October 30, 2008
post written by Bag Bliss blogger: Marissa
James Piatt, the creative handbag designer
When I first volunteered to write about James Piatt, I must admit I had no idea who he was or that he was a designer. While browsing the handbags on Mr. Piatt’s website I was appalled but also very intrigued. His handbags were very different and nothing that I have ever seen before. To make it short, James Piatt’s handbags are very unique all on their own.
James Piatt has been designing handbags for the past 4 years in Los Angeles, California and it’s no surprise that, in his own words, he is most recognized for “creating controversial work.” Mr. Piatt created and designed his first handbag in 2004 as a gift. The unique handbag was called the Peacekeeper and it is still being produced today. The latest version of the Peacekeeper is called the Peacekeeper 400, and it may just make your jaw drop. The Peacekeeper 400 does not have a strap for you carry on your shoulder or handles for you to carry it with your hand. The handle on the Peacekeeper 400 is brass knuckles. When I think of brass knuckles gangs, and someone very violent comes to mind, so to see brass knuckles on a handbag is very different but also very unique. When was the last time you can say you saw brass knuckles on a handbag, never I’m sure. Mr. Piatt told us his reasoning for putting brass knuckles on a handbag was because, “He felt it was unexpected” and indeed was he right.
The Peacekeeper 400 is not the only bag James Piatt has designed. Other names of Mr. Piatt’s handbag collection include: The Persuader; Chesterton; and lastly Tinkerbell. The most shocking of them all in the handbag named Tinkerbell, which was inspired by the way Paris Hilton treats her pets. To me the handbag looks like you are carrying a dead dog, but there is more of a message to this handbag. “This design capitalizes on the trend of carrying a small dog as a fashion accessory”, which was quoted straight from Mr. Piatt’s website. When you read the actual message for the handbag, you realize that it is actually quite humorous. The other handbags in Mr. Piatt’s collection are also very unique. The Persuader mimics a machine-gun, and the Chesterton is a roomy handbag that has no stitching and was constructed by interlocking laser cut leather. If you have an artistic and unique way of thinking you will definitely be craving one of James Piatt’s handbags.
Overall, James Piatt is a very creative and unique handbag designer. Mr. Piatt’s handbags are the kinds of bags that you will either love or loathe them. The Tinkerbell handbag may be a little overwhelming at first but, once you realize the real message of the handbag, it’s quite the hilarity. Mr. Piatt’s other handbags are just as unique. The Peacekeeper 400, Persuader, and Chesterton all have their own style and are very different from each other. Like them, or hate them there is no doubt that if you carry one of these handbags all eyes will be fixated on you.
Here is a look of the James Piatt handbags:
All photo’s courtesy of James Piatt
The Peacekeeper 400 (available in Black and Red)
The Pursuader (available in Pink and Silver)
The Chesterton (available in Black and Pink)
The Tinkerbell (available in Black)
March 7, 2008
post written by Bag Bliss blogger: BrS
Great Gifts for Handbag Lovers
Ever find yourself stumped for ideas when trying to buy a gift for someone? Your answer to this question is most likely going to be “yes”! Well, what if you are trying to shop for someone that loves handbags just as much as you do?
Recently, I was faced with just such a dilemma. My friend of twenty-something years had a birthday coming up. She was turning 26 and she is the ultimate handbag collector. Of course, I knew exactly what she wanted for her birthday… a new Fendi bag she had been eye-balling for the past few months. Now don’t get me wrong, I love my friend to death! However, there was absolutely no way I was spending $1500 + on a handbag for HER. Yep, you guessed it! I would have much rather spent that kind of money on a handbag for MYSELF!
So here I was, trying to come up with a creative and thoughtful gift for my handbag-loving friend. Finally, I stumbled across a post Jennifer had made over at the Fashion Row about the following book:
At last, my quest had come to an end! Not only is “This Little Piggy Went to Prada” by Amy Allen a wonderful and clever book, but it also turned out to be the perfect gift for my friend!
(You can check it out here in Jennifer’s post: The Fashion Row » Book: This Little Piggy Went To Prada)
After finding this book, I was inspired to find other gifts that would be perfect for handbag lovers. Below are some of my top picks. I hope you will find them as enjoyable as I did!
Moschino Time 4 Shopping Purse Charm Watch
You can find it here: Save on the Moschino Time 4 Shopping Purse Charm Watch at SmartBargains.com
Silver Plate Handbag Salt and Pepper Shakers
Check them out here: Handbag Salt & Pepper Shakers at Neiman Marcus
And if you are shopping for someone with a sweet tooth:
(Left) Handbag Cookie Jars from Neiman Marcus – Find it here: Handbag Cookie Jars – Neiman Marcus
(Right) Designer Handbag Cookies from Eleni’s NYC – Check them out here: Eleni’s NYC
(Top) Chocolate Purses from Golda & I – Available here: Golda & I Three Fun Chocolate Purses – Saks.com
November 15, 2007
Designer Handbags Page: A Daily Purse Calendar
You know you are a true handbag addict when you don’t settle for the classic plain daily desk calendar, but rather a calendar book filled with pages and pages of designer purses.
