lady: Top 100 Bags of 2006

I love it! A countdown of the year's best bags! You've got to watch the winners as they are slowly revealed three at time. Go to http://www.thebaglady.tv/top_100_bags_of_2006/index.html and be sure to bookmark the page as more posts are added.

2006-11-21T21:25:00.000-08:00

eFashionHouse.com Discount Designer Purses Gives the Gift of Savings 'til Year End

Starting today through December 31st eFashionHouse.com will feature additional markdowns of 10-30% on select designers and free shipping on $100 purchases. With the additional designer handbags and purses markdowns, shoppers can receive up to 90% off their favorite designer brands, including Juicy Couture, Coach, Prada, Gucci, Fendi, Chanel, Marc Jacobs, Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Celine, Chloe, Tods, Burberry, Kate Spade, Furla, Diesel, Tano, Latico, and hundreds more of 100% authentic designer handbags and accessories.

"We have a Holiday Sale Plan posted on the website plus we'll be running unadvertised specials for our private email list members. Currently, we are running an additional 25% off all Yves Saint Laurent designer fashion accessories, and tomorrow our additional 15% off the 'Sale Section' begins," said Anna Miller, eFashionHouse.com owner and operator. "We wanted to live up to our reputation as People magazine's 'Best of the Web' for discount designer handbags and purses. So, we're passing on as much savings as possible to our shoppers for their holiday purchases."

The following is a list of some of the Holiday Specials shoppers can look forward to at eFashionHouse.com:

• Extra 15% off Sale Section
• Extra 10% off the Entire Site
• Extra 15% off Cold Weather Accessories
• Extra 10% off Gucci, Prada and Fendi
• Extra 20% off Entire Site
• Extra 30% off Clearance Section

To take advantage of the current and future sales, shoppers can visit http://www.eFashionHouse.com and click on the Daily Discounts link. Plus, shoppers are encouraged to register for "Free Gift News," which allows email sale notifications and the corresponding coupon codes to be delivered to their in-boxes.

In addition to receiving sales updates, customers who register for Free Gift News will have the chance to win a free designer handbag each week throughout the holiday season. Winners are listed at http://www.eFashionHouse.com on the Free Handbag Offer page.

About eFashionHouse.com

Anna Miller is the President of i-GlobalMall.com, Inc. She operates the website http://www.efashionhouse.com/ and sells high-end authentic designer handbags and accessories at off-retail prices. EFashionHouse.com was named BEST OF THE WEB by People Magazine Fall 2006 StyleWatch for Discount Designer Handbags and Purses. EFashionHouse.com should not be confused with any other website selling a similar product or using a similar name. EfashionHouse.com is the home of five fashion ecommerce stores: BrandsBoutique, LuxuryVintage, DesignersLA, ItalysOutlet, and ValueBags. Anna is considered an Internet Pioneer and has been reselling Designer Merchandise online since the early 90s.

Source: prweb.com

2006-11-21T19:20:00.000-08:00

Take our new quiz: Bag a Celebrity Look

Go to the link at right under the Polling Place and take the quiz. Record your results in the poll below the link.

2006-11-17T22:01:00.000-08:00

Fashion Matchmaker: Designer Handbags

Women and handbags. They're like men and sports. We know the key players of the season, we know how much they cost and we recognize potential when we see it. Some of us are more educated than others on the topic, though. One woman might be a die-hard Gucci fan and know every single bag from the past five collections, while another might be well versed in all designer handbags. How knowledgeable are you? See how many bags and designers you can match up.

2006-11-16T13:48:00.000-08:00

Tiny baubles -An odd but growing fashion niche these days: accessories for accessories

Many women covet a $6,000 Hermes Birkin bag. But for Amanda Miller, who carries one to work, the appeal lies not in the exclusive bag but what's on it.

Hanging from her Birkin are unusual charms, including a skull from Prada and a plastic bunny in a space suit that she bought from a vending machine in Tokyo.

The doodads convey "not only do I have style and a perspective on history, but that I have a real sense of whimsy," says Miller, a 28-year-old travel-industry publicist in New York.

An odd but growing product niche in the luxury-goods business these days: accessories for accessories. The items, first popularized in Japan, appeal to an increasing appetite among consumers — and often younger consumers — for personalizing the way they look.

With luxury-goods companies now making handbag charms, they also provide consumers with a lower-price entry point to the world of Coach, Louis Vuitton, Hermes and Prada.

Other accessories are getting accessories too. For Christmas, Bottega Veneta is introducing a shoe with a change purse attached to it. La Loop, which sells $85 to $500 necklaces to hold sunglasses at Bergdorf Goodman, will unveil a lower-price line at J.C. Penney early next year. And Kodak last week started selling jeweled wristbands and necklaces to hold its cameras, along with camera clutches in pink and green.

But brands say the importance of these doodads is out of proportion to their size. Creative displays of the charms and other small items like iPod holders spruce up stores and broaden the product line.

"We don't want the whole store to be just handbags," says Reed Krakoff, president and executive creative director at Coach.

Following the success of last year's $28 alphabet charms, Coach this fall added 23 new styles, including the 12 signs of the zodiac, peace symbols and heart-shaped picture frames.

Prada, which calls its charms "tricks," just started selling crystal-encrusted versions priced as high as $195, in shapes like skulls, hearts and bears.

And Hermes charms in the shape of its signature bags have shown up lately on the outside of the bags themselves, instead of on necklaces and bracelets as the company intended. "People want to put a signature statement on their bags," says Robert Chavez, chief executive of Hermes U.S.A.

Also on the market are nonluxury items like Jibbitz, $2.49 studs in shapes like pilgrim hats, stars and American flags, designed for inserting into the holes on Crocs rubber clogs. (Crocs bought Jibbitz earlier this month for $10 million.)

And Pepper Face of Chicago sells pepper spray canisters that look like charms for handbags and key chains, including a $295 Swarovski-crystal style in an argyle pattern.

The trend also represents a reaction to the ubiquity of "It" bags, says Clare Sauro, assistant curator, accessories, at the Fashion Institute of Technology's museum in New York. "We are all very much aware of the latest handbags because we see celebrities carrying them in magazines," she says. Having a charm on an expensive bag "is like saying, 'I have this little extra bit added.'"

Some of the doodads function as leashes to retrieve small items, reflecting the increase in the size of handbags in recent years. Tomas Maier, creative director of Bottega Veneta, says he added $170 woven lariats to his large $3,900 Cabat bag a few years ago because they were necessary "from a functional standpoint."

For Alexandra Mathews, 24, hanging items she finds at street fairs on her Prada bag is more of an academic exercise. She views items like the feather, silver money clip and antique Tibetan coins that adorn her bag as "the quintessential random expression of the postmodern era."

The trend began in Japan, where street fashion emphasizes "kawaii" — or cute — style. Several years ago, teenage girls started attaching figurines of Hello Kitty and other characters to their backpacks, cellphones and bags.

Le Sportsac, known for nylon bags that sell for under $100, last year introduced a pricier collection called Tokidoki, which feature different Japanese-style cartoon prints and come with plastic charms.

"It's really important to have a personal identity to your accessories," says Elizabeth Kiester, chief creative director at Le Sportsac. "People need to feel special and unique."

•••

The latest in little things

BOTTEGA VENETA LARIATS

Price: $170

Braided leather leashes attach to cellphones or wallets for quick retrieval from big handbags.

HERMES LOCK CHARM

Price: $290

Hermes says sales of charms have exceeded expectations, partly because people are buying them for their bags.

COACH CHARMS

Price: $28

Signs of the zodiac can dangle from the handle or zipper of a handbag; they also provide a lower-priced entry point for the brand.

JIBBITZ STUDS

Price: $2.49

To draw more attention to the colorful rubber clogs called Crocs, these studs from Jibbitz can be inserted into the shoe's holes.

LA LOOP EYEWEAR NECKLACE

Price: $370

La Loop's necklaces, with a loop for hanging your glasses, sell for $85 to $500 at Bergdorf Goodman and Fred Segal.

Source: bonitanews.com

2006-11-14T16:17:00.000-08:00

It's big, Big, BIG - The latest gotta-have-it handbag can stop a train in its tracks

The purse that ate the rent -- and the utility bill and the phone bill and more -- The Chloe Paddington is no longer an 'It' bag, but it still costs $1,540 at Saks Fifth Avenue.

J. Sadie Lawson thought about it long and hard before pulling out the credit card. She could have used the $550 toward rent. She may have been able to get a month ahead on her car payment.

Instead, on a recent business trip to New York, she splurged on her latest dream bag, a mini Chloe Paddington in a steel gray.

"I just had to have it," she says. "I love the shape, the hardware."

The clutch is now the prize in her growing collection of handbags -- along with her Louis Vuitton Speedy, her Coach satchel and her Mulberry shoulder bag -- that have come to define her style.

"I don't spend a lot on designer clothes," says Lawson, who is 37, lives in North Raleigh and works as a pharmaceutical sales representative.

"But my bags, I love my bags. I want to be known for my bags."

Once just a functional accessory in basic brown, taupe or black, handbags are bigger than ever. And we're not just talking size -- these days they're built to fit everything from lipstick to lunches -- but also popularity and price. They've become the focal part of many women's wardrobes.

Instead of owning one bag to get through a season, women now have a collection: A shopper for day, a clutch for evening; an oversized tote for a long flight, a sleek baguette for an evening out with the girls.

"Handbags have become a fashion accessory just like shoes are," says Kate Leser, owner of A Distinctive Image, a image-enhancement-consulting business in Raleigh. "Bags are becoming much more creative, more stylish. They can spice up a wardrobe."

The bag frenzy has sparked a kind of treasure hunt among high-end shoppers. The more fashion-forward the woman, the more expensive the brand she wants: Coach, Kate Spade, Gucci, Chanel, Marc Jacobs, Chloe, Tod's, Fendi, Balenciaga or Hermes.

Local malls sell a few Coach or Kate Spades for under $350. But the reality of designer handbag shopping these days is this: The average bag costs about $1,200, and only some of the top brands can be found in North Carolina at high-end speciality boutiques or luxury department stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue or Neiman Marcus.

Even more exclusive? The newest "It" bag. These latest, greatest, most-sought-after designer bags (usually photographed first on celebrities) have for several years had some women scrambling to get on a waiting list just to get a shot at buying them. Most recently on the "It" list: the Fendi Spy, the Chloe Paddington and the Marc Jacobs Stam.

But like a hot stock, the "It" list can be fickle. Ask any collector and they'll scoff at the notion of buying a Chloe Paddington today. It's so over.

Jean Schnitzer, 35, of Raleigh, has been on countless "It" bag lists -- often once she gets a bag, she uses for a few weeks, then sells it on eBay.

"Once you have to wait and get on a list for a bag, then going to a store to get one, the thrill is gone," she says. "Until you get your first bag like that, where you think about it, ponder it, wait for it. It's game over. You've crossed a bridge that you can't go back."

Shoppers who can't or don't want to pay for a designer label needn't be left out of the fun.

Target, Old Navy and many mid-tier department stores often re-create the latest "It" styles with cheaper leathers and hardware. Target has several faux leather hobo styles for under $30. Macy's has several Balenciaga and Marc Jacobs-like styles heavy in hardware and tassels for under $90.

Still, more women in the Triangle are opting for the designer splurge.

When Ashley Vermillion Harris opened her Vermillion clothing store in North Hills, she knew handbags had to part of the mix to offer shoppers a head-to-toe designer package. Now she stocks expensive, exclusive bags by Balenciaga and Bottega Veneta -- some that cost $1,500 or more.

"It's like buying a piece of art," she says. "Just that it's a wearable piece of art."

The cost has as much to do with brand as it does quality. "With the more expensive bags, they're better made," she says. "A really good bag wears better with time. As the leather gets more worn in, it should get better looking."

