Top 10 Bags of 2010





10. Celine Boston Bicolor Tote

9. Khirma Eliazov Cha Cha Bag

8. Valentino Rose Glam Clutch

7. Nina Ricci Turn-lock Handbag 

6. Reed Krakoff Boxer II Bag

5. Christian Louboutin Eden Pompom Clutch

Perrin Paris 1893 'Riva' Clutch

Perrin Paris 1893 started as a small Parisian glove-making company, and has evolved into one of the finest leather goods manufacturers in the world, specializing in tanning as well as exotic skins. After years of lending their expertise and superior craftsmanship to some of the top design houses in the world, the brand launched their first collection of handbags. Each bag is assembled by hand from the highest-quality leathers, but the styles are refreshingly innovative and contemporary. Their signature 'Ball' bag was designed to turn heads and it has certainly made quite an impact on editors and handbag lovers alike. Not to mention Janet Jackson, who was spotted wearing hers at London Fashion Week. The oversized 'Riva' clutch debuted in the spring summer 2010 collection and I'm still obsessed with it. The interwoven strips of leather create a breathtaking and unique mosaic. I'm partial to the black patent leather variation, but it also comes in platine [platinum] and bronze. Purchase directly from Perrin Paris 1893 for $795. Learn more about the Perrin family, and see pictures of their luxurious Paris flat, in the January issue of Harper's Bazaar.      

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Lanvin 'Amalia' Cabas Snakeskin Tote

Let it snow. Let it snow. Let it snow. No seriously, can you believe how much snow just blanketed the east coast? We got nearly seven inches where I live, which means the city will be incapacitated for days. That's fine with me though. I'm enjoying spending time with family... eating, drinking, and being merry. I decided at the last minute not to go to Puerto Rico, and I'm glad I did, because the airports are a mess right now. I will, however, be traveling to Rome in March and I'm beyond excited. For anyone else planning vacations, this may just be the perfect tote for lugging around your cruise essentials... trashy novels, gossip mags, suntan lotion, etc. Blue is incredibly underused in handbag design and it's one of my favorite hues. The Lanvin 'Amalia' kicks it up a notch in luxurious snakeskin, with a sumptuous satin lining. Not one detail has been overlooked, from the sturdy patent leather handles to the tortoise shell grommets. It also includes a shoulder strap in case you need to go hands free. The bow is quintessentially Lanvin and it adds the perfect touch of whimsy. Purchase at Net-a-Porter for $2,140.

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VivaLaDiva.com

Leave it to one of the U.K.'s most coveted shoe brands, Bourne, to design the perfect New Year's Eve pump. Bourne is known for their high-quality shoes, and the 'Kaitlin' Peep Toe Pump is no exception to their excellence in craftsmanship. My breath was literally taken away when I came across this shoe at VivaLaDiva.com Shoes Online. It somehow manages to incorporate all of my favorite trends of the season without appearing garish. Not only is this suede pump covered in a chic printed metallic lace. It also dawns a faceted glass stone arrangement that will undoubtedly turn heads at any new year's gathering. At a price point of merely $134, this pump is the definition of a bargain. Happy New Year!  

Style tip: If you live in colder climates, simply throw on a pair of brightly colored tights, so you can stay warm [and look incredibly stylish], even in peep-toes.

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Delvaux Tempête MM

Founded in Belgium in 1829, Delvaux is the oldest fine leather luxury goods company in the world. They're known for their timeless, sophisticated designs and superior craftsmanship. With the recent resurgence of ladylike detailing, the Tempête MM is the perfect introduction to the brand. The exterior is crafted out of extremely supple calf leather and the interior is lined in natural Basane leather, enabling you to easily locate your belongings. A clip fastens the flap and the sliding side straps allow you to adjust the depth. The only buyer beware for this particular design is the fact that the sole handle is attached to the flap, so accessing your essentials while in transit can prove to be quite difficult. Purchase the Delvaux Tempête MM at Barneys for $3,650. I'm sure that many will be wary of the fact that this bag is eerily similar to the Hermès Kelly, but the truth of the matter is, this design and brand came first. Besides, with the recent price hikes at Hermès, you can go on a cruise with all the money you'd save.



