February 2007 Archives

Nil sports bag by Lanvin
Hot for Spring is the punk rockin' Nil bag from Lanvin in red patent leather and metallic hardware. It is so perfect for Valentine's Day, I can't think of a better way to treat yourself than with a glamorous red bag! I am loving the exterior zippered compartment in addition to the two front flap pockets, it's important to stay organized but just as important to look chic while being anal. Those of you resisting the patent leather look should really try it. Not only is patent leather modern and sleek, it is so easy to maintain. I smeared lip gloss on one of my patent bags recently and it wiped right off with a baby wipe (a damp cloth will do same). Call Barneys New York to order yours! 469-221-4723

Happy Valentines Day everyone!!!

LOL LOL LOL I am laughing so hard I can not type. What am I looking at? This must be a joke! It's a collage of every gross bag Louis Vuitton has ever produced. Looks like an angry salesperson decided to cut up all the ugly bags on the shelves of an LV boutique and to salvage them, the designers made the pieces into one single bag and called it the "Tribute Patchwork" bag (Tribute to what? Marc's insanity?). You need to make sure your boss is not around before you read the next sentence, as you will either laugh your ass off outloud or scream with disgust. Ready? Coast clear? The price tag is a hefty $42,000. Go ahead. You can now laugh or scream.
Update: I can't believe it! This bag has a twin and it's just as fugly! (but a bit less expensive at $38,000)

UPDATE- The Patchwork series of bags have soldout worldwide (one to Beyonce). Only 24 were made and have all been delivered according to a USA Today article .

Bottega woven croc: $78,000 Crocodile birkin with diamonds: $148,000

Is leather the new diamonds? Bag prices have been steadily climbing for several years yet retailers say they have not reached their potential ceiling?!?! Terry Lundgren, CEO of Federated Department Stores, described it as "To infinity and beyond!" It's not unusual to see prices of luxury bags range from $5,000 - $148,000 these days, steep even for Bag Snob standards but they plan to increase them even more? How stupid do they think we are? It's not as if some miracle cream has been added that will banish cellulite and wrinkles when you come in contact with the bags (which would actually make it priceless). Industry sources say component costs are higher but come on, it's leather, a by product for goodness sake! Popularity of exotic skins are also to blame and you all know I adore croc and python but I won't stand being taken advantage of!

Almost every luxury brand has a bag in the 5 figures nowadays. So who are regularly buying $10,000 bags? Mostly Europeans who take advantage of the weak dollar, namely consumers from England, Germany, Italy and Russia. And there are clients on waitlists for crocodile birkins with diamonds that costs $148,000! There is no reason why a bag should cost that much, I don't care if it's made of crocodile with diamonds on the hardware. In a world of strife and conflict, it seems ridiculous to be spending this kind of money on a bag. But what do I know, I'm just a girl blogging about her obsession of bags. Seriously, I love bags more than anyone but I have my limits. I study all the bags available and make informed choices each season to add to my collection. And yes, I buy more than one bag a season, but I have a vast wardrobe of bags that range from funky inexpensive clutches to Hermes birkins and it's a collection I have slowly built in the last 20 years since I was 16 and it's filled with classics, not "it" bags that cost more than cars.

Even our beloved Bottega Veneta has a crocodile bag this season priced at $78,000, what, was that crocodile fed caviar and champagne and given regular IPL peels and facials? Women who pay $100,000 for special bags claim it guarantees they have a bag their friends don't own. I, too covet special bags noone else has, but I am not insane.

Wait 'til Kelly hears about this, she is going to hit the roof. We've long discussed launching our own line of luxurious bags at reasonable prices. Perhaps it's time we did. What do you think? How much are you willing to pay for luxury?

Photos: Bottega.com and Doyle New York Source: WWD

This incredibly cool gold metallic woven canvas bag from Stella McCartney will make PETA activists whip out their credit cards faster than you can say vegetarian. We're usually not very PC but this is the cutest attempt at a canvas bag we've ever seen! Kudos to Stella for her animal lovin' sensibilities and artistic creativity. I love that she attached an interior mini pouch for your lipgloss or keys so you can stay organized. 10x16 is a bit bigger than what I am used to but it would be great on Kelly or anyone above average height. $595 at Net-a-porter

Wear the Wobro canvas bag with Stella McCartney's sexy chic brown washed silk halter dress and you'll be stylin' all season long. The bubble hem continues strong for spring and in silk the volume is lighter and more wearable (I love how bubble hems make your legs look so skinny). I also love the bow on the lapel, very chic. $1,195 at Net a porter.

