Recently in Exotics Category

I can only imagine the pressure on Phoebe Philo to perform at Celine. After her very successful run at Chloe, the entire industry is eagerly anticipating her magic at Celine. But is Celine salvageable?  That remains to be seen.  Philo recently moved its design studios from Paris to London, perhaps a bit of London cool will give the lifeless brand a shot of desperately needed energy.  I am not that impressed with this clutch/bag but don't hate it either.  The problem with the oversized envelope style bags with chain is that it sags when full and dangling from the shoulder.  Better off clutching it though the industrial chain is cool looking, leave it out for decorative effect if you want.  It feels as if Philo is testing the waters and treading quite carefully with this simple eel clutch.  It is a is smart move given the current economic conditions but I'm waiting for Philo to start designing with her heart again.  Celine Dimitri Eel Bag $1,200 at Net-a-Porter.com

Bruno Frisoni is a man after our own hearts!  For the iconic shoe brand, Roger Vivier's Fall Couture Collection, he chose to focus on the ultimate accessory, the handbag.  Black feathers, agate stones, Lesage-embroidered clutches and other luxurious details make the line dramatic yet utterly wearable.  Frisoni explains his fascination with bags: "You can place them on a shelf, dress them up or undress them, hide your love letters in them."  Okay, so the feathered piece on the upper left looks like a crazy mess but look closely and you'll see the delicate chains are being held down by dragonflies! 

I am most intrigued by the genuine gold leaf paint on the simple black crocodile bag, it's like a glittering piece of jewel and has a very glamorous old world appeal.  The workmanship is incredible, I hope to one day see them in person-- haute couture bags are by custom order only so chances are slim but still... a snob can dream.  Source: WWD 

The lovely Adriana Castro bestowed an incredible honor on me-- she named the hottest bag from her Spring 2010 line after me!  That has got to be the highest honor for a bag snob!  Anyone who has met or shopped with me knows my tendency to shout "that is so 'Tina', I must have it!". Apparently Adriana took note the last time I visited her showroom in NYC because she designed a clutch that is not only totally 'Tina', it's named the "Tina" Clutch!  I love the pleated and full shape, it holds everything yet is easy to clutch due to the flat clasp. (Jump to see interior).  The best part is you can custom the "Tina" (yes, I am going to use the name over and over, I am that vain!) clutch depending on your taste. You can choose any skin (crocodile, lizard, python, ostrich leg) with any trim and in any color!  The "Tina" clutch may be special ordered directly from Adriana Castro(Adriana tells me the boutiques have loved them!). To place an order, e-mail sales@adrianacastroonline.com or order by phone 1.866.460.4484.
 

The dimensions: 9.5"W x 5.5"H x 2"D (you can customize the size, too! make it larger or smaller, depending on your needs-- prices will adjust for size accordingly).  Crocodile: $1,115 -- You will be hard pressed find another crocodile clutch for this price and quality!
Lizard: $1,015 -- I love the ring lizard but think I will go for a crocodile version.  Heck, it's named after me, shouldn't I get ALL colors!?!?  Python: $895 -- Adriana uses high quality python skin that is supple and lush.  Ostrich Leg: $700 -- Hello! This is a no brainer, ostrich leg is as sturdy as they come and the price is crazy!!!

My favorite clutch of the moment is Derek Lam's Elsa in gray python, apparently it is Kate's as well. She has been seen clutching it on many occasions (yesterday at a London club opening) and if you owned this clutch you'd understand why.  It just has that je ne sais quoi-ness to it-- you know what I mean, it's cool without trying, just like Kate.

I use it several times a week myself, it is ultra functional and edgy chic to boot.  It instantly hips up any outfit I have on, even if it's a boring shift dress.

I was told the Elsa in gray python sold out mere days after it was posted here two months ago.  If you missed out, try calling Wayne and see if he can find one from somewhere for you.  If not, you can order it in bubblegum for resort 2010!

Call Wayne at 212-966-1616 or email him here.