Winifred Gallagher used to have a hard time understanding that mentality. About $75 or $80 was as high as she'd go for a handbag.

Then one day she spent $250 on a bag, prompting her husband's shocked reply: "But you already have a purse."

A typical male response, to be sure, but it got her thinking about women and their relationship with handbags. She began exploring why women love handbags and why they're willing to spend so much to have the latest, designer model.

In her new book "It's in the Bag. What Purses Reveal -- and Conceal" she shows how a designer bag has become a symbol of how far women have come. Her research shows how closely the rise of handbags parallels the emergence of women in the world.

Until the 1920s, when women started traveling and leaving the house alone, women didn't carry purses.

"Women suddenly became a lot more liberated," she says.

And with that liberation, they needed some sort of bag to carry their compacts, lipsticks and money.

It wasn't until the 1980s -- when women began cracking the glass ceiling and figuring out how to juggle a career and motherhood -- that handbags became a true fashion accessory and designers began tempting them with more expensive leathers and exclusive designs.

"All these women had more complicated lives," she says. "They needed a nice-looking vehicle for their multitasking lives."

Along came the "It" bag -- a status symbol for women much like a successful man's BMW or Rolex watch.

"Now, if you see a woman with a Balenciaga, it says 'I'm a professional woman,' " Gallagher says. "All of these bags are designed to be instantly identifiable."

Today, the "It" bag has translated into multiple "It" bags. Women want one for every outfit.

Gallagher says she doesn't see that changing any time soon.

"I think as long as women are in the work force and they need something nice to carry, the handbag is going to be a noticeable item," she says.

Source: newsobserver.com

2006-11-14T14:57:00.000-08:00

I admit that I am powerless over handbags, and my life has become unmanageable

Well, not too badly anyway. Last month I took over a couple of shelves in the linen closet for my collection and as part of that, I auctioned off the gently used and gave away the rest. I decided that a woman's MPD was equal to the number of years in her age and reduced myself to that figure.

Well, the auctions are done and there were a few that didn't sell, but that at second glance I couldn't give away either, so oh well on the MPD (Maximum Purse Density). I also completely cleared out the closet and took it over. So my "final" tally? 54 (maybe 55 if I win a certain auction). You can see the inventory to the right under "What's In Your Closet?" Not too bad, even still. I know many and have reported on more that have far more than I (thank goodness!)

2006-11-12T22:13:00.000-08:00

My Bag of the Week

My favorite bag that I am using now and that is my bag of the week is this amazing hobo from AKOStyle.com. Big and roomy, with tons of zippered pockets, it holds everything yet is itself light and still slim, even when stuffed. To find it, go to AKOStyle.com and enter "tall shopper". Look for the Fall Chloe style tall Shopper. It's available in Black, Dark Brown, Grey, Red and Tan and is a bargain at only $32.00.

2006-11-09T10:24:00.000-08:00

You Did What?

I recently shocked a friend when I showed up with my Chloe Paddington...minus the padlock. I love the look, but as I am sure many with Paddingtons will attest, it really can be a pain moving it back and forth out of the way to get in or out of the bag and into the front or back pockets. I have no shame, or fear for that matter, when it comes to altering bags, so I quite simply cut off the strap, did a little color doctoring with a Sharpie paint pen so it was indistinguishable and put a couple of cute charm pulls on the top zipper. I love the bag now, but my friend was shocked that I would even consider cutting a purse, cheap or not. But, while a bag's look is the first consideration in purchasing, sometimes normal use reveals some little flaw that bugs you enough that you actually consider not using the bag. So, I suggest to all you ladies to not be shy. Get out your scissors or seam rippers and make that bag really yours and easy to use. The first time is the hardest, but I promise it gets easier and soon you will have the courage to make a bag what you want it to be and not have a bag gathering dust in the closet while you wish it were something else. Let me know (through the Email Me button on the right) what alterations you have done to your bags and, should I get enough response, in a future post, I will present a collection of ideas of what you can do to make a handbag work for you.

2006-11-09T10:05:00.000-08:00

What's In Your Bag?

We asked three local women to tell us about their purses and what lurks within:

Who: Kitty O'Neal, afternoon news anchor at KFBK (1530 AM).

What: A briefcase-type bag by designer Kenneth Cole with multiple compartments.

What's inside: A wallet, makeup bag, sunglasses and even "my old-fashioned month-at-a-glance day planner."

Bag this: Interestingly, O'Neal isn't the primary bag buyer in her family. That would be her husband, Kurt Spataro, executive chef for the restaurants in the Paragary Restaurant Group. "Prada, Gucci, Chanel. He's 'Mr. Designer Man,' " O'Neal says. "The last purse he bought me was when we were in New York, last Christmas. It was a Gucci hobo bag that opens really wide with an easy-snap closure."

Chief purse-suit: Fun bags, especially big straw ones for the summer. "I can throw my lunch in there every day," she says.

Who: Anna Ferrera, a legislative advocate at Murdoch, Walrath & Holmes in Sacramento.

What: A Chanel bag -- in green -- that she purchased while in Washington, D.C.

What's inside: A cell phone, a BlackBerry and "tons of folders for paperwork."

Bag this: Ferrera says investing in a good handbag -- and fashionable yet functional shoes -- is worth the money. A good bag lasts her about a year and a half.

Chief purse-suit: A bag with big handles and made of leather. It must also fit over her shoulder, and she says she needs to be able to hold it tight against her body.

Who: Erica Kazinec, store manager at Franco Ferrini in Pavilions.

What: A bag by designer Mitzi Baker, which can alternate between being a purse or a tote, depending on how you close it.

What's inside: A clutch (for running quick errands) and supplies for her 1-year-old daughter, including sippy cup, snack bag and a puppet toy. Plus wipes and Purell hand sanitizer.

Bag this: Kazinec, who sees handbags come and go every day, says she always shops for quality first. "I like Mitzi's bag because she does it in several patterns and fabrics."

Chief purse-suit: Her bag has to have pockets for keys and a cell phone. "For travel, I look for a bag with a zipper or some type of closure to keep everything from falling out.

Source: sacbee.com

2006-11-09T10:01:00.000-08:00

A Little Disgusting....But Also Worth Thinking About

Have you ever noticed gals who sit their handbags on public toilet floors - then go directly to their dining tables and set it on the table? Happens a lot!

It's not always the 'restaurant food' that causes stomach distress. Sometimes "what you don't know 'will' hurt you"!

Read on...

Mum got so upset when guests came in the door and plopped their handbags down on the counter where she was cooking or setting up food. She always said that handbags are really dirty, because of where they have been. Smart Mum!!!

It's something just about every woman carries with them. While we may know what's inside our handbags, do you have any idea what's on the outside? Shauna Lake put handbags to the test - for bacteria - with surprising results. You may think twice about where you put your handbag.

Women carry handbags everywhere; from the office to public toilets to the floor of the car. Most women won't be caught without their handbags, but did you ever stop to think about where your handbag goes during the day?

I drive a school bus, so my handbag has been on the floor of the bus a lot," says one woman. "On the floor of my car, and in toilets."

"I put my handbag in grocery shopping carts, on the floor of the toilet while changing a nappy," says another woman "and of course in my home which should be clean."

We decided to find out if handbags harbour a lot of bacteria. We learned how to test them at Nelson Laboratories in Salt Lake, and then we set out to test the average woman's handbag.

Most women told us they didn't stop to think about what was on the bottom of their handbag. Most said at home they usually set their handbags on top of kitchen tables and counters where food is prepared.

Most of the ladies we talked to told us they wouldn't be surprised if their handbags were at least a little bit dirty. It turns out handbags are so surprisingly dirty, even the microbiologist who tested them was shocked.

Microbiologist Amy Karen of Nelson Labs says nearly all of the handbags tested were not only high in bacteria, but high in harmful kinds of bacteria. Pseudomonas can cause eye infections, staphylococcus aurous can cause serious skin infections, and salmonella and e-coli found on the handbags could make people very sick.

In one sampling, four of five handbags tested positive for salmonella, and that's not the worst of it. "There is fecal contamination on the handbags," says Amy. Leather or vinyl handbags tended to be cleaner than cloth handbags, and lifestyle seemed to play a role. People with kids tended to have dirtier handbags than those without, with one exception. The handbag of one single woman who frequented nightclubs had one of the worst contaminations of all.

"Some type of feces, or possibly vomit" says Amy. So the moral of this story - your handbag won't kill you, but it does have the potential to make you very sick if you keep it on places where you eat.

Use hooks to hang your handbag at home and in toilets, and don't put it on your desk, a restaurant table, or on your kitchen countertop.

Experts say you should think of your handbag the same way you would a pair of shoes. "If you think about putting a pair of shoes onto your countertops, that's the same thing you're doing when you put your handbag on the countertops" - your handbag has gone where individuals before
you have sneezed, coughed, spat, urinated, emptied bowels, etc!

Do you really want to bring that home with you? The microbiologists at Nelson also said cleaning a handbag will help.

Wash cloth handbags and use leather cleaner to clean the bottom of leather handbags.

Source: raisingkids.co.uk

2006-11-07T14:17:00.000-08:00

Meet the Bag Ladies

When it comes to must-have accessories, nothing quite tops the female fantasy list like a handbag. So obsessed are we with each season's essential piece of arm candy, we no longer flinch at the idea of paying a month's earnings for the latest It-bag.

But the price of instantly recognisable designer bags keeps on rising. Just a few years ago, it was all about the £595 Mulberry Roxanne - as carried by Scarlett Johansson and Julia Roberts. Now the standard Fendi Spy or McQueen Novak doesn't leave much change from £2,000.

Yet isn't it cooler to have something more unusual? While we continue to justify our whims with the bank manager, there are those who have been smart enough to make a business out of their obsessions. Karen Clarkson speaks to five women who have turned bags into business:

Pontine Paus, 33, lives and works from her Notting Hill townhouse. Her bags are popular with Kylie and Queen Silvia of Sweden. Pontine says:

When I embarked upon my master's degree in industrial design at Domus Academy in Milan, I never imagined that I would end up as a handbag designer - I thought I'd go into furniture or architecture. However, as part of this course I experimented with materials and chemicals. I covered some silk in plastic and decided to make a handbag out of it.

One day in Milan a woman, who owned a boutique, asked me where my bag was from. When I told her I had made it myself she asked me immediately to make a collection for her to sell.

My bags took off. I sold them through shops in Italy and created a range for the designer Louisa Beccaria. My father encouraged me to learn some business skills, so I stopped making the bags while I took a business course.

In 2002 I started making bags again. They became popular straightaway. Now we're stocked all over the world - Scandinavia, Italy, France, the Middle East and Japan.

Not everyone wants to make a major fashion statement with their clothes - most women feel more comfortable experimenting with accessories instead.

The beauty of handbags is that they can suit you whatever your age, figure or looks. They're also not as intrusive as clothing, as you can put them down when you want. I grew up surrounded by bags as my mother loves them and has a huge collection of Hermes ones. Now she only wears mine!

I own about 70 bags. I used to have a lot of vintage ones but I moved house recently and had to get rid of loads as I didn't have enough space. Now I only wear my own - if I need one for an occasion I just design it. I carry one bag for maybe six months and wear it to death before moving on.

I love big bags for the day. But for evenings I vary them depending on my outfit - my favourite is a clutch bag called The Night Owl. Every season I'm inspired by something different. I want to make beautifully-crafted bags with character. My Hunter bags for next season are all about war and hope - symbolised by star and camouflage prints. My Bandit bags were inspired by cowboys. I like having a story behind each one - that's where my art background comes in. www.pontinepaus.com

Swedish-born Charlott Vasberg, 31, lives in Chelsea. She says:

I studied womenswear design at London College of Fashion, followed by an MA in womenswear at St Martins. I graduated in 2003.

