Handbags Fashion

If you’re interested in the fashion handbags industry, you’re probably glued to the television when reality shows like Project Runway and The Rachel Zoe Project are on. Although the shows’ concepts are different, the peek into the behind-the-scenes world of fashion is priceless.

Though now on Lifetime, Project Runway began on Bravo TV, the place that The Rachel Zoe Project calls home. The network has made fashion reality a priority, and it’s hoping to continue the trend.

Evidently it’s got it’s eyes set on Marc Jacobs. After reading a past interview where the designer discussed wanting his own reality show, Bravo has been chomping at the bit to get the ball rolling.

Bravo executive Andy Cohen discussed the network’s interest:

“I think he got calls from everywhere,” Cohen told us. “And we’ve talked to him about it so many times, and we’re grateful enough that he’s appeared on ‘The Rachel Zoe Project’ for two seasons,” he added. But then Cohen crumpled: “But we are desperate for Marc — to get him on Bravo.”

If this project takes flight, I’m guessing it will be a huge hit for Bravo, possibly even filling the hole that Project Runway left.

I’m not really a fan of Juicy Couture. I just get tired of its overly-embellished aesthetic. But this handbag is pretty dope, and basically a steal.

I’m actually really surprised by how pared down and minimal this handbag is. It’s not really what I’ve come to expect from Juicy. The only sparkly dangly thing about it is the charm, and I bet you could pry it off if you hate it.

Otherwise, the bag is made of supple leather, with asymmetrical seam detail that makes it a little more interesting. The gold hardware is subtle and chic.

And, moreover, the Etiquette is basically the perfect size. Big enough for a paperback book (you know, or a Kindle), but too small for a laptop. And the price, at $300, is amazing. I’d totally snap this one up if I was in the market for a new everyday handbag

Like the rest of Chanel’s Spring 2010 collection, the replica handbags that we saw walk their runway (barnway?) were more rustic-chic than classic Parisian. Whether that’s your thing or not, Karl Lagerfeld certainly seems to believe in it.

The problem with Replica Chanel, though, is that for better or for worse, they have a lot of aesthetic history to consider when a new collection is designed, and Lagerfeld usually chooses to acknowledge that history. What that means is that mostly, Replica Chanel doesn’t innovate. They do something different here and there, and a lot of their bags are quite lovely, but rarely do we see them starting new bag trends.

I don’t know if that’s a positive or a negative – it just sort of is. If you like their aesthetic, then I’m sure you’re completely fine with what they do and how they do it. If you don’t, there are plenty of alternatives on which to spend your money. There are a few unexpected things in this accessories, but mostly it’s just the same Replica bags we’ve seen with slightly frayed edges. I can totally understand if that’s what they want to send to retail, but I also can’t help but wish Lagerfeld & Co. would embrace the fantasy of the runway a little bit more in the accessories department.

Sometimes I forget how beautiful Gucci’s leather bags are. I spoke last week about how much I normally love their python creations (except for one recent exception), but it took seeing one of their bags on a fellow shopper’s arm while buying a Halloween costume yesterday to remind me that they usually do an obnoxiously good job with leather as well.

The Gucci Pelham Medium Hobo is an excellent example of Gucci’s signature style – textured, supple, and with a bit of color variation that makes all the difference.

The color variation and distressing on this bag are absolutely perfect. It doesn’t look worn or previously used, it simply looks like the leather is lush and high-quality, and that the people who designed it took care to treat it in such a way to bring out its inherent beauty.

And that’s just what they achieved. I doubt that this leather is super soft in person, but it does look like it would be incredibly durable. Combine that with a functional shape and a beautiful medium grey neutral color, this is the sort of bag that so many women would do well to add to their wardrobe. The signature braided handle is a telltale Gucci detail that doesn’t overpower the beautiful finish of the leather.

Before I say anything, I have to comment on how quickly this year has flown by. I cannot believe it is already November! However, the last few months of the year brings some of my favorite events, holidays and activities. Another one of my favorite things is that with all of the Holiday parties and gatherings I feel as though I have an excuse to beef up my evening bag collection and this makes me happy. So, it should be no surprise that I’ve been spending quite a bit of time trying to figure out which bags I should buy; I can always figure out my outfit afterwords.

One of the bags on my evening bag list is the Yves Saint Laurent Small Satin Chain-Strap Bag. As soon as I saw it a few months ago, I knew it would look great with so many outfits. This dark gray satin bag is elegant and exquisite. Then add the chunky gold-tone chain and you have a bit of an edgy feel going as well. The 8″ handle drop isn’t long enough to throw over your shoulder, and in fact it might look a little silly, but that doesn’t change the fact that this bag would be gorgeous carried in your hand. Certainly it is nothing too flashy, but it certainly is a lovely and timeless bag.

We have a combo on our hands. A pairing together from the Miu Miu Black Lambskin Tote and the Miu Miu Studded Leather Clutch brings us the Miu Miu Studded Shoulder Bag. And what do we think of this shoulder bag? Too much going on.

There is this corset yet Western feel with the weaving detail with large rivets on the sides. I must admit I have never remembered myself liking a weaving through rivets on a bag, especially when it looks as if this weaving is holding every side together. Then there are studs, lots of them. And this amount of studs and the joining of silver and gold different shaped embellishments I really liked on the simple black Miu Miu clutch. But on the tan leather larger Miu Miu Studded Shoulder Bag I can not see the studs as anything other than too much.

Amanda was kind of liking the Miu Miu Tote and I was liking the Studded Clutch, but when these two handbags combined it gave us a sensory overhaul. Pick what it is you like and stay with it.

We have been covering Jimmy Choo quite a bit lately on Purse Blog. Jimmy Choo was once only known for their shoes, but over time the brand has transitioned beautifully into the handbag world. They have had some ugly misses, but when they hit it, they do so beautifully with bags that continue to get attention season after season. I am on the Jimmy Choo bandwagon but I am just not sure that the Jimmy Choo Odetta is part of my train.

Amanda covered the Jimmy Choo Odetta previously and quite liked it. I looked at that bag then and now and I am still totally undecided. I am decided on the fact that I would never buy this bag for myself, but I am undecided if I am liking it. Something about the strap detailing rubs me wrong. It looks like a Y, making some previously think it was a YSL bag. When I see it on the mannequin I begin to like it more, as I can see how the bag looks being carried. It is larger than the photo alludes and looks much better with a slouch as it is held, so that takes it up a few points. I suppose I just do not entirely get it. Care to help me hop on the train with this one or should we leave it at the station? Buy the black pebbled leather version through Net A Porter for $2095 or the ponyskin version for $3295 via Net A Porter.

It’s been a while since we Celebrity Styled Jennifer and she looks great! Her carefree, polished look was exhibited while shopping at Barneys. Sometimes you have to boil it down to basics. What really polishes off her tank and skirt combo is the gold accessories: a gold studded Givenchy handbag, a gold watch, and gold hoops. And how could Jennifer leave home without her namesake Tom Ford shades? Happy shopping, Jen!