Designers Handbags

Gwyneth Paltrow has been named the new face of Italian luxury goods brand Tod’s in the wake of a short film she made for them which just debuted at Cannes. The ad campaign, shot by Mario Testino in Capri aboard dashing Tod’s CEO Diego Della Valle’s yacht, portrays “the uber luxurious, outdoors-y life of a beautiful Italian aristocrat from the heady days of the jet-set era,” Vogue UK reports.

“Italian style is very sexy, very womanly and what I love is that it seems to have so many different inspirations,” Paltrow told the mag. She replaces Sienna Miller, who starred in Tod’s ads last year. The Cannes short, which was directed by Dennis Hopper, a longtime friend of Della Valle’s, portrayed a day in the life of Gwyneth with her favorite Tod’s bag. We have long been fans of Tod’s classic driving mocs, probably the most comfortable shoes in the world.

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

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!

I was getting a little bit bored of constantly seeing Lauren Conrad with her jumbo Chanel 2.55, which she paired with almost every single outfit she wore for the good part of a month. Yes, it’s a Chanel flap but we expect more excitement and changes from someone with their own line of clothing! Finally, she was pictured last week while filming for The Hills with oversized sunnies and a Rebecca Minkoff Nikki in the color Wine.

Claudia Schiffer seems to be the model of the season in the eyes of Karl Lagerfeld, with the Kaiser choosing his fellow German as the face of the Chanel spring summer 2008 advertising campaign.

While the beach setting is perfect for spring and summer, is the the black and white tweed suit suitable beachwear? Wouldn’t Claudia look more at home on the beach in one of the Chanel demin bikini’s as seen on the runway as modeled by Gemma Ward?

The Olympe Stratus GM is a lightweight, comfortable bag with a resin LV plaque and chunky braided handle and optional shoulder strap.

You’ve got to love that Paris Hilton loves the paparazzi’s attention. “Why on Earth must we love that, Elle?” - you ask? Why, because this gives her designer freebies, like Chanel bags. Alright, alright, it’s plenty of reason for us bag desirers to hate Paris.

BUT here is Ms. Hilton perfectly posing to show us a great, clear shot of an amazingly gorgeous Chanel bag. And you know what - I believe that’s reason to love the egotist in the socialite.

So thanks Paris! Ahh to be born into wealth and fame … sigh.

As you can see from the mini photo inside the large, the bag’s not really a clutch, but a flap with the strap removed. That is a great idea! Imagine, a jumbo sized Chanel flap could be … a day clutch! Faaabulous! *Dreams off into Elle’s happy place*

I know we’ve already seen pics of a celebrity toting a Balenciaga Giant Hardware Bag, and I’ve already mentioned it here. It doesn’t matter, ladies. You can never get enough Balenciaga (or is that just me)? Just take a look at the fabulous, outrageous, and supreme supermodel Janice Dickinson (can you tell I adore her)?

Janice is being her usual over-the-top self, so the gorgeous Balenciaga Giant City Bag in Vert Gazon (grass green) sitting next to her on the floor almost slipped my radar. Unlike Katie Holmes’ Day style I featured yesterday, Ms. Dickinson has chosen the exact same stunning color in the quintessential City style. If you don’t own a bbag, you should definitely start with a City. As with the Day style, this stunning bag also comes with regular hardware. Available via Balenciaga NY (212-206-0872).