I didn't want to work for someone else, and making bags enabled me to be creative with patterncutting which is quite stimulating for me. My first collection consisted of five bags. They were soft leather bags with lots of zips. I called them 'transformation bags' - by opening and closing zips you could change their shape and look. In 2004, I sent some pictures to a few shops and got a call immediately from Selfridges. They placed an order on my first collection.

I own at least 40 bags. For day I like big bags which I can throw everything into. I have a large Twist Bag which I've been carrying almost every day for two years. For evening I like small totes and clutches. At home, my bags are hanging on the sides of my wardrobes. I also have a huge basket full of them. Most of these I've made myself, but if I was to wear one by another designer it would probably be Fendi. www.charlottvasberg.com

Susannah Hunter, 35, lives in Kilburn, London, and has been designing bags for five years. Elle Macpherson, Nicole Kidman and Uma Thurman are fans. She says:

I studied fashion design at St Martins, graduating in 1993. While working in retail at Margaret Howell, I began making handbags in my spare time for myself and for friends. The first one was olivegreen leather with irises appliquÈd all over. I carried it everywhere.

One evening at a party I met a model called Angela Dunn. She loved my bags and promoted my work within the fashion industry. She was best friends with Patsy Kensit who immediately bought four bags from me. Soon I had an order from the fashionable Holland Park boutique The Cross.

Now we're stocked in Harvey Nichols, The West Village, Paul & Joe, and Barneys and Saks in America. We're also about to open our first shop in London. Initially, I made the bags in my bedroom. Now I have a workshop with a full-time team of six people.

With the appliqued flowers, my bags look distinctive, but I change the colours and shapes each season.

Growing up in Scotland where my mother is a painter, I was always surrounded by colour and images of nature. I take pictures of flowers whenever I travel and this is the inspiration for my bags. My drawings get turned into leather flowers, which are layered onto the bag.

Everything is made by hand - it takes about a day to make each bag. I find it amazing how much women are willing to spend on bags. Mine retail between £295 and £770. Designer bags in big department stores are even more. I only own about 15 bags. Most of them are my own, apart from a few vintage bags and one from Issey Miyake. My favourite is still the first one I ever made, which I still carry to this day. www.susannahhunter.com

Canadian-born Victoria Sleeper, 35, lives and works in London and Paris. She is a bag consultant to fashion houses from YSL, Chanel and LVMH, and sells her vintage bags in Liberty, Urban Outfitters and Portobello market. Vicky says:

Growing up in Mid-West Canada, I learned how to do needlework, metal work and woodwork because if you wanted something personal you had to make it yourself.

I never studied fashion - everything I know about bags I've taught myself. I'm not very interested in fashion, but bags encompass so much - they hold our money, our lipstick and all the things that are important to us, while being tactile, sculptural and interesting to look at. I'm constantly researching things about bags.

I probably have a collection of about 20,000 bags, dating from 1600 to 1980. They come from all over the world. One of my favourites is a gentleman's hobo bag from the 1920s and I love my pre-1970s Hermes bags, the stitching is amazing. I'm also a big fan of beaded bags, probably because of my Canadian roots.

I love to change the bags I carry around with me. Sometimes I'll carry five bags in one day - I hate the thought of them being locked up in a cupboard, they need to live!

I sell a lot of bags to fashion designers but in Portobello I have all sorts of customers. Teri Hatcher bought some recently when she was in London; this morning I sold one to Helen Mirren; and I even sold a bag to the Queen.

The bags I make appeal to men and women. They're lightweight, multi-functional and in primal colours. I've just finished creating my first collection of Vicky Sleeper bags. My daughter describes them as avant-garde; my friends say they are art; and someone else has called them 21st-century urban camouflage. www.vickysleeper.com

Tabitha Somerset-Webb, 31, lives and works in Battersea, London. Customers include Cat Deeley, Denise Van Outen and Dannii Minogue. Tabitha says:

I'm probably the least likely handbag designer you can imagine. I never studied fashion or art, and I can't draw. Bags weren't even something I particularly liked. The problem was I could never find the right one for me, so in the end I thought I should just design one.

After working hard as a producer in advertising and TV, I wanted to get out and start my own business. I came up with an idea to make one bag, and ended up going around the East End begging manufacturers to make up my designs. One agreed to make some samples.

The scenario was haphazard. I took a stand at the Top Drawer trade fair in Olympia to try to start selling my bags to retailers. After three days no one had placed an order, and I was about to give up when House of Fraser placed an order for £20,000 worth of bags.

Our first orders arrived late and half the bags fell apart. But despite the hiccups, the orders grew, so I went to China to find a decent factory to make the bags. We've become well-known for our modernlooking metallic leather bags, and we're now stocked in Fenwick, Harrods, Graham & Green and The Conran Shop, and Macy's and Bloomingdale's in the U.S. We're just about to open our first shop on the King's Road. My own collection is around 40 - they are stored under my bed. I have a few vintage ones, but they are mostly my own creations. www.tabitha.uk.com

Source: dailymail.co.uk

2006-11-07T14:05:00.000-08:00

Handbags of Horror!

If you find scary movies unnerving, brace yourself for the new designer purses they've (obviously) inspired

As various blogs have documented, high fashion has been working its malnourished butt off lately to make handbags as ugly as possible. While we're concerned about these purses' self-esteem—how would you feel if your face were obscured with gratuitous zippers, vomitous fringe, leprous appliqués, and macabre pom-poms?—the real question is: What's behind this trend?

At first we were puzzled. Then, while screening the latest Texas Chainsaw Massacre, we casually noted Leatherface's resemblance to a certain Fendi satchel and a light went off: Have designers, desperate for shock value, been turning to horror movie villains for inspiration? Further investigation bears out this troubling theory.

EXHIBIT A
GARISH CREEPINESS
The tagline for 1988's Child's Play—"You'll wish it was only make-believe!"—also applies to this upsetting $575 bag by Isabella Fiore, which appears to be yet another incarnation of foul psychopath Charles Lee Ray, aka Chucky the "Good Guy doll." Note the gaudy colors. The diagonal zipperish scars. The carroty tufts and deceptive "playful" quality. Do not leave this purse alone with your son! Unless you're tired of raising him and would find his death convenient.

EXHIBIT B
UNRAVELLED APPEAL
This moldy, desiccated handbag ($1280) by Brooklyn design duo Be&D (Britney's a fan!) shares many spooky attributes with Boris Karloff's 1932 creation, the Mummy. However, while both bag and mummy have had most of their internal organs removed and should immediately be sealed in a remote tomb, only the Be&D features a sensual suede lining and a magnetic snap closure.

EXHIBIT C
TERMINATORISHNESS
Though this grotesque Betsey Johnson Small Cargo Hobo is not quite clever enough to serve as the governor of California, it could easily time-travel back to 1984 and terrify the young, still-flabby Linda Hamilton. (Consider its zippered "mouths," so eager to chomp off wrists.) It comes with six separate pockets, a "cell phone slot," night vision, and the ability to announce its imminent return in threatening tones. In development: Small Cargo Hobo II—Judgment Clutch.

EXHIBIT D
REANIMATED VILENESS
Here Miu Miu pays homage to Tarman, the star zombie in 1985's Return of the Living Dead. company first created this quilted nappa leather bag ($1095) in 1987, then brutally poisoned it, allowing it to decay for decades before reviving it with 2-4-5 Trioxin gas, a proprietary process which accounts for the bag's unique stench and distinctive texture, as well as its compulsion to eat brains."

EXHIBIT E
TREACHEROUS CHARM
Like its inspiration, Gizmo from 1984's Gremlins, this rabbit-fur-trimmed bag ($495) is ingratiatingly huggable and speaks in the light-comic tones of Howie Mandel. What designer Andrew Marc fails to mention, however, is that the second you get this handbag wet, it metamorphoses into an obnoxious, anarchic monster that has no intention of dutifully holding your change purse or your Kotex while you sip a Mojito, and must eventually be pureed to death in a blender by your mom.

EXHIBIT F
SASSY, MENACING DREADLOCKS
The original version of this $340 Charm and Luck purse—a riff on the Yautja from 1987's Predator—was so hideous that a team of U.S. Army Special Forces soldiers was dispatched to the designers' Long Beach, California–based offices to track it down and kill it. For this softer, government-approved model, the original's ropey dreadlocks have been downgraded to fringe, and its fangs replaced by crap-encrusted buckles. Luckily, like the Yautja, this bag can still render itself invisible.

EXHIBIT G
SCUMMY TEXTURE
Our final comparison is perhaps unfair. The ancient amphibian-freak from 1954's Creature From the Black Lagoon boasts "centuries of passion pent up in his savage heart." Though equally repellent to the touch, this Isabelle Fiore bag ($650) has little to recommend it beyond a "zip-top" and two unsavory pom-poms. Furthermore, the Creature only lashes out in self-defense while the Charm Hobo spent months in a dark basement plotting—actually, the less said about the Charm Hobo the better. We don't want to encourage any more copycat school shootings.

Source: radaronline.com

2006-11-02T16:22:00.000-08:00

Top 5 Most Often Carried Handbags

Handbags have become the most popular accessory on the market and there’s no reason to wonder why. There are so many styles and trends to choose from that it’s hard for a woman to choose just one handbag. Each outfit calls for a different type of handbag so it’s hard to distinguish which types are most popular. In order to help you determine which types of handbags are in style right now, I have compiled a list of the top five most often carried handbags. You do not have to choose one of these as the type of handbag you’re going to carry but use this as a guideline illustrating which are in fashion at the moment:

1. Shoulder Bag – A shoulder bag comes in many different sizes and shapes. They are usually larger, providing more space for essentials such as your wallet, books, makeup etc. Shoulder bags are meant only to be worn over the shoulder and provide a combination practicality and style in one handbag.

2. Handheld Handbag – Handheld handbags are handbags which are designed to be held in the hand and no other way. They are usually smaller and provide less space than a shoulder bag. The difference between this form of bag and a clutch is that a handheld bag usually has a strap or handles. These types of bags are best suited for shopping or cruising around town.

3. Back Pack – Back Packs are very popular bags which are most beneficial to students of all ages. Back packs have two straps which make them better suited for carrying since there is a balance of pressure of both sides of your shoulders and back (as opposed to just one with most handbags).

4. Tote Bag – Tote bags are very popular because they are casual yet very practical. These bags usually fall in the middle of the body, around the elbow. They are big and provide a lot of space for the user. They usually only have one or two compartments and are available with a number of images on them or a simple solid color.

5. Clutch - A clutch is a handbag which does not have handles and is meant to be carried in the hand. That said they are usually quite small and only provide enough space for the bare essentials which you will need. These bags can be casual or dressy and are often worn to parties or nightclubs because they are so small and efficient.

The handbag you choose will depend on your style and your personal preference. As a woman you will probably feel the need to change the style of handbag you carry on a regular basis. The style of handbag differs each day depending on where you are going and which type would be best suited for the occasion. Have fun with your handbag and let your personality show through the style you choose.

Source: fibertofashion.com

2006-11-02T16:17:00.000-08:00

Stone Sells Off Her Handbags

Sharon Stone auctioned off 100 of her own handbags in a bid to raise cash for Lupus research. Stonegot active in helping to find a cure for the auto-immune disease when her sister Kelly was diagnosed with Lupus last year (05) and took charge of a celebrity auction in Beverly Hills on Thursday (26OCT06). As well as selling off designer handbags donated by fellow celebrities like Julia Roberts and Elizabeth Taylor, Stone opened her own closets and decided to get rid of her bag collection. She says, "How many bags do you really need? We really need a cure for Lupus but I don't really need very many handbags."

Source: prinside.com

2006-11-02T16:15:00.000-08:00

Spades Sell Out to Neiman Marcus

The founders of Kate Spade have sold their stake to majority owner the Neiman Marcus Group, The Post has learned.

