Stella McCartney Colette Clutch

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
I'm sure that many of you sometimes kid that you're a bag collector, as if they are pieces of art, but Stella McCartney's new line of plexiglas clutches wouldn't necessarily look out of place at the MOMA. Only the reigning queen of contemporary luxury could design something as sleek and beautiful as the Colette clutch. The understated simplicity of the geometric design. The juxtaposition of the matte black plexiglas against the glossy gold accents. It's all perfection. Pair this clutch with an LBD and you're out the door in effortless style. Purchase at NET-A-PORTER for $2,745. Ouch! A girl can dream, can't she?

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Beyonce's Kate Spade Tuxedo Hill Nadine

To squash the rumors once and for all, Beyonce rocked a skin-tight dress and showcased her very real baby bump last week in New York City. Of course, I was more interested in her arm candy. I adore the Kate Spade Tuxedo Hill Nadine top-handle. The shimmering Italian wool is perfect for elegant winter styling, but the frayed seams give it the shabby chic aesthetic that we've come to enjoy from Kate Spade. This bag looks lovely in the crook of Beyonce's arm, but the cross-body strap offers added convenience. Best of all, this top-handle is available at Kate Spade boutiques for a very reasonable $475. It's refreshing to see someone who can buy any handbag in the world choose such an affordable design.

BREAKING NEWS: It's a girl! That's right. It has been reported that the Queen B is going to have a little princess. Time to pull out the sequined onesies and training heels.

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Project Accessory Debuts this Thursday

Are you all as excited as I am?  For years, I've been wondering what it would be like if Project Runway incorporated accessories and now my dream has come true.  I've been obsessing over this show for weeks and my DVR is already set for the premier.  Let me break it down for you.  The beautiful and always stylish, Molly Sims, will serve as host, while Kenneth Cole and InStyle Editor, Ariel Foxman, will judge the competition.  Creator of Vivre.com, Eva Jeanbart-Lorenzotti, will mentor the designers, who are competing for $100,000 and a spread in InStyle Magazine.  Naturally, I'm rooting for the handbag designers.

Kelly Horton has garnered a cult-like following in New York City, with her slouchy 'Midtown' hobo, which retails for only $475 on her website. 

I instantly recognized Diego Rocha, because his stunning ostrich-skinned 'Baby Jane' top-handle won a 2011 Independent Handbag Design Award.  It comes in nearly 50 different shades and it's lined in suede for added luxury.  Purchase directly on his website for $1,840.

Tune in to Project Accessory this Thursday at 10:30pm, on Lifetime.

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Alexander Wang Lydia Clutch

Metallics are always in, as far as I'm concerned, and they're perfect for a glamorous night out.  Alexander Wang channels the roaring 20s with his fall collection and the Lydia clutch is one of my favorite contemporary accessories for the season.  I'm particularly fond of the high shine patent leather and geometric detailing.  The rabbit fur charms give it a touch of elegance and the wrist strap will certainly come in handy after you've had one too many glasses of champagne.  This clutch was presented in red on the runway, but this blush pink iteration is more demure and feminine.  Purchase at Neiman Marcus for a very reasonable $525.  Wang really is a pro when it comes to innovative designs at affordable prices.

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The Row Alligator Backpack

Wondering what you should bring along on your next camping trip?  Don't fret.  The Row has you covered with the fastest selling item from their debut handbag collection; an ultra luxe alligator skin backpack.  In uncertain economic times, statistics have shown that the luxury market typically performs quite well, as has been the case with Hermès for the past few years.  Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, being the intelligent business women that they are, wanted to capitalize on this philosophy and designed a collection of overpriced accessories.  Take this backpack, for example.  It's available at NET-A-PORTER for $34,000.  Wait... WHAT?!  Even a truly bag poor individual, such as myself, simply can't fathom spending that kind of money on a backpack.  For that price, I'd rather buy a Birkin, pick up a Patek and take a trip to Paris.  Seriously, are some people so rich that they honestly don't know what to do with their money?  We live in a sad world. 



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Alicia Keys' Christian Louboutin Artemis Bag

Alicia Keys and her husband, Swizz Beatz, recently attended the opening of the new hit Broadway play, The Mountaintop, and I absolutely abhor every aspect of both of their outfits.  Let's just ignore Swizz because he's a man, and really... who cares?  But Alicia honey, what are you wearing?  First and foremost, someone with legs that thick should never have on skinny jeans.  Now let's discuss the accessories, both of which would only look appropriate on Lady Gaga.  Christian Louboutin designed these hideous hand-embroidered Daffodile Brodee pumps to commemorate 20 years of literally painting the town red.  As if this ensemble weren't disjointed enough, Alicia completed the look with the python Christian Louboutin Artemis bag, which features a seriously spiked shoulder strap that is simply trying way too hard to be cool.  To add insult to injury, this minuscule bag retails for $1,995 at NET-A-PORTER, while the limited edition pumps are exclusively available at Christian Louboutin boutiques for an even more absurd $2,295.  Let this be a lesson, ladies.  Just because something is expensive, doesn't make it stylish.  Alicia, you are one of the most talented artists of our generation, but please seek styling assistance. I beg of you.

     
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Louis Vuitton Spring Summer 2012 Handbags

Thanks to a whimsical carousel of beautiful models draped in stunning ladylike looks, Louis Vuitton presented one of the most critically acclaimed collections for spring summer 2012.  The accessories, in particular, were quite impressive.  Who wouldn't want to add this white crocodile top-handle to their handbag collection?  Believe it or not, it was hand-pieced together, in order to ensure that the scales are perfectly aligned.      

This transparent take on the classic Louis Vuitton logo is light and feminine.  I adore the shape of this pouchette.  It's the perfect garden party accoutrement for ladies who lunch.  Last, but certainly not least, I was blown away by the intricacy of this minaudière.  Crafted by hand out of 12,500 pieces of egg shell, this clutch alone took 300 hours to complete.  That's precisely the kind of attention to detail that Marc Jacobs will need if he is chosen to take the helm at Christian Dior.  We'll find out soon enough.    

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Versace Baroque Clutch

I spotted this stunning Versace clutch in the September issue of W Magazine and instantly fell in love with it.  There's something incredibly captivating about the Baroque print. It symbolizes a period in history when design wasn't merely focused on structure and function, but beauty as well.  As handbag construction and most other industries of design become more modernized, I find myself increasingly drawn to the opulent golden scrolls and wreaths of yesteryear.  Only Donatella would pair such an ornate print with leopard, but the result is simply ravishing.  Although this bag can certainly be worn as a clutch, an optional chain handle offers added versatility.  The pièce de résistance is undoubtedly the oversized zipper pull, which features the classic Medusa head and a hanging tassel.  Purchase this clutch at NET-A-PORTER for $995.  While I'm not an immense fan of felt, it's nice to see Versace offer more affordable options, crafted out of less expensive materials.  Speaking of which, the Versace for H&M collection will hit US stores on November 19th.  Are you as excited as I am?!

  
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