Photo by Bag Snob (we apologize for the poor quality)

How much did we love the Miu Miu Coffer? And you know we also adore clutches so when we saw this Coffer Clutch in gun metal metallic, we of course had to get it!! (and we used our Bag Snob Amex so we'll share it!) It is a big sized clutch which, as we have been preaching, is great to have for versatility and functionality. This bag is only $510 which makes it cheap and chic. This being a trendy bag and not something destined for the Bag Snob museum so we're both anxious to use it while it's still in style. But since Kelly is moving back to Los Angeles and I am still in Dallas, who should keep the bag first? We feel we have imparted such great knowledge to our readers, we are going to leave it up to you to decide the fate of this bag. Take the poll below; we will close the poll at the end of the week and we'll see what becomes of this lovable bag. Our respective arguments for using the bag first:

Kelly- I am moving back to LA and need funky trendy bags to update my wardrobe with. Even though I do not have as many parties and events to attend as Tina, I will be using it during the day for lunches with the girls.

Tina- I attend charity events and cocktail parties weekly, most of which are black tie or formal. Although this is a somewhat casual clutch, the metallic shimmer makes it easy for me to dress up with. Plus the weather in LA is pretty much the same all year long so it makes no difference if Kelly gets it now, or in August. I would use this through the Spring and early Summer but will need more substance come Fall.

Left Photo: Tina Chen Craig Right photo: Kelly Tsou Cook

I have received a few emails regarding women passing themselves off as Bag Snob girls during Fall 2007 Fashion Week and am very amused over "Bag Snob" sighting stories from various friends. While we're flattered that women were pretending to be us to get into shows and parties, we want to make it clear that neither Kelly nor myself was in New York this past week. We apologize if anyone was offended or traumatized by the imposters and hope to meet you in person during the Spring 2008 shows in September!
xoxo
Tina and Kelly
The Bag Snob Girls

So everyone is thinking about the day of love, what to do, what to want and what to gift but we of course are thinking of what to wear. Perhaps I am being unduly influenced by my surroundings (I am in Hawaii for a wedding) but I cannot think of anything more fitting than this 3.1 Phillip Lim saffron floral print dress to induce some romance (and not to mention envy from every man who lays eyes on you). Just putting on this calf length silk empire dress will make you and your date think you're in a tropical paradise walking along the beach during sunset with sounds of waves crashing. And of course strapless should always be worn with a clutch - this VBH dresses up the relaxed feel with the gold metallic. Now that we have the perfect thing to wear, the big date is 90% without fail to make us feel like giddy high school girls. VBH Gold Clutch for $850 and 3.1 Phillip Lim Saffron floral print dress for $615, both at Net-a-Porter.

Kelly didn't want me to post this because she said people are annoyed (mostly bloggers who don't know us) when we mention our latest press and perceive it as shameless self promotion. So for everyone's edification, we have this Press link because we have been too busy to put together a proper press kit and this is a way for our advertisers to see different markets we are reaching, so if you are not an advertiser, skip this nonsense and go down to the latest "it" bags! We have not solicited any of the press we've received to date and we don't really know how they keep finding us. We are also baffled that fashion editors of prestigious international magazines continue to contact us for interview but we are grateful and humbled by the attention given to us. So without further ado or fuss, here is the latest:
Bag Snob is featured in the March issue of Vogue Japan and January issue of Vogue Brazil. Please pick up a copy at your local newsstand and support Vogue. Thank you all for reading :)

This Rodo pleated clutch is oh so very cute and you can already see how it goes with half your wardrobe, olive is neutral in my books. You will not believe what I'm about to say next, this is on sale for $176. That's right 176 dollars, not pounds sterling or euros. It is cheaper than dinner for ONE at Blue Ribbon Sushi in NY (but sooo worth it!). There's really nothing to think about when you see something like this. But I'm sure it'll have sold out by the time I finish typing this and click save. At Net-a-Porter.

For all the guys who secretly read us daily... check out these fabulous Valentine gifts from Vivre for the Bag Snob in your life! Free shipping for Bag Snob readers! Code: BSBVIV at checkout
Send your Valentine a box of the most stylish and delicious chocolates from MarieBelle (I received a box from a PR rep over the holidays and I devoured every single piece!) I am salivating over this box of special edition chocolate jewels filled with white chocolate hearts painted red and filled with apple liquor, wild berry and champagne flavored ganaches, and many other delectible treats. $50 at Vivre.

Diptique Tuberose Rouge Candle is just what you need to get in the mood for love. $52

The mandrake plant has been revered for it's magical powers for centuries, now you can work it's magic on your honey with Mandragore Eau de Toilette. A blend of bergamot, star anise oil, pink peppercorn, spearmint, and sage makes for a sensual scent. $160 at Vivre.

Show some love with this gorgeous bouquet from Banchet. A mixture of creamy orchids and tulips framed by wispy greens, this will set your valentine's heart racing. $150 at Vivre Choose overnight shipping (discounted shipping for overnight service, free shipping not applicable)

Spoil your valentine with this heavenly double winged heart diamond pendant from Theo Fennell. Chocolates and flowers are nice, but don't forget diamonds are our best friend. $5,180