Gustto brings some contemporary edge to the bohemian hobo style with this Masilia bag.

At its heart this is a classic hobo bag, with soft curves and a slouchy silhouette. The soft taupe color is right on trend, but it also gives this hobo a distinctly hippie air. However it’s not all free and easy. The deep slits in the side panels give this bag the contemporary edge that sets it apart.

The Masilia has generous dimensions, so we should have no problems carrying everything we need to along with a few luxuries. Those items should stay reasonably well organized too with a zippered pocket and pair of welt pouches to help us out. Such a large handbag probably deserves a long zip rather than a magnetic closure, but the button does a decent job of keeping our cargo safe.

The straps are long enough to comfortably sit on our shoulder, but if I’m being picky I’d prefer they weren’t rounded. The rolled design means they’re likely to slip off our shoulder while we’re out and about. A flat design would have given the Masilia a similar look and some added functionality.

At $670 the Masilia isn’t a cheap purse, but it’s also not exorbitant for a handbag of this quality. Is there a place for it in your wardrobe?

More Features of This Gustto Slitted Hobo

• Polished gold-toned hardware
• Microfiber lined interior
• Dual rolled handles with an 11 inch drop
• Measures 14 x 13 inches

Get this Gustto Masilia Handbag:

• Available to buy at Bluefly
• Available to buy on eBay (see listings below):

[phpbay]Gustto Masilia, 2, “”, wanda[/phpbay]

• Check the GrammasGoodys eBay store to see if this Gustto bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Gustto bags on BagBunch
• The Diesel The Bright Side tote bag, a great alternative to this slashed bag.
• Searching for more Gustto bags on eBay

One of the world’s most litigious fashion house’s, Louis Vuitton, has a new target in its sights. This time around the European fashion giant is going after the crew of Todd Philips’ comedy smash, The Hangover II.

Louis Vuitton filed a lawsuit with the federal court in New York after it spotted a counterfeit Louis Vuitton handbag in the film. The offending scene sees Zach Galifinakis’ Alan saying “Careful, that is a Louis Vuitton” while pointing to a counterfeit purse.

Louis Vuitton says the cinematic scenario has resulted in consumer confusion and thus damaged the label. The lawsuit alleges that the film has resulted in trademark dilution, false destination of origin, and unfair competition. As Warner Bros has refused to alter the scene for the DVD, Louis Vuitton hopes to settle the case by claiming a share of the film’s profits.

It’s strange to see a lawsuit mounted so long after the movie’s release. It hit cinemas in May, and was released on DVD earlier this month. Perhaps Louis Vuitton execs didn’t see it until it hit the small screen. At any rate, this sounds like a fairly small time crime to me. I often wonder why such a large company like Louis Vuitton continues to make such grabs for cash. It’s also interesting to see cases now which don’t just deal with the unauthorized use of designer goods, but also their replicas.

Do you think the folks behind The Hangover II have a case to answer?

[Source: International Business Times]
[Image Source: PopCultureGeek/Wikipedia Commons]

Louis Vuitton Handbags on eBay

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Embrace your feminine side with this Priscilla hobo from Guess.

This may be the girliest hobo I’ve ever encountered. It’s more floaty and frothy than slouchy, and its faux leather finish is in a pretty pastel pink. This hue is well chosen, as it’s girly without being obnoxiously so.

That’s a rare thing for a Guess bag to be honest. Its name plate breaks up the design more than we’d like, but it’s also uncharacteristically sedate. The soft pleats on the voluminous body are really the Priscilla’s only decoration. It’s so refreshing to see a Guess bag free of obvious hardware and rhinestones.

Looks aside, this Guess bag is also pretty smart. It’s generously sized but it’s got the features we need to stay organized. There’s a zippered pocket and a pair of open ones for gadgets. We even get a slot for holding our favorite credit card, driver’s license, or another important card. I’ve also fallen hard for the heart-printed cotton twill lining. Really the only thing we’re missing is high quality materials, but at $108 that sacrifice is to be expected.

If this pink hobo isn’t rocking your world it’s worth noting that the style is also available in a steely gray black. Personally I think that version is a bit pedestrian, but it’s always great to have options.