Kate and Andy Spade along with two other partners, Pamela Bell and Elyce Arons, who together owned 44 percent of the company, exercised a put option - the right to sell their shares at a specified price by a certain date, sources said.

The negotiations over the put option, which took place this summer, temporarily halted the auction for Kate Spade, which Neiman Marcus put up for sale in September 2005.

Citigroup was hired to determine the value of the minority stake, an amount that as yet has not been disclosed, but one that places a valuation on the entire company in excess of $130 million, sources said.

Now that Neiman Marcus has taken full ownership of the company, up from a previous stake of 56 percent, the sale process for Kate Spade, known for its rectangular handbags and preppy chic style, is expected to heat up.

Liz Claiborne is said to be a lead contender, but the field is also open to other bidders, sources said.

Whether or not the Spades, who are both intricately involved in the business, both from design and management standpoints, decide to remain with the company will depend largely on the new owner.

"Our conscious decision to put our stock to the Neiman Marcus Group allows us to better determine our future and what we believe is right for the company and the brands," Andy Spade said.

Source: nypost.com

2006-11-02T16:10:00.000-08:00

Trends: Handbags That Light Up Inside

Almost every woman has been there, in a club or a movie theater and she needs to find something in her purse but she can't see a thing. A new First Coast Trend is shedding a little light on the issue.

Handbags are all the rage right now. But there is one bag that goes above and beyond the call of duty.

On the outside the Solas bag looks like a normal, stylish handbag. But when you open the Solas bag, it lights up. The inside of the bag is lined with long, thin light bulbs connected to a AA battery pack.

The creator and designer of Solas Fashion says she was tired of being in the dark. "My Fiancé and I were in a dark martini lounge and once again I lost everything to the abyss of my purse," Kara Kurcz, creator and designer of Solas Fashion. "He was messing around using my cell phone for a light and said you need an actual light in this thing and I said that's a brilliant idea."

Women can get the Solas bag in any size, color and style. In addition to clutches, women can also buy light up cosmetic cases and tote bags. "It's great because people don't even know there's a light at first," says Kurcz. "They pick up the bag and they say 'this is beautiful'". And when they found out there is a light inside, they say its amazing."

Women can even choose the color of light they want. They come in both blue and white lights.

Celebrities are already clamoring over the bags. Cameron Diaz, Vanessa Minnelo and Jamie Lyn Spears all carry the trendy handbags. And Angela Kinsey from NBC's "The Office" even took her Solas clutch to the Emmy's. And her show won an Emmy, maybe the bag was her lucky charm.

The cost of the bags range from $125 to $269.

Source: firstcoastnews.com

2006-11-02T16:00:00.000-08:00

Nine West Unveils Sophia Kokosalaki Collection

"Nervous is my middle name," said designer Sophia Kokosalaki moments before taking to the stage for a Q&A session to introduce her new Nine West by Sophia Kokosalaki accessories collection at Macy's Herald Square in New York on Wednesday, November 1st.

Kokosalaki's limited edition collection follows hot on the heels of similar Nine West collaborations with Vivienne Westwood and Thakoon Panichgul, and the Greek-born couturier, who also helms her own eponymous line and is the newly-appointed creative director of the French fashion house Vionnet, was making her first ever in-store appearance to celebrate the occasion, and she confessed to having the jitters.

"It's a market I'm not really familiar with, the US market, and it was very flattering to be asked to design a collection alongside someone like Vivienne Westwood, to be honest," said Kokosalaki of her decision to partner with Nine West. "So I was able to take baby steps into this market. And I was also curious to see how a big company like Nine West works."

And how does a big company like Nine West work?

"They work very fast!" she replied with a laugh. "And they really paid attention to detail. They were eager to get it right, especially the people who were making the shoes; they wanted to know did I want the tassel cut, horizontally or on the diagonal, for instance. And I like working with people like that because I also have a passion to make nice products."

Nine West by Sophia Kokosalaki includes items such as a sweet black ballet flat with silver chain bow trim, a roomy black leather handbag with tons of pockets and a silver toggle closure and a sleek military style black wool trench with graphic leather piping, all of which are available at select Macy's and Nine West stores nationwide through November 30th, or until supplies last.

The curvy blond couturier made her way down to the shoe department on the store's second floor, which had been outfitted with a black backdrop in front of which stood two director's chairs - one for the designer and one for her interlocutor, Vogue's special events coordinator, Anne Vincent - and three models sporting Kokosalaki's accessories. A crowd of curious onlookers gathered to watch as Vincent interviewed the slyly humorous designer about her creative inspiration, her experience designing the costumes for the Opening Ceremony of the 2004 Olympics in Athens and, of course, her Nine West collaboration.

Kokosalaki answered every question graciously, but demurred when pressed to name her favorite piece from the Nine West line.

"Oh, I can't [choose]," she said with a shy smile. "They're like my children."

Source: news.yahoo.com

2006-11-01T12:05:00.000-08:00

Handbags in 1945

Printed January 21, 1945, The New York Times, by Anita Daniel

A woman without her handbag feels as lost as a wanderer in the desert. And she wants it large. If she cannot get it in leather-now growing scarce-she will take it in fabric, fur, or even plastic. The handbag is the movable base of her supplies-the depot of her expected needs. These eventual needs may reach out to a degree far beyond any man's power of imagination. A woman's handbag is a mysterious dungeon. It's the key to her real self; the prosaic answer to many poetic conceptions. A magician does not want to explain his tricks. There is an aura of taboo about a closed handbag.

Every woman has an uneasy look if somebody glances into its sacred privacy. A decent man should always tactfully stare at the ceiling whenever his companion opens her bag. He will, of course, have to concentrate on that ceiling pretty often. The typical handbag of a typical woman contains a certain number of fundamental things-plus her own individual touch. It is that individual touch that fills the bag. Some item is pretty sure to roll out the moment the bag is opened. Every woman's handbag is a lost and found department in itself. It is strange, but things actually disappear there, as by magic. They finally reappear on the surface after three or four investigations and complete pell-mell of the contents. Every bus driver is fatalistically resigned to having a lady barring the passage while searching for a nickel in the depths of her handbag. And every man knows about the two-minute drama ever repeated: "Heavens, I must have lost my watch...(or my twenty-dollar bill, my keys, that important letter, etc.,etc.)!" It usually has a happy ending. Nothing gives a man more self-satisfaction than such an experience. The whole myth of the superiority of men is built on the fact that a man never carries a handbag. Men keep women in eternal dependence by buying them beautiful handbags. What female heart would not melt at the sight of a luscious alligator bag, or soft suede or brocade?

A man carriers everything in his numerous comfortably deep pockets. It is estimated that a man wearing a suit with a vest and an overcoat has twenty pockets. No wonder he can never lose anything!

Women have also adapted pockets to their suits and coats. But the most genuine are just fit to put hands into. The others are good enough for a chiffon handkerchief to peep out of or they are faked. No woman's suit pocket is meant to hold her belongings. Every bulge would endanger the slim line and the smart effect. So women continue to carry handbags. As long as women do not wear men's suits with pockets, they will remain women. And men will continue to feel superior. The first thing Adam purchased for Eve was a handbag. It was his sweet revenge for the apple.

A young man I knew-the sensitive type-once told me that he was about to propose to a girl, when, accidentally, he had a glance into her handbag. It shocked him to such a degree that he spontaneously canceled his proposal. His whole image of the pretty girl had changed after he had seen the untidiness of her powder-dusted, lipstick-spotted handbag. Worst of all, a fruit drop had stuck to the lining.

Money is the thing you will miss most frequently in a woman's handbag. Nowadays it is hardly worth while for pickpockets to steal it, except for the fact that an astonishing number of women carry their precious belonging in handbags. They do it for fear they may be stolen from closets or drawers. That is why we read so often of handbags lost in taxicabs, containing jewels worth thousands of dollars. It is a strange time when women wear junk jewelry around their necks and carry their precious jewelry in the zippered department of their handbags.

Some psychologists think the way a woman carries her bag is characteristic. "Bagology" is quite a science. There is the strap type, the shoulder-strap type and the woman who tucks her bag under her arm. There are a great number of women who hold their bags both by the straps and pressed under the arm.

Seen from the psychologist's angle, the way a woman carriers her purse demonstrates the entire scale of characteristics, from light-mindedness and generosity to caution and greediness. One analyst warns men against women who keep their bag rolled around the wrist and the hand firmly clasped around the lock.

In the good old times, when the definition of a "lady" covered very definite limitations, it was ladylike to carry as little as possible. In sentimental English novels of the last century, whenever a lady opened her bag it was to give money to the poor. Or to take out a small prayerbook, an embroidered handkerchief or a tiny bottle of smelting salts, as it was considered very ladylike to faint once in a while. Today's ladies have a far more varied program.

The first time I saw Mrs. Roosevelt I was deeply impressed by the sight of her bag. There stood the First Lady, very tall, very straight, very distinguished in her gray tailored suit. In one hand she carried roses that had been presented to her; in the other, her bag. What a bag! It was of dark leather and of tremendous dimension, practically bursting with invisible contents. It clearly spoke of the activities of the First Lady. One glance and you knew the President's wife had a full-time job.

Source: handbagheaven.com

2006-10-31T12:45:00.000-08:00

ONO accessories - Making Fashionable Handbags That Are Sure To Please

Are you searching for that perfect handbag that is casual yet sophisticated, affordable yet exquisite, and at the same time Fashionable? Do you want to stand out from the crowd with a handbag that truly shows your individual side and is handcrafted with the utmost quality and attention given to every detail? If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, then ONO accessories is for you!

ONO accessories’ bags are stunning pieces of wearable art that are perfect for both day and night, look great in traditional restaurants and theatres and are the accessory of choice in trendy bars and clubs. The bags epitomize the distinct personality of their owners – fun, hip, sophisticated or flirty.

With a variety of colors and textures there is sure to be a handbag for whatever style you are trying to achieve. Do you need a handbag for that “first date”? No problem, we have one for you. Do you want a bag that you can carry to the office and still make an impression on those around you? No problem, we have one for you. ONO accessories has a passion for creativity and knows that the “purse does make the outfit”.

According to Debra Zalvan, founder and designer, “I created my company because I wanted women to be able to have hand-made and hand-finished handbags that truly were a reflection of their personalities. Our bags are all about quality and the ability to be fashion forward yet at the same time accessible to those that want to purchase our products. My true hope is that you enjoy using our bags, expressing yourself and having fun with your accessories!”

For those women getting married, we also have a wonderful bridal collection. The bags are designed with classical elegance for that “special day” but can also be used after this blessed event. They are perfect for evening wear or formal occasions. Your bridal bag can be more than just a memory; it can become your “bag of choice” for future nights out with your new husband and friends! The possibilities are endless!

For further information about any of the ONO accessories products, call 617.469.6302 or visit http://www.onoaccessories.com

Source: prweb.com

2006-10-31T12:39:00.000-08:00

Coach Profit Rises on Fancy Handbag

Coach Inc.the largest American luxury leather-goods maker, said first-quarter profit increased 34%, led by the introduction of Signature Stripe handbags. The company raised its earnings forecast for the year.

Net income in the quarter through September 30 was $125.6 million, or 34 cents a share, exceeding analysts' estimates. A year earlier, profit was $93.6 million, or 24 cents, the New York-based company said today in a statement. Coach expects full-year earnings of at least $1.63 a share.

Chief Executive Officer Lew Frankfort is unveiling wallets and other gifts under $100 and a line of pet accessories to spur shopping during the holidays, Coach's biggest selling period. Coach also introduced its highest priced collection called Legacy at the end of September.

Separately, Coach spokeswoman Andrea Shaw Resnick said in an e-mail statement that the company has settled a lawsuit against Target Corp.regarding counterfeit versions of some handbags. Target is the second-largest American discount chain.

