So much for budget fashion. Singer Leona Lewis, last seen carrying a low-priced purse from Paul’s Boutique, has now upgraded to Stella McCartney’s designer (but faux leather!) Falabella Bucket Bag. A cousin of the Falabella City Chain Tote favored by Rihanna and Jennifer Lopez, this chain-trimmed purse makes a sophisticated but unassuming statement. But will we soon see Leona with a flashy status bag? Only time will tell.

Photo from People.com.

Parties sure aren’t what they used to be for Madonna. The pop star accompanied daughter Mercy to a children’s birthday party and brought her Dolce & Gabbana Miss Sicily handbag in black as her plus one. No surprise there; Madonna stars in the design duo’s latest campaign, and before that she was all about the Louis Vuitton purses when she modeled for that label. I love the handbag, but I’d probably leave it at home for a kid’s birthday party. I’m not a fan of Pin the Tail on the Very Expensive Handbag.

Photo from People.com.

Further proof that a designer handbag is a great investment piece: it can jazz up even the most basic of outfits. Case in point: this casual but hardly envelope-pushing black cami and jeans combo worn by Vanessa Hudgens. The ho-hum look would hardly register a response on its own, but behold! A black Balenciaga handbag! Now we’re talking. You can always trust a Balenciaga to help you step up your game.

Photo from JustJared.buzznet.com.

Love him or hate him, you can’t deny that Kanye West knows how to make a style statement. The hip-hopper traveled in style with a chic Goyard backpack with brown leather trim that I personally would love to get my hands on. Kanye’s long been a fan of status accessories, particularly those from Louis Vuitton. Nice to see a fella who isn’t afraid of a man bag or two!

Photo from People.com.

Dolce & Gabbana may pay Madonna, but that doesn’t mean she’s not going to flirt with other designers. The Material Girl stepped out with Jimmy Choo’s Blythe purse in a ferocious animal print. It may have that Dolce & Gabbana wild streak, but it’s all Choo baby. Madonna’s fur-trimmed collar added another element of animal magnetism, although perhaps not one that’s going to please PETA…

Photo from JustJared.buzznet.com.

Judith Leiber is having a bit of a red carpet renaissance. First Katy Perry took her beaded Leiber elephant clutch to the Grammys; now Amanda Seyfried has brought her black and white crystal-studded Sunburst Moderne clutch to the “Dear John” premiere. The zebra-esque effect is a funky, though perhaps not 100% compatible, contrast to Amanda’s blue Armani dress with its plunging neckline. What do you think? Do you love the look or do you want to write it a Dear John letter? The bag is around $3k at Judith leiber.com

Photo from JustJared.buzznet.com.

She’s got the Wright stuff, baby. Robin Wright is the new face of Gerard Darel handbags, following in the footsteps of Meryl Streep’s daughter Mamie Gummer, and I’m sure I’m not the only one taken in by her dreamy pose. Robin’s olive jumpsuit is a beautiful complement to her soft brown Gerard Darel purse, and the quality of the material just jumps right at you. I’m sold!

Photo from Vogue.co.uk.

This season is undoubtedly the year of the clutch. More specifically, the jewelled clutch. The grande dame of the jewelled evening bag has got to be Judith Leiber. Usually known as the go-to evening staple of Upper East Side socialites, the iconic label made its way down the red carpet several times Sunday night.

As covered earlier, Katy Perry carried the Maharaja elephant. Both Kristen Bell and Fergie both carried a Judith Leiber clutch. Kristen with her Etro gown and Fergie with her Pucci dress.

Carrie Underwood goes for the sparkly with a crystallized clutch by Swarovski.

Ke$ha holds a clutch by designer Cecelia.

Katy Perry went the Bollywood route for this year’s Grammys, wearing a long-sleeved, gold-embellished frock, a bindi, and Judith Leiber’s wildly exotic (and kinda eccentric) beaded Maharaja Elephant clutch. The color of the dress is a little blah for me (a colorful sari would have been a home run), but I like the kitschy appeal of the crystal clutch. Hey, when else are you going to have an excuse to carry a mega-pricey beaded elephant?

The Minaudier is available at Bergdorf Goodman for around $6k
Photo from JustJared.buzznet.com.

Rachel Bilson isn’t just stylish; she’s got a charitable heart to boot. The starlet supported the FEED project for world hunger by toting a white FEED bag on a recent trip to a farmers market. The tote is designed to raise awareness about starving children the world over, so it’s great of Rachel — chicly turned out in soft gray — to show it off.

Photo from JustJared.buzznet.com.