314 pages filled with colorful beautifully photographed designer clutches, purses, totes, and bags, with Saturday and Sunday on a shared page.
Who’s in there? The elegant: Judith Leiber’s leather appliqué envelope pouch. The bohemian: Hogan’s fringed shoulder bag. The befeathered: Moo Roo’s “Fancy Foo” evening bag. The playful: Stella McCartney’s “Softrock style” guitar-shaped bag. Plus Kate Spades and Will Hardys, Moschinos, Puccis, Fendi Baguettes, and antique bags galore.
A great stocking stuffer or side gift for your beloved fashion friends.
I just ordered mine… I have to wait until January 1st! Bummer.
November 5, 2007
The Marc Jacobs Padlock & Key Watch Necklace
Dear Bag Bliss and tbf’ers who reside in America, I hope you remembered to set your clocks back an hour! I know, we should have reminded you yesterday rather than today, since chances are if you forgot to change your clocks & watches you showed up an hour early for work or school.
Speaking of watches, what do you guys think of the Marc Jacobs new line of watch necklaces? I purchased the Padlock and Key Marc Jacobs Watch back in August when it was fresh to store shelves, but have only worn it twice before tossing it back in its pouch and throwing it in my jewelry drawer. Why? It’s cute but like most fashion accessories in my life, I’m bored of it. Also it doesn’t help that I have spotted a handful of people with the same watch. Not with any of the other version, but the Padlock and Key Watch. Bummer.
Get your designer marc jacobs watch here.
October 26, 2007
The Louis Vuitton Mumbai Travel Notebook
A fresh new addition to the Louis Vuitton notebook bookcase collection, it’s the limited edition Mumbai travel note pad. Richly illustrated with spirited and vivacious watercolors by French artist Florine Asch, this exquisite travel notebook is the perfect way to capture your journey. This little piece comes with over 70 pages of blank space to record your sketches and observations. It also comes with five Louis Vuitton postcards and LV pencils. Measurements are 8.9″x 5.7″
Discover the Louis Vuitton Mumbai Travel Notebook
Price: $85
October 22, 2007
Free Purse Goodies @ eLuxury: Michael Kors & Isabella Fiore
Right now over at eluxury they currently are running a promotion where if you purchase anything from Michael Kors you will receive the monogram MK card holder (pictured above), or if you snatch up anything from Isabella Fiore you will receive the metallic blue coin purse (pictured above).
This designer freebie offer is available while supplies last. Limit one gift per customer per transaction. Also the offer does not apply to items on sale and only applies to purchases of regular-priced merchandise. No promotion code necessary.
Go get your complimentary gift!
October 12th, 2007
Louis Vuitton Monogram Multicolore Berlingot Purse
Named after a candy from Carpentras, Louis Vuitton’s Berlingot is a fun and original key holder that can also be used as a change purse or bag charm. So for those days when you feel like going purse-less, just stuff this little guy up with your cards, a couple dollars, and lipgloss and you will be set. Or, if you are toting along a big bag then just clip it on the D-ring and tada, your necessities will be within reach.
This little designer mini purse comes dressed in the signature vibrant Monogram Multicolore (creation of Takashi Murakami for Louis Vuitton) body, with shiny golden brass hardware, natural cowhide, and signature yellow topstitching.
Discover the Louis Vuitton Monogram Multicolore Berlingot
Price: $270
August 29, 2007
Visionaire gets wonkafied by Louis Vuitton’s Miroir
Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton have owned headlines this week. First BagBliss revealed the news that the Limited Edition Louis Vuitton Murakami Creations will be at MOCA starting October 10th. Then we exclusively reported to you the joining forces of Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton and Richard Prince for creation of the next must-have bag line that will be revealed at the S/S 2008 show. Now ( drumroll ) fresh news has surfaced that the next issue of the periodical Visionaire will be guest edited by Marc Jacobs.
Marc-ey Marc Jacobs will be working side-by-side with photographers Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott on the 192 page book that will feature fashionable shots of our lovely style icons such as Gisele Bündchen, Vivienne Westwood, Scarlett Johansson, Drew Barrymore, and Selma Blair. And it even comes in a pretty package! The fashion-forward book will come wrapped in the limited edition Louis Vuitton gold Monogram Miroir case.
Mark your calenders, you can get yours on October 1 for only $375.
Coffee-Table Chic!
side note: Alexander McQueen and Helmut Lang are next in line to be featured.
August 27, 2007
The Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Chloe Paddy
Chloe shrunk the paddy! This new fall piece is dressed in a delicious red vermilion leather outfit and mirrors everything the mommy-paddy features (minus the price), such as the body style, large Chloe inscribed signature padlock and key, double handles, and brass hardware.
Would you rock a mini keychain version of the Paddington?
Side note: If you love this juicy red color and the Paddington-shape of this bag but want the full size version you’re in luck, Chloe released a full size version of this luscious beauty. Get more info @ Chloe.com
The Work Bag:
The Beach Tote:
The Weekend Bag:
The Evening Clutch:
