By Bag Snob Kelly on October 3, 2006 8:00 am Kelly Cook

We love new designers with grass root upstarts that bypass the corporate “man”. Brigette Romanek made bags for her friends; word spread from there and within months was picked up by Barneys. I love success stories like this, but that is not why she is our pick for someone to watch out for. Her entire line is alligator and croc with classic shapes that are essential for the investment in exotics but the prices are not such that warrant such careful thought. The Wow bag in alligator is $3195 for the small, which is the only size we like – the large is 11X22 and looks like you can fit an entire set of architectural blueprints in there. The detail of the flap with the irregular and somewhat organic scalloping (each bag varies) is not only a brilliant incorporation of the skin’s characteristics but it makes the bag more relaxed and younger. The Rockstar clutch ($1625 for small) is what brought her notoriety, but it is not our favorite in her collection. The wrap around tail is scary but we can definitely see the appeal of the super hip style. Available at Barneys.