Designer Handbags

Welcome 2007!!! For the beginning of the year we all try to start off with a clean slate, whatever it may be. Poor Marc had a few bumps along designer highway last year (including yesterday even), but I have high hopes for him in 2007, fingers crossed. Metallic bronzed quilted leather roars in a fresh and sexy start on the Marc Jacobs Metallic Patchwork Stam. I must admit, I have nothing but love for this bag with its touch of mod and framed top with kiss lock closure. This Stam is far from a scam and takes after its hit brotha-bag, the original Stam. The detachable chain shoulder strap is the perfect finishing touch for this handbag along with the front zip pocket. Sizing up at 9″H x 15″W x 6″D, this is a total yay on my end. What do you all think- Yay or nay? If this bag is fug, please blame my rave on over-consumption of pork and sauerkraut, a Hungarian New Year’s family tradition, rather than my ability to judge a bag. Via Neiman Marcus for $1650.

PS. I totally fell for the SHAM and this bag is still a Stam, not a Sham as titled by Neiman Marcus. That is a hilarious typo if I have ever heard one!

This post is way overdue. I’ve been obsessing over the Marc Jacobs Sweet Punk line since I saw the Fluo Violet Sid in the November issue of Vogue. By all reports, these bags are made of the softest, most supple goatskin leather you’ll see for a while from the House of Marc. The meticulously distressed pyramid studs are perfectly punk rawk in a chic, unforced way. Here’s the Marc Jacobs Sweet Punk Debbie Handbag in turquoise, a sumptuous color worthy of the most fashion-forward nymph or mermaid. I adore the toggle clasp. In fact I think I need a bag with a toggle clasp. I just love the idea, and it’s so well-executed here. The turnlock is another point of interest, with two possible locks to lock. Debbie is heavy on the details, and she may not be a bag for the weak of heart, but at the end of the day, she’s a funky beauty with a classic hobo shape. I’d love to take her home. She’s $1800, call your local Marc Jacobs to track down this color. Photo from marcjacobs.com.

By nerdphanie, The Shopping Nerd.

To begin our sale shop from home day, Net A Porter has an array of handbags marked down substantially (last weeks sale picks). While some of the bags are straight up fug, I was drawn to an assortment of black and white handbags, which we all know are color staples of every wardrobe.

Sleek, modern, defined, and sophisticated make the Jimmy Choo Coco Satin Clutch stand out. Nothing is more simple than this black rectangular satin clutch with gold casing around the oval cut out handle and magnetic fastening closures. Sexy in black via Net A Porter for $525.

Oh how the house of Marni has such polished and sexy bags. The cream polished leather bowling bag features a detachable chain detail that sports trinket and links across side of bag. Own a piece of flossy white magic via NAP for $991.80.

Find more black and white beauties after the jump!

Black take one is the Marc Jacobs Capra Satchel. Ok I told you a white lie, this bag is actually dark brown capra leather with faux gold and tortoiseshell buckle. The materials do not sound overtly stellar, but paired together it flows. $810 via Net A Porter.

Like a traffic light, the Corto Moltedo Susan Deco Clutch lines up three gold spheres on top of the mother-of-pearl rectangular rigid box clutch. Funky C and star shapes dangle from the chain. Funky white and fresh via NAP for $537.

Another handbag that looks black but is actually brown, the Derek Lam Large Leather Tote implements brass hardware and ruching at the top along with a funky brass ram heads on the front. Black, large, and on sale via Net A Porter for $1290.

While it would rock my world if Louis Vuitton went on sale, this day may never happen and we will have to rely on eLuxury for other sale items. Looking for the perfect bag with some of your Holiday cash, then peruse eLuxury for great savings on designer handbags.

For basic black with quilted touch and winter suede and a twisted leather handle, check out the Tod’s Marlene Smock Tracolla. Marked down to $834 via eLuxury.

Bring the 80’s back with the Marc Jacobs Collection Tie Blondie. A hit or miss, this bag sports two oversized double-color ties with brass hardware. Rock on like Blondie did with your Blondie for $1,295.

The Kooba Ginger Bag with Braid is subtly shining with metallic gold leather and sports braided shoulder straps and belt, and finishes off with tassels. Bedazzle yourself for $537 through eLuxury.

