Recently in Beaded/Embellished Category

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

PEPE LE PEW
Do you smell something?  Oh right, it's Halloween!  And that's when the crazies come out to play.  And really the only time the skunk, otherwise known as the Curella de Ville look, would be cool and fun.  FENDI SKUNK FUR PEEKABOO ROLL BAG at Saks Fifth Avenue for $1970.

MUST HAVE ACCESSORY FOR YOUR MICHAEL JACKSON COSTUME

You know you're dressing up as Michael Jackson this year.  Everyone else is.  But you will be the real MJ, not that red leather jacket with excessive zippers MJ.  Deep down he was a true Balmain man.  Respect him.  Balmain Punk Sueded Stud Bag at Net-a-Porter for $3925.

Left: Mat quilted leather bag ($1,915) Right: Leo embellished shoulder bag ($2,920),

We have been waiting to share these photos with you for weeks! BALMAIN bags will launch on Net-a-porter.com on Monday, October 19th but we have the exclusive photos now so you can choose what you want and buy the minute they appear on the site!  My faves are the Mat quilted bag and Leo embellished bag above.  If you look closely-- the Mat quilting is not symmetrical, giving the classic quilt pattern a modern twist and at $1,915 it's not that unreasonable (though not cheap either).  I have to admit I was expecting 5 figure bags considering the cost of Balmain RTW but the bag prices (for the most part) are acceptable.  The suede punk rock studded bag below left is the star of the collection at a whooping $3,925 but the workmanship is amazing!  I'm not usually a fan of multi hued studs but this one is strategically designed and feels very haute couture, detailing that Decarnin is known for.  The original leather bag (white) has to be seen in person to be appreciated, the whimsical fringes add fun and pizazz to the simple shoulder bag.   

BALMAIN Bags at Net-a-porter.com on Monday morning!  Happy weekend, all!  I'm still home in Asia and having a blast.  Lots of new photos to share with you soon!

Left: Punk suede shoulder bag($3,925) Right: Original leather shoulder bag($2,315)

Big sparkly clutch, a la Judith Leiber, I am not into, but something subtle and tasteful like this jeweled chain evening bag from Darby Scott is divine. You don't even have to be attending a Southern Gala with big hair to wear it, if you are having a nice lunch, this will dress up a simple dress. But if you are going a glitterazzi event, this embroidered bag with quiet embellishments will set you apart. These top handle little bags are making a huge comeback, thanks to Mad Men and the mad styles that I am craving. Well, I'm mostly craving the comeback of full body curvy women. Hello, how did that sexy trend ever go out?? Floral Embroidered Mini Evening Clutch in silk chiffon and grey agate toplock and brazilian stone in chain handle at Darby Scott for $1950.

I finally watched Valentino: The Last Emperor and I was moved to tears.  Valentino, you get me and all women... WE JUST WANT TO FEEL BEAUTIFUL!  I'd like to forget all of my rules of functionality and practicality for a moment and just follow my heart. I want a bag to thrill me, excite me and to put a smile on my face every time I look at it. I don't need it to carry toys, sippy cups, iPhones or any of the things that I'm boggled with in my daily life. I just want it to be fabulous!  Impractical if necessary but as long as it is beautiful, I don't care! I know the Emperor is no longer at the helm but this bag, the 360 bag covered in embroidered sequins, represents to me everything that is Valentino, wrapped up in one glittery and glamorous bag. Even the giant bow is insanely fab, like the topping to a delicious cake. At Valentino boutiques worldwide. Retail price $4,895 (crazy expensive but the workmanship of each embroidered sequin is something to be seen!)

Call 214-750-5707 to order. Valentino also available at Saks.

Marchesa showed their Spring 2010 gowns with a new clutch collection! As well as drop dead to-die-for jewelry from Garrard, which you can see on the hands of the models. Garrard is the English jeweler who makes the Crown Jewels for the English Royal family. Fancy! They showed 9 clutches, all evening of course, and absolutely stunning. I loved that they did a presentation so that I can go up close and personal to inspect the intricate details of each clutch. And the models are so nice and cooperative - they held them out for me as I ogled each one. All are box clutches in satin with pleats and flowers, all over beaded and one in alligator. The closures are like jewelry, either one giant piece of crystal or crystal embellished hardware clasps.

Go to the jump page to see all the pictures.

Wow, where do I even begin? First of all, believe it or not, this is Prada. The rest of Fall so far has been really great, back to basic and NORMAL. I guess Fall 2 is where they let Miuccia loose and allow her to do whatever she wants as a reward for designing boring bags that sell. This feedbag looking thing is crackled leather with fringes adorned with studs and beads. The Lone Ranger uses this as a snack bag for Tonto. Unless you own a horse, miniature horse are ok too, I really hope you don't strap this around your wrist and show up to happy hour. At Barneys New York, for...are you ready for this second offense...$1395.

I've never met Issac Mizrahi but from seeing him on TV I feel like he is a super fun guy who loves life and is inspired by everything he experiences. That's exactly what this bag is, it is big and fun and has a bit of everything that is good. It has a taupe texture panel on one side, bright orange leather with just one strap on the other side, cotton canvas sides, the dangly fob is bright cobalt lizard and the trims are crocodile. Whew!! That sounds like a buffet of a bag but it all works so well together. It's like a Thanksgiving turkey dinner plate, everything is running into each other but delicious all mixed up!! It is a special order item which would only make sense because it does take a special someone to make this her own. If you can pull this off, it would certainly be your signature bag. At Vivre for $2250.

I loved this bag from afar and ran towards it like a moth to flame, something about the distressed calfskin and sprinkling of small studs really spoke to me and I grabbed it excitedly.  That's when I saw that it's not perfect, far from it.  First, there is a row of silver studs next to the gold on each side.  For no apparent reason as there is not a speck of silver anywhere else on the bag.  It'd make more sense to carry the dual tone silver/gold throughout the bag, on the handles, etc.  The way they did it makes it look like an afterthought.  And that giant clasp on the zipper pull threw me off when I turned the bag around.  Sigh, is it too much to just ask for a subtle studded bag with a tasteful zipper pull?  Another feature that irked me is the side handles for the convertible shoulder strap, sticking out like mini Dumbo ears.  I feel bad that I am hating on Prada lately but they are making it difficult for me to love on anything! 

This bag has not been seen or featured in any other publication or website! Bottega Veneta decided to debut this latest must have with yours truly, Bag Snob. I mean, who else has the snobbiest and most discerning audience? =) It may look like a woven bag with sequins but don't let your eyes deceive you, the technique used to achieve this effect is mind blowing. Each leather square paillette is actually laser cut on the bag, they are not sewn on. The same process is used for each sequin. A layer of leather and sheet of acetate is adhered to the layer of woven leather. Next a laser precisely cuts the acetate into small square sequins. The same laser is then used to cut the underlying layer of leather into larger square paillettes. The panels are then carefully hand finished. Needless to say, not a lot were made, there is a limited run of only 250 pieces worldwide. This rounded hobo with the foldover closure is also a new style for Fall. It is absolutely perfect that such a novelty finish is done on a classic bag so that you can have glamour every day. And fit everything, at 12" high by 13.7" wide, you will never need another bag again! A brown version will be available shortly but the black is now in stores. You must go in to take a look in person, I promise you will be duly impressed!! Ask for Katherine at the Rodeo store in Beverly Hills 310-858-6533, and Joseph on 5th Ave in New York 212-371-5511, for $4950. They have not put it up on their website so we can have the exclusive for our readers but I'll let you know when it is available at Bottega Veneta Online.

I put the YSL Easy studded bag under our Fall Trends article as a must have for Fall and it seemed to be everyone's favorite bag of the feature. I requested the image from YSL and did not get it in time for the article (my SA at Bergdorf had to take a pic with his iPhone!). However, I finally received this image today and was told the YSL Paris office shot it just for Bag Snob. Now if that doesn't make me feel warm and fuzzy inside I don't know what will! I wonder if they'd agree to shoot a Kate Moss for YSL Bag Snob campaign. Won't hurt to ask ;) Anyway-- back to this fabulous bag, I love the flat studded hardware-- it's subtle but makes a very powerful statement. Look how the light dances off the strategically placed flat studs. The logo Y is also less noticeable as part of this design, genius! The duffel shape is casual, timeless and functional for daily use. It is no wonder YSL is the King of Bags! Seriously, this is WAY better than the Coco duffel from Alexander Wang. The leather, the stud detail, on trend without being trendy. It's a bag that you can use for many seasons past this one. The size is 14"x9" and retails for $2,395. Yes, it's a bit pricey but there is a lot of workmanship involved and as they say, you get what you pay for and in the case of our beloved YSL-- the best studded bag of the season. It is not available online anywhere, you will have to call YSL in Beverly Hills to order-- 310-271-4110. Or call 212-988-3821 if you're on the East Coast. This is sure to sell out, call now!!!

YSL also available at Saks.