June 11, 2008
post written by Bag Bliss blogger: Jennifer

Special Edition Hermes Kelly Bag: Proceeds to fight Aids in Monaco
Brief History: It all began in the 1880′s, when the legendary house began as making saddles under the name of Hermes-Freres. Then by the 1920′s Hermes introduced their first line of ladies handbags.

In 1956 while pregnant with Princess Caroline, Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco was photographed in New York City by Life Magazine carrying the large black crocodile Kelly bag, which was used to cover her pregnant tummy. After this image appeared on the cover of Life Mag, the bag became a hit and was later renamed the Kelly bag.

Hermes created a limited edition Kelly bag for Artcurial’s annual Hermes vintage sale, featuring a portrait of Grace Kelly printed on canvas.

Guess how much the bag sold for… $80,906, with all proceeds from the sale of the bag going to Princess Grace’s daughter Princess Stephanie’s charity Fight Aids Monaco.

[ The Bag Forum: Hermes Kelly Bag: Proceeds to fight Aids in Monaco ]

May 27, 2008
post written by Bag Bliss blogger: Vanessa

Madonna’s $471,000 Chanel Bag
Now we all love a good Chanel bag, but do you think you could you love one enough to pay $471,000 for it? Well that is how much somebody paid for Madonna’s Chanel bag at the annual amfAR Cinema Against AIDS benefit when it was auctioned off. The bag features alligator leather and a clasp studded with 334 diamonds. It was the bag that Madonna carried to the benefit and included everything she carried in the bag including, Shu Uemura blotting paper and lip gloss, lip balm, a magnifying mirror, and throat lozenges.

Now I guess this bag has a lot to offer. First off, its simply a beautiful Chanel bag….alligator leather and a diamond clasp. That is definitely a one of a kind bag that not everyone can get. Secondly, this is Madonna’s bag! Madonna! The queen of pop! I mean owning anything of hers is pretty awesome, let alone a Chanel bag with all of her belongings in it. Lastly, the money went to benefiting an AIDS charity.

Now, not many of us could pay $471,000 for a Chanel bag, but I guess overall this was a pretty good buy that benefited a great cause. Go Madonna!

[ The Bag Forum: Madonna’s $471,000 Chanel Bag ]

May 15, 2008
post written by Bag Bliss blogger: Jennifer
Kate Spade Summer Bags on SALE!
I can’t believe it’s finally summer. Today, in Emerald City it’s expected to get up to about 75*, and this weekend a heat wave is going to roll in at about an average of 86*! Hard to believe that we had a couple snow showers and rain storms all within the last month. Actually, I was talking about this in TBF. The weather has been so depressing and dark, that I had to put all my white, light colored spring bags back in hibernation. Very disappointing. White bags + rainy weather.. I just can’t do. Now with the dramatic weather change I had to drag them all out again from their resting closet. I’m hoping that the weather stays nice at least for a couple more weeks, or well until I receive my new lavender Pa-tou-tou purse from HauteLook. That bag is so summer. Speaking of summer bags, you have to check out these cute Kate Spade purses… oh they are on sale too!

Kate Spade Hugo Poppy Canvas Griffen
A spring-ago Kate Spade joined forces with British artist Hugo Guinness, known for his lovely pen and ink drawings primarily of flowers, plants, and vines, created this unique illustration of poppies to create the Kate Spade Hugo Poppy Griffen tote. The super lightweight magazine tote features the artist’s beautiful poppy illustration printed on a lightweight canvas and boarskin leather trim. These bags are so cute and perfect for summer. The clear one gets my pick for beach life, and the other canvas gets my vote for an every day’er. Measures 14.5″ height x 13″ width x 3.5″ depth. Both bags available @ ebags.

Price: $225 $169.99 (canvas)
Price: $195 $144.99 (pvc)

Kate Spade Orchard Street Jocelyn Green Clutch
What’s in the name? Once the site of a bustling outdoor market that served manhattan’s tenement population, over the last decade orchard street has attracted artists, designers, and upstart eateries to the lower east side. now at the center of the downtown artists’ scene, orchard street reflects a rich mélange of cultural influences and a cutting edge sensibility.

An unstructured handheld clutch made of patent finished calfskin with oil slick finish and topped off with 14-karat white gold plated hardware. The mouth of the bag is secure with a zipper closure that slides open to reveal the custom printed dot lining on 100% sateen lining interior. Measures 6.8″ height x 10.9″ width w/ a 3.1″ drop length. Available in green or petrol @ KateSpade.

Price: $325 $244

Kate Spade Bilbao Quintessa Vertical Tote
What’s in the name? The spanish city of bilbao became a cultural destination in its own right when it was chosen as the site for frank gehry’s spectacular titanium guggenheim museum. since then, the city has become a hub for contemporary art and design. these handbags reflect the graceful, confident design found in bilbao.

White bags in the summer are a must! This bag is created out of a smooth, soft, patent calfskin and trimmed with mirrored metallic silver cowhide, and accesssorized with nickel hardware. The mouth is a wide-open style, revealing the classic custom printed dot on 100% cotton twill lining which features an interior center zip pocket, double slide pockets and zip pocket. Measures 14.4″ height x 13.3″ width x 3.7″ depth w/ a 3.1″ drop length. Available in white @ KateSpade.

> The black patent version of this bag is on sale for $397.90 over at Nordstrom’s!

Price: $595 $446

[ The Bag Forum: Kate Spade Summer Bags on SALE! ]

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