David Schick, a New York-based analyst at Stifel, Nicolaus & Co., expected profit of 32 cents a share, according to his October 17 report. Schick was a topranked by StarMine Corp. for the accuracy. His projection was 1 cent more than the average forecast of 19 analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial, which doesn't disclose the basis of the projections to Bloomberg News.

Coach's earnings have beaten analysts' estimates in 24 of the past 25 quarters, Mrs. Resnick said.

First-quarter revenue climbed 23% to $553.9 million. The company sees sales for the year of $2.55 billion. In August, Coach projected annual profit of at least $1.55 a share on sales of $2.5 billion.

Shares of Coach gained $2.23, or 6.1%, to $38.56 as of 9:55 a.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. The stock had gained 9% this year through yesterday, lagging behind the 10% advance in the Standard & Poor's 500 Index.

Sales at Coach's American retail stores open more than a year rose 16%, whiles sales at the discount outlets surged 27%.

In Japan, total sales increased 21%, excluding the impact of translating the yen to American dollars. Sales at stores open at least a year in Japan, Coach's second-largest market after America, rose in the "mid-single-digit" on a percentage basis, Coach said. Indirect revenue, which includes sales to American department stores and international locations that are not owned by Coach, jumped 11%.

Coach had 230 retail stores and 87 outlets in North America as of September 30. In Japan, it had a total of 130 sales locations, including 126 owned by Coach.

Signature Stripe, a line of reversible bags featuring Coach's interlocking C designs with a stripe on top, accounted for 15% of the company's American and Japanese retail sales in July, when it became available, Mrs. Resnick has said.

Source: nysun.com

2006-10-31T12:35:00.000-08:00

Purse Fetish

They hold our credit cards. Cell phones. Lipsticks. Calendars and to-do lists. Maybe even a few secrets. The purse is, in short, a woman's most trusted accessory. But purses aren't just mere keepers of stuff - they're style statements. And for two local designers, they're big business.

Rebekah Scott - Rebekah Scott Designs

Rebekah Scott isn't ashamed of her purse addiction.

"I'm a purse fanatic," says the Valley Springs woman, who usually has at least 10 purses in rotation at any given time. In fact, Scott usually picks out her purse before getting dressed in the morning. "You can tell what's important to me, right?"

So it's no surprise that Scott has turned her love of purses into a business, Rebekah Scott Designs, and spends her days (and sometimes nights) designing and constructing purses out of her home. She sells her creations online, at several local stores and at trunk shows.

Scott's formal venture into purse design started about three years ago when she began making purses for friends and family. But she's no stranger to the sewing machine. "I started sewing when I was 4 years old, on a little Fisher-Price sewing machine."

Now, instead of the Fisher-Price model, Scott uses an industrial sewing machine that allows her to sew leather, suedes and other thick materials while speeding through seams at 1,400 stitches per minute. "You've got to watch your fingers," Scott says. "This thing will go, go, go."

Purse-making has taken over Scott's rural farmhouse. She cuts the fabric in the kitchen because that's where the lighting is best. She sews in the office. And when she's packing up for a show, the purses are just about everywhere.

Design inspiration comes from everywhere, too.

"I love being creative. That's the part of my brain that's the biggest," she says. Scott usually sticks to a daytime schedule, but there are times she keeps going until the wee hours of the morning. "And then I'll see that it's 2 a.m., I'll head up to bed and then get an idea that I have to write down," she says. "It energizes me. It doesn't exhaust me."

A lot of Scott's designs are inspired by what she herself is looking for in a purse. "I'm designing a lot of big purses right now," she says. "I'm usually a bag lady these days. I like them big." After all, a girl needs space to store her stuff, right?

Of course, a good purse isn't just about function. It's about fashion, too. "A good purse finishes an outfit," Scott says. That's why she's constantly reading fashion magazines from Germany and France. "They're about six months ahead, so I know what colors, textures and styles will be hot in the upcoming seasons." (Look for a lot of tone-on-tone colors and mixing of different textures in the coming months, she says.) And Scott's always searching for the perfect piece of fabric - although she rarely buys more than four to five yards at a time of one kind. "I want my bags to be exclusive," she says, noting that she's made more than a thousand purses since she's been in business.

That's part of the reason she's patented the sash she uses on many of her bags. "It's my signature sash," she says. "It's how you can tell that it's a Rebekah Scott purse."

Scott names each style of purse she designs, usually after a woman in her life. One big bag is named Peggy, after her mother. "She helped me figure out how to do the bottom. Her favorite bag right now is named Jocelyn, after her cousin. "There's not a lot of frill to it, but just enough. It's kind of like her - a tomboy." The Cassidy bag is Scott's most popular. "Cassidy is Jocelyn's little sister. She's a little girlier."

Soon, Scott will have additional inspiration for her purses. She's expecting her first baby in December. But don't think a baby will slow her down. The baby's birth is perfect timing business-wise, she says - sales are typically slower at the start of a new year, and she's already started booking trunk shows for early spring.

"I predict this baby will be lulled to sleep by the sound of the sewing machine," Scott says.

Sarah Sola - Sarah and Company

Sarah Sola can't go shopping without at least looking at a few purses. It's a weakness, she says.

"My husband collects baseball hats, so I'd always tease him and say that every time he gets a new hat, I'd get a new bag."

Of course now, Sola admits, "I think I have him beat."

Sola started making purses and handbags in spring 2005. She was running a daycare at her home in Brandon at the time, and when the kids were napping or otherwise occupied, she'd sew a few stitches on a purse. And when the moms came to pick up their kids, they saw - and liked - what Sola was creating, and encouraged her to make more. A few orders here, a few more there and Sola was in business, and now sells her original creations through home parties and at Serendipity. "Here we are, a year and a half later, and it's going stronger than ever."

Ideas and inspiration can come anywhere. A couple of weeks ago, Sola was sitting in church when the muse struck. "I asked friend for a pen - she thought I was going to be taking sermon notes," she recalls. "But no, when she looked over, I was drawing a bag. I guess you could call it divine inspiration."

The designs are all uniquely Sola's. "I don't use anyone else's patterns. I want to genuinely, honestly from the heart say they're original handbags." Once she's determined the design, Sola creates a prototype that she'll carry around for a while to see how it feels and how it functions. "If it's not usable, it's a waste," she says. Right now, she's working on the design of a hobo-style bag. "I think I'll change out the zipper and make it a little rounder on the ends," she says.

Whatever the style, the design of Sola's bags have a very distinct look to them, she says. They're somewhat tailored and classical, but they can be very playful and whimsical, depending on the fabrics. "I'm a coordinate with the outfit kind of girl, but it is fun to have something different."

And since her customers all want something different, most of Sola's bag-making business is custom orders. That way, buyers can choose the exact fabrics, embellishments, handles and closures. "It's nice to have a retail environment to display the purses," Sola says of the Serendipity shop. "But as soon as people find out they can custom-order a bag specific to their liking, they're excited." After all, every woman wants something unique. "I like that they're all different in some small way," she says. "Very rarely do I make two the same."

And considering that Sola's made almost 1,300 bags in the last year, that's quite a feat. "You'd think that after a thousand or so handbags, I'd be in a big state of burnout," she says. "But it's really just the beginning."

Source: argusleader.com

2006-10-24T13:23:00.000-07:00

Coach withdraws lawsuit against Target

Luxury handbag and accessory maker Coach Inc. has dismissed it's lawsuit against Target Corp. The company had alleged that the Minneapolis retailer was selling a counterfeit handbag that claimed to be an authentic Coach product.

The New York-based luxury goods company claimed a counterfeit handbag that is an "exact replica of a genuine Coach handbag" and that had a counterfeit of at least one Coach trademark was purchased from a Target store in Largo, Fla.

Target denied the allegations and insisted it doesn't sell forgeries.

As it turned out, the authentic purses were purchased at a department store liquidation sale.

Yay! - CoachChick

Source: kare11.com

2006-10-22T22:40:00.000-07:00

Candy's A-list accessories

Direct from New York, Milan and Paris - a star-studded line up of bags, shoes and jewels. Click here to go to the video montage and slide show at style.com. Below are my top 10 picks from the lavish (and luscious) coverage of hundreds of more items:

New York

Milan

Paris

Source: style.com

2006-10-22T22:12:00.000-07:00

Ashley Doyle explains to us how she can rock out Converse to Coach while quietly dreaming that she can beat the wait list and cash necessities for a real Birkin bag

Because I am a fashion student exposed to many more trends than the average college student, it influences my purchases when I go clothes shopping or even to my neighborhood Target. My friends tease me because I have a flair for buying some pretty “ugly” items and turning them into adorable outfits. I feel most at home in a T-shirt and jeans with flats and a fitted hoody. However, that’s where the boring basics end. I love to dress up my staples with attention-grabbing accessories such as a colorful necklace, several bangles, a large man’s watch, sparkly shoes, and a statement purse, usually large enough to fit a small child.

I find that celebrities play a large part in my style influence, such as Jessica Simpson, Nicole Richie, and Ashley Olsen (post-dumpster chic days, of course). I like bright scarves, chunky jewelry, and big sunglasses (and you know you like them too). I can’t be classified into one style since I like to mix it up frequently. One day I’ll wear heels and pearls but the next, I’ll wear green high-top Converse and a studded belt. I like to wear what feels comfortable and take fashion one day at a time.

My most frequent purchases are on handbags and shoes. They are two of the easiest (and sometimes expensive) ways to spruce up an outfit. I am a fiend for Coach handbags; it is really a sick addiction. I have a few major designer bags, but I adore Coach. My last purchase was a large Hobo-style with patchwork design in neutral shades. I tend to favor earthy colors, so this bag was a perfect addition to my ever-expanding wardrobe. I had to have it the second I laid eyes on it.

The bag I most covet is out of this world; a picture of perfection with a touch of rock-and-roll. I would sell my soul for a purple ostrich-skin Hermes Birkin bag, priced from $18,000.00 and up (my father would kill me and make me change majors if he knew how much bags actually cost). A person like me understands the value and status of this particular arm-candy and would probably agree that this is a better investment and will last longer than any car in that price range; it is the very definition of chic.

You must remember that fashion is not how you look but how you feel. Once you are lucky enough to own this bag (the wait list is about 5 years), I’d imagine you would feel pretty darn fabulous. Just remember to sit down and breathe when your credit card bill comes in…Cheers!!

Source: handbagdesigner101.com

2006-10-20T14:57:00.000-07:00

Louis Vuitton, peers fight sale of fakes - Luxury retailers take eBay, other sellers to court to fight knockoffs

It's getting harder and harder to fake it.

Louis Vuitton's brown-and-gold entwined LV logo, one of the most widely duplicated, pops up on fake handbags and accessories sold on downtown Atlanta street corners and online. But luxury design companies, including David Yurman, Ermenegildo Zegna, Burberry and Tiffany & Co., are fighting vendors who sell blatant copies of their merchandise. Also, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce says counterfeit goods cost U.S. companies up to $250 billion a year.

Fakes are big business. At the recent "Countering Global Counterfeiting and Piracy" conference in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Chamber of Commerce estimated that fake goods cost U.S. companies between $200 billion and $250 billion annually. China is the No. 1 source of counterfeit products seized at the U.S. border, accounting for 68 percent of all seizures in 2005, according to the Chamber of Commerce.

Also, the government estimates that fakes are responsible for the loss of more than 750,000 U.S. jobs.

Louis Vuitton — owned by LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton — and sister company Christian Dior Couture recently filed a civil suit in France against eBay. The luxury firms hold the online marketplace liable for sales of products they claim to be counterfeit. LVMH alleges that 90 percent of Vuitton bags offered on eBay during the first six months of this year were fakes. The luxury firm could not be reached for comment.

Under the category "designer handbags," eBay offered 50 Vuitton items in a recent search. One, "an authentic Louis Vuitton handbag/purse white with gold" was selling for $157.50. Another "authentic Louis Vuitton crescent-shape LV handbag" was selling for $105. Authentic Vuitton canvas handbags — sold in Vuitton stores and authorized retailers — start around $600.

