Designer Handbags

The good folks over at Gizmodo may no agree with me, but I find the cherry blossomed ‘Sakura’ PSP case very appealing. I really dig the pink! Ok, maybe it’s just the hentai-comic-lovin’, Hello Kitty-adoring asian girl in me that giggles over this poach like a slot-eyed toon from the land of the rising sun, afterall. Gasp. Either way, the product page can be found here. If my Japanese was any better, I’d tell you something about it. But it’s not. In the meantime, I will just praise baby buddah and hope that this gadget will hit the US market sometime soon.

Love her or hate her, she has enough money and enough fame to drive you mad. You know her very well, and when you see all of her outfits and especially bags, you can’t say anything other than, “That’s HOT!” Paris Hilton, heiress to the Hilton fortune, has been spending money like its her job before she was born. And as much as we all hate some of her fashion (and lack of intelligence), her handbags are always top of the line and always ГѓВјber expensive.

Many times Paris has been seen toteing around the Gucci Large Boston Bag. The bag has white leather with Blue/Red/Blue signature web and light gold hardware. The unmistakable Gucci logo is jumping out at you saying “You wish you had me this big on your bag too”. Unfortunately, this bag is hard to find right now. I see it only being offered on ebay. Gucci is selling the different but also Medium Boston Bag for Spring ‘05 in ostrich skin with leather trim. The bag includes an inside zip pocket and of course pigskin suede lining. The Large Boston Tote must really be large since this Medium Boston tote is measuring about 7 1/2″H x 16″W x 5″D. This bag runs around $3,900.00 which makes me think the hard to find Paris Hilton’s Large Boston Bag would make your eyes tear at the price tag.

Hermes’ new designer Jean Paul Gaultier on the helm has redesigned the infamous ‘Birkin’ bag for spring/summer ‘05. This is no small innovation, given that the original is in such demand that there is a wait to get on the waiting list. But JPG’s changes work — now you can actually get the bag over your shoulder.

Due to its shortened height, the bag seems as long as an eighteen wheeler semi! Like Luella with her Baby Gisele, the logic step to an already successful handbag was to adding a shoulder design and appeal to a wider audience. Among the large variety of carry-alls that we’ve seen, this new shoulder Birkin sure is in contention for the throne. So damned appealing!

As shown on the right in the new “pumpkin orange” shade, the bag will go for ВЈ4,000 (~$7,500). Stores around the globe hesitated with the large orders for the bag, unsure about how the new low profile would appeal to the customer base. In addition, a limited production is running on these treasures as well. Hence, the new Hermes Shoulder Birkins are even more scarce than the legendary regular Birkins.

However, since Jean Paul’s line had been intro’ed last fall, US sales for Hermes went through the roof. Coincidence? Me thinks not.

Lambertson Truex was founded five years ago by Richard Lambertson and John Truex, two veterans of the fine accessory business. Contemporary in design, and timeless in feel, these are “forever bags” for a new generation of women. Men also do get their fair share of elegant bags.

The Lambertson Truex Messenger Bag stars in black leather and features two locks with signature “LT” on silver metal hardware. The shoulder strap is fully adjustable to fit any type of stature. The bag has heaps of pockets and pouches for all the things the modern man carries to his office these days. For $495 at Neiman Marcus.

Tumi have been providing their quality travel gear to to affluent, globe-trotting frequent travelers for over thirty years. In recent past, they’ve expanded their collection by shneezy female gear, including the sleek, elegant Laptop Carrier. The light $125 bag comes in the four depicted colors and black, and impresses with tons of clever features. Time to dump the backpack as laptop gear of choice.

Abbey Branch introduced the Knoll collection with fine textiles designed by renowned grafitti artist Stephen Sprouse. Founded in 1947 by Florence Knoll and currently under the design direction of Suzanne Tick, Knoll offers advanced textiles by combining beauty and function in the most modernist fashion. In search of new modes of expression, Knoll frequently seeks the guidance of creative minds such as Sprouse, who has injected his well-known street style into the refined world of architecture.

The innovative Knoll Murphy wristlet reflects this young street style very well. The wristlet is crafted with Knoll’s signature extreme velvet textile and features a Svarovski crystal embedded nickel wrist chain. The magnetic closure tops off the modern package. Available for $120 at Abbey Branch directly, or through selected stores across the continental USA. While you’re at it, browse their Silver 5 and Karim Rashid collections. Worth a very close peak.