American handbag designer Mary Norton started making handbags on her kitchen table in Charleston, South Carolina, 11 years later her glamorous little evening necessities are the most sought-after Red Carpet accessories.
Mary Norton is considered one of the most original accessory designers with evening clutches and handbags that have garnered an impressive A-List celebrity following including Oprah Winfrey, Alicia Keys, Tina Fey, Charlize Theron, Penelope Cruz and Jennifer Lopez.
Pictured above is Mary Norton while attending the Costume Designers Guild Awards Dinner wearing a Teri Jon dress, jewelry by Van Cleef & Arpels and finished off with her gorgeous crimson red satin Roseanna clutch. (The Roseanna was also worn by Taraji P. Henson and Miley Cyrus at the 2009 Academy Awards)
For her latest spring collection, if you love fun vibrant colors, checkout the delicious Candy Collection. There are so many gorgeous bags in this bunch, definitely my favorite selection. Each bag features layers of custom dyed ostrich feathers – turquoise, purple and green & raspberry, yellow, orange and white. The Roberta with Swarovski crystals and Ginny are worth taking a look at. Price range is $795 to $995 for the clutches and $495 for the shoes.
Also featured for Spring 2009 is the flashy Disco Fever, and as the name suggests, this collection is filled with disco patterns and metallic shades. The yellow Rhianna is my favorite, it’s the perfect clutch day-to-night clutch. Price range is $595 to $695 for the clutches and $445 to $595 for the shoes.
Also don’t forget to check out the new for Fall 2009 Peace on Earth clutch. As featured on E! the hard box clutch features laser cut calf hair, adorned with Swarovski stones. Available for pre-order.
And I recently got the opportunity to exchange a Q + A with this fabulous designer.
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Mary Norton isn’t new to fashion events. So it’s no surprise when saw her amazing pieces on the Red Carpet at the 2009 Academy Awards.
Lets examine a couple of our favorites:
Taraji P. Henson with Roseanna
The Outstanding Supporting Actress Nominee for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button accessorized her red carpet look with a Roseanna – a crimson satin pouch clutch with a jeweled clasp.
Miley Cyrus with Roseanna
The starlet accessorized her dramatic bejeweled gown with the Roseanna in champagne satin from the Spring 2009 Collection.
The champagne is in store only, so give them a call at 1-800-666-7661 for availability.
The red and black are available online at marynorton.com:
The Roseanna pictured above is dressed in a deep pleated Crimson satin on a Hidden Frame. What I love most about this clutch is the long tassel with the decorative Swarovski crystal head and matching silk fringe – however if you’re not a fan of that detail, it’s removable. For the red carpet occasion, Miley and Taraji set it aside. Also comes with a removable shoulder chain.
A stunning piece, worth the $895 price tag.
Queen Latifah with Jordan
Queen Latifah accessorized her red carpet look at the 81st Annual Academy Awards with her leather Jordan – an oval clutch with an elegant navy blue tassel.
Right now the blue is currently not available online, however over at marynorton they have this funkier colorful version of the Jordon.
The Jordon baton clutch version pictured above is created out of an interesting iridescent rainbow Lizard print material, and accessorized with detachable Jelly Bean bubbly tassel with feature fringe. Then when you pop this beauty open, you’ll discover the signature Mary Norton Leopard print lining. $795
Alicia Keys with Sasha
Alicia Keys was striking in yellow at The 2009 Vanity Fair Oscar Party after presenting at the Academy Awards. The singer selected the Sasha – a gold patent leather clutch with a crystal clasp.
Right now, there is an amazing black calf hair version of Sasha on sale for 50% off at Saks Fifth Avenue!
The Sasha clutch is just amazing, a simple classic beauty. A faceted solitare of Swarovski crystal makes an impact mounted on a bag of soft haircalf with patent trim. Comes with a detachable chain strap. Sale Price: $495
Mary Norton fans, you don’t have to travel afar anymore to purchase from this designer — she has launched a e-commerce website.
Mary Norton is famous for her line of self-named handbags that have become one of today’s most sought-after Red Carpet accessories. Her collection (formerly called MOO ROO), grew from a single design crafted on a kitchen table in 1998, and now, ten years later, Norton is considered one of the most original accessory designers with evening clutches and handbags that have garnered an impressive celebrity following including Oprah Winfrey, Penelope Cruz and Jennifer Lopez.