Get ready for warm weather with a tropical touch on the Emilio Pucci Hawa Print Large East West Bag. Blue smooth leather trim and piping intermix with Hawa print which puts me in my happy place (Hawaii in March!). Great beach tote or everyday jean and tee bag via eLuxury for $333.

Ok so some of Marc Jacobs bags have been nothing but atrocious which will coincide with his laughable pigeon costume he wore at his own Venice Carnival-themed holiday party at Gotham Hall this past Wednesday. You have to give him props though, he did pick a humorous outfit that will make him and his incredulous beak memorable.

“Of course, I’m expecting misbehavior,” said Marc Jacobs at the start of his Venice Carnival-themed holiday party at Gotham Hall on Wednesday. “But,” he added, pointing to his pigeon suit, “I’m not sure how I’ll do wearing this.” The designer wasn’t the only one with wardrobe restrictions. “It took three gay men to get me dressed tonight,” said Dr. Lisa Airan, alluding to the corset of her turquoise ball gown. “I can barely move but I can’t sit down either.” Airan spent the evening standing on the sidelines with Rachel Roy, Damon Dash, and her pal and co-dresser Gilles Mendel, who sported a white Phantom of the Opera-inspired half-mask. “Everybody else has those beak nose things on,” said Mendel. “I’m trying to hide my long nose.”

Marc should have opted to carry around his very own design, the Marc Jacobs Python Stam which would be the only time and place I can see this fugly rendition not being yakked on in public. Jade green leather trim, turquoise python, and ‘patent covered weave’ make this bag truly a messy force to be reckoned with. ($1021 via Browns)

Via Style

Read more after the jump!

Dolled up with face paint, platinum wigs, and corsets, the rest of the crowd took their cue from the writhing dance performers-many of whom sported little more than breast paint and shiny, skimpy briefs-and spent all night on the dance floor. As they finished the final twirls of a classic waltz, white feathers rained down from the ceiling in a sight that Airan called “heavenly.” The word didn’t quite fit the rest of the evening, however. “Decadence is more like it,” declared Robert Duffy. “All this and I saw something naughty happen between a girl and a boy from two of our stores in the restrooms.”

As the glitter fell over Gotham Hall, Milla Jovovich was busy celebrating a little shimmer of her own at her 31st birthday party at the Gramercy Park Hotel. To mark the occasion, Vogue and the jewelry company TachГ© presented the Jovovich-Hawk designer with a three-diamond right-hand ring and sprinkled crystals over everything from the floral arrangements to the chocolate mousse. Friends Carmen Hawk, Harvey Weinstein, Georgina Chapman, and Amy Smart were on hand to help her celebrate. “The dance floor is finally picking up,” said the birthday girl when Jauretsi Saizarbitoria started spinning hits around 11 o’clock. “Everyone’s been chatty-chatty, but now it’s time to dance!”

Ok so some of Marc Jacobs bags have been nothing but atrocious which will coincide with his laughable pigeon costume he wore at his own Venice Carnival-themed holiday party at Gotham Hall this past Wednesday. You have to give him props though, he did pick a humorous outfit that will make him and his incredulous beak memorable.

“Of course, I’m expecting misbehavior,” said Marc Jacobs at the start of his Venice Carnival-themed holiday party at Gotham Hall on Wednesday. “But,” he added, pointing to his pigeon suit, “I’m not sure how I’ll do wearing this.” The designer wasn’t the only one with wardrobe restrictions. “It took three gay men to get me dressed tonight,” said Dr. Lisa Airan, alluding to the corset of her turquoise ball gown. “I can barely move but I can’t sit down either.” Airan spent the evening standing on the sidelines with Rachel Roy, Damon Dash, and her pal and co-dresser Gilles Mendel, who sported a white Phantom of the Opera-inspired half-mask. “Everybody else has those beak nose things on,” said Mendel. “I’m trying to hide my long nose.”

Marc should have opted to carry around his very own design, the Marc Jacobs Python Stam which would be the only time and place I can see this fugly rendition not being yakked on in public. Jade green leather trim, turquoise python, and ‘patent covered weave’ make this bag truly a messy force to be reckoned with. ($1021 via Browns)

Via Style

Read more after the jump!

