Designers Handbags

There’s nothing like a purse that screams summer at you, and this delicious little bag is one of the summeriest bags we’ve seen so far this year.

It’s the Strawberry Fields Terry City Girl Bag, a wonderfully bright, sunshiny purse from Juicy Couture.

Made of the standard Juicy terry cloth, this bag comes with a thick leather shoulder strap and gold hardware, as well as leather trim and removable accessories.

A lovely purse for a lovely season!

SRP $145.00

This rather unusual-looking purse is the Leopard Chateau Clutch from L.A.M.B, Gwen Stefani’s oh-so-hip fashion label.

The reason this purse is being featured is that every once in a while, ArmCandyGirl likes to shake things up a little by featuring a bag that not everyone is likely to, shall we say… appreciate.

So what’s nice about this clutch, then? Just for starters, it has a secure magnetic buckle… and then there’s the removable chain… and of course we can’t forget the gold hardware and lovely leather trim.

The leopard design itself is very fresh and unusual — all in all this is a very unique and daring way to greet the Spring.

Nice one, Gwen!

SRP $345.00

This beautiful bag is the Buffalo “Day On” Tote from Celine, a lovely purse to take you through spring into summer time.

Made of a lovely soft leather, the Buffalo Day On is one of the sturdiest bags you can carry this season - not only does it have a fold-over top but it also has weighted corners for a more secure feel.

Silver hardware and a decorative ring on the front top off this very feminine, luxurious purse!

SRP $1,350.00

Calling handbag lovers everywhere. Take note. Accessories brand, Botkier has joined the never ending list of labels clamouring to partner with Target.

Currently stocked in Barneys, Harvey Nichols, Fred Segal, and Neiman Marcus, Botkier is a favourite among the celebrities, with Angelina Jolie, Kate Bosworth and Heidi Klum being loyal fans.

The Botkier for Target collection is the fifth handbag line to be launched and will be available at select Target stores nationwide and at Target.com from July 21. How excited are we?

Alright so we’ve already had the whole oversized bag debate and regular readers will know…I love big bags! But even I have to admit that in the past couple of months or so, I’ve had to downsize ever so slightly. Searching for my phone…actually searching for anything became so tiresome that I accepted defeat.

But still I do have a fondness for supersized handbags, and evidently so does Katie Holmes as she left the ABC studios in New York sporting the most beautiful and the most massive red Hermes Birkin bag.

The thing is…I never thought I’d ever say this, but this is a case of the oversized trend gone too far. Her arms must be aching. Although there is the possibility that there’s nothing inside it and carrying the Birkin was for publicity purposes only. It is a gorgeous bag!

Who was it that said “less is more,” or to rephrase, that “more is just more?” Whomever it was, word does not seem to have reached the bag design team at Marc Jacobs and now Chloe. While Marc seemingly did the impossible and created something truly garish in his ‘bag on a bag’ um, bag, Chloe just tossed a lot of flap/buckle clasps onto this clutch.

Furthermore, while Marc could at least make the excuse that his bag’s appendages are at least functional for organisational purposes, I’m not quite sure what the extra Chloe clasps accomplish. They aren’t going to keep out a diligent pickpocket; they’re not even placed to do so.

I would have loved to see this Chloe clutch done totally in the fuschia (as we all know brights are in!) with just one centered leather buckle, or the body of the bag could have been kept white with the folded over bit done in this bubbly pink. But as it is, this clutch looks like it is covered in buckle growths. Ick.

Also, is it just me or are the leather buckles oddly reminiscent of a toned down B. Fendi buckle …

I’ve been travelling quite a bit in recent months and have a few trips planned for this summer too. I understand that luggage is meant to be functional and is quick to get dirtied and scuffed, but I can’t help but wish I had a more stylish and unique suitcase – instead of the standard black Samsonite I’ve been lugging around.

There would be no mistaking my bag with this Marc by Marc Jacobs red patent leather wheely. With gold hardware, red padded handles, signature label patch on the front, this suitcase is more flashy than functional, but why not have a little bit more fun when it comes to vacations and traveling?

At least I’d have something pretty to look at while waiting in those dreadfully long security lines…$698 available on shopbop.com.

You probably haven’t heard of Kathleen Dustin. I hadn’t even heard of her until a few days ago, when a friend of mine who knows that I’m always looking for interesting takes on fashion passed along her website to me.

Kathleen studied mathematics at University but realized she had missed her true calling as an artist and went back to school to get her MFA. However, believing that sculptures “just sit in the corner and gather dust”, she wanted to make art that was more interactive, so she chose purses and jewelry.

Her designs are whimsical, and strikingly beautiful (even if you wouldn’t necessarily find it wearable, per se), and I find myself drawn to the Nigella pod purse. Paired with a tailored, monochrome look and some seriously glam heels, the Nigella bag would be amazing and beyond unique (each bag is handcrafted in numbers more limited than Birkin bags).

If the organic-inspired bags aren’t for you, check out the “Contemplating Yesterday” tote– the silhouette and structure are eye-catching and the rich colours are perfect for evening events.

I’d love to see a risk-taking yet superbly elegant celeb like Nicole Kidman carry a bag like this for an evening out!

It’s crazy how full of personality and charm the newest Gucci purses are. I love this medium-sized Joy Boston Bag. It’s truly one of the most eyecatching Gucci creations I’ve laid eyes on, thanks to the black and white floral embroidery, black button details and gold and silver hardware. It sounds a little bizarre, but somehow this mishmash of elements works. It instantly perks up a suit and it’s a bit of a conversation piece, too.

One of the latest new additions is the Miu Miu woven fringe hobo. The hobo is dressed in a woven pattern body and features double trails of fringe down each side. Not as dramatic as Miu Miu’’s distant relatives version* - Prada’’s Nappa Weave Flap Hobo. Still I have never been a fan of tassel fringe. I would get the urge to pull out the scissors and start snipping away. Or at least avoid this bag all together. What do you guys think? A hit or miss?

The woven leather Miu Miu can be spotted in the of net-a-porter, along with a few other new designer bags worth checking out.

Discover the Miu Miu Woven Leather Hobo Purse
$1,595