EBay spokesman Hani Durzy said, "We believe this lawsuit is without merit and disappointing." EBay has 203 million registered members who have bought or sold $45 billion worth of goods this year.

"Counterfeiters are bad for eBay and undermine the trust that e-commerce shoppers have with us," Durzy said. "Oftentimes, there is no way we can tell if an item is counterfeit."

To combat the problem, the company has created Vero, a program for companies to easily report misuse of their trademarks on the site.

But, the crux of the suit, according to New York lawyer Helen Hill Minsker of Banner & Witcoff Ltd., is whether eBay is obliged to take a more active role in policing its site for known and unknown counterfeit auction items.

"This is the question that the courts in the United States, France and elsewhere are trying to resolve," Minsker said.

In June, LVMH successfully brought a similar suit in France against the Internet search engine Google. The French Court of Appeals ordered Google to pay nearly $400,000 in damages to LVMH. Tiffany & Co. has a similar case pending against eBay.

Online retailers aren't the only companies under attack.

In June, the Italian fashion group Fendi sued Wal-Mart, accusing the megaretailer of selling counterfeit handbags with the Fendi logo at its Sam's Club warehouse stores. In September, the menswear firm Ermenegildo Zegna filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against New York store 56th Street Menswear for allegedly selling a counterfeit suit. Coach handbag firm also filed a lawsuit against a Target store in Florida, accusing the store of selling fake Coach bags.

While Louis Vuitton rarely comments on lawsuits, New York jeweler David Yurman aggressively protects his cable jewelry designs. Turning a blind eye to counterfeiters diminishes the value of the brand, Yurman has said in recent interviews.

Pursuing counterfeiters "sends a message to those who bottom feed from American design talent — do so at your peril," said Susan Spagna, vice president and general counsel for the jewelry company.

When counterfeit goods flood the market, both company owners and customers get hurt. "The companies suffer loss of income and loss of reputation and goodwill," said Minsker of Banner & Witcoff Ltd. "The public suffers when it receives counterfeit goods instead of genuine ones.

"If LVMH is successful in this suit, then it may result in eBay and others adopting new safeguards to prevent, or at least police, counterfeiting.

Source: ajc.com

2006-10-20T14:56:00.000-07:00

Come on if you think you're hard enough ...

When Coco Chanel launched her classic quilted handbag in 1955 she did not, so far as we know, describe the long leather strap that slinked through its gilt links as hardware. It was simply, she said, a means by which women could carry all they needed and keep their hands free. She could not have known that her legendary design would prove to be the precursor to the mass of heavy-metal handbags now weighing down the shelves in every high street accessories department.

You do not have to look far to see the hardware trend at work. You can even, without straining too hard, hear it coming along the street as all those brassy clips, clasps, buckles and rings swing and chime in collision. Gritty zips bare giant teeth. Chains rattle. Fobs, tabs and tassles shake. These are the 4x4s of the handbag world: ungracious on the pavement, heavy to handle, their glint and steel the equivalent of an oversized grille and bumper.

In purely fashion terms, it is easy to see why this is happening now. The punkish overtones fit with other elements of an 80s revival (sweater dresses, ankle boots, leggings), and over the past few seasons boisterous bags have offset the softer edges of a predominantly feminine silhouette, all curvy skirts and soft ruffles. But look beyond fashion and another, darker reason for the metallic leer of our handbags emerges.

"There seems to be an allusion to security and surveillance," says Alice Rawsthorn, design critic of the International Herald Tribune. "There have often been little baby padlocks on bags - Hermès, Prada, for instance - but on these new bags the hardware has been blown up, grossly exaggerated in allusion to all the paraphernalia of security. They are sinister and ungainly. There is more metal than leather on some. They are bags as weapons."

If that sounds far-fetched, consider this. The distinguishing mark of Chloé's bestselling Paddington bag, launched in September 2004, is the chunky gilt padlock that stands guard over the front pocket. Marc Jacobs' hit Stam bag, which went on sale last year, can be identified by the chain that swings from its handle. While its quilted leather nods to Chanel's classic bag, this chain is too heavy to look entirely harmless. Now the hardware is hardening further. For £425 it is possible to buy a bag by BE&D, from Harvey Nichols, covered in the sort of spiky studs that normally decorate a knuckle duster. Even Armani, a house known for its timelessness, has this season produced a bag whose exaggerated decorative links look like interlocking handcuffs. Gucci has gone further still, its glittering clutch encased safe-like in a riveted metallic trim while a chain hooks the bag to the wearer's wrist: the handcuff is no longer an allusion but a matter of fact. Handbag designers, it seems, are responding to a world that feels less safe post 9/11.

It was the launch of the Mulberry Roxanne in October 2003 that signalled the moment, says Harriet Quick, features editor of Vogue, "when the trend for substantial hardware really kicked off". The Roxanne was so swiftly taken to hearts that it fast became known as the Roxy. Kate Moss was among the first to order it. Even if you don't know its name you will almost certainly have seen it at her side in paparazzi pictures. The Roxanne was unlike anything else on sale at the time. It had (and still has, for at £595 it continues to be a bestseller) 62 exposed rivets, five faux buckles, six rings that hoop its various straps and, empty, weighed 1.4kg. Everything about it was extrinsically expressive, from the stand-out pockets to buckle straps that licked outwards.

And yet there was a different impulse at work in the Roxanne compared with the aggressive hardware of its successors. What it did not have was a logo - unless you knew where to look, in the tiny indented flecks that speckled into the shape of the mulberry tree on every one of those rivets. It was, Quick says, "a reaction to the logo mania of the first part of the noughties - canvas [bags] that had to have a logo all over, leather that was embossed".

Today hardware has replaced logo as the single identifying characteristic of the bag - creating, says Quick, "a new kind of signature with the hardware itself". The Chloé Paddington's padlock, the chain of the Marc Jacobs Stam, the "postman's lock" on the Mulberry leatherware have become the means by which the bags are identified. Hardware confers status. The clasp of the Paddington is not only the bag's signature but a wry nod to its expense (around £790 for a tote). This bag costs so much, it seems to say, I need to keep it under lock and key. And while Stuart Vevers, creative director at Mulberry, still sees hardware as a "subtle status symbol", it can be far from subtle. Emblazoned on the front of Gucci's clutchbag with cuff is the double "G" of its logo, just like the maker's badge on the boot of a 4x4. "The irony," notes Rawsthorn, "is that in an era of mounting street crime, nothing screams 'this bag is eminently stealable' more than all that hardware."

Perhaps it is not so surprising that emblems of personal and international security have found their way into fashion. Anna Wintour, editor of US Vogue, commented recently on "a much darker, more aggressive [aesthetic] ... that I believe can only be the result of the darkening political climate". Before fashion got hold of it, of course, the word "hardware" was more commonly used to denote heavy military equipment. Maybe things have not changed so much after all; even Chanel, with such practical ambitions for her classic bag, is thought to have been inspired by soldiers' rucksacks.

Source: guardian.co.uk

2006-10-20T14:54:00.000-07:00

Jessica Alba Says Handbags Are Perfect Accessories

Los Angeles, CA (BANG) - There's nothing like walking around with a nifty purse and having all the girls commend you on your good taste - and Jessica Alba would just happen to agree. The brunette actress recently said happiness can be found in the perfect handbag. The "Sin City" star - who has revealed her favorite purse is a brown Italian lamb-leather Gustto Parina tote worth $625 - says women are never really dressed properly without one. She told the USA Today newspaper, "Aside from the sheer practicality of something you can carry your whole life around in, a bag really pulls an outfit together. A great bag can make an everyday outfit something special."

Source: allheadlinenews.com

2006-10-20T14:47:00.000-07:00

Designers fight retailers - Luxury leather-goods makers say companies sell knockoff handbags

With plush leather or crystal beads, upscale handbags remain one of the best ways for women to wear their taste -- and their bank accounts -- on their shoulders. But how do you know that high-priced handbag with the designer label is the real thing? In the eyes of high-end luxury designers, you can never be too certain. And they've launched an all-out war to keep fake handbags out of the hands of mainstream merchants.

Last week, luxury leather-goods maker Coach Inc. sued Target Corp., accusing Target of selling knockoff copies of its handbags. Target denied the charges and insisted it doesn't sell forgeries. A few months ago, Italian fashion group Fendi S.R.L. filed a lawsuit alleging that Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Sam's Club sold counterfeit handbags, passing them off as genuine. Wal-Mart denies the charges. The dispute has some retail experts wondering whether the products are really fakes, or whether the luxury designers are simply upset that their products ended up in mainstream discount chains -- which cheapens the image of their products.

"There's an aura of style related to a Coach trademark," said Jim Nikolai, a Minneapolis attorney and a specialist on trademark infringement. "That aura is diluted if it ends up in the hands of discount retailers." In the past, one easy way to tell if a product was fake was to look at who was selling it. Typically, counterfeit luxury items were peddled on street corners and at flea markets, and the real deals were in high-end department stores. But with more luxury items appearing in mass-market retail channels, location is no longer a determining factor. Costco Wholesale Corp. has sold Gucci watches. And Chanel perfume can now be found at midtier department stores. There is no law that prohibits those retailers from selling high-end luxury items, even if the designers don't want them to.

"If Coach sold a product to a third-party supplier that sold it to Target legally, then Target has every right to sell it," said Dan Butler, vice president of retail operations and merchandising for the National Retail Federation. "But Target has to be prepared to say in court where it got it." In a lawsuit filed in New York, Coach said Target sold copies of a Coach bag it "explicitly identifies as a genuine Coach product" at a store in Largo, Fla. Kira Doughan, a spokeswoman in the legal department at Coach, said the company's engineers analyzed the bag, which sold at Target for $200, and determined that it was a counterfeit. The company is investigating reports that Coach handbags have appeared in Target stores in Michigan and California; Coach bags have been spotted at Twin Cities-area stores this past week. A Target store in St. Paul on Monday was selling Coach handbags for $134.99 and Coach wallets for as much as $164.99.

Coach is seeking a court order barring Target from selling the bags. The lawsuit also requests any payment of profits the discount retailer made on sales of the items. "Target has procedures in place to ensure that we do not sell counterfeit products to our guests," Target spokeswoman Carolyn Brookter said in a prepared statement. "We have been assured that the Coach product showcased in our store is authentic; therefore we believe the lawsuit is without merit." She declined to answer further questions, including where Target got the bags. This is not the first time Coach and Target have gotten into a tug-of-war about purses. Also, Coach recently complained that some of Target's private-label handbags too closely resemble Coach designs.

Source: redding.com

2006-10-20T14:45:00.000-07:00

Handbagdesigner101.com, the Handbag Designer Resource Launches -- Handbag Enthusiasts Everywhere Breathe a Sigh of Relief

Handbag Designer 101, the handbag designer resource, announces their launch of their long-awaited website. This new soon-to-be hotspot on the web is where handbag designers, aficionados and experts unite. At handbagdesigner101.com, you can find undiscovered handbags by independent designers; learn about the latest handbag trends; see the handbags that celebrities are wearing today and find out about the latest handbag shopping events.

Brainchild of Yasmena and Yazzy Bag creator and handbag designer consultant, Emily Blumenthal, Handbag Designer 101 is bridging the gap between designer handbag fan blogs and high-fashion glossy websites. “As a designer, I was always searching for a website where independent designers could be featured for inspiration, find out the latest handbag trends, see where what the latest “it bag” was and also where I could post if I was having bag party or trunk show,” says Blumenthal. “After many years of grass-roots marketing and developing a handbag line from nothing with no design background that made it to QVC, I have had many aspiring designers contact me for advice of my “how to” story. It was clear that I wasn’t the only one who knew that the voice of the independent handbag designer is being passed over for name-brand accessories especially when their biggest following are real bag-maniacs want the bag that no else has. I wanted to give a platform where they can tell their story and plight of giving birth to their lines and humanize their handbags and therefore become a destination purchase.”

