February 5, 2007

Chanel Metallic Gilt Leather Bag
Ever wonder what looks best with your silver-tone or gold-tone hardware designer bag…

Gold metals:
> Beige and olive-toned complexions.
> Hair colors range widely, from dark brunettes through pale blondes, but tend toward honeyed and red tones - from rich chocolate browns to pale honey blondes.
> The eyes may be any color, but are most often darker shades and tend toward shades of brown and hazel.
> Looks best in rich, warm colors of clothing and accessories. Yellows, oranges, browns, reds, even warmer shades of purple can look good. If lighter shades of color are desired, it’s best to go with bright shades as opposed to pastels.

Silver metals:
> Ivory and cream-toned complexions.
> Hair colors tend to be cooler, ash tones, although the hair can range from dark (blue-black) to very pale blondes (platinum or bright yellow blonde).
> Eye colors can, of course, vary through the normal spectrum, but do tend toward pale blue and green.
> Look best in cooler colors of clothing and accessories. Blues, greens, soft grays, and cool violets. Light shades - pastels and muted colors - are especially flattering, although deep jewel-tones of Emerald green and Amethyst violet are great choices for festive occasions.

What looks best with Chanel’s new Metallic Gilt Leather Bag? Everything! I don’t know about you guys but I never mix gold and silver jewelry together – like a gold hardware bag and silver jewelry, I could not do. Which is why I am so in-love with this bag, it features not just silver but gold as well. Price: $2,700

January 23, 2008

Video clip: Interview with Takashi Murakami by Jonathan Ross on Japanorama. Skip ahead to 2:10 for a good laugh. The reporter obviously doesn’t know how to tell the difference between a replica on the street (literally) and the real deal.

Video clip: Marc Jacobs, artistic director for Louis Vuitton, discusses his collaboration with Takashi Murakami in advance of the exhibition. At the very end of the clip designer Marc Jacobs reveals the new limited edition handbag collaboration.. hmm, makes me dying to know what’s blurred out in the background behind Marc-ey Marc!!

I for one am not a camouflage fan, however this new addition will have a creative bold pop-design twist to the look - it’s will be designed by prolific contemporary Japanese pop artist, Takashi Murakami!

You know T.M., he’s the creative mastermind behind many of the limited edition Louis Vuitton designer bag lines: The smiling pink Cherry Blossom Flower line, the super adorable cartoon Panda line, the delicious red Cerise cherry line, MOCA LV, the Eye Love You line and of course the Monogram Multicolore made up of 33 different vibrant colors on a white or a black background. All of the collaborations with Takashi Murakami are all highly sought after valuable collectors pieces. So I can only imagine that the monogram camouflage bag collection will be as big as the previous limited edition bags.

Date still unknown, but rumor has it the new line is due out sometime this year.

Working on the occasional collaboration project with Louis Vuitton isn’t his only creative venture. Murakami, who attended the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, works in both fine arts media, such as painting, as well as digital and commercial media. He founded the “Kaikai Kiki,” a studio where Murakami formulates the ideas but then has his 100+ assistants produce his work. In addition to producing art works for exhibition in galleries and museums, KaiKai Kiki is responsible for the design of an enormous range of mass-produced products featuring Murakami’s signature images: figurines, plush toys, keychains, t-shirts, posters, and more. I still can’t wait until the Takashi Murakami & Dream Works animated film to be released. Disney is so out.

In the mean time, shop Louis Vuitton designer handbags & purses @ eluxury.

January 8, 2008

Designer Jerome Dreyfuss Bernard Handbag
This bag is super cool and is dressed in textured-leather, 3 main compartments, lined interior with a 6″ zipper pocket and key ring, plus if you need a little extra room, simply unzip the wrap around zipper and whalah, increased capacity.
Price $745 @ Shop Bop
Designer Jerome Dreyfuss Twee Mini Cross Body Bag
The super supple Twee Mini is designed in the signature textured leather with a patch pocket on each side, magnetic-snap closure at front flap with a mirror under flap, adjustable shoulder strap for cross-body or shoulder bag style, and a lined interior with 3 card slots and key ring.
Price $409 @ Shop Bop

We here at Bag Bliss have fallen head-over-heels for french designer Jerome Dreyfuss. For those of you who aren’t familiar with this designer, below is a great interview with the handbag designer that was published some time ago in Elle. A member of thefashionspot was nice enough to translate it from French to English.

Your first fashion desires?
I got into this career to flirt with girls. I was super shy and asked them if they wanted to come try dresses at my place. One morning, I got to my office and it was incredible, Naomi, Claudia, Nadja Auermann sitting in the stairs and waiting to try on clothes and I hadn’t even booked a meeting.

Your beginnings?
When I begun, we were immersed in the minimalist era, an austere fashion, very dark, a little gothic, anyway hyper minimalistic and here I was with my images of fashion that made me dream when I was a kid, and that was Alaya, Mugler, Montana.

Why bags?
Accessories were a desire. I thought girls’ consumption habits had changed. Bags became the silouhette’s essential element, which it was not before.