Cedre Alligator, $15,000, Barneys New York

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Jimmy Choo Candy Glitter Clutch

In the spirit of all the fun Christmas festivities, I decided to find the perfect clutch for our Bagpoor followers to hold onto while nestling their cups of eggnog. This Jimmy Choo Candy Glitter clutch is a spectacular way to make an entrance at any holiday party with its bedazzled glitter leather exterior and asymmetrical flap closure. Either color of gold or silver is more than appropriate this season and easily compliments various winter ensembles. Plus, the clutch has just enough room for essentials like your phone and lipgloss. I absolutely love this classic design that makes it wearable in all seasons and timeless, to say the least. At $595, this Italian crafted bag is a steal. Get sparkled for the season and purchase at Net-a-Porter.

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Weekly Fashion Roundup

In celebration of the holidays, and all that's bright and festive, we've dedicated our last roundup before Christmas to this week's wintery white fashion statements.

Some done wrong, some right - and others where the jury is still out.

Gwyneth Paltrow's Emilio Pucci dress was quite daring, but upon closer inspection I'd vote that it wasn't worth the risk. Baring most of your leg and back is not for the faint of heart, but once I got a glance of the front, the entire look fell short for me.

While the front of the dress isn't baggy chic, it's also not tailored to do anything other than hang there. Rule number one: a gown should always be doing your figure favors. Wasn't expecting a J-Lo skintight and backless flashback, but please don't spare your entrance for an exit-look.

I'm sure you've seen this picture of Nicole Richie's Marchesa ball gown that's spread like wildfire across the net. Not many could pull this off, but I think this dress was IT. Like, the ONE....okay, more like one of three gowns she wore when she tied the knot.

Still, this wedding gown was the perfect marriage of drama and elegance - I LOVE.


Ladies, Say hello to "Blanc" - YSL's new sheer, shimmery white lipstick. Apparently, it goes on an opaque white color, but settles on the wearer to simply add a hint of glimmer or tone down the base shade/ lip color applied first.

So ummmm, what does this enchanted beauty stick actually do for a girl? For now, we'll have to use our imaginations or simply add it to our Christmas list indiscriminately, since there are no pics of "blanc-ed" out lips just yet.

The YSL Rouge Pur Couture in Blanc retails for $30.

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Weekly Celebrity Bag Envy: Heidi Klum

Heidi Klum was spotted out and about in Los Angeles earlier this week wearing the Jimmy Choo Rosabel tote. She looks very casual chic in over-the-knee leather boots and a boyfriend shirt. I also adore her daughter's eclectic style. Who didn't want to wear cowboy boots with a princess dress at that age? The Rosabel tote is brand new for spring and it's refreshingly understated for Jimmy Choo. I'm a fan of the sizeable handle drops and lipstick red hue. This bag isn't even available to us commoners yet, but you can join the growing waiting list at waitinglist@jimmychoo.com. Update: Purchase at Net-a-Porter.com for $1,750.  

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Introducing Cousin & Co. Handbags

Cousin & Co. is a bold and impressive new handbag line that is currently on the rise. Made for fashion forward women of all ages, their bags are well-made, yet affordable for the everyday woman on a budget. In 2004, cousins Shekima Francois and Undra Duncan capitalized on their love of fashion by starting the line. With hard work and undeniable talent, the line has grown significantly since the days when Shekima and Undra made bags for family members. With the promising designs, even prominent designer Tory Burch is supporting this accessory line through the Tory Burch Foundation. The fall collection, called "The Parisian Dreams" has a variety of stylish yet affordable bags. My favorite by far is the simple and sleek Dean clutch (pictured above), which is made with an immense attention to detail. Cousin & Co. gave me a chance to preview this bag and it only took a second for me to purchase my own. A closer look revealed a subtle image of a crocodile's head embossed on the crocodile skin exterior below the front flap. This bag is currently on sale at Cousinandco.com for only $99 and is selling fast. It's a no brainer at this price.

