Handbags Fashion

Marc-Jacobs

I’ll be blunt: Marc Jacobs is New York Fashion Week. It’s the show that everyone wants to go to and no one can stop talking about, and it may have produced more activity from the people I follow on Twitter than the Super Bowl. In a way, I suppose, it’s sort of the same thing, just for a vastly different group of people.

Marc had another right-on-time start this year, causing latecomer and heavyweight André Leon Talley to stand (the horror) to watch the show. And what a show it was – the reaction so far has been practically rhapsodic – fashion editors everywhere are panting and drooling like mere commoners! And why wouldn’t they be? It’s Marc Freakin’ Jacobs.

This collection may not have been particularly “innovative,” but it’s just like Jacobs to decide that innovation is passé and that he’ll do what he pleases, regardless of the buzzwords overtaking the rest of fashion. There were retro references to his own classics like the grunge collection for Perry Ellis and various other items from fashion gone by, like Peter Pan collars, classic trench coats and long casual skirts.

The entire collection was rendered in a palette of subdued neutrals, featuring heavily shades of beige and grey. To remind us all that this was still extremely expensive clothing, there were plenty of lush materials like sequins, fur and velvet (which seems to be the fabric of the week). I’m not salivating quite as hungrily over the collection as many of my compatriots, but it’s hard to look at these clothes and not acknowledge that Marc Jacobs is an utterly masterful designer and creative thinker. Ok, I lied. I’m totally salivating, in particular over all the sparkly gunmetal pieces. I bet I didn’t have anyone fooled for a second.

Over on PurseBlog Savvy we continue to bring you handbags and accessories from contemporary designers that are almost always under $850. If you haven’t made PBs a daily read, you should! While we have separated categories, it is still nice to get a deal here on PurseBlog.

This week the Marc by Marc Jacobs Lace Miss Marc Circle Coin Purse has caught my attention for its cheeky design and affordable price. A couple months ago I would have told you, ‘hey, this is a great stocking stuffer!’. Now I am telling you, ‘hey, this is a great gift for any occasion’. Simply put, it is.

I adore this Marc by Marc Jacobs accessory! The print coated canvas features a lace Miss Marc graphic on the front. Miss Marc always has a way to provide us with a little sass, whether it is on a tee shirt, a bag, or an accessory. And this pouch is feminine, flirty and fun.

Help me out folks. Would you pay $1295 for this tote? I realize it is a Marc Jacobs design, but still, I really can’t get passed this price tag. This price has me shaking my head with each stroke on my keyboard.

Alright, enough of my disbelief and onto the bag itself. This Marc Jacobs Love Bird Leather Tote is a bright and cheery tote that will add quite a bit of color to just about any outfit you might want to pair it with.

Marc Jacobs has partnered fluorescent pink, fluorescent yellow and black on this hand-painted oversized leather tote. The two black leather top handles have the slightest hints of gold-tone stud detailing. I was really impressed with the gold-tone studs down each side of this large tote. It’s not often that you see bags with this kind of detailing, so I welcomed it with open arms.

This is the kind of bag I would love to use as my carry-on during travel days. I could fit everything in it, including my laptop and still look really fashionable. I have seen enough boring black carry-on bags at airports and the colors on this replica bag are enough to boost the spirits of those in just about any security line. The bag is finished off with a designer-stamped padlock which is a nice addition, but it doesn’t make or break the fashion bag.

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I’m such a fan of Mr. Jacobs, but I hate to admit that this time around, he failed to impress.

With a name like the Beaded Daisy Shoulder Bag, it’s not as appealing as it sounds. I imagined some nice, complicated beading designs throughout a rich leather silhouette, but just take a look and you’ll see that it’s something totally different.

I’m a constant traveler to south of the border Mexico and this looks like something you could finding hanging off a rack at a tourist shop.

It’s just so busy it’s like carrying a ‘fiesta’ around with you, everywhere you go.

When you’ve simply ran out of ideas, it is necessary to bust out the scrap materials and start crafting?

Multicolored marble beads and thick Macramé textile knots are not my ideal look of upscale fashion, thank goodness the bundle of cord straps are detachable as the solid leather shoulder strap it arrives with looks much more appealing.

Although the Beaded Daisy won’t be making my wish list anytime soon, especially with the steep asking price of $1,995, I must say that I applaud Marc Jacobs on taking risks and creating very unique pieces. Although they’re not going to hit all the time, we just can’t help but wait to see what Mr. Marc will present to the fashion world next!

Marc Jacobs Vortex Small Tote

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God bless Marc Jacobs and all of the fantastically odd handbag items that come out of his weird, wonderful head.

I wouldn’t carry the Marc Jacobs Vortex Small Tote even if it was free, but I think it’s great that someone designed and made it. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: sometimes crazy stuff has to be made before a designer hits just the right now. This is not the right note – it’s the crazy stuff before it.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained, and this replica bag ventures a lot. In fact, it kind of looks like a really gussied-up gift bag. You know, the ones that take the place of wrapping paper for lazy people or those that give oddly shaped gifts. Except, of course, that’s it’s made of leather and (inexplicably) is covered with purple studs. Also, instead of tissue paper, there’s hot pink satin peaking out the top. Add in the blue velvet ribbons at the sides, and you’ve got yourself one heck of a confused luxurious handbag with no obvious focus. And that’s fantastic – I’d rather see a designer take a million weird chances than turn out the same safe bag for decades on end.

Marc Jacobs Grainne Mackenzie Tote

Can you guess who the designer of this piece is? It’s actually by Mr Marc Jacobs for his Collection line. Yeah, I would have never guessed it myself. It’s surprising to see Marc sketch out something so fresh and new compared to his typical works. The only “Marc” features I spot on this piece would be the supple quilted leather, and nothing more. The bold shades of violet are fun and the complimentary yellow stitching is eye-catching and really unexpected. When you think about it, so much commotion is going on in this single piece. Artistic abstract lines, giant knots, multicolor leather, dangling lock… tassels!

Some might agree that its details are too much, while others might agree that the collaboration of all is actually pretty impressive. This bucket like bag carries a 13.5” x 10.5” x 5” dimensions and an unusual name of Grainne Mackenzie, sounds sort of like a celebrity baby name wouldn’t you say. A bit too trendy for my taste, and the $1,750 price tag is nowhere near convincing. Ladies what’s your input on this piece, do you like this?

We Love Anya Hindmarch & Marc Jacobs!

Heading towards the science building at my University today, I dreadfully watched a fellow student drop her notebook computer from her weak grip under her arm. Poor notebook… it must have been new too as there was absolutely no case protecting the gadget, or maybe she just never felt the need to invest in some cushion for it.

Having that in mind, I browsed bagsbrand to see what tech cases they currently have in stock for one of man’s handbags most trustworthy portable devices. Surprisingly, only two choices are available at the moment that’ll be the Into the Wild Case presented by Marc by Marc Jacobs and the Taffeta Laptop Case by Anya Hindmarch.

Both have similar concepts yet very different designs. I adore the funky leopard prints and the raspberry color of the MbMJ twill case; it’ll make a fun case to add to your casual wardrobe and definitely some arm candy to wear on canvas.

If leopard and multicolor prints aren’t your style, settle for the luxe-tech Taffeta bag. This purple and patent trim features a gold signature interior, tassel pulls and an exterior pocket labeled “Bits and Bobs”; it’s simple, cute and definitely classy.

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.