Innovations for the spring-summer collection?
The shapes are still a bit “loose”, bags that slouch, all soft, in which you can put a lot of things, that are rather large. About the range of colours, there is an emerald green that works really well.

Your sources of inspiration?
I work for my wife and my friends, for girls of my generation who are on the go, work and have children.

A slogan?
My leathers are as soft as a baby’s buttocks, and babies’ bottocks are really soft!

January 2, 2008

New Pauric Sweeney Spring ‘08 Bags
Our friends over at Net-a-porter just alerted me that they have a new handful of fresh Pauric Sweeney designer purses ready for the picking.

About Pauric Sweeney: The one-time architecture student, Pauric Sweeney, launched his designer handbag collection in 2005 out of London’s Brick Lane, but in the summer of that year the designer moved his atelier to Florence, Italy, to work closely with prestigious Italian tanneries and master craftsmen. Now his signature pieces of arm candy can be spotted in the hands on hollywood’s fashion-conscious customers, such as Lindsay Lohan, Kate Bosworth, Kate Winslet and Madonna. Lindsay Lohan was our first starlet to be spotted with a Pauric Sweeney bag.

Here is the list of the latest bags by designer Pauric Sweeney:
Saffiano Patent Shoulder Bag - Dressed in an intense high-volume olive green patent with silver hardware and contrasting brown leather straps. Also features a top zip closure, contrast suede lining, contrast patent detailing on top and has feet on base. Price $1,470
Basketweave Shoulder Purse - Dressed in a cream-and-off-white woven detail with silver hardware and contrasting leather straps. Other features include the top zip closure, weave detailing and tassel on straps, a contrast suede lining, patent detailing on top and interior and has feet on base. Price $1,465
Embossed Leather Shoulder Bag - This newbie comes in a pale yellow, corn check embossed leather with silver hardware and contrasting adjustable leather straps, a top zip closure, contrast suede lining and feet on base. Price $1,425
Metallic Leather Shoulder Bag - Eye catching pieces of patent finished anthracite colored squares with matching silver hardware and contrasting leather straps, a top zip closure, contrast suede lining, contrast leather detailing on top and interior and has feet on base. Price $1,365

Discover the New Pauric Sweeney Spring ‘08 Bags

December 19, 2007

Zagliani designer Mauro Orietti-Carella
“Zagliani was founded 70 years ago as a company that specialized in exotic skins bags. We are not following a fashion moment. We do not make as much as the market demands because we are concerned about the use of too many skins, and will only work in an ethical and environmentally responsible way.” - Zagliani designer Mauro Orietti-Carella

Mauro Zagliani creations can now be spotted on the arms of dozens of our favorite starlets and purse enthusiast fashionista’s all over the globe.

What makes his designer bags so special? All exotic skin bags, designed by dermatologist Mauro Orietti-Carella, have been injected with silicone for the most buttery-soft, luxurious feel.

The bag pictured above is the Zagliani Metallic Python Puffy Bag. It’s the new it-bag of this season. This piece is the “signature bag” of the Zagliani family. The body of the bag is designed with gentle pleating, which adds textural interest to this generously sized frame bag. Right now the shimmery ivory color is available exclusively at Saks for $3,385.
(Ehrrm, fyi last month it was $2,800)

Zagliani designer bags are sold exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue.

December 12, 2007

Gaby Aghion creator of Chloe
Designer fashion fact of the day, did you know that Egyptian-born Parisienne Gaby Aghion created the French luxury fashion design house Chloe in 1952. History has it, Gaby felt her name sounded as though it “belonged to a fortune-teller,” so she borrowed the name Chloe from a friend (a faux fur manufacturer) for its warm feminine appeal.

December 11, 2007

The Joy Bryant Bag by Botkier
Fact of the day, the well-loved elephant/horn charmed Botkier Bryant bag was named after American actress Joy Bryant.

The lovely Joy Bryant attended Yale University until a modeling scout from Next Models Management discovered her, then she packed her bags to pursue a career as a fashion model in Paris. Her first exclusive contracts were with prestigious brand names such as Tommy Hilfiger and the Victoria’s Secret lingerie catalog.

The Botkier Bryant collection debuted Fall ’07 and is made of Italian lambskin, and decorated with eye-catching details such as the custom elephant/horn charm, one large front pocket and one slanted side pocket on each side, double top handle strap with whipstitch detail. The main compartment includes one compartment with logo lining, multifunctional pocket, zip pocket and an interior logo plate on leather platform.

Discover Botkier Bryant Designer Bags at Saks Fifth Avenue or ShopBop
Prices range from about $500 to $600

December 10, 2007

The Mulberry Agyness Designer Bag
Check out Mulberry’s fresh new addition to the early spring-summer ‘08 designer handbag collection — meet Agyness. This lovely beauty was named after the stunning English supermodel Agyness Deyn (real name Laura Hollins).

