Designers Handbags

Balenciaga is well known for creating avant-garde bags, their designs are always on the cutting edge of fashion and as far as quality, their extraordinary craftsmanship is unsurpassed. This chic new Balenciaga shoulder bag is so refreshing and different. I love the interesting combination of both black and tan leather. The straps are comprised of buckles, a creative twist on the usual use of hardware. Available online exclusively from matchesfashion.com for $2,400.

This summer it’s all about the bright colours and each week I surf the net to find my summer wear I am inspired. This time I’ve found the Chloé Maya Leather Shoulder Bag.

A unique and stylish violet large leather tote with canvas straps, zip detailing, pockets and an open pouch at the back, the spacious bag is perfect for your daytrips in the sun and your evenings, dining and drinking alfresco. Think whites, blues and blacks with this bag - a match made in heaven.

The expensive but extremely beautiful Chloe Maya leather shoulder bag is £716 and is available at Net A Porter.

Anya Hindmarch is an accessories designer out of England, who quickly gained popularity worldwide. Her handbag and shoe collections are frequently featured in leading fashion magazines like Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, and in both 2006 and 2007 Anya was named Designer of the Year by Glamour magazine. This haute little number is called the Aretha Shoulder Strap Bag. White calfskin leather is accented with trendy gold stud work, while the inside is rigged with all the organizational must haves: zippered pockets, a pen holder and a key latch. Available at Ron Herman (Fred Segal) for $1,050.

Gryson has been hyped and hyped, but the bags do live up to all of it. I loved the first round last season, and the spring and summer bags are looking mighty fresh and lovely. Take this Gryson buckled shoulder bag, for example. It’s absolutely adorable! The green! The green!!! I love it! Both tones are rich and vibrant, and the contrast between the dark polished apple and the cheery forest is perfect. The gold hardware works really well with the green scheme, and I love all the hooks and studs. The two shoulder straps both detach, so you have some flexibility in how to wear the bag. The flap is interesting, and I might prefer that it actually folded over the whole opening of the bag, but it is very cute with the little tiny buckle-front. The luggage tag is another useless and very sweet touch. I love this bag for the coming season, and it would carry well into fall as well. Get it now for $725 at Neiman Marcus.

What’s more fun than hot pink? Bounce houses? Too childish. Clowns? Way scary. Following the train wreck that is Britney Spears? Just tragic. So yes, hot pink wins. I recently discovered Begeren’s wonderful handbags thanks to the Purse Forum, and now I can’t get enough! The leather is super soft and smooshy, and the prices are very reasonable. The designer, Linda Ly, is also a very sweet woman who takes customer service seriously. I love the new season handbags, and especially like the punchy Begeren Belmont shopper in this pretty color, “orchid.” It’s a perfect bag for school or shopping, practical but with whimsical details and an adorable girly shape. Lots of pockets for your extras, and the interior will hold your books and magazines. I love how cheerful it is, and I’m pretty tempted to buy one! At $485, it isn’t dirt cheap, but for quality leather and sweet design, it’s a great buy. Look at styles and shop online at Begeren’s website.

I think that people tend to forget that Coach is not the only alternative to dropping G’s on a high-end designer bag. One of my favorite mid-range handbag designers is Goldenbleu, a San Francisco-based company launched in 2004. I own a few of their styles, and can personally attest to their flawless workmanship and the smoothe smooshy quality of their leather. The Goldenbleu Natasha Saddle Bag is one of their newer bags, and I am enchanted. The milk chocolate color is such a bright brown that it even goes with black, and the luscious auburn trim provides the perfect dose of contrast. While I do question the need for purse feet on such a slouchy bag, I can’t help but coo at the way the leather appears to mold to the model’s body. I’m starting to fantasize about what I could stuff into this practical beauty. Let’s have some more details to liven up the fantasy, shall we? Natasha has polished gold buckles and a discrete gold name plate on one side with “Goldenbleu” written in tiny letters. We have the gold purse feet I mentioned earlier as well as lush tan suede lining. You can grab this rich caramel chocolate darling at Active Endeavors for $630. For an extra 20% off, use code “toutie.”

Written by guest blogger: Nerdphanie.

Labor day has passed, but white is still completely hot and completely perfect for winter. For your winter wonderland bag, take a look at the Salvatore Ferragamo Ganci Leather Shoulder Bag which combines silky magnolia cream kidskin, black edging, and a pleated body. The shoulder straps are what catch my attention because of their wooden ring insets. Granted I have not seen this bag in person, but the belted gussets with wooden Gancini buckles take away from the wooden ring shoulder strap. One or the other would be a better option. Ferragamo has designed a bag that is worthy of consideration: via Neiman Marcus for $1150.

Michael Kors is biting and witty on Project Runway and practical and funky in his designs. The Michael Kors Venus Shopper

offers three supple and creamy colors (chocolate, black, or luggage (shown)) and all the amenities needed for this handbag. The additions that separate this bag from the rest are the braided top handles with rings, tabbed corners, and a drawstring closure that features Michael Kors charms. Kors himself may be a tough judge, but for this bag I don’t feel the need to judge his sense of style. For the typical person, it flows amazingly. Sizing up at 10″H x 12 1/2″W x 6″D, buy this shopper via Michael Kors for $428.

Fun, cute, and under $200 is Marc Jacobs latest comic edition, the Marc by Marc Jacobs Safety Net Cotton Shopper. Life comes with rain and clouds, but knowing you have a safety net is always a plus- and makes you look on the bright side. Marc implemented this on his chocolate-and-purple polka dot cotton shoulder bag. There is also bird print and knot on strap and a bird and cloud ‘Safety Net’ print on the side and a signature tag on front. Just like the Miss Faridah collection, I see this bag selling out quick. Buy it via Net-A-Porter for $190.