Recently in Patchwork Category

Everyone slips up once in a while, even the great ones perched high in fashion kingdom. But when they fall, they fall even harder than others.  I love my Alexander McQueen houndstooth fitted jacket, it looks almost exactly like this bag.  Which makes me think this is one of the sample jackets spruced up with a bit of patent leather trim.  The entire bag is puzzling, what's with the cone shaped bra like bottoms?  A tribute to Madonna?  Some people like the idea of wooly fabric bags, but the contrasting pattern is dizzy and distracting not to mention EXPENSIVE-- $2,000 for left over scraps of fabric!?!?  A major thumbs down in snob world.  Check out Alexander McQueen Houndstooth Tote here.

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 have no words for Louis Vuitton's python-interior embroidered denim bag with multi-beaded handle (and are those feathers I see dangling nonchalantly?!?!?).  I guess one could use it inside out and pretend it's really a python bag lined in denim. I mean it would make more sense but then you'd lose out on the kaleidoscope of logos in rainbow colors and we all know LV fans love their logos!   This actually makes me sad; after touring Louis Vuitton's home and atelier I'd developed a newfound respect for the brand, but this-- this makes no sense whatsoever (though it could have been made purely for editorial purposes, or for Beyonce).  What do you think?  SNOB or SLOB?
Buy Louis Vuitton here. Photo source: Elle.com

Check out Rachel Bilson with the latest Jimmy Choo arm candy, the Kiki bag.  Many bag designers have jumped on the Tribal Safari trend this season (remember the MJ mess?) but Jimmy Choo's version is softened up with tortoise shell chain strap which gives it an elegant touch.  Keeping the wild safari tone mostly on the flap also makes it versatile-- if you get tired of it, simply flip the flap over and leave open(jump for photos)!   I'm not a patchwork safari bag girl but if you love this trend, this bag is the one for you.

Thankfully Rachel understands that one should not compete with a bag as extravagant as this and keeps her outfit simple and basic in black.

What do you think of the Kiki bag, Snob or Slob?

Check out Jimmy Choo bags here

Photo: Justjared.com

I really have no words for this ball (spare tire holder?) bag from Bottega Veneta.  It's 18" around so I don't know how one is supposed to carry it, balanced on your head?  Clutched to your middle like a pillow?  Yes, I know when you pick up the all leather version it slouches like a ball but this one is more structured and holds its shape as a flying saucer.

I imagine the crochet technique is very difficult because they are charging $5,200 for this thing. Wait, I just thought of more uses for it-- moon cake carrier or a pizza delivery bag but hello, five grand?!?!?

I am quite concerned-- with news of Prada losing $50 million a day you'd think everyone else would be scrambling to produce bags that people will actually want to buy and use (not to mention afford!).  At Barneys New York.  What do you think?  Snob or Slob?

I keep saying I'm excited that the 80's are back but only if updated with a 2009 aesthetic (because really, it was the most hideous decade of all). Most designers are taking inspiration from the 80's, not trying to replicate the 80's. The designers at Pauric Sweeney, however, were too lazy to modernize or update-- they're just partying like it's 1985. Which means hideous patchwork in various offensive shades of animal print that resemble those awful leather earrings people were nuts about-- on nylon no less. I'm mostly shocked about the price though. Who has the audacity to charge over a thousand dollars for a bunch of scrap leather on nylon? The only person this bag is appropriate for is my 4 year old niece; but she's quite the little bag snob and I have a feeling even she would refuse, unless it was filled with lollipops. PAURIC SWEENEY - PADDED PATCHWORK TOP HANDLE € 810.00/ $1,032 with free shipping (because they're just begging you to take it) at Luisa Via Roma.

Oh my, this has been an amazing few days of great bags here at Bag Snob! Thanks to the fantastic PR team at YSL, we have exclusive photos of the latest from the House of Fabulous (aka YSL)! Muse addicts can now satiate their obsession with the Muse Two from YSL. The edgy and hip sibling to the uber popular bag- the Muse, Muse Two is available in multiple sizes and leathers that we predict will make a major splash with bag snobs worldwide. The large is 38cm x 17cm x 28cm (15"x 6.6" x 11") with 7" straps at $1,895 and the medium is 31cm x 15cm x 24cm (12"x 5.9" x 9.5") with 6" straps at $1,645 for the leather and the mock croc versions ($5,995 for the ostrich). There is also a multicolor patchwork version and it is seriously the best patchwork bag EVER.

I know this is going to be a total shocker but I am going to say something nice about Prada. Honestly, I don't even go look at Prada much anymore because I know I am going to hate everything but for some probably nostalgic reason I decided to browse. Prada has decided to run with the big clutch trend and they actually have a couple that are really great. This Vernice patent clutch has a gradient that goes from the dark gray in the front to a gradually diffused light gray in the back (similar to many of their current bags, but doesn't have the gradient all over so avoids looking tie-dyed). It also has 3 of the key trends for Fall; patent, gray and big clutch. Instead of trying to get all the looks in with different pieces, you get to be dignified in having all of it in one neat package. This isn't a totally giant clutch but it is big, 12.5" x 5.5" x 1" deep, the only downside is that it is totally flat so if you put a bulky wallet in there it will bulge. But the price is good, at $850 you can afford to get another bigger clutch if you love the trend. Available at Saks.