January 2008 Archives

UPDATE: Receive a 15% discount on the Madeline bags by using code "bagsnob" at the Alexis Hudson website. Code will be good through Feb!

LAST DAY TO SIGN UP TO WIN! Sweeps end tonight at 11:59pm EST! Good luck!

Update: Leonello Borghi bags available at Barneys, Takashimaya in NYC and in select stores in Japan and Hong Kong.

The Ophidia Magazine Tote - 12x12.5x4.75 $2,817

It is always exciting to discover new and talented bag designers but Leonello Borghi is far from being the new kid on the block. He worked with designers such as Ralph Lauren, Prada and Armani for over a decade before launching his own collection in 2002. For Spring 2008, he shows a strong collection of bags that are functional and beautiful. I am especially drawn to the sleek Ophidia Magazine tote in Python above. It is the perfect size for me and has versatile expandable zippers that reveal contrasting white leather which makes it so chic in addition to giving you more room when you need it. Many bag designers have tried the "expandable" bag concept but none as well as Borghi.

More about Borghi after the jump!

See how this bag makes way more sense than the Marc Jacobs bag on bag bag? OK, this one is way boring comparatively but I'll take boring over grotesquely disfigured any day. Besides, this bag does have interesting details and is great for work and school. The outer pocket, I know, I sound like a robot, they are the greatest thing for totes. Gotta have it. The pleats and puckered corners make this so cute and cuddly, that's what we go to Miu Miu for, they are our puppy friends we rely on for comfort =) The leather is super soft and the bag fits so comfortably on your body. The straps are adjustable, which again is a snob required detail. OK, not required but highly desirous. For those that only want one new bag for the season, this would be one that I recommend. I am not excited about the color, it is of course the all around color but it also comes in black, ivory and grey that is due to arrive as Spring merchandise flows in. At Neiman Marcus for $1345.

Left: Blue Petrol Cowhide in medium Right: Pink glazed goat skin in small

It is my job to review bags and I love it; from classic bags, trendy bags, funky bags, weird bags, obnoxious bags, and sometimes downright strange bags- you name it I've seen it. So you can imagine how jaded one would get after staring at bags for hours day after day (over 850 days since Bag Snob began!) but not me, a great bag can still excite and delight me like nothing else! I am, however, tired of gimmicky bags with sky high prices that aim to shock. Which is why I am now obsessing over the Marcello de Cartier bag. I was neutral when it was first introduced but am finding myself falling in love with its classic lines and impeccable craftsmanship. I have always been a fan of Cartier watches and jewels but this is the first collection of bags that have captured my attention. For Spring Cartier offers gorgeous shades of blues and pinks that will enchant even the most jaded of Bag Snobs. I am glad I did not get the tobacco color last Fall because the blue petrol is absolutely gorgeous! Available in three sizes (small 14"x7" $1,000, medium 17"x8" $1,220, large 21"x9" $1,800) and very reasonably priced. At Cartier Boutique- 972-726-7670.

There is something so great about this mirror bag from Anya Hindmarch, the sleek lines and simplicity really lends itself to the flashy bling bling super shine. But what I really love is that Anya's bags are always so easy to use, totally functional with pockets, zips, compartments inside and out. No need to suffer for style, you know there are those amazing bags you love but can't use everyday because you can't ever find your keys or phone and everything just sloshes around on the bottom and gets all scrunched up. I find that when I use my practical everyday bag, I won't switch it out for a week. But my all style and no function bags, I use for a day and the next day I grab the user friendly one again. I just want one bag that is fabulous beyond belief AND has all the features I need to avoid the frustrations of constantly digging around. Outer pockets!!! Please!!! We don't always practice function over fashion but how is it that I have so many bags but none are exactly perfect? Just sheer mathematics should ensure that at least one of my bags fit all my criteria. I guess if this mythical bag existed, we would all stop buying bags. Ha, NOT!! But still, I would like a bag that has everything and this one is close to being there. Only if it were in some sort of exotic and really really light weight. At Net-a-Porter for $1150.

