Herringbone, chevron, whatever you want to call it, the pattern on the Ivanka Trump Ivanka Clutch makes for a bag that is all class. The high-contrast print is softened up with brown where you might expect black or charcoal, which makes this clutch much more daytime appropriate than a lot of its competition. If you needed another excuse to pick this purse up, this menswear-inspired print never goes out of style, so this relatively affordable bag will last you for many seasons to come. Get one for $95 at Piperlime.

posted: May 23rd, 2012
category: Other designer Handbags
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Just in case multicolor metallic snake embossed leather isn’t quite enough to satisfy your desire for shine, this Inge Christopher Metallic Boa Flap Clutch is also bedazzled with some pretty hefty Swarovski crystals, too. It’s edgy and elegant and a great handbag for an evening out if you’re ready to feel like a glamorous badass. Available at Inge Christopher for $298.

posted: May 22nd, 2012
category: Other designer Handbags
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Believe it or not, the La Pretiosa Top Handle Bag by Gherardini was designed by – drumroll, please! – Leonardo da Vinci. Sort of. Inspired by a magnificent sketch drawn by da Vinci at the end of the 15th century, the real-life version was introduced to enormous fanfare earlier this year. The bag was created by visionary Carla Braccialini, whose own eponymous brand is no slouch in the fabulous-all-the-time department. La Pretiosa (“the precious”) is rather amazing in its construction. Not one square inch has been left to chance; from its deep, dark embroidery and almost haunting artwork to its brass hardware and rich chocolate hue, it conveys a certain regality that will, without a doubt, start more than a few conversations. Available for $4500 at LUISAVIAROMA.

posted: May 17th, 2012
category: Other designer Handbags
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Over the years I’ve covered hundreds of bags – some practical, some ridiculously wasteful and not worth even a smidgen of the expense. I know some Lanvin fanatic is going to come after me with a pointy stiletto, but I have to say that the label’s Minaudiere Round Evening Bag falls in the latter group for me. Sure, it’s nice to look at, but it’s absurdly small and is the kind of thing that one might lose if she isn’t careful. It does feature a long strap, but somehow it loses its elegance when worn on the shoulder. And with barely any room inside, this bag doesn’t win any points for usefulness! Available for $2835 at Lanvin.

posted: May 16th, 2012
category: Lanvin Bags
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You can pretty much always count on Bottega Veneta to bring the glamour. While the label doesn’t always go all out, they always make even plain leather look impeccable by way of intricate weaving techniques. I love those bags, but I also love to see new and different things from the purveyors of woven luxury. The Embossed Frame Clutch definitely veers from type. With its dramatic coloring and faint studs, this feels haunting and old-fashioned. In other words, totally captivating. Available for $2500 at Barneys New York.

posted: May 3rd, 2012
category: Bottega Veneta Bags
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Paige Ralston Fromer is just plain smart. When she designed her Argentine Leather Bag, she was mindful of its weight and size – two features that really do go hand in hand. It’s rather spacious, and bags of all kinds are inevitably filled to capacity – and that’s why she made sure it was lightweight. Most impressive is the cool “parachute” design, which opens wide on top and features dual shoulder straps for extra comfort. I love its major slouch factor, too; that, combined with the buttery leather, makes it the perfect bag for daily use. Available for $795 at AHAlife.

posted: May 3rd, 2012
category: Other designer Handbags
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When I was first introduced to the Kooba brand years ago, it was with a package and a note that promised me I’d be a goner. Now, as I’m a longtime bag junkie, few things really bring out the “goner” in me, but I’m not one to back away from a challenge. I opened up the package with limited expectations and discovered a gorrrrgggeous bag with distressed leather, minimal hardware, and a little slouch. It became an instant favorite, and I’ve appreciated Kooba ever since, even though its most recent designs haven’t thrilled me quite as much. The Jane Crossbody Bag, though, is a different story. I love this little thing; in luggage-tan leather, it’s versatile and has a kind of weathered appearance that looks great whether I’m dressed up or down. If you’re looking for something that will just throw you with its great quality and immaculate detailing, you’ll find it here. Available for $448 at Piperlime.

posted: May 1st, 2012
category: Other designer Handbags
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I’m not typically a bucket bag kind of gal, but this Rachel Zoe Joni Raffia/Leather Bucket Bag has most certainly captured my attention. To be honest, I feel a sort of strange connection to it. It’s almost as if I’ve carried it in a past life or something. The raffia body, brown pebbled leather, golden hardware, adjustable shoulder strap, and and drawstring closure feel familiar to me. Well, regardless of how I know it, I love it. If you’re feeling a connection too, it’s available for $495 at Bergdorf Goodman.

posted: April 27th, 2012
category: Other designer Handbags
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I’m fairly certain this Mosey Smiler is so named because it actually appears that this little bag is smiling, which is just downright adorable. Though I have to admit, it was more than the cute name that drew me to this purse. It’s compact, lightweight, and has a durable adjustable strap. This little bag is ideal for travel! It won’t take up much space or weight in your carryon, and it’ll hold the essentials you’ll want when you reach your final destination. Plus, it comes in a wide array of colors, so you’re sure to find one that blends with your wardrobe. Available at Zappos for $98.

posted: April 25th, 2012
category: Other designer Handbags
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Known for their dramatic home furnishings clothed in exotic materials like ostrich, cobra and python, R+Y Augousti (married couple Ria and Yiouri) embrace global fashion in a most adventurous manner. The French-based line is responsible for some of the most luxurious wares to hit the industry in years – think shagreen-covered jewelry boxes, shoeboxes crafted of luminous shells, and tables made of stingrays. To bring such exoticism to women’s fashion only made sense, and the label’s fall/winter 2012 lineup is further evidence of their design prowess.

The Geometric Clutch sounds incredibly simple, yet appears quite complex. Composed of broken bits of pen shell tossed with pieces of shagreen, it’s an architectural wonder topped with a sensible magnetic closure. It also happens to match a great deal of their housewares, from their picturesque vases to their handsome picture frames. Ya know, in case you actually want to be overly matchy.

I have to admit I’m always a little wary of attempts at mixed media colorblocking. That realization has come with the recent onslaught of such designs, which tend to be quite hit or miss. I’m glad to say the Two-Tone Box Clutch is a surefire hit, thanks to its blend of bright, speckled python, dramatic blue shagreen, and the sleek black centerpiece. It’s a sophisticated choice for evening that veers into a territory decidedly more adventurous than does the basic black clutch.

The sleek silhouette and low-key color palette of the Two-Tone Envelope Clutch convey a quiet sort of elegance. Clearly beautifully made, with shagreen (obviously a highly favored material) and python, it’s not overly dramatic, yet still manages to make quite a statement with its textured finish and classic design.

All images courtesy Moda Operandi.

posted: April 24th, 2012
category: Other designer Handbags
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