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Chloé Pure Paddington Duffle Bag

Chloé has done it again. This bag is absolutely flawless. It marries the classic aesthetic of the Aurore top-handle and the iconic styling of the it bag that put Chloé on the map, the Paddington. I wasn't a huge fan of the Paddington, because I felt that the padlock was too oversized. However, the new scaled down padlock and more ladylike shape of the Pure Paddington Duffle is perfection. It's lovely to see some of my favorite aspects of the Paddington, including the circular and stud detailing as well as the mix of silver and gold hardware. Hannah MacGibbon's many contributions to the Chloé brand are undeniable, but this recent return to the nostalgia of the label does make me wonder if the higher-ups at Chloé are missing the sales garnered by Phoebe Philo's designs. She certainly is doing wonders for Celine, most notably with her box bag that made a major splash at Paris Fashion Week. Clearly I'm digressing, but I can't help it. This bag really got me thinking about the history of  Chloé and their impact on the fashion industry through handbags. Getting back to the Pure Paddington Duffle, I feel that I must express my love for the shape. It will be flattering and comfortable for all women and it will look incredibly chic in the crook of your arm. As always with Chloé, the appeal of this bag are the small details. It hits every note just right; far from boring, but definitely not garish. The Chloé Pure Paddington Duffle is timeless with a twist and it can be yours for a mere $1,800 [Ouch!] at Net-a-Porter. A girl can dream, can't she?    

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3.1 Phillip Lim Cameron Clutch

If there was ever a clutch that embodied the literal archetype of femme fatale, it would be this one. I don't know whether to start by noting the unpredictable combination of cream silk flower-embellished petal overlay on black leather or the functionality of the detachable leather and interlinking silver chain strap. This 3.1 Phillip Lim Cameron Clutch is complete genius from every angle. How smart of Phillip Lim to make a clutch that is casual enough to carry as a cross-body bag for day and still maintains a level of chic suitable to pull together most evening looks?! At only $475, Philip Lim gives you vintage elegance, reasonably sized compartments, and abstract art. What a steal?! Embrace your inner Carrie Bradshaw and purchase this to die for clutch at Net-a-Porter.



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Nancy Gonzalez Debuts Luggage Collection

Nancy Gonzalez launched her debut luggage collection at Bergdorf Goodman last week. The line is 100% crocodile and handcrafted in Colombia. Don't let their beauty fool you. The trolleys are constructed with titanium and they're incredibly durable. I was most impressed with the luxurious iPad cases. The crocodile skin comes in a myriad of fun colors so you can make a serious style statement on the airplane or at a poolside cabana. They're well worth the splurge at $1800. Call Bergdorf Goodman at 212-872-5218 for pricing and availability.

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Weekly Fashion Roundup

So apparently Shakira took the whole “Pretty in Pink” thing way too literally! During a performance in Berlin on Thursday night, Shakira was seen completely draped in a football field’s worth of hot-pink tulle. Since we’re used to seeing Shakira in more revealing outfits, what do you think of her new look?

Apparently the Kardashians can’t seem to keep up with anything, including their own Bebe clothing line. According to WWD, Bebe’s president Emilia Fabricant had this to say regarding the Kardashians’ clothing line for the brand: "The sisters do still have relevance, but at Bebe we need to move with fashion and we want to be first in the fashion world with everybody else and not fall behind. We are definitely assessing the situation." However, according to a statement made by the store, the Kardashians’ line was never meant to last and is supposed to end with the resort season. So what do you think? Did they get the axe, or was this a planned strategy?

Kelly Osbourne and her own fashion line?! This could definitely get interesting. According to Osbourne, she is close to signing a deal for her own fashion line. "I've had an offer from an amazing clothing line that I would be so over the moon to work with," she told E! Online. "I can't say which one just yet, but it's looking really good." While Kelly isn’t revealing who the collaborating brand is, she did say that her line will be affordable. Is anyone else kinda nervous about this possible brand?