July 4, 2007
Mary Norton to Name Purse After Reese Witherspoon
Designer Mary Norton, created the first few MOO ROO (nicknames of her two daughters, Micah and Reilly) bags on her dining room table as gifts for friends. Then within the next few years the label Moo Roo became widely popular among celebrities and bagista’s all over the world.
Mary Norton is currently undergoing a name change from Moo Roo to Mary Norton. When the changeover is complete the new handbags will be marked with the new name, Mary Norton. The new change also gives birth to a wider selection of couture handbags, from croc-embossed totes to gold-brushed clutches with satin underlay. Also rumor has it around the bag-o-sphere that one of those bags will be named after Actress Reese Witherspoon. The bag lady Mary Norton was on a hunt for a tag name for a new clutch accessory when she saw the “elegant” Legally Blonde star on the red carpet at an awards show. The designer says, “It (the clutch) has a clean, classic look. It made me think of Reese, who is a down-to-earth mom and an elegant woman.” The new evening minaudiere clutch, which features a decorative jeweled clasp, will be available shortly at MooRoo.com or at Mary Norton Boutiques for around $1k.
May 22, 2007
Star Style: Celebrities with Their Moo Roo Evening Purses
After having a dream one night, designer Mary Norton, created the first few MOO ROO (nicknames of her two daughters, Micah and Reilly) bags on her dining room table as gifts for friends. Then within the next few years the label Moo Roo became widely popular among celebrities and bagista’s all over the world. Pictured above are only a few of the celebrities that have Moo Roo evening clutches hiding in their closet – Paris Hilton, Penelope Cruz, and Queen Latifah.
> Paris is carrying the fluffy winter white Moo Roo lavish ostrich feather evening bag. Not many people can pull off the feather downy purse, but Paris does it well, she absolutely looks stunning. Price $295
> Penelope was spotted with the solid oval metallic leather minaudiere decorated with a swirl of dazzling swarovski crystals and trimmed with pearl. The mini purse comes with a detachable shoulder snake chain. Price $1000
> The Queen is pictured above with the gold and brown pouchette evening bag in hand. Price $375
If on the hunt for something shiny or dazzling that will last you years to come, then I think that a Moo Roo evening purse would be a great choice. Wander on over to mooroo.com to explore all of their fun a stylish arm candy.
May 22, 2007
Moo Roo Name Change & Biggest Sale Yet
Mary Norton, owner of the Fashion Designer label Moo Roo is undergoing a big transition, a name change. When the changeover is complete the new handbags will be marked with the new name, Mary Norton. The new change also gives birth to a wider selection of couture handbags, from croc-embossed totes to gold-brushed clutches with satin underlay. Sweet News!
In the mean time Moo Roo is having a gigantic super sale to get rid of all those Moo Roo label purses. Pictured above is the super lovely Baby Fou Fou small satin handbag adorned with Moo Roo’s custom-dyed farm-raised ostrich feathers in mix of gorgeous colors with exquisite caviar beading in deep violet and silver. Also comes with a wrist and shoulder snake chains. This Baby Fou Fou usually carries a price tag of $595, but lucky you, right now it’s on sale for $195
Bag Bliss the bag blog
Date Added: November 8, 2006
Auction | Moo Roo minaudiere purse | View!
About the Auction: Mary Norton is the founder and designs exquisite handbags for Hollywood’s hottest celebrities. Mary Norton is also a Lupus survivor and has an inspiring story of courage and a dream. Actress Sharon Stone, a customer and friend of Mary Norton’s, has donated her personal MOO ROO handbag that she carried at the Red Carpet Premiere of “Catwoman”, also starring Halle Berry.
Check back frequently on the site, currently the Moo Roo minaudiere crystal clutch is on the table. The clutch has a retails tag of $1100. At this very moment this celebrity-owned clutch is at the bid of $252, get in on the action – go! Proceeds will be presented to the Lupus Research Institute (LRI).
Celebrities and Their Handbags
Celebrity | Sharon Stone | Moo Roo Handbag
Pictured above is Sharon Stone with Halle Berry at the Red Carpet Premiere of “Catwoman.” Bag for the occasion was the Moo Roo evening clutch, a small silver metallic leather oval minaudiere hand-cast with diamond Swarovski crystals and a optional shoulder snake chain.
The Work Bag:
The Beach Tote:
The Weekend Bag:
The Evening Clutch:
