If white is not for you, metallic silver is what you need for the hot weather. And it does in fact go with more and can get you through the rest of the year. This "slashed" leather adds a modern twist and the lining is stretchy so it will flex with the bag, good thinking! The bow is always a cute detail to make the bag go from ultra fem to serious office. The magnetic closure, double outer pockets and compartmentalized interior make this a handy companion you won't need to switch in and out of for weeks on end. They also have the peep toe Lawson wedges ($650) that you absolutely must have!! I have trouble with stilettos, the years of living in cobble stone Boston has left me weary of the ankle hazard, so the wedge and chunky heel trend comforts my heart and body =) The Jimmy Choo Keeya Tote at Saks for $1450 and the brand new Jimmy Choo boutique at Two Rodeo, 310 860 9045 (it is gorgeous and huge, with a great selection of everything Choo!).

Pierre Hardy 40% off at Barneys Dallas on May 5th for one day only! Call Pam or Cory at 469-221-4807 to pre-order!

Anya Hindmarch Oakley, Goyard Saint Louis, Pierre Hardy, YSL Downtown

Dear Bag Snob,

I have been looking for a big bag suitable to be used as a diaper bag for almost 4 years now (my oldest is almost 4 and second baby just turned 1). I am looking for something that is light (not heavy) in a spring color and big to carry all my baby items. I know you are not a fan of the Goyard bags, but they look like they could be used as handy diaper bags. I am referring to the Saint Louis bags. What do you think? Do you think they're worth what they cost?

Thank you!

Love,
Stephany

YSL Marjorelle $1395, Lanvin Python Pochette $1830
Bottega Venta $2780, Miu Miu Matelasse $1590

Are you ready for summer? Well, first things first, you gotta get your white bags on! Here are our favorite bags in white for the summer. And who says you can't wear white after Labor Day? Total non-sense, especially when we are talking about fabulous classic bags that are appropriate for all seasons and occasions. The YSL Marjorelle has become one of my favorite bags this season (I have the blue but now am wishing I had waited for this white!!). The Lanvin pochette in python is a steal for $1830 and is the perfect bag for your tiny summer dresses or even a hot evening out with a tropical cocktail, umbrella and all. For the practical gals, the tri-compartment Bottega Veneta breezes from work to weekends. And if you are in between hip and pragmatic, the Miu Miu is genius for all events in your life. It has stood the test of time so even though it is a trend bag, you will be able to use it for many seasons to come. Like with everything else, before anything can get started, you must first have the perfect bag!

By the way, the Lanvin and Miu Miu is 40% off at Barneys Dallas for one day only! Call Pam or Cory at 469-221-4807

I am still in vacation mode, so when I saw this bag I thought, "wow--how perfect for the hot weather!" Cork is a very interesting material for bags, and we have seen it used more and more. Apparently cork supply is shrinking, (have you noticed a lot of wines now use that plastic cork or screw top?) and it has made the price sky rocket because this bag with just a little bit of croc trim is $2,700! What up?? I mean, an entire croc bag from Nancy Gonzalez is just around $3,000. And I wonder about the durability of cork. It always ends up in my wine, and I imagine that after years of use, this bag will have crumbled away leaving you with just the handles. Then, maybe you can sew canvas to it and fashion yourself a new bag. OK, I'm just rambling. The final verdict: cool for a few minutes, but in the end, this bag is ridiculously priced and probably will not hold up, trend-wise or in its integrity. At Vivre for $2,700.

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

Bag Designer Jennifer Alfano has been a very busy girl lately! Gracing the pages of several magazines, including April's Bazaar (she once was an editor there along with Thakoon) where her golden hued python Karina bag ($1,995) was featured as one of the best accessories for spring. But the Bag Snobs didn't need a magazine to tell us her bags are smoking hot--we knew it from the minute we laid eyes on them! We first discovered Jennifer through our friends Sari and Dawn over a year ago and loved her from the very first velvet sueded python clutch we saw! I had lunch with Jennifer at Balthazar last summer and discovered she loves to eat as much as I do, and our sisterhood was sealed right there and then over sumptuous fois gras and multiple delectable desserts. Now before you go running to the fridge for a snack, let me tell you about her latest bags!

Karina bag in Natural Golden Python Bag - $1,995- 11.5"x7.5" at Lux Couture

You know you better get on the bright color trend when the Queen of Minimalist, who favors Blacks/Grays/Browns, gets her flashy on in a hot pink exotic! Of course she remembers her core clients and offers it in white and brown, but it's the pink you will remember from the collection. Each season, Jil Sander bag designer Raf Simons offers simple bags with a signature avant garde touch. The bags are not popular with the Gucci or LV crowd, but to me, that's a good thing! Leave Jil Sander to us true Bag Snobs, who appreciate the refined designs. And how great are the prices? The eye catching pink snakeskin bag above is a mere $2,195, that's for real skin, not embossed!!! And you should see how I am drooling over the white python tote below, it is simply luxurious! Jil Sander at Barneys New York. Call Pam at 469-221-4807 to order!

That's right, Bag Snob is giving away a crocodile tote! This LAI black all purpose tote in gorgeous amazing crocodile is worth $2200 and can be your's by signing up for our newsletter. It is beautifully lined in luscious green suede and comes with a removable suede pouch trimmed in crocodile. It is perfect for wallets, keys, etc. but if you use this tote as a computer bag like I do, the pouch will hold your power cord, mouse and other accessories. There are also 2 side zipper compartments, a phone holder and another slip pocket. Needless to say, this tote is the ultimate organizer. We will select one lucky winner by a random drawing. Giveaway starts right now, the last day to enter is March 30th at 11:59pm EST. To enter, simply sign up for our weekly newsletter. If you are having trouble or have any questions please email me. We will pick the winner on April 1st and announce the winner by April 7th. One entry per person and US residents only, please. Official Sweepstakes Rules. Good luck!!

ENTER NOW!!

Exotics- Don't be stashing that python/ostrich/crocodile bag just yet. Exotics are hotter than ever and with prices rising faster than crude oil, you better recycle all the exotics in your closet! Extra hot are exotics in bright colors!

If you are looking to update your Bag Wardrobe with a classic bag in a summery shade, the Bottega Tri Compartment tote in Lotus or Putty is for you. Completely irresistible in sugary sweet pink or soft dove gray, this expandable Tote bag/Travel bag is versatile and functional (Kelly wanted the Iron one last year but I talked her out of it because it looked so heavy and stogy to me, but in these colors I wouldn't object!). For me, the yummy frothy colors really lighten up the squareness of the bag! I know many of you are tired of the Bottega woven leather but it is still the sturdiest of them all. It is also ultra practical with three compartments that expand with your needs. Now how many bags can you say "beautiful" and "sensible" about in one sentence? Bottega Veneta Tote in Putty $2,650 or Lotus Pink color $2,780 at Net a porter.

This reminds me of those totally cheesy drawings you see at those old school hair salons. Or those useless books they give you so you can show your stylist how you want your hair. I worry about those people who actually choose from those books. This totally throws me off because Jimmy Choo has been doing such amazing bags lately. Like the Saba Bag, a welcomed departure from the usual heavy hardware. How does the Face bag even go in the same collection as the other bags? I really want to know the meaning behind this. Have there been secret meetings between the people at Choo and the people at Marc Jacobs? I don't even know who would use this bag. George Michael? You know, so he can reminisce of his hay days cavorting with these models. And because it is so 80's. At Saks for $975.

From Bag Snob Tina: Kelly is not a fan of Contemporary Art and does not know the history behind the bag. It is designed by Richard Phillips, a pop art painter known for painting exaggerated women faces (up to 100 inches high!). He often depicts the artificiality of perfection in the fashion world through these images. I am a fan of his work and in college I made dozens of similar paintings of faces like this. This bag is like the Prada Fairy bag to me, a whimsical piece of art to be collected by art and/or bag collectors alike. I wouldn't carry the face bag around but wouldn't mind having it in my collection to be displayed in my office alongside the Fairy bag.

After all the debate over Kate's Mulberry custom made (or bespoke) green alligator bag I thought we should look into Mulberry's bespoke bag service for you guys. Basically you choose one of the core Mulberry styles in the skin and hardware of your liking, it is also personalized with your initials engraved on the postman’s lock on the front of the bag to further confirm its owner (you know, in case you are at the SoHo House and some bimbo tries to sneak off with your bag!). The lock-free Calder will be specially fitted with a Mulberry branded plaque on the back of the bag that can be engraved with your initials. In addition, leather initials can be ordered to hang from the handles of the bag and make it truly personal and unique. As for Kate's bag with the missing exterior front straps that confused so many of you, our Mulberry source said it was an aesthetic decision based on the alligator skin (just as I thought!). Though you are not actually designing a whole new bag, this customization (or bespoke) service allows you to choose the leathers and hardware that best fit your personality and taste! The cost is not that much more and you have to admit, having your own initials on a bag is quite appealing. (More info after the jump!)
See Mulberry styles online!

I have been getting a lot of emails asking me about the perfect classic bag, the ONE bag to get this season and I know it seems obvious but my choice is this Chanel. In caviar leather (also comes in black) it is the most practical of all the leathers from Chanel, the textured surface is scratch resistant and easy to care for which means it will last as long as classics should last for - forever! Whether you are a mom, an office warrior or gal of leisure, you can use a bag like this. With roomy pockets that add to the youthfulness of the style, it is fashion meets function at its perfection! I prefer the updated look of the stitched in quilt pattern rather than the actual puffy quilting. I am not your typical Chanel customer, I don't wear Chanel jackets, my look is young and casual, that is why this bag is so appealing, this will take me from jeans to my nicest dresses (that's pretty much my range since I no longer wear suits, I used to love pant suits and wanted an office job just so I can wear them. I now realize how ridiculous that is!). But my point is, this is one of those bags that will be amazing on anyone - a classic you will cherish and rely on for as long as women continue to covet lovely bags =) $3,875 at your Chanel boutique or call Alexis at 214-520-1055.