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Weekly Celebrity Bag Envy: Angelina Jolie

Earlier this week, a wax figure Angelina Jolie was spotted carrying the Gucci 1973 bag. I love women who are confident and stylish enough to mix black and brown. It's such a chic combination. Despite the ginormous logo plaque, I actually like this tote, and apparently so do a great deal of celebrities. Style icons, like Jennifer Lopez, Heidi Klum, and Madonna have all been photographed wearing one. Purchase directly from Gucci for $1980. Now that I got that out of the way, can we talk for a moment about Angelina? Are you as sick of her as I am? I know that she's involved in a lot of charitable organizations and she seems like a loving mom, but I don't think she's a good actress and I still haven't forgiven her for stealing Brad from my girl, Jennifer Aniston.     

    

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By Kilian Evening Bag Collection



Aphrodisiac



Whenever I'm in New York City for the holidays, there's one department store that is consistently at the top of my must-see list. From the breathtaking window displays to the incomparable service, Bergdorf Goodman is simply the best. Yesterday, Kilian Hennessy launched his debut collection of glamorous evening bags, entitled Night Fetishes, at the esteemed store. Hennessy knows a thing or two about luxury. After all, his grandfather founded The LVMH Group. The collection was inspired by a friend of Hennessy's who used one of his famed perfume boxes as a clutch. I'm drawn to the sleek lines and art deco aesthetic as well as the elegant embellishments, including Swarovski crystals and shagreen skin. Call Bergdorf Goodman at 212-872-8801 for pricing and availability. If you live in NYC, drop by the store today between 1 and 7 to meet the designer himself.  



Invitation

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Jerome Dreyfuss 'Carlos' Bag

Jerome Dreyfuss is a relatively new designer that is best known for creating high-quality, timeless calfskin bags in fun pops of color. The 'Carlos' is the latest addition to his collection and I must have it. Dreyfuss is the master of convertible bags and both versions are actually wearable and attractive. You have the option of wearing this bag as a chic top-handle or a sizeable tote. It's the perfect size for me, or anyone else who likes to carry their whole life in their bag, and I adore the bright blue lining. You can even fill this bag to capacity and wear it as a weekender, with the removable shoulder strap. Embrace your inner model-off-duty and purchase the 'Carlos' at La Garçonne for $1,263. I'm ordering mine as we speak.

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Salvatore Ferragamo 'Selene' Bow Tote

There's something incredibly feminine about the Selene Tote from Salvatore Ferragamo. It seems as if most women either love patent leather or hate it. I always considered it to be both glamorous and youthful. Gathered sides and a pleated center give this bag texture and interest. The dainty size and grosgrain bow detail add an unexpected girly aesthetic. The handles are also grosgrain ribbon. I love the deep purple variation, but the black option stole my heart. This bag was made in Italy and is available for preorder at Neiman Marcus for $870. Not a bad price for a fun everyday bag.   

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Prada Raso Stone Clutch

It's holiday season and I, for one, am super excited about the shopping craze. In particular, on my list is a bedazzled clutch that's extravagant and chic at the same time. So I was more than thrilled to come across this Prada Raso Stone Clutch from the Resort Collection. Not only is it absolutely gorgeous and luxe, but it's appropriate year round for every season. Imagine all of the use one could get out of this clutch... nice dinners, galas, new year's eve bash.... the list goes on. The real dilemma is which color? And at $2,100, this clutch may be the only thing on your Christmas list but well worth the splurge. Purchase at Bergdorf Goodman.

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Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Shopping Tote

Bottega Veneta's cruise collection makes me feel like a kid in a [very expensive] candy store. The fun pops of color add an unexpected twist to the classic shapes and intrecciato weaving. This shopping tote is one of my favorite pieces in the line. The lime green hue is an ideal shade for your winter vacations and it will flawlessly transition into spring and summer. The exterior shifts from smooth supple leather into weave detailing, and a slight fringe adds the perfect touch of whimsy. Even the interior is pure luxury with a gray suede lining. Purchase at Net-a-Porter for $3,200.

