Former fashion bad boy Jean Paul Gaultier produced exquisitely tailored black and white pieces for his presentation. Dramatic, retro silhouettes with tongue-in-cheek plays with sheers, stripes and patterns. The purses were appropriately demure little clutches in either a hard, constructed oblong with metal flourishes or a softly gathered beaded in satin. In the words of a former Gaultier fan… “Strike a pose.”

After a few cold days in the tents, the Marc by Marc Jacobs show looked downright cozy in the big old NY State Armory. His Fall 2009 collection on Tuesday showed a lot of academic looks and classic autumn colors with some brighter orange and fushia pops. Classic patterns of tweed, plaid, paisleys and college-student staples of warm shawls around the neck, all-nighter-covering hats with boots and tights came down the runway. There was a little deja-vu of the Olsen Twins a la freshman year NYU in there, but very modern and chic. Handbags were big, roomy satchels in coordinating fall colors of browns, charcoal blue, slate grey and russet. Rich leathers in dimensions big enough to hold your books and an apple for your favorite professor.

Pop culture and fashion icon Barbie celebrated her 50th anniversary on Valentine’s Day at Bryant Park. It was a glorious fashion show featuring the works of 52 designers who were inspired by Barbie. The show’s audience contained the usual fashion editors, celebrities like Heidi Klum, Kellie Pickler as well as many young Barbie fans who were incredibly excited to see their heroine. This was probably the most fun and elaborate show I have seen in ages. Jaded industry vets were no match for the infectious music, cute factor and drama of the outfits on the runway.

The presentation was divided into three acts, the first showcased retro-inspired outfits from designers like Monique Lhuillier, Michael Kors, and Carmen Marc Valvo. They represented Barbie through the decades with glamorous evening gowns and jeweled accessories. The next act, the “Faux Reality” act represented modern and contemporary Barbie with hipster contributions from the likes of Diane von Furstenburg (above) and Baby Phat (above). The last act was inspired by Barbie of the future, with a lot of metallics and funky clear vinyl from designers like Calvin Klein, Betsey Johnson and getting the biggest applause of the day, Bob Mackie (above).

Guests were treated to a great soundtrack of strong women, and tongue-in-cheek selections (”Doll Parts” by Hole opened the show), Barbie chocolates by Dylan’s Candy Bar and a limited edition Debut Barbie Fashion Model doll. Two floor length video screens acted as curtains and projected a sparkling set, the history of Barbie, the multi-ethnic faces of the doll and split apart for the models to make their entrance on the runway.

Accessories? It’s Barbie, so of course there were tons of accessories. Rafe Handbags provided most of the bags along with Vaza handbags and the designers themselves. Depending on the outfits, they ranges from shiny clutches, coordinated carry-ons and brightly colored evening numbers.

Giorgio Armani looked towards the East for this season’s collection. Exotic silks, pagoda shoulders, Asian silhouettes with updated interpretations of Chinese floral and cloud motifs were seen throughout the collection. Colors ranged from sedate charcoals and taupe to dramtic lapis blue and reds. Embroidered motifs and knotted tassels embellished garments as well as the handbags. Purse shapes ranged from flat, larger clutches to scalloped evening pouches and delicate beaded bags. Marco Polo returned from China inspired by what he had seen. This Italian designer may also echo the sentiment.

They must be executing triple axles in hell, because I never thought I’d see the day when - gasp - a Jean Paul Gaultier couture show would feature a parade of handbags that were actually WEARABLE. (Not that the clothes themselves were, mind you.) I marveled at the restraint the usually over-the-top JPG delivered, from black woven purses, to buckled leather, to sexy party clutches in sparkling silver. Granted, there were a few eccentric touches - like a beaded bronze purse covered with a spider web-like brown croc overlay. Mind you, when you’re sending frocks adorned with wild neon feathers and sci-fi metallic tubing, anything seems tame by comparison.

Photos from Style.com.

Chanel and Givenchy sadly gave us bupkis on the bag front at the Paris couture shows for fall, but Christian Lacroix happily picked up the slack. The purses shown were anything but boring, ranging from romantic black velvet clutches smattered with beads, to old-school miniature portraits swathed in ornate beads and gold chains, to decadent pink and red peppermint-striped handbags adorned with girly ribbons (with stockings to match, no less!). This being a couture show, it was all very costumey (save for a black clutch or two), but the parade of over-the-top and overly embellished handbags certainly made for fun eye candy.

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Oh la la! The fall couture shows are underway in gay Paree, and I for one can’t wait to set my sights on the delicious new purses that will soon emerge. First up is Armani Prive, where textured leather (think crocodile, snakeskin, and delicate beading) clutches in smoky metallics and neutrals were paired with cool power suits and gloomy-hued gowns. From shimmering white to sultry pewter gray, the clutches were imbued with elegance (Armani - go figure), as well as striking touches like chunky pleating, detailed frame clasps, and ultra-long lengths. Looks like we’re off to a good start here, people.

Photos from Style.com.

The good news? Lanvin’s Spring 2008 collection was brilliant, glamorous, exuberant, and colorful. The bad news? The handbags - well, the few that were shown - weren’t. In a show that featured shimmering togas and diva-licious emerald and canary yellow swaths of fabric, it was a bit of a letdown to see simply rustic, utilitarian purses - think supple brown and beige (smooth and croc) leather bags that could fit a toddler - and not something more dramatic. The most “glamorous” bag was a nice but unmemorable brown crocodile clutch that looked like it would be a better fit for a safari than a night at the ball. Hopefully next season Alber Elbaz will show some love for the accessory lovers.

Photos from Style.com.

www.Lanvin.com

Those eagerly awaiting the new Fendi Spy or B Bag follow-up will have to keep waiting. Instead of iconic status bags in training, Fendi sent large fold-over clutches in various states of embellishment down their spring runway, begging the question, Did Karl Lagerfeld spend the summer at camp? Arts and crafts chic is perhaps the best way to describe the predominance of bohemian woven leather, perforations galore, and stone and bead details that seemed a little haphazardly thrown on. If you love whipstitching, geometric prints, and macaroni art, you might be a fan. I personally felt a little disappointed by the new offerings…but what do you think?

Photos by Style.com.

The unlikely source of some of Spring 2008’s most wearable and elegant purses? Alexander McQueen, whose recent fashion show revealed tasteful and glamourous handbags that would appeal to most women. Of note: An envelope clutch in a Burberry-esque check print outlined in red leather; a large soft gray crocodile satchel sure to get fashionistas’ pulses racing; a gleaming silver oval-framed clutch that screamed Old Hollywood; a mysterious hot pink clutch with a sexy black leather overlay; and a sleek neutral python clutch that oozed sophistication.

Photos from Style.com.