Cheeky Author Jill Kargman (and daughter of Arie L. Kopelman, CEO of Chanel Inc.) sported the coolest bag of the night at a dinner thrown by Tamara Mellon (who kept Christian Slater by her side all evening, they were quite the cute couple) when I was in New York during Fashion Week. I got a snap of the bag in between munchies and got the lowdown from Jill- it is a customized, hand painted Goyard bag named the COMORES purchased at Barneys by her mother. I have never been a fan of Goyard bags but was quite taken with the skull and cross bones which made the classic bag so cheeky chic!

Update: Leonello Borghi bags available at Barneys, Takashimaya in NYC and in select stores in Japan and Hong Kong.

The Ophidia Magazine Tote - 12x12.5x4.75 $2,817

It is always exciting to discover new and talented bag designers but Leonello Borghi is far from being the new kid on the block. He worked with designers such as Ralph Lauren, Prada and Armani for over a decade before launching his own collection in 2002. For Spring 2008, he shows a strong collection of bags that are functional and beautiful. I am especially drawn to the sleek Ophidia Magazine tote in Python above. It is the perfect size for me and has versatile expandable zippers that reveal contrasting white leather which makes it so chic in addition to giving you more room when you need it. Many bag designers have tried the "expandable" bag concept but none as well as Borghi.

More about Borghi after the jump!

There is something so great about this mirror bag from Anya Hindmarch, the sleek lines and simplicity really lends itself to the flashy bling bling super shine. But what I really love is that Anya's bags are always so easy to use, totally functional with pockets, zips, compartments inside and out. No need to suffer for style, you know there are those amazing bags you love but can't use everyday because you can't ever find your keys or phone and everything just sloshes around on the bottom and gets all scrunched up. I find that when I use my practical everyday bag, I won't switch it out for a week. But my all style and no function bags, I use for a day and the next day I grab the user friendly one again. I just want one bag that is fabulous beyond belief AND has all the features I need to avoid the frustrations of constantly digging around. Outer pockets!!! Please!!! We don't always practice function over fashion but how is it that I have so many bags but none are exactly perfect? Just sheer mathematics should ensure that at least one of my bags fit all my criteria. I guess if this mythical bag existed, we would all stop buying bags. Ha, NOT!! But still, I would like a bag that has everything and this one is close to being there. Only if it were in some sort of exotic and really really light weight. At Net-a-Porter for $1150.

I will say that this bag on a bag is quite intriguing and but it is almost comical. Has he sunk so low as to have to resort to gimmicks? The bag itself lacks any aesthetic appeal whatsoever, the vintage style mesh lace frame clutch juxtaposed with the austere work tote fights each other and does not bring harmony to my eyes. I have a real problem looking at this - it is irreconcilable and screwy. I can't really explain the big "B", it just adds to the craziness and is making me cross eyed trying to take in the whole thing. And it's not even that original an idea, to boot. I am all for being different but first and foremost I require beauty and this thing is not. But having said all that, as a tote, it is probably very functional. Say, if you are the administrative assistant at the Moulin Rouge, this would be perfectly appropriate and you can benefit from the practicality of a tote and have a touch of frill to fit in with your co-workers. But if you are the admin assistant at the Moulin Rouge you probably can't afford this unless you are moonlighting. At Saks for $2100.

Weekend shopping find - this totally adorable, functional and chic in grey Allesandro Dell'Acqua tote is on sale for only $900, that is half off!! Get it before it is sold out at Vivre. There are a ton of stuff at crazy prices like the Jean-Michel Cazabat Mirror Leather Boots for only $220!!!

I love Bottega bags but it is the ash-gray (marmo) crocodile wedges (by special order only-$3,600) that has captured my attention for Spring. I tried on a pair at the trunk show and could not stop thinking about them! The woven crocodile texture is amazing and the crocodile wedge heel is pure decadence! You can get the python wedges (antelope color pictured below) for $1,370 or the woven leather for $1,100 if you can not justify a pair of shoes that cost almost 4k.

There were a few great bags as well, a bit too big for my taste but surprisingly lightweight and functional. The python bag above is $4,100 and comes in color combinations of grey-ciment/rock and camel-antilope/noce. The bag in person is really soft and slouchy, with whimsical details like the two deep side pockets that resemble coin purses with discreet pull tab. This is something I would use as a travel bag and because it is so lightweight, I'd be able to load it up without worry. Bottega has the softest python and anaconda skins I have ever felt, my anaconda bag has taken a serious beating (my son got water all over it but the scales are still nice and smooth!). The expandable woven bag ($3,650) on the right is a new silhouette that I am on the fence about. I like the idea but "bowling" comes to mind when I look at it. Call Jasenka at Bottega Veneta for further details! 214-265-0136
Bottega bags also available at Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus.

Photos courtesy of Bottega Veneta