Already featured on Handbag Designer 101 is French & French by 2 sister-in-laws, Amey & Shane, whose unique handbags made out of stingray whose production samples survived Hurricane Katrina. Also to come is Fort Cloudy, a handmade line by a 21-year-old named Sarah Maier who sells her line on Etsy.com and London-based Jackie Cawthra’s handbag line called Belen which was born soon after her love affair with Spain began. In addition, HB101 encourages local handbag enthusiasts to participate in letting us know which trends are hot and scout out new talent where they live. This combined with the “Celebrity Bag Watch” and “Bag Events” section with industry expert writers makes Handbag Designer 101 truly the something-for-everyone resource for handbag fanatics everywhere.

Handbag Designer 101, the handbag designer resource, was inspired by the need for the handbag designer, aficionado and critic in all of us. Handbag Designer 101 trademark is owned by handbagdesigner101.com, a privately held company based in New York City.

Today’s HB101: www.handbagdesigner101.com/designer
Bag Trends: www.handbagdesigner101.com/trends
Celebrity Bag Watch: www.handbagdesigner101.com/celebrity
Handbag Events: www.handbagdesigner101.com/handbag_events

Source: prweb.com

2006-10-20T14:12:00.000-07:00

Accessory of the Moment: The Fendi B Bag

Every once in a while, a bag comes along that creates an undeniable buzz. It makes our knees wobble, our eyes glaze over and our credit cards shrink with fear. This season, it's the fabulous Fendi B Bag. This cult-status must-have accessory is adorned with two oversized buckles and comes in a multitude of breathtaking fabrics, from butter soft calfskin with patent leather trim to chic straw with green python trim. And unlike most other must-have bags of the past, the B Fendi comes in two sizes, both of which are practical as well as beautiful. So what's the catch with this amazing accoutrement? Not much, if you have a Donald Trump-size bank account. For others, start saving your pennies now. The B Bag will set you back anywhere from $1,300 to $5,000. And if you've got the cash, you better work fast. The totes are selling out as we speak, and you'll have to compete with the likes of Lindsay Lohan to get on the waitlist.

Source: ivillage.com

2006-10-20T14:09:00.000-07:00

What's your purseonality?

Can you guess a woman's personality from the contents of her bag? We asked four women to share what they carry (and can't live without), then asked a panel of experts to comment. How would you measure up?

Our Panel
The therapist: Jill Choder-Goldman
The bag designer: Lauren Merkin
Average guy: Joe, 26, account manager
Average guy: Adam, 30, graphic designer
Average guy: Ted, 30, mariner
Average guy: Kiffin, 28, editor

Click to continue to the article...

Source: ivillage.com

2006-10-17T10:21:00.000-07:00

Trend Watch - Oversize Bags

Think big! Move over clutches and baguettes; as far as bags are concerned this season, bigger is certainly better. Almost every trendsetting celebrity has jumped on the oversize-bag-bandwagon (think Nicole Richie, Beyoncé, and Kate Moss) – roomy carryalls are versatile (perfect for day and night) and practical (you can carry your entire life in them!), as well as überstylish. And the best part of all? You can find this totally cute look without breaking the bank. While we'd all love to tote a supersized Chloé bag around, many retail chains have their own twist on big bags that are still super stylish!

Source: glam.com

2006-10-15T17:48:00.000-07:00

Mimisworld USA Unveils Distribution Portal To Market its Luxury HandBags - Diamond Devi Collection

Never before designs in women’s fashion accessories showcasing talents of Indian artisans now featured on mimisworldusa.com

Mimisworld USA announces the launch of its distributor portal featuring its line of luxury handbags - Diamond Devi Collection. Never before has the fashion world seen a collection that expresses a woman’s personality and spirit through the art of symbolism. Crafted in rare, butter-soft leather, every handbag features an icon - a symbol of a woman's special quality. Each icon has been hand-painted in 22K gold, embellished with genuine diamond and the entire collection is completed with original 18K gold-plated fittings. Diamond Devi Collection sets a new trend, bringing mysticism and a touch of diverse culture, elegance and class.

“The comprehensive distribution portal will provide quality service to fashion boutiques, specialty stores as well as our market representatives, ” says Russ Young, the business consultant for Mimisworld USA Inc. “Business partners and potential customers can place orders online from any geographical location and the technology will ensure speed and accuracy on information relating to orders, inventory, shipments and other transactional elements.”

Inspired by the many wondrous forms of the Indian Devis, the Sanskrit word for “Goddess”, 4 personal icons or Devis have been artistically created for this collection. Each Icon is a reflection of a woman's inner beauty - LOVE & COMPASSION, WISDOM & CREATIVITY, COURAGE & CONFIDENCE, FREEDOM OF SPIRIT & INTUITION. Designed for every occasion, reflecting every mood of a woman, the collection displays more sophisticated and mature trend in feminine style. It not only makes a personal fashion statement but also highlights a woman's individuality.

Available in 6 styles, including totes, handbags and evening purses, the collection blends functionality with versatility, bringing luxury to everyday life. Mimisworld USA's committment to quality is supported by a 3-year warranty on the gold painting, the diamond and the gold-plated fittings. Mimisworld USA also offers a gold-plated lotus charm as a gift.

Mimisworld USA, Inc. is the exclusive distributor of some of the finest, most luxurious, elegant and exotic accessories available. Spear-headed by Kim Hamilton, Mimisworld USA Inc. is headquartered in Georgia. The company is committed to providing the highest quality products that focus on a unique sense of fashion and lifestyle. The timeless essence of Mimisworld accessories elevates them to the status of collectibles. A true believer and supporter of women’s empowerment, Mimisworld USA helps impoverished women develop new skills and creates work opportunities for women artists by delivering exciting and timely products to the world market.

For more information visit www.mimisworldusa.com

Source: prweb.com

2006-10-13T19:11:00.000-07:00

Helping others: Handbag auction to aid Salvation Army

The Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary will present the second "Helping Handbags" luncheon and auction Oct. 21 at the Radisson Hotel, with a reception at 11:30 a.m. and lunch at noon.

Billed as a charity event with style and heart, the highlight will be the auctioning of handbags and other items from notables near and far.

Kitty O'Neal of KFBK (1530 AM) will preside as emcee at the event, which will benefit underprivileged women and children in the Sacramento area.

More than 200 items will be offered in the silent auction, including specialty items for the Red Hat Ladies. On the live auction block will be handbags donated by Louise Mandrell and her sisters; a Mary Francis bag donated by Jan Scully, including a gift certificate for lunch for four with the district attorney; a tote bag from Sacramento Magazine, including lunch for two with the magazine's Dining Divas; a foursome for golf at Winchester Country Club; an oversize handmade needlepoint bag valued at $500, donated by Grace Mason; Mary Francis bags donated by Mona Clevenger; dancing lessons at Arthur Murray; a Vera Bradley tote donated by Linda Clifford; and a gift certificate from Craig Evans Photography.

Luncheon tickets are $35 per person. For information and tickets, call Capt. Pam Brackenbury at the Salvation Army, (916) 563-3771.

Source: sacbee.com

2006-10-11T21:47:00.000-07:00

Cosmoda Introduces Elle Handbags and Lunchbags

Cosmoda Corporation has introduced the inaugural Elle handbag line.

The launch is anchored by the Elle Signature Collection. This group includes a business tote, shopper, top zip, satchel and shopping tote, all of which are available in brown or black exclusively designed Elle Signature jacquard.

This collection is joined by the Elle Uptown Flavor collection. This group of handbags are made from a textured pebble grain material and feature large turn locks. It includes stylish hobos and satchels.

The Elle Insulated Lunch Bag combines stylish shapes and colors with such practical features as water- and stain-resistant interiors. The bags are available in a wide variety of colors ranging from soft pink, chocolate brown, green tea, camel, cranberry and black.

For more information, contact Cosmoda Corporation at 416-633-6303, or visit www.cosmoda.com.

Source: gifts-and-tablewares.com

2006-10-11T17:02:00.001-07:00

Versace's Handbags Shown At Milan Fashion Week For Spring 2007

It seems Donatella Versace has certainly saved face with this last collection unveiled at Milan Fashion Week, critics are proclaiming it as one of her best in several years. The handbags, as you can see, were mostly totes, all decorated with different colours, embellishments, and chains. The occasional clutch was thrown in, both snakeskin-esque and quite utilitarian and hardy. This is one collection I can't wait for, although I doubt it contains a muchly-craved 'It' bag, due to the tote size not being especially popular for everyday use.

Source: thebaglady.tv

2006-10-11T17:01:00.001-07:00

Louis Vuitton's Spring 2007 Collection At Paris Fashion Week

Marc Jacobs has obviously been a busy little boy for Louis Vuitton, frantically ripping up faded jeans and sewing the pieces together, glueing buttons over everything he can find, spraypainting, and generally raiding the arts and crafts cupboard at his local kindergarten. This collection for Spring 2007 was very eclectic, amongst all the glueing and stapling on of feathers and fake fur, he obviously found time to nip down to Walmart to pick up some of those red, blue, and white checked plastic carry-bags and stamped the Louis Vuitton logo onto it. What was left of the collection was a confusing mish-mash that is better left to the 5 year-olds. If his aim was to create butt-ugly monstrosities that not even Victoria Beckham would use, then he succeeded brilliantly.

Source: thebaglady.tv

2006-10-11T17:00:00.000-07:00

Miu Miu's Spring 2007 Collection For Paris Fashion Week

Miu Miu's few handbags shown at Paris Fashion Week were complete opposite notions of one another, yet had a few complimentary details thrown in for good measure. Several 80s disco-inspired clutches with geometric triangles and large silver handles gave a nod towards the future, yet the few soft suede and satin tie-dyed bags were reminescent of the 60s bohemian style. Similar half-moon handles were shown on both styles of bags, as were the complimentary shades of red, purple, and blue. This is one collection that will do well next Spring.

Source: thebaglady.tv

2006-10-11T16:58:00.000-07:00

YSL's Handbag Collection For Spring 2007 At Paris Fashion Week

More Paris Fashion Week coverage, this time in the form of lovely Yves Saint Laurent (YSL). As you can see, there weren't that many bags thrown out on the catwalk for Spring 2007, and certainly none of the delicious 'Muses' we've all grown to covet. Instead, the three clutches shown were embellished with lady-like decorations, little silver and gold fragile flowers and jewels. The matching nailpolish to handbags was delightful, and I'm sure Charlotte over at Kiss and Makeup is thrilled that YSL are pushing dark colours for Spring next year.

Source: thebaglady.tv

2006-10-11T16:57:00.000-07:00

What NOT To Put In Your Handbag

Our 'sleb-crazed brother, Star Trip, has the goss on Paris Hilton's latest escapades, where she was recently papped with some suspicious looking 'herbs' in her silver Balenciaga at the Milan Fashion Week. The photo was taken as she was touching up her pink nailpolish in the front row of the D&G show, as you do, and a bag of what is though to be marijuana was visible. Girls, if you're lucky enough to have papparazzi follow you around, please leave your stash at home!

Source: thebaglady.tv

2006-10-11T16:55:00.000-07:00

Borrowing handbags hits Berlin

Berlin, Sept 17: Louis Vuitton one week, Prada the next - designer handbags may be appealing, but they don`t come cheap. German company "Luxusbabe" (luxury babe) is changing all that, allowing customers to rent and later return designer handbags.

Luxusbabe is the brainchild of Maike Senger who set up the firm on discovering that U.S-based online handbag rental services wouldn`t deliver to Germany.