Agyness has appeared in advertisements for Blugirl by Blumarine, Burberry, Cacharel, John Galliano, Gianfranco Ferre, Giorgio Armani, Mulberry, Paul Smith, and Vivienne Westwood. Also this year she picked up the “Model of the Year” award at the British Fashion Awards. This truely is her year, what better timing than this to have a designer purse named after you. Especially one that surely will sell like mad.

Pricing ranges from around $1,433 for the rose goat skin (pictured above) and up to around $1,846 for a pink snakeskin version. See the other versions here.

December 6, 2007

Emma Hill named Creative Director for Mulberry
Katie Grand is out and Emma Hill is in! Earlier this week the BagLady reported that Katie Grand quit Mulberry before she even started. Now new reports are flooding in that UK-born Emma Hill has been crowned the new Creative Director. It was published only hours ago in Vogue, where it was announced that the British designer Emma Hill would be taking up the position in time for the Spring/Summer 2009 collection.

Designer Emma Hill is well-known for work on several of the world’s leading brands, such as Chloe, Marc Jacobs, and even Gap.

“I’ve always loved Mulberry and look forward lending my skills to build on the brand’s exciting recent achievements, and secure its position in the international marketplace.” – Emma Hill

December 5, 2007

Judith Leiber’s Wavy Curve Crystal Clutch
While browsing through Judith Leiber’s collection of Austrian crystal covered miniatures, purses and bags I stumbled upon this delicious sorbet colored handheld boxy shaped evening bag. This beautiful clutch features hand glued Austrian crystals neatly arranged all over the body, with a push down closure, and a detachable chain strap.

The History: The inspiration behind the Judith Leiber’s crystal evening bags sparked when Mrs. Leiber ordered a gift by mail, but by the time she received the present (a polished metal box) it had scratches all over the body. So what’s an aspiring handbag designer to do? Mrs. Leiber whipped out her craft box and creatively covered the entire box with gorgeous crystals. 40 years the same techniques are still being used.

Discover the Judith Leiber Wavy Curve Crystal Clutch
Price: $2,495

December 5, 2007

Harajuku Lovers Pin Up Girl Pop Purse
Totally loving Harajuku Lovers mini cosmetic case!

Gwen Stefani’s very affordable Harajuku Lovers cosmetic case is decorated with the adorable Pin Up Girl print and accessorized with polished nickel hardware, super kawaii limited edition charm, enamel zipper pull and plaque with HL heart insignia.

About Harajukju Lovers: Did you know Harajuku Lovers was originally going to be called “Sub L.A.M.B.”

Created by No Doubt hottie Gwen Stefani in 2005. Designer goodies include apparel, fashion accessories, and even stationery.

The concept for Harajuku Lovers revolves around the Shibuya, Tokyo area of Harajuku and the four “Harajuku Girls”; Gwen Stefani’s Japanese back-up dancers and entourage, Love, Angel, Music, and Baby.

Discover the Harajuku Lovers mini cosmetic case
Price: $28

[via: TheFashionRow]

December 3, 2007

Vivienne Westwood for Louis Vuitton Fanny Pack Bum Bag
So what the heck happened in 1996? This was the year of 100 year anniversary celebration of the iconic signature LV monogram canvas by Georges Vuitton, son of the founder Louis. Also in 1996 Vivienne Westwood worked her magic with the Louis Vuitton canvas material to create the big butt looking designer fanny hip bag. This was a year before Marc Jacobs joined the team.

November 26, 2007

Did you Know? Designer Handbag Heaven is in Amsterdam
Planning a trip to Amsterdam? Don’t forget to stop off at Tassen Museum located on Herengracht 573 in Amsterdam. This unique Designer Handbag Heaven is filled with walls and walls of bags, purses and accessories; some that even date back to the 16th century. Oh and yes of course there are current present day Limited Edition designer handbags. The museum has the largest collection of its kind in the world and is a true Hall of Fame for leading designers as well as internationally known big bag names such as Alexander McQueen, Dior, Versace, Prada, Louis Vuitton and Chanel.

In the area, give the Museum a call at +31(0)20-524 64 52

Not planning a trip to Amsterdam anytime soon, but dying to take a peak at this Museums inventory?

You can order the book “Tassen” (Bags) through the Museum’s site.

The book ‘Bags’ shows over 500 splendid colorful photos of bags and accessories from the collection of the Museum of Bags and Purses.

The book has been edited in 7 languages under one single cover.

The price of this book is about $30 + $11 for shipping. If you want to order this book, inquire at info@tassenmuseum.nl

November 25, 2007

Did you Know? Kate Spade in 1994
Kate Spade: Considered naming the brand “Olive” and “Alex Noel” but after much thought Kate Brosnahah designed to take her finance’s last name, Spade.

In 1994, just one year after the birth of Kate Spade designer handbags (at the time Kate Brosnahah & Andy Spade), Kate along with her team sold their first batch of Kate Spade signature nylon designer handbags to Barneys, while at the same time working with Todd Oldham to design the handbags for his runway show.

Also in 1994 Kate and Andy get married.