Sometimes I wonder if designers smoke a bit too much of the funny stuff and then take a great idea and try to make it look as awful as possible.  In fact, the designers at Gucci took this medium hobo a few steps to far and literally give it a crazy name, Hysteria Medium Hobo.   And the purse just happens to be priced in an odd retail amount of $1360.00.  It all adds up to a strange bag experience.  Gucci’s team must have thought this bag, in tortoise print patent leather, was absolutely the funniest handbag they have ever made.  They hope customers might just be too overwhelmed to see that this bag was made as a joke and buy it anyway.   Well, I can not wait to see this bag on the street, it sure will stand out.  And if you hear someone cackling in the background it is most likely a member of the Gucci team. Available at saksfifthavenue.com for $1360.00

Here are two alternatives you might like better

Though I dismissed the other Babouskas - I just couldn’t get behind all that fringe and over-the-top-ness - I’m really liking this Gucci Babouska Dome bag. The central Gucci crest on the brown leather gives the bag an old-fashioned feel. A light smattering of studs decorates the top. The bag is fairly diminutive in size and doesn’t need much else since it’s so rich in hardware. This is an adorable handbag to carry through fall! Also in black. Available for $1350 at Neiman Marcus.

Some people dream of Chocolate; I dream of Gucci. I have looked at this Babouska Heart Tote at least 10 times in the past two days and have hesitated to review it. Only because I know hard it is to put into words extreme adoration; ok, let’s face it: obsession. This handbag is a supreme gem for this coming Fall and Winter. Not only does it exude biker chic with it’s rich black leather exterior, it also adds a touch of femininity with the heart-shaped Gucci emblem. It’s hard to increase the seductiveness of this bag, yet somehow the designers at Gucci successfully bring in a third variant: vintage appeal. The brass accents on this darling complete the triple threat. But, alas, at $2,195, I think I will just have to keep dreaming.

Available at Saks Fifth Ave

My college Russian classes have finally made an appearance in my everyday life, albeit many years later. Actually, I didn’t need to revisit college to know that babushka means grandmother in Russian. What I do need a little schooling on is the meaning behind this Gucci Babouska Boston Bag. Two bunnies playfully frolicking over Gucci’s esteemed GG fabric seems a bit contradictory to me. While I’m totally up for labels having some fun and infusing their lineups with unexpected details, I’m pretty sure bunnies don’t qualify. What do you think, ladies? Is this a Gucci purse worth splurging $1950 on? Available at at Bergdorf Goodman.

If you love the look of a logo bag (and let’s keep it real; they do come in handy when you’re wearing a plain t-shirt, skinny jeans, and a pair of flats…if to just spice things up), but are bored to death with the LV Speedy, consider a Gucci Medium Joy Boston bag. The shape of this handbag is similar to the speedy, and it’s just as convenient and easy to wear. It comes in tons of colors, but this one in particular is exclusive to Saks’ fall Gucci collection. The pewter leather trim is accompanied by the label’s logo canvas along with the signature center stripes. Casual luxe! The Gucci Medium Joy Boston bag is available at saks.com and retails for $685.

Er, Jess? Last time I checked orange and dark red weren’t exactly a winning color combination. While I’m enamored with Jessica’s cheery, summer-perfect citrus-hued maxi dress, the Gucci Babouska Boston Bag isn’t exactly right with this outfit. (No harm in letting it linger a bit ’til fall, you know…) With its distressed-looking leather, spray of studs, and gushy heart decal, the Babouska hasn’t cracked my list of favorite Gucci purses. It just doesn’t have that ultra-luxurious, totally glam finesse that I expect from Gucci. And pairing russet with hook ‘em horns orange? That’s just wrong.

Available at Bergdorf Goodman

Photo from People.com.

Studs, studs and more studs: Someone is clearly having a little too much fun with their gun over at Gucci. The Babouska collection is overloaded with them. That’s quite apparent on Jessica Simpson’s Babouska Boston Bag, which, in a russet shade, has a kind of beaten up, weathered look about it. That’s the antithesis, I’m sure, of what Gucci was going for here. The entire lineup is loaded with intense hardware, resoundingly thick leather and a kind of charming quality that only select people will appreciate. Jess is clearly one of them, and she looks cute here, but I’ll keep my distance. I can only imagine how much something so loaded actually weighs. Love the studly look? This purse is available for $2595 at Bergdorf Goodman.

Image courtesy Celebutopia.net

I’ve always loved top 10 lists. The nerd in me loves knowing what people are buying and what’s the top-selling anything. I just received this list of the nine best selling handbags at Saks.com and wanted to share it for fellow list lovers. I’m a little suprised about #6, ok very suprised by #6. Read our review of the Babouska here I’m also suprised YSL isn’t on this list with their string of recent hits, especially The Muse.

#1 Miu Miu Matellase Luxe Convertible Bag

#2 Miu Miu Small Matelasse Top Handle Tote

#3 Gucci Large Babouska Tote

#4 Miu Miu Nappa Patch Tote

#5 Prada Glace Zippers Tote

#6 Gucci Large Babouska Hobo

#7 Valentino Histoire Braided Handle Handbag

#8 Dolce & Gabbana Metallic Leather Satchel

#9 Gucci Medium Full Moon Hobo Bag

Click here to shop all the bags available at Saks

Talk about Gucci gone wrong. An overabundance of fringe (never a good thing unless you’re a flapper girl or Cher) dooms this Gucci Large Babouska Hobo to Bad Purseville. While the soft brown leather is beautiful, the addition of hula skirt-esque fringe galore, antique brass hardware distractedly running down the middle, and heart-shaped Gucci logo tags (what is this, Juicy Couture?) is just too, too much. We all love Gucci for its excess, but an excess of ugly is just…ugly. Available for $2,495 at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Hysteria: Good Def Leppard song, even better Gucci purse. This metallic beauty comes in your choice of gold or silver, with a convenient wristlet strap , ties at the sides, and a Gucci crested logo front and center. The crumpled, pleated effect of the leather gives it a modern, younger edge than a smooth version would. Besides, don’t you need something bright and shiny to get you in the Olympics spirit? Available for $795 at Saks Fifth Avenue.