April 2006 Archives

(Left- Prada gold paillette. Right-VBH Vagabond in oxidized gold ostrich)

This season's gorgeous golden hues are absolutely fabulous and Prada's dainty gold pailette bag and VBH's gold ostrich are two of the best. For those of you aspiring bag snobs who have not heard of VBH, it's time to get a subscription to WWD. An Italian luxury leather goods company helmed by designer V. Bruce Hoeksema, it is the bag of choice for trend setting stylists to the stars. This shimmering gold ostrich Vagabond bag will be the next acqusition for the Bag Snob's collection! VBH sold at Bergdorf Goodman 212-872-2636. Prada available at Prada stores worldwide 212-334-888.

PIERRE HARDY, remember this name because soon you will be coveting everything this man creates. Hermes' low profile shoe designer (he is also responsible for the edgy Balenciaga shoe collection) has become so hot in Hollywood he is receiving requests from Nicole Kidman for custom made shoes and handbags for the Oscars and SAG awards. Known mostly in the fashion industry for reviving the House of Dior's shoe collection in the late 1980's, he has since struck out on his own and created a loyal following of die hard fashionistas who keep his name to themselves. His fall bag collection is a breath of fresh air compared to Fendi and LV's pathetic collections and we predict that mass hysteria and consumption will soon follow. This gorgeous black bag with silver piping is on the top of our list for fall! Order yours today! $1400 @ Pierre Hardy Paris Boutique- 156, galerie de Valois Jardins du Palais Royal. 33 (0)1 42 60 59 75. Worldwide.

(Clockwise from top left- Black and white patent frame bag by Marni. Patent Mirror bag by Allesandro Dell'Aqua. Black patent top handle bag by Calvin Klein. Vinyl Bag by Chanel.)

Dust off your go go boots cuz the '60's are back in full swing! We have not seen so much patent leather since Goldie Hawn was bouncing around in a cage. From cult fave designers Marni and Dell'Aqua to classic favorite Chanel, it seems everyone has gone psychedelic. My favorite is Allesandro Dell'Aqua's patent mirror bag, how fabulous to be able to look at yourself all day long! But vanity doesn't come cheap so start saving up now, early fall deliveries of bags begin mid-summer.

Is it summer yet? I can't wait until June so let's just pretend it's summer already by going out and getting this super fabulous Miu Miu Summer frame bag. This is the larger version of the must have for Spring which is what we need because why would we necessarily have less things to carry in the summer? I mean, isn't it the opposite? I like to carry flip flops and an extra change of clothes when it's hot so that I am always fresh. I love love the knotted rope handles, it just makes this bag so perfect for casual outfits, like the super cute Da-Nang capris I got yesterday, while still looking put together. Available at Neiman Marcus for $750.

We are so excited over the small version of the ever so popular Chloe Edith bag! I am sick of grotesquely large bags that make me look like a bag lady, not a bag snob. The shrunken Edith is small in size but big on style and the season's must have blue leather is to die for! Limited to one per customer so get your today! $1275 at Net a porter.

A limited offer from Neiman Marcus, personalize the YSL Muse bag with your own hand embossed monogram! This is much more chic than carrying a bag with some dead French guy's initials all over it. Although the monstrously huge Muse is better as a weekend carryall or travel tote, the golden hardware and beautiful handstitched detailing will make you want to use it everyday. The personalization service is free, the bag is $1295.

Thank you Fashionable Kiffen for this week's Carnivale of Couture topic. What trend do we want resurrected

We want the glamour and femininity of women from the 50's back. Yeah, well, we can do without the bowing down and kissing our husbands asses part, we just want the attitude of style and dress. These days, looking slovenly is considered chic. Back then, women are properly dressed wherever they go. There are days when I feel like wearing a nice dress but people look at me and ask if I'm on my way to a wedding or something. Why can't I just wear a proper dress with gloves and a fabulous bag just to buy some milk? Or to a picnic? Grace Kelly, especially in To Catch A Thief, was absolute perfection. No one has been able to come close to the image of Grace Kelly in sunglasses and head scarf while riding in a convertible. Alway imitated, never duplicated. She is the epitome of a true Princess.

Dear Bag Snob,

I echo all of the platitudes that have been deservedly heaped on you. My quest in life, is for the perfect travel bag. I travel around the world and I am notorious for thinking I have lost passports, tickets, and have melt downs in airports all of the time. I also travel with my three children who are older, but not old enough to carry their own documents. My requirements are: Outside zip pocket for tickets and boarding passes, inside zip for passports, it must go over my shoulder because I can't hand carry, must fit magazines, a water bottle, and usual "stuff", it has to have a fully closeable zipper top, the bag cannot be too heavy empty because by the time I have gotten to the last gate at the airport, my shoulder will be lopsided, and I am always at the last gate. And I'd like it for under $2,000.00.

I am not particular about color. Shoppers haven't worked for me because things fall to the bottom. I gave serious consideration to Chloe's Betty, but it is just to heavy. Also, the Chloe store here has the Edith bags in stock....approx $1,300.00 for a med sized one. I am truly desperate, and have a 12 flight summer coming up. I NEED this bag!

Sincerely,
Melanie

Dear Bag Snob,

First of all, I love your website...it is perfection, and your taste is impeccable. I, too, am a fashion snob, but one with limited means. (sob) I have decided to make a new purchase and have been saving my money to buy one handbag. My price range is between $500 and $800, unless you think that I should save my money and wait until I can afford the right kind of bag.

Bag criteria:

- Go from day to night, go with almost everything
- Medium sized (I want to fit things in it, but look chic, not like a peasant carting their entire life around town).
- Undeniably stylish (I am only 22, so it needs to be young. I have a classic style that's also hip and modern. I want to be able to wear the bag with dressier oufits but it has to be able to go with jeans and white converse too)
- Not be over next season (like the Balenciaga bags... I saw that coming miles away, but still loved those bags).
- Unsnubbable (I don't want anyone to be able to look down on my bag....and I mean anyone.)

Colors I am considering are white (but will it be over after spring/summer?), pale gold/metallic bronze (I love metallics when used as an accent in the right way, and don't care if this trend is over) and dark brown/black (but not fun for summer, and does brown go with black/black with brown?)

Thank you, your expert opinion would be extremely appreciated!

Sincerely,
Eliza

OK, we said we would stop featuring Spy bags but we HAD to do this one. White mink with python trim. It is interesting that California residents are not able to buy this, and it's not because of the mink: "It is unlawful to ship or sell python skin in California. Products containing python skin will not be shipped to California." $9450 at Saks.