"I myself am addicted to handbags and last year I read in an American women`s magazine that this was totally normal, being able to rent designer handbags," Senger, who also owns Luxusbabe, told Reuters Television. "So I immediately went onto the internet site but they told me they wouldn`t ship bags to Germany. I was completely devastated. Handbags are expensive so I came up with the idea of doing it myself."

Senger soon discovered there were plenty of other women who shared her love of designer bags.

Luxusbabe`s minimum contract lasts three months and has three levels of monthly subscriptions, ranging from 29 Euros (36.80 USD) to 79 Euros (100.2 USD).

Customers then choose their favourite bag from the selection available.

The designer bags are ordered online and delivered to the customer`s door.

Bags can be swapped as often as desired and Senger says nothing beats the real thing: "Quite simply, a real bag feels nicer, and personally I find it`s justifiable compared to a fake."

Luxusbabe has introduced customer Sophia Schmidt to online shopping. She had never bought anything on the internet before.

"I just like designer handbags because they`re made of real leather and because not everyone has them," Schmidt said, clutching an "MCM" bag, adding "it`s not some average bag."

According to Luxusbabe, their online shop gives customers the chance "to look like a million dollars without having to spend it."

Source: zeenews.com

2006-10-11T16:52:00.000-07:00

Shreveporter journeys from stay-at-home mom to handbag designer

Four years ago, Shelley Wenum of Shreveport was a stay-at-home mother.

Today her designer handbags have graced the pages of Neiman Marcus Direct catalogs nationwide and are sold in some of the finest boutiques in Los Angeles, New York, Dallas, Atlanta and more.

Her designer handbags line, Shelley Wenum Designs, has even been featured in Harper's Bazaar and most recently Southern Lady magazine.

And she does it all right here, in town. "I think we're never leaving because it's a great place to be," Wenum said.

The Columbia, S.C., native moved to Shreveport 11 years ago with her husband Casey and their two sons, Alex and Zachary.

However, it wasn't until her husband, a former Air Force pilot, was serving overseas that she tried her hand at designer handbags.

"I was just doing this to pass my time while my husband was overseas and I'd shown them to Frances (Peyton) in Sue Peyton's and it just kind of progressed from there," Wenum said.

Wenum was doing a trunk show at Sue Peyton's, she explained, and a representative from the World Trade Center in Dallas was there and asked her to showcase her line there.

"They liked my line and we started selling at boutiques all over the U.S. and Canada and now I'm in Dallas, New York and Atlanta showrooms," Wenum said.

Wenum describes her handbags as specialty whimsical evening bags that come in precious stones, mink, fox and leathers. Prices range from $125 to $425. She also recently launched a new line called Shelley Wenum, Too with partners Karin Barro and Kathy Johnson, who also serves as Wenum's assistant for Shelley Wenum Designs.

"Karin and my assistant Kathy came to me with an idea of how we can do this and bring fashion to friends, not just through retail," Wenum explained.

The new line will consist of mostly leather bags and everyday cutting edge bags, as well as pashminas and belts. Prices range from $69 for belts to $229 for handbags.

What makes Wenum's bag so popular is that it's not the norm, said DeBruhl's owner Salley DeBruhl.

"She puts a lot of detail into her bags that you don't see in a lot of other evening cut bags, and they're versatile," DeBruhl said. "They don't necessarily have to be paired with an evening gown in mind. You can mix it up and wear them with jeans."

The success of Wenum's business is mind-blowing even to her.

"I never imagined this. I've always been a stay-at-home mom," she said. But these days she's on the go. "It's gotten very busy and very hectic traveling and working all the time. If I didn't have Kathy (her assistant) I'd be lost because she's the one who keeps me going," she said.

Wenum has this advice for any other budding entrepreneurs out there wanting to break into the industry: "Just go for it."

She said: "If it's something you really want to do, just try it because believe me, I'm not business-minded. I only went a year and a half to University of South Carolina and I was dyslexic. This just took off, and I've been very successful and very blessed."

WHERE SOLD: Sue Peyton's, 721 Southfield Road in Shreveport; DeBruhl's, 6535 Youree Drive in Shreveport; and online at www.shelleywenum.com.

Source: shreveporttimes.com

2006-10-11T16:50:00.000-07:00

High fashion is in the bag – the bigger the better

The cult of the handbag has reached new heights, literally. The hottest handbags are as tall as 60cm and wider than a doorway; power bags large enough to hold a small bureau and topple a passerby with one swing of the shoulder. And the price tags are just as hefty at $2000 and up.

Chalk it up to the celebrity culture, women’s rising economic clout and one undeniable, intoxicating fact: You don’t have to be model-thin to wear one.

Observers of fashion and culture say “it bags” are to women what sports cars are to men; a competitive status symbol that knows no rational limits.

In a day when jeans and T-shirts are common and upper echelon executive women dress down to preserve authority, an outrageously expensive must-have “it bag”, especially one so big it’s hard to miss, announces its owner has arrived.

“It’s like a Hummer; built to do the kind of things no driver would ever do,” said Robert Thompson, professor of popular culture at Syracuse University in the US. “It’s excessively overbuilt for what you need it for. The really giant purse has got that same sense. It says, ‘I can afford this excess even though all I’ve got in this is a wallet and an LG Chocolate cell phone’.”

In the past two years, sales of handbags in the US soared at a pace of nearly six per cent a year to an estimated $US6 billion ($A8 billion) in 2006, according to a report from market research firm Mintel International Group. While the pace of growth is expected to slow slightly, to more than five per cent a year through 2010, luxury analysts and culture experts predict the handbag hoopla will continue.

Celebrity and fashion magazines devote pages to stars and their handbags. Online chat forums and blogs, including Purseblog.com and Handbag.com, have sprung up for fans to swap tales about their favourite purses and the famous people who lug them... Kate Moss strolling down the street with her Mulberry Bayswater. Victoria Beckham hopping out of a car with her super-sized quilted Prada shopper. Lindsay Lohan swinging her curvy Fendi B. Heidi Klum voguing with her oversized YSL white ostrich Muse.

The Birkin is the holy grail of handbags. It takes years just to get on the waiting list. The price can range from $13,000 to $67,000 (AUD). And carrying one sends a signal of privilege that is difficult to match.

The TV show “Sex and the City” built an entire episode around the outrageous length the character of Samantha goes to in order to secure the coveted treasure.

Stewart isn’t the only woman to splurge on a handbag after reaching a certain echelon. It’s a common practice, say several executive women.

“It shows you mean business,” said Melissa Giovagnoli, president of Chicago-based Networlding.com, who totes a $2000 Prada. “It doesn’t matter if I’m using a Bic pen, as long as I have my Prada bag.”

Giovagnoli bought her first designer handbag four years ago. She was window shopping, eyeing a $800 Ferragamo purse, but decided to wait for a big account to justify the splurge. When a call came in from a long-time client asking her to speak at an event, she offered to do so for free as a favour.

The client insisted on paying, so Giovagnoli charged $800 and bagged the handbag. She carried it for years as a good luck charm and a reminder that she should charge what she’s worth, a message she shares with other businesswomen as part of her networking and coaching business.

Women have always been attached to their handbags. They carry them close to their sides. It holds all their personal belongings. It’s almost an “intimate extension of the body”, writes Anna Johnson in her book “Handbags: The Power of the Purse”.

Research shows women buy on average three bags a year, up from one every two years in 2000, according to NPD Group.

Anne MacDonald, chief marketing officer of Macy’s owner Federated Department Stores, changes her bag daily. She has a wardrobe full of Lambertson Truex handbags all neatly stacked on shelves, stuffed with tissue paper to keep their shape.

“I’m like Imelda Marcos with shoes,” MacDonald laughs, showing off the luxurious inside lining of a Lambertson
satchel she bought 11 years ago.

Grace Tsao-Wu, owner of Tabula Tua, once carried the same bag for three months. Now, she has set up a small table by her door to hold her handbags for the week, right next to her mobile phone charger and Blackberry.

“Lately, I switch bags often,” said Tsao-Wu. “I easily carry two or three bags a week. I didn’t used to do that. There’s some addictive quality about it. A handbag has a major presence on the body. They take up a lot of space, especially these days.”

The Mintel report noted women from all demographics are susceptible to buying a purse on impulse on any given day. It is no wonder, then, that many department stores have moved their handbag departments to prominent spaces near the stores’ entrance.
To be sure, most women can’t help but carry way too much in their handbags. And who knows how many women will be visiting their doctors’ offices this year with knotted necks and twisted shoulders.

But Cindy Burrell won’t be one of them. The Chicago executive said she got tired of being the porter for her family. “You just end up carrying everyone else’s stuff around. When I had a larger purse my husband and children would give me their stuff. I carry a little purse now.”

Source: citynews.com.au

2006-10-11T16:48:00.000-07:00

Cami's Collection Launches New Handbag Brand

Cami's Collection an online store that specializes in the Finest Tapestry & Light Fabric Handbags, Travel Bags, Backpacks and Accessories has recently introduced its own brand of High Quality Jacquard Tapestry Handbags. After three years of selling other fine brands and providing design and manufacturing services to specialty marketers, Cami's Collection is using the skills of its experienced craftswomen to create a line of World Class Tapestry Handbag Products. The first offering from the Cami's Collection line is the Saddle Handbag with its simple yet stylish design. The Saddle Handbag is available with either a magnetic snap or zippered closure and is offered in ten different animal themed patterns, some stately some whimsical. All of the Cami's Collection Saddle Handbags are crafted from the highest quality Jacquard Tapestry fabrics. Additional patterns and shapes are planned for the future.

In addition to the Saddle Handbags, Cami's Collection has recently added a line of Fun & Funky Hand Loom Woven Backpacks that are perfect for school age girls and a line of very stylish Christmas Tree Skirts handcrafted from the Finest Fabrics. The addition of more new offerings is planned for the near future.

Cami's Collection focuses on providing very high quality products with excellent customer service at extremely reasonable prices. They look forward to serving your Holiday Gift Giving Needs! You can find Cami's Collection at www.CamisCollection.com. Cami's Collection is an online store that specializes in the Finest Tapestry & Light Fabric Handbags, Travel Bags, Backpacks and Accessories. You can find Cami's Collection at www.CamisCollection.com or contact us at 828-994-0827.

Source: 24-7pressrelease.com

2006-10-11T16:45:00.000-07:00

Remember the Chloe show where some thought that the handbags were uninspired due to the departing design chief?

Paris - Chloe has appointed Paulo Melim Andersson, a Swede who has spent the past seven years with Marni in Milan, as its new Chief Designer on Wednesday.

Melim Andersson, 34, is in effect the eventual successor to Phoebe Philo, the highly successful English designer who quit Chloe last year, in a move away from the stresses and strains of designing for a major international label.

However, Melim Andersson's immediate predecessor is Yvan Mispelaere, a Frenchman who has overseen the past two Chloe runway collections and took the bow for the house at the Paris' labels most recent show on Saturday in the Tuileries Gardens.

Post show, Chloe's international publicist KCD specifically refused any camera crews attempting to interview Mispelaere, whose departure had been focus of rumors for several weeks.

"We are thrilled to have Paulo join us and look forward to him becoming part of the Chloe design legacy," Chloe Chairman and CEO Ralph Toledano said in a press release.

Toledano has a reputation for unearthing hidden talents: while president of Guy Laroche he appointed the obscure Alber Elbaz from the office of Geoffrey Beene, igniting the career of one of the world's great contemporary designers.

Melim Andersson, a graduate of both the famed Central Saint Martins and the Royal College of Art in London, will make his debut with the Chloe fall 2007 collection during the next Paris women's ready-to-wear season in March.

The Swede joins an illustrious list of talents who have been the designers at Chloe that includes Karl Lagerfeld, Martine Sitbon and Stella McCartney.

Mispelaere is due to begin a new career in Florence, Italy, joining the Gucci design team headed up by that house's creative director Frida Giannini.

Source: news.yahoo.com