Just because we’re on the edge of summer doesn’t mean it’s too early to sniff out some lush fall handbags. Here’s a beauty on my radar: the Donna Karan Crosstown Tote, now available for pre-order. The rich garnet goat leather is a bold yet season-appropriate choice for autumn, and I love the tote’s contemporary-meets-classic design and practical amenities, such as the front pouch and a zip top that lets you keep your personal items private. You could pair this with a nice suit for work, or grab it for a day out with friends. Available for pre-order at Neiman Marcus for $1,495.

Just about every bag in her new collection has been a huge turnoff, but Donna Karan’s latest offering is definitely worth a second glance. The Modern Aries Bag is the perfect neutral carryall for everyday use. Whether you’re toting your haul to the office or just slinging it on for a walk around town, this great bag pulls your look together with minimal, effortless style. I love the simple, effective color - it’s great with nearly any other color and is essentially seasonless, so you can carry it no matter what time of year it is. That’s great if you can’t be bothered with changing purses often and just want something stylish that you can rely on without a thought. The large knots on the handle add a burst of unexpected chic to an otherwise very simple bag. Available for $1995 at Net-a-Porter.

Judging by reader ratings, Donna Karan’s latest purses haven’t exactly been winning you over. But before we pull a Janet Jackson “What Have You Done for Me Lately?” write-off, let’s take a look at this redemptive Donna Karan Large Modern Leo Tote. The pleated, softly textured black lambskin is gorgeous, and the low, squatty shape is a nice detour from the traditional tote, but its that flashy gold hardware that has me riveted. (What can I say? I like shiny things.) Though the brilliant gold fasteners aren’t going anywhere, you can remove the detachable matching pendant if you so choose. I’d let it be - it adds a dazzling touch to this fresh urban warrior handbag. Available for $2,295 at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Star light, star bright, the first star I see tonight, I wish I may, I wish I might, that this Donna Karan purse wasn’t such a fright. I’m amazed at how a designer/label famed for understanding what contemporary women want to wear managed to create this completely underwhelming and rather unsightly Evening Star Loop Pouch. The twisted black goatskin is undoubtedly meant to look edgy and avant garde, but all I see is a tied-up Hefty bag. The loop-through handle idea may be “different,” but the concept needs much, much more refinement. Available for pre-order for $995 at Bergdorf Goodman.

Her new handbag collection is all about simplicity and functionality, so it should come as no surprise that this Donna Karan Modern Libra Saddle Bag is kind of, um, boring. There’s just nothing happening here, despite Karan’s insistence that the new lineup consists of “forever” handbags that will inspire even the most fickle women to finally commit. As it happens, I’m a Libra and can usually be tempted by something that speaks of my zodiac sign, but this doesn’t offer me very much. Except for a $2195 price tag, that is, and I’d have to be nuts to tip the scales in that direction. Available to pre-order at Saks.

I’m sure there was a great concept here in theory, at least there probably was in the design meeting to create this collection. What ultimately was produced here doesn’t make any sense though. This Donna Karan Eelskin Clutch is made of eelskin, which is somewhat less common these days, but is this on the PC radar yet? The shape is as bland as it could be, a simple oblong. The metal pull ends at the bottom? They are attached to some kind of non-functioning drawcord detail that repeats three times inexplicably. They hang there, too many of them, not proportional, sticking out from the bottom like you could milk this handbag like an udder. Sorry, but this definitely isn’t what I will be spending my money on.

$488 at Designer Exposure.com

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posted: January 4th, 2007 comments: No Comments

I love Donna Karan’s style because her collections are functional, clean and minimalist. However, I can’t seem to like this Donna Karan Iconic Flap Clutch. Everything I like about Donna Karan’s sense of style seems to be missing from this clutch. It looks like it was inspired by a set of matronly curtains. I don’t love the hue of color that she used. It doesn’t also help that she paired the red hue with brass weights which greatly contradicts everything. This handbag would have looked a lot better if the design was more subdued and modern.

On Sale at e-luxury.com for $305

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Named for the historic Gansevoort family of Albany, New York, Donna Karan’s luxurious oversized shopper is attention-grabbing at first glance. More than just downtown chic, Gansevoort is all about the unusual details. Rich, gathered calfskin, dangling drawstrings weighed down with brass hardware and a bold lemon suede interior all contribute to this bag’s imaginative concept. Available on sale for $956 at eluxury.com.

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If you’re looking for a bag that’s different, look no further than DKNY’s Drawstring Suede Hobo with Long Shoulder Strap. It’s an unusual look for DKNY and it screams more hippie chick than chic. This light brown bag comes in pleated suede. Sound interesting? It is. The strap is long whipstitched leather that allows for cross-boy wear. Perfect if you moonlight as a mail carrier. The sides are adorned with leather drawstring ties, and the hardware is silver. And yes, it looks like a mushroom.

$395 at Eluxury

Feel like you’re always endlessly searching in the bottom of your purse? Well, search no more. The DKNY Pocket Suede Hobo—available in chocolate or tarnish—makes it easy for you to store your stuff with its two zip front pouch pockets. There’s even a back flat pocket that “magically” stays closed with the help of a cleverly placed magnetic closure. This utilitarian bag is dressed up with buckle detailing and silver hardware. Every girl needs one of these in her life. Especially me!

The DKNY Pocket Suede Hobo is $295 at Eluxury