Photos: WWD

Louis Vuitton has created cinema and tv ads for the first time in its history hoping to draw a larger audience to its brand (because you know, the monogram is not over exposed enough). By bringing the LV brand to the screen, Louis Vuitton plans to emphasize its travel heritage and bring in new consumers. Titled "Where will life take you?", the artsy and dreamlike 90 second commercials will only offer fleeting glimpses of the leather goods. Look for the spots starting on both the small screen (select satellite and cable) and big screen as pre-movie commercial Feb. 15 and will run through 2008.

I will say that this bag on a bag is quite intriguing and but it is almost comical. Has he sunk so low as to have to resort to gimmicks? The bag itself lacks any aesthetic appeal whatsoever, the vintage style mesh lace frame clutch juxtaposed with the austere work tote fights each other and does not bring harmony to my eyes. I have a real problem looking at this - it is irreconcilable and screwy. I can't really explain the big "B", it just adds to the craziness and is making me cross eyed trying to take in the whole thing. And it's not even that original an idea, to boot. I am all for being different but first and foremost I require beauty and this thing is not. But having said all that, as a tote, it is probably very functional. Say, if you are the administrative assistant at the Moulin Rouge, this would be perfectly appropriate and you can benefit from the practicality of a tote and have a touch of frill to fit in with your co-workers. But if you are the admin assistant at the Moulin Rouge you probably can't afford this unless you are moonlighting. At Saks for $2100.

Poppie Couture has an array of eye popping candy colored clutches for Spring that are way too yummy to pass up. Priced at $450 a piece, they won't put much of a dent in your budget so you can splurge on the darling little white dresses from Fendi, Dior or Derek Lam. This has been a very long and dreary Winter and I am so ready for bright fun colors again! My bag wardrobe has everything from a cheery yellow Smythson ostrich bag to a bright blue Hermes birkin (and an orange ostrich birkin on the way, I was in desperate need of sunshine so I treated myself!) but I am missing a hot pink clutch for the many beach parties I plan on attending this summer(with a wide brimmed hat and lots of sunscreen of course). The foldover clutches are easy to pack and easy to use, it's the grab and go anywhere/do anything fun bag! Poppie Couture has long been a favorite of Hollywood actresses including Naomi Watts, Jennifer Aniston (who scooped up 10 to give as Christmas gifts!) and Faith Hill and now she's taking over the Big Apple with a sold out collection at Bergdorf Goodman! Go to her website for more colors and leathers or check Bergdorf's for the latest shipments.

A little bit Jackie O. but in the way that this might be a better fit for someone born on the same year as her? I do agree that this is a classically designed bag, very lady like, white glove wearing and perhaps a pill box hat - ya know, like Jackie. But I have a hard time with the fact that is so, how do I put it delicately...... extremely old lady-ish. My SA at Neiman's was trying to tell me that it is ultimately chic for a young girl to carry such a "classic" (ie "mature") bag. Yeah, sure a 22 year old has nothing to worry about and it would be terribly chic for a young chick to get swanky with this Dior, but when you're on the cusp of "mature", I would not take the risk. There is one thing about this bag that made me stop to fancy, for a full 10 minutes. The top part opens up to reveal a mirror that is the entire width of the bag (thus, Vanity Bag). The flap that opens up has elastic bands for lipstick, pens or cigarette holders? This was of extreme interest to me. I love the idea of a substantial size mirror on the bag, like it suddenly becomes a cosmetic trunk! It also comes with a handy coin pouch. This is going to be a big bag for Dior. It comes in this golden metallic, black and a fuschia fit for Valentine's Day (but that's about it) - sold at eLuxury for $3360. There is a natural python with gold trim and a brown crocodile, I will update with prices when they release it.

UPDATE: The python is $6,500. The crocodile is $26,000 and comes in black, pink, white, orange, baby blue. Hardly worth it for the croc if you ask me. What are you going to do with a $26,000 pink croc bag?