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HeddyFreddy System

As a working mom-on-the-go, Aimee Baxter was desperate to find a stylish handbag that suited the needs of her hectic schedule. After years of searching for the elusive aforementioned handbag, she decided to invent her own, and the HeddyFreddy system was born. Aimee's design philosophy is simple. She emphasizes the marriage between fashion and function, focusing primarily on organization, interchangeability, durability, comfort, and style. The main component of the HeddyFreddy system is the 8-pocket module, which can easily transition form one handbag shell to another. Check out this video to see how the system works.

Aimee is currently offering a very special Wish List Service for the holiday season. All you have to do is fill out a wish list for the HeddyFreddy handbag system that you would like, leave your contact information as well as the email address of the person who you want to grant your wish, and you'll receive a HeddyFreddy grommet key ring. For more information, contact HeddyFreddy at 651-308-1368 or aimee@heddyfreddy.com.  

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Weekly Fashion Roundup

Halle usually gets it right, but I won't be blindsighted by fandom.

Yes, the tailored suit from Balmain's 2010 fall collection fits her like an expensive (shiny) glove, and we could go on and on about her being bold enough to rock this look...BUT I just can't get into it. It's not horrible, but I don't really care for this particular play on the fem-meets-menswear trend.

On a brighter note, Halle was photographed at the LA premiere of her highly anticipated film, Frankie and Alice. The word around town is Halle gave a star performance for this role. We shall see!

A little truth in every piece of gossip, you say? Well this may be the case for the perpetual rumblings that Hearst has its sights set on buying American Elle.

Hearst, the publisher for Harper's Bazaar, Marie Claire, Seventeen and a number of other well-known fashion mags, hasn't confirmed that they will pick up Elle, but that surely hasn't stopped speculation in the past.

Do you think a buy-out would work for or against the mag?

Since I'm pretty offended that I can't watch Black Swan this weekend (due to its limited showings in theaters), I figured we should all have the option to bask in the sauciness of the two leading ladies.

Natalie Portman, above, was absolutely stunning in a red Rodarte dress during the film's premiere at the Venice Film Festival. However, to my surprise, I have to give Mila Kunis a best dressed nod for this subtle, yet uber sultry Elie Saab number, below.

The dress makes her look ethereal, and do I see a little Angelina Jolie-esque attitude being emitted?

Sometimes less is more - and confidence is always key. Loved Natalie's hair, makeup and dress - but in a lot of her photos she looked slightly stiff and uncomfortable.

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Weekly Celebrity Bag Envy: Jessica Simpson

Jessica Simpson was spotted leaving the Ritz-Carlton in New York City, with her fiance Eric Johnson. I know what you're thinking. Who cares? And you know what? I completely agree with you. Despite the fact that her singing career is over and she has one of the fugliest celebrity clothing lines wardrobes in recent memory, Jessica managed to throw on quite a covetable handbag. The Givenchy Pandora retails for $1,875 at Barneys. I love the slouchy shape as well as the buttery-soft leather, and the strap allows for cross-body action.  

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Rebecca Minkoff Covet Ostrich Day Bag

 

Rebecca Minkoff really put her foot in this Covet Ostrich Day bag. This downtown meets uptown design is a perfect mix of urban chic and classic sophistication. Ostrich is one of my favorite skins and the two-tone nude on black leather works well against the gold hardware. The detachable tassel gives you the flexibility to rock the modern style or simply take it off and have a cool key holder. I love the bag as a top handle, but can definitely see ladies rockin' it as a shoulder bag across town. This bag is so hot that there is only one left. So grab your credit card and hop over to shopbop.com to purchase it for $425.00.

Judith Leiber Mojave Clutch

I've always been drawn to turtles. In fact, one of my fondest childhood memories is of me riding the ginormous tortoises at the San Diego Zoo with my dad. Today, I express my love for turtles, with a fabulous pair of oversized Gucci tortoise sunglasses, but the Judith Leiber Mojave clutch takes my obsession to the next level. The frosted lucite provides the perfect backdrop for a prism of black stones that actually resemble a tortoise shell. I love it when fashion reflects the natural beauty of our world and kudos to Judith Leiber for leaving their bedazzler at home. Purchase at Couture Lab for $3,614. Ouch!

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