Recently in On The Rag Category

A new collection is always something to look forward to and when it is Bottega Veneta, you normally aren't disappointed. I was ready to be refreshed with a new collection only to be perturbed by more undesirables. Is this the end of an era? This intricately woven and intriguingly detailed Gorgiera Boston bag is a remarkable piece of work but all that effort is WAYYY too busy and not particularly fitting for a bag. Maybe like say, if it's the trim of a couture skirt or dress, it would be incredibly beautiful but as an overall design, it just goes overboard. That being said, the Knot clutch is slightly more acceptable and appropriate because of the smaller size but it still isn't mind blowing. It is in Karung (which is a type of snake, but it is a lesser snake skin) so the lace detailing has a bit more texture but my goodness, how much texture is too much? Wherever that gray line is, this surely goes over and beyond that point. I am a sucker for anything blue and this particular tone of Cobalt is the best thing going for it. It is vibrant yet perfectly neutral. I guess I could always go for a classic woven in this new color but I was hoping for some spectacular new shape. The Boston is on pre-order for $5860 and the Knot clutch in karung also pre-order for $2950.

One more Cruise Collection look after the jump.

What do you guys think? Snob or Slob?

I have no idea what I am looking at; it could be anything from a buffalo (its name), a weepy elephant, or a sheep dog. What I do know, however, is that it's a total waste of good python skin. But I am a firm believer in accentuating the positive so instead of griping about what I hate about it, I am going to focus on what I like about this python bag from Carlos Falchi and how I'd change what I don't like. As my hubby loves to say, "don't be a part of the problem, be a part of the solution".

Let's start with the python skin, which is gorgeous, as Falchi is known for supple exotic leathers. I also like the general outline and shape of the bag. The metallic washed treatment is of course fab but the ruching in the front with the tie is so distracting it's all I can look at. Now if we could just untie the string, trim about 3 inches from each side and just let the flap be a simple flap, it'd have a shot of being a cute bag. This actually gives me an idea for an art project for my son, I can tie a string through a piece of leather and call it a buffalo, he'll be so entertained! $2,850 at Neiman Marcus.

What do you think? Snob or Slob?

I am going to have to ebay all of my Bottega Veneta bags if they keep doing these outrageously ridiculous bags. Their stock is seriously tanking in my portfolio. Are these gags? Is there some inside joke going on? How could they go from flawless classics to this? A tote polka dotted with multi-colored toggles as if for a traveling clown? You would think colorful dots would be cute but somehow this isn't even good enough for a toddler. I don't get it. I am going to investigate what is going on inside the design studios over there. It's not that I have to love everything they make, some bags are just not for me but this just shows poor taste and lack of creativity. You can't just slap on the signature woven handles and call it a day. At Net a Porter for $1850.

We've refrained from saying anything about Donna Karan's attempts at bags because we adore her ready to wear and kept hoping she (or her accessories designer) will finally 'get' it. But the Aries tote clearly demonstrates the brand's lack of insight when it comes to bags. Seriously, who is this bag made for? A fishmonger? It is a sagging mess with single knotted strap (too short), magnetic closure, and a disproportionately long body (when you dig for your keys, do you have to use a hook to reach the bottom of the bag?). On the 5'5" model silhouette it's hitting at the ankles; so on a slightly more petite woman, say 5'3', it would be dragging on the ground? I don't understand how someone who is so in touch with a woman's body with her incredible jersey dresses can offer us bags that are both unattractive (I am so PC these days, what I really want to say is hideous) and useless. $1,595 at Saks.com

What do you guys think? Snob or Slob?

Dressing up for Halloween is not just for people anymore - designer bags get in on the fun as well. At least that is the only plausible explanation for some of these bags. In the spirit of ghastly fun, here are some of my favorites.

JIMMY CHOO SAVANNAH AS POCAHONTAS

I pray that Zac was on vacation when his accessories designer came up with the Sistine Draped Satchel (a ghastly 21" wide!). I adore Zac Posen dresses and I just can't imagine him having anything to do with this bizarre looking pleated, tucked and nipped bag! It is such a huge departure from his earlier bags, the Antonia, Aurora, etc (by an accessories designer that I am not at liberty to disclose). The tiny handles further accentuate the overly primped bag and all that ruching reminds me of bunched up underwear, not a nice image. I am very concerned because bags like this can ruin an entire bag collection. Let's hope he finds a capable accessories designer soon. Zac Posen Sistine Draped Satchel $1,995 at Saks.com

I really didn't think there would come a day that I would have to come down on Bottega Veneta and not just in a subtle way either. Seriously, you have to ask yourself when you look at this bag, "WTF??". It is the Simon Says game from my childhood, I loved that game and was really at it. I actually found an online version of it, you can waste your lunchtime away on this but it is very good for your brain so you can use that as an excuse in case you get caught. Fun aside, it does not make for a good looking bag. I mean, why would it? The round wedge shapes with the vomit fuchsia, green and purple combination makes for the most hideous bag I have ever seen. I wonder if there was some sort of meltdown over in their design studio or maybe there was a chemical spill in their dying vat because these are not the muted, subtle and beautiful Bottega colors we have come to know and love. The question, "Why?" keeps popping in my mind. And to do this in all woven, with so many sections and shapes - the word "busy" does not justly describe this crazy mess and mind jumble. It is also trimmed in ayers snake but we have moved beyond minor details at this point, the biggest meltdown you will experience is in seeing how much this is - $8300!!! No BS, totally serious. This is by far the most nonsensical bag of the year. The question "Why?" is still screaming in my head and will continue to do so for a few days. At Bottega Veneta online.

As you know, there are so many really awful bags out there - we don't set out to find them, they just appear in front of us and make it impossible for us to ignore. Like this road kill clutch by Henry Begeulin - it got in our way and we had no choice but to run over it. It looks like a rat or a possum but either way it is a rodent and a pest. Can you imagine coming home from a night out, slightly drunk and bleary eyed - you go in your closet and this is sitting on your shelf! I would run to the nearest hotel and call an exterminator. The fact that they perfectly cut the skin so that the back of the animal is the exact center of the clutch just makes it all the more creepy. And as if it isn't clear enough that this resembles an undesirable creature, they put tassels on it to look like whiskers! All that's missing now are grommets for eyes. I really do like Henry Beguelin so it is unfortunate that this one got under my screeching tires. $760 at Henry Beguelin boutiques, I would give more info but even if you wanted to buy this, I wouldn't give it to you.