Dolled up with face paint, platinum wigs, and corsets, the rest of the crowd took their cue from the writhing dance performers-many of whom sported little more than breast paint and shiny, skimpy briefs-and spent all night on the dance floor. As they finished the final twirls of a classic waltz, white feathers rained down from the ceiling in a sight that Airan called “heavenly.” The word didn’t quite fit the rest of the evening, however. “Decadence is more like it,” declared Robert Duffy. “All this and I saw something naughty happen between a girl and a boy from two of our stores in the restrooms.”

As the glitter fell over Gotham Hall, Milla Jovovich was busy celebrating a little shimmer of her own at her 31st birthday party at the Gramercy Park Hotel. To mark the occasion, Vogue and the jewelry company TachГ© presented the Jovovich-Hawk designer with a three-diamond right-hand ring and sprinkled crystals over everything from the floral arrangements to the chocolate mousse. Friends Carmen Hawk, Harvey Weinstein, Georgina Chapman, and Amy Smart were on hand to help her celebrate. “The dance floor is finally picking up,” said the birthday girl when Jauretsi Saizarbitoria started spinning hits around 11 o’clock. “Everyone’s been chatty-chatty, but now it’s time to dance!”

I find one of the biggest fashion faux pas to be ordinary designs that make people say ‘Ehhhh’. Even if you make a fashion atrocity, if you did so by going out on a limb and adding bells, whistles, horns, and all that shebang, at least you were trying to be bold and different. If you make a hit handbag by combining simplicity and elegance then props to you. If you just end up ordinary, then you have been nothing but safe and plain which is a major downer in my opinion. This is the feeling I get when looking at the Marc Jacobs Quilted Leather Wallet. Sure it is not awful, but it is not great either. It is simple and safe. Safe this time is not good enough. The more I look at the black quilted leather with visible white stitching I begin to even find it fugly. There is an embossed logo on the front with gold studs on either side, the closure is a press stud fastening, and on the inside there are zip fastening sections for coins credit cards. All in all, this wallet merely makes me shrug. Via Net-A-Porter for $425.

I have a closet crush on the Marc Jacobs Collection Quilted Cord Maggie! Marc’s designs being eerily similar to one another is not a plus for him (reference the Karen which is the fraternal twin of this bag), but I still like this handbag. The plum suede body with leather trim would look perfect for winter. The way the top-stitching is done creates a corduroy effect. The (removable) chain link shoulder strap and Trompe l’oeil signature feature tortoiseshell and golden brass. Pocket wise, this handbag has it all; including, a large center compartment with a zip pocket, open pockets for the front and back, and a zip pocket on the back of the purse. Measurements are 13″ x 11.5″ x 7″, and this color and bag is a sugar plum delight. Reduced from $2150 at eLuxury for $1500.

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The Stam bag has been touted as an ‘it’ bag and seen on many celebrities worldwide. The appeal of this bag manifests in its quilted leather, frame structure, and detachable chain strap. The Marc Jacobs Leather Stam Handbag is eye catching because of the topaz color which puts me in my happy winter place. Imagine this bag with dark jeans, an off-white cashmere sweater and matching hat, tall winter boots, and a chic long jacket. Ahh, yes, that puts me in such a happy place. Combining the perfect color scheme is key when trying to keep a bag on top of the hot scale, which Marc Jacobs does perfectly with the topaz quilted leather and gold hardware and chain. This Stam is finished off with a clasp fastening at the top, small zip fastening pocket on the front, and khaki canvas lining. Drool worthy in my opinion via Net-A-Porter for $1275.

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Over the year there have been a number of fug bags designed by some of the big names. Now that the year is ending, the black numbers need to be written in bulk and designers have gorgeous handbags that popped up just in time. I have been on a purse ban for the past few months, which ended today with a new Gucci tote, but that is besides the point. The point is that I have been keeping my wallet closed and attempting not to be tempted. Way too many bags are out right now that have me drooling and my hand itching to grab that lovely piece of plastic that is so easy to swipe and brings me good things. If I let me hand begin to do some plastic swiping damage, I may begin with the Marc Jacobs Karen Leather Frame Handbag. This frame bag features supple tan ruched leather with gold hardware and a touch of gloss. The detachable link shoulder strap adds fun without tacky. More of a ‘look at me, I am sexy’ than ‘look at me, I try too hard’. Closing the bag is a clasp closure and the handles feature circular buckle detail. Simple brown bag goes sexy at the house of Marc. Via Net-a-Porter for $1500.

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