Adriana Castro has a habit of naming bags after her friends (I just found out she designed a "Tina" clutch for Cruise 2010!) and why not? Our girlfriends inspire us and this is a great way to celebrate a friend! The "Loren" hobo was designed for a dear friend of Adriana's, Loren Ridinger, a successful entrepreneur and style icon to all who know her. Adriana decided to name this bag after Loren as a way of thanking her for being an inspiration to young professional women. The "Loren Hobo" is an oversized, unstructured day bag with comfortable rounded handles, interwoven into the body of the hobo (Dimensions: 15 ½"h x 17 ½"w). The stylish shape is also very practical and functional, providing enough room to carry all of the necessities a busy girl needs to get through her day (you don't want to know what I've been known to carry). I have felt the matte python skin Adriana uses on her bags and they are sumptuously soft beyond belief. You'll want to sleep with it! You may order a Loren hobo directly from Adriana's website here in 8+ colors. ($1,900 is pennies for a fab exotic hobo!)

I am attending a gala this evening (in a super fab blue Versace short flared dress) and am trying to decide what clutch to use. The awkward clutching while cocktailing is not the easiest feat to accomplish-- especially if one is also hungry and wants to swipe at the hors d'oeuvres trays passing by. I am really loving clutches with subtle convertible chains, so you can hang it on your shoulders leaving hands free to drink and munch (delicately of course). The rainbow sheen python clutch from Sang A would be the perfect bag for me this evening (but don't think Vivre does same day delivery). Not only do I love the 7.5" x 5" streamlined and geometric shape of the clutch, the removable rounded chain is not obtrusive nor is it heavy. I saw this at her showroom last spring and it has a soft pillowy texture to it so even if you want to actually clutch this rainbow hued python love, you won't feel scratchy or itchy. Sang A pillow python clutches $1,160 at Vivre.com

What about you, how do you cocktail clutch?

I love cats, especially the big kind. Saw a jaguar the other day and instantly bonded with her, the staff referred to her as, "the queen-- she comes and goes as she pleases, we have a garden for her on the roof and can not force her to come down to the cage". She was a beauty, confined to a glass cage at the Dallas World Aquarium but still mighty and regal in her demeanor as if she were strolling freely through the jungle. I really wanted to pet her but was scared she'd have me for lunch. I'll have to settle for petting the new Muse Two from YSL-- it looks remarkably like the diva cat I saw, which is in itself creepy but rest assured, this is mere calf hair (they call it pony skin but it's most definitely not from ponies!). You may remember 4 years ago when I was not into leopard print of any kind. I guess I am showing my age and have become an old lady because now I can tolerate most of it and even own a few key pieces but this one, I'm passing on.  YSL Leopard Muse Two Bag $2295 at Net-a-Porter.com.  What about you, how do you feel about leopard print?

I went to the Tiffany / Vogue party for the introduction of the new Key Collection. I covered this event on Jewel Snob (yes! we have brought back Jewel Snob and it is all new and super exciting!!). I met Melissa George (Sadie Harris on Grey's Anatomy and Laura on In Treatment) at the party and she had the most stunning and adorable crocodile bag with ash colored topaz beaded strap. I was totally amazed when she told me it was by Taryn Rose. I only know of Taryn Rose for their sensible comfortable shoes, not their bags! If only their shoes were as cute at this bag, I would be able to walk and look good at the same time!! It is a simple flap bag with no logos or detail other than the strap, which of course makes the bag. I am in the process of contacting Taryn Rose to bring you more information about this bag and possibly an entire bag collection. I will do an update when I find out more!

I am in love with this little clutch, it is just too adorable. I find myself with all these oversized clutches, and I am used to them at that size now so I forget that clutches used to be teeny tiny. This is 9" x 6" which to me is like a coin purse, which this does look like, but nice for petite women who can give this little thing it's own place, it is dainty and feminine. The gray ostrich with the shiny silver frame is so sharp and clean. Nothing more chic than that! And of course it is Nuti so every detail is meticulous and made to last forever. At Saks Fifth Avenue for $1595.

Roger Vivier (inventor of the stiletto heel and of the pilgrim buckle fame) has a new clutch that doesn't seem to quite capture the essence of the legendary designer. The tejus (tejus is a type of lizard with distinctive poka dotty spots) faceted clutch is interesting in itself and really does not require the multi hued colors (that resemble mold). A solid shade would have been much more chic plus it'd be less noticeable that only bits and pieces were used to make this 850 Euro/$1200 clutch. I do like the modernized pilgrim buckle and I guess one could argue the prism like patches look edgy and modern in a Star Trekkish way (have you seen? I've heard so much about it but am just not a Trekkie and don't care!) but still-- it's a lot of money for pieces of scrap skin.
ROGER VIVIER - TEJUS FACETED CLUTCH is 27cmx17cm and available at Luisa via Roma.

What do you think? Snob or Slob?