Well, well, well – look at this bundle of elegance. This Balenciaga Padlock Silver Evening Ottoman combines a dash of divine, a splash sexy and a hint of edgy into one sensational bag. It features silver padlock closure with a snap clasp, silver tone hardware, calfskin leather, an interior zip pocket and a leather framed hand mirror. A purse this beautiful deserves a new slinky dress and some equally dashing shoes to pair with so buyer beware, a shopping spree is a likely side effect with the purchase of this bag! Find it at Balenciaga for $1,045.

posted: May 22nd, 2012
category: Balenciaga Handbags
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You just never know when your life will take a sudden turn for the glamorous. Why not have something absurdly flamboyant on hand for those unexpected moments? Something like…I don’t know…a super glitzy $6195 clutch? If you’re in the market, Judith Leiber is your gal. Her Carousel Clutch is a whirl of gloriously colorful pave crystals, meticulously placed to form an elegant merry-go-round, complete with horses all decked out in decorated saddles. A childhood fantasy, all grown up! Available at Neiman Marcus.

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 could call this the forbidden fruit – delicious, but definitely forbidden thanks to its hefty price tag. Still, that’s not going to stop anyone from coveting the Lena Erziak Adam Minaudiere, an amazing little lucite bag that captures the spirit of spring’s fruit trend beautifully. In fact, I’d say it’s the most glamorous interpretation of the trend yet. There’s something captivating and creative about an apple-shaped python bag topped with a decadent little gold leaf. I’d like a bite, please. Available for $2650 at Lena Erziak.

posted: May 10th, 2012
category: Other designer Handbags
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While everyone seems to have a (real or fake, sigh) Louis Vuitton these days, not everyone has THIS Louis Vuitton. That’s pretty much a guarantee, unless there’s been a sudden surge of Minaudiere Bijou knockoffs. This elegant evening bag captures what LV does so well, even when the house strays from its signature styles. The gleaming brass makes a strong complement to the rich tortoiseshell body, which is finished with a bold logo front and center. Normally such blatant logo blasting would really bug me, but I like the way it finishes this bag up so nicely. It’s surprisingly not that obnoxious! Available for $3650 at Louis Vuitton.

posted: May 2nd, 2012
category: Louis Vuitton Bags
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I can’t decide whether the Balmain Embossed Marie Clutch would look better with a white dress or a black dress…or maybe even fire engine red. The possibilities are endless with this intricately embossed glazed leather clutch. The goldtone grommets are diverting, but don’t take away from the swirly design. If you have any summer weddings, graduations or other occasions where you’re going to be dressed to the hilt coming up, you may want to pick this bag up now. This beauty is available for $2275 at Barneys New York.

posted: April 26th, 2012
category: Other designer Handbags
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There is only one downside I see in carrying this magnificently sultry Valentino Red Studded Leather Bag: your night out is unlikely to be hotter than your purse! This crimson delight has a long chain shoulder strap, silvertone hardware, studded detailing down the front, and a small interior pocket, and is 100% leather. If you’re looking to turn heads, this is definitely the bag for you! Pick one up at Stylebop for $1,810.

posted: April 20th, 2012
category: Valentino Handbags
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If you love exotic skins, you know all about Nancy Gonzalez. The Colombian designer remains true to her roots with designs inspired by her home country and uses only the most precious skins in the world. For her fall/winter 2012 collection, Gonzalez turned on the glitz, amplified the colors, and brought to life everything from simple clutches to basic totes. Of course, “basic” is a relative term where Gonzalez is concerned – the designer clearly doesn’t identify with the word! A few highlights:

The Ombre Python Evening Clutch is all about color. It’s a breath of fresh air amongst fall’s subdued palettes, yet the aquatic hues, tinged with a hint of lime, are just as appropriate as any of the typical eggplants or burgundies. The ombre effect is so chic – it never gets old, and it occasionally allows for the most unexpected colors to work together in complete harmony.

One of my favorite pieces is the Tall Python Tote, which makes up for in killer appearance what it lacks in creative nomenclature. Even without the river of turquoise running down the center, this python bag would be amazing. The light-catching gloss, the visibly textured material, and the unexpected leaf tassel all earn it major style points.

If all of these blues and greens don’t sit well with you during the cooler months, stick with full-on glamour. The Studded Metallic Crocodile Clutch is a gilded feast for the senses, combining two columns of hammered tonal gold studs atop a stunning gold backdrop. So luxe and classic, it’s a bag you can rest assured you’ll carry for years to come.

All images courtesy Moda Operandi.

posted: April 17th, 2012
category: Other designer Handbags
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If you’re tired of standard animal prints, you may need to broaden your horizons a bit. That’s obviously what the team at Roberto Cavalli did when they created the Maxi Cutout Metallic Leather and Satin Clutch, a sleek evening bag decorated with a lavish gold cutout overlay and fierce-looking animals growling away. Incorporating little pops of neon into its design, the bag is pretty trendy – and pretty sexy, too. Carrying this opulent piece is an easy way to make a statement this season. Available for $2210 at NET-A-PORTER.

posted: April 17th, 2012
category: Roberto Cavalli Purses
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There are many ways to punch up an LBD, but a bright handbag is one of my favorites. The lime green of this Banana Republic Renee Ombre Beaded Clutch gives it some serious wow factor. It would certainly be eye-catching with a simple black dress, but it’s such a great summer shade that it would pair beautifully with bright sundresses as well. Available at Banana Republic for $98.

posted: April 16th, 2012
category: Other designer Handbags
comments: 1 Comment