The most exciting bag off the Hermes Fall runway is the Jypsière bag. A perfect balance of the timeless design of the birkin combined with an ultra modern messenger style, I have a feeling it will make a major splash with sporty fashionistas worldwide (I know Kelly is going to flip for it!). It is fashioned after a hunting satchel in which Jean Paul Gaultier describes as "a functional, nonchalant bag slung across the shoulder, combined with the iconic details of the Hermes bags"* As with the birkin and kelly, the straps are best left open so you can lift the flap easily. The strap is adjustable and removeable though this is not something you would want to clutch. It will be available in multiple colors but I love the Graphite and Olive clemence versions best. Both colors are rich and deep, perfect for Fall! The sueded crocodile is also a texture that I am dying to experience, it is so lush! Jypsière in leather 34cm is $6,800 at Hermes boutiques. Call Craig at 214-528-0197 to order. There is also a 37cm for our manbag snobs!

*JPG Quote Source Bazaar

Top: Coco Messenger
Bottom: Coco Clutch and Adriana Castro

You are going to go nuts over Adriana Castro's croc collection. It's not that I am partial to Colombians (my husband is half) but they have the crocodiles so it makes sense that they should make the best bags at the best prices! Adriana was born on a croc farm in Colombia! Well, metaphorically, her dad owns a croc farm, I am sure she was born at a hospital. She grew up around crocodiles and has been dreaming up designs for these skins since childhood.

Born in San Francisco, to a fourth-generation Chinese-American family, Derek Lam spent his childhood among the racks of clothes his parents imported from Asia. He especially adored the wedding gowns at his grandparents' garment factories and spent many happy afternoons with the seamstresses there. Little did he know, his destiny was being shaped, as he tirelessly watched stitch after meticulous stitch. I first met Derek in 2005. He was in his second year of showing his collection and had not yet signed on as Tod's creative director. He was soft spoken, sweet and accommodating. I was so enamored with him and his beautiful clothes that I became a dedicated Derek Lam fanatic, picking up pieces each season. Of course, I've also been a Tod's bags and shoes junkie since college (Tod's platform boots circa 2002? I have 5 pairs!) so there was no one more excited than I when it was announced that Derek would be heading up the classic Italian brand.

We met up again last Wednesday at a brunch co-hosted by Tod's and one of my closest friends, Kimberly Whitman. I stole Derek away from the other guests, so that we could catch up and give our readers a chance to meet him, up close and personal. Jump to see the entire interview!

Softy Messenger bag and tote in python. Call Tod's 214-363-6600 to order

Post by Guest Editor Samuel Johnson

Hello fellow Bag Snobbers!!! I would first like to thank Bag Snobs Tina and Kelly for inviting me to be their guest man editor, allowing me to share my latest man bag purchase from Chanel with all of you. Is my bag technically a man bag? No. Do I tell myself that to make myself feel better? No. Why? Because I'm a man who can pull this bag off with confidence - and if you're going to go out on the cutting edge, you have to do it with confidence. I love walking downtown wearing my Chanel bag, turning the heads of both men and women, causing them to wonder, does Chanel make man bags? Or maybe simply thinking, wow, what a great bag. Granted, they may be thinking something else about a man with a Chanel bag, but this is a polite website, so I won't go into that. Why do I love this Chanel bag? First, it's black (if a man is going to have a Chanel bag, I would say it has to be black), the quilting at the bottom of the bag is large (more masculine), the double C's are small and unobtrusive, I can unzip it and make the bag larger and use it as a gym bag if I wanted to (which I would never do), and I can use it as both a messenger bag or a man tote since it also has handles. The inside of the bag is lined in nylon, has an inside zipper pocket, a place for my cell phone, and a place for a Blackberry (which I use for my wallet).

So what do you think readers? Is this bag ok for a man? I would like to emphasize that this bag is HUGE!!! I 'm six feet tall and the top of the bag hits me almost at my hip. I have to agree with the sales associate at the boutique that a woman would have to be a glamazon to carry this bag since it's so large. Bag is $3150 at Chanel boutiques. Call Alexis at 214-520-1055 to purchase.

UPDATE: The totes are now available for purchase HERE!
Zac Posen's Limited-edition DHL tote will launch during Fashion Week, Bag Snob has been invited to preview the bag at the exclusive launch party at Bryant Park Grill and to interview Zac! The tote was created as a part of the "Tote for Teachers" campaign to benefit Zac's favorite chairty, Teachers' Count. Posen and his high school English literature teacher from St. Ann's School in Brooklyn Heights will participate in a public service announcement for TeachersCount's "Behind Every Famous Person is a Fabulous Teacher" series.

The bags will sell for $400 with complimentary DHL delivery and 100 percent of the proceeds from the sale of the bags will benefit the national non-profit organization supporting the teaching profession. I've always felt teachers are under appreciated in the United States and hope this campaign will bring the recognition and support they deserve. I know you all have had at least one teacher who made a positive impact on your life, honor them by purchasing one of these super cute bags! I should buy at least a dozen because I had the most patient and amazing teachers growing up (most notably Ms. Bullock- my 3rd grade teacher who took extra time everyday to teach me English when I moved to the US, she made living in a foreign country fun and exciting instead of frightening. Ms. Kuzak- my 8th grade art teacher who encouraged me to follow my dreams and to believe I am capable of doing anything I set my mind to!).

The flat totes are made from fine Italian leather in DHL's signature red and yellow colors, including a sturdy shoulder strap (all the better to hold your books or magazines) the tote bag was produced in Tuscany where Posen's handbag line is also made. I am very excited about this party and will give you the full scoop behind the scenes when I get to New York next week!

Dear Bag Snob,

I am a young University Professor, I am looking for a bag that will carry all of my books and papers while still looking fierce. I don't want to look too young with a backpack, or too aged with a briefcase. What do you recommend? Thanks!

Shawna

Dear Shawna,

Love,
The Bag Snob