More Features of This Guess Pleated Hobo

• Patent trim
• Silver-toned hardware
• Top zip closure
• A single top handle with a 10 inch drop
• Measures 17 x 15 x 6.5 inches

Get this Guess Priscilla Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon
• Check the Twinkle’s Guess Hand Bag Boutique eBay store to see if this Guess bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Guess bags on BagBunch
• The Guess Priscilla satchel bag, a great alternative to this hobo bag.
• Searching for more Guess bags on eBay
• Other Guess hobo bags on eBay:

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It’s got a funny name, but the Snaffle Bit by Gucci also comes packaged with a whole lot of style.

For such a small purse, I’m impressed by the attention to detail. Perhaps I shouldn’t be surprised, as this is Gucci after all, but the hand stitching and application of delicate studs is breathtaking. The chunky tassels probably take things a step too far, but they fit right in with the Snaffle Bit’s boho meets western aesthetic.

The Snaffle Bit is a small purse, which is both a blessing and a curse. On one hand the dainty interior doesn’t hold a great deal. It’s essentials only, and even then you’ll have to pack them carefully. On the other the delicate dimensions ensure we don’t feel weighed down.

The long strap is adjustable, but I think I’d extend it right out so I could wear the Snaffle Bit across my body. Just imagine it slung casually over your shoulder, sitting on your hip as you step out wearing a flowing skirt, high boots, and a wide brimmed hat.

In an ideal world boho fashion would always be affordable as those vintage gems you find at the flea market. But this isn’t an ideal world; here Gucci purses like this cost $1880. That’s a lot of money to spend, but not unreasonable for a high end designer bag of such style and substance.

More Features of This Gucci Studded Shoulder Bag

• Antique gold hardware
• Linen lined interior
• An adjustable shoulder strap with an 18 inch drop
• An interior pocket
• Measures 7.2 x 2.5 x 6.3 inches

Get this Gucci Snaffle Bit Handbag:

• Available to buy at Gucci
• Available to buy on eBay (see listings below):

[phpbay]Gucci Snaffle Bit, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Highend Bargain eBay store to see if this Gucci bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Gucci bags on BagBunch
• The Gucci Marrakech bag, a great alternative to this tassel decorated bag.
• Searching for more Gucci bags on eBay

When Lara Stephenson began to dig around her family tree, it’s unlikely she expected an accessories range would come from it. But that’s exactly what led the designer to launch Ann & Arayata.

The label shares the middle names of Lara and her late mother Honorata. Its handbags are created using traditional techniques from the Philippines, Honorata’s birthplace. Filipino artisans carefully handcraft the purses from raffia taken from the country’s buri palm trees. They use old-fashioned wooden looms and weaving techniques passed down for hundreds of years before coloring the purses with water-based inks.

Lara Stephenson sees fashion as being bigger than good looks and functionality. She recently told Ecouterre that “Fashion is the promotion of ideas and awareness of a brand, so it’s important to create greater awareness for those in need in impoverished parts of the world.“

That’s a goal that Stephenson takes seriously. Her Ann & Arayata label helps artisans in regional areas earn a living wage, but its charity efforts go even further than that. The fashion house also donates at least 20% of all sales to L.I.F.E. for Health, a non-profit organization that Lara Stephenson’s mother founded in 1990. This charity helps improve the infrastructure, nutrition, and educational opportunities available for people in The Philippines and Rwanda.

While the handbags are selling well, Stephenson’s already making plans for the future. She hopes to release a line of scarves using the same sustainable material from her mother’s homeland.

[Source: Ann & Arayata]

Whether you’re hitting the high streets or trawling through market stalls, Gorjana’s created a great bag for busy days with the Madison.

Gorjana’s buttery soft leather is extra appealing in this poppy teal shade. The color is perfect for brightening up a drab winter day and taking you right through to summer. The vivid skin is complemented by a quartet of large silver studs on the flap. I was beginning to tire of studs, but the restraint shown here has inspired me to reevaluate my stance.

Lift up the flap to find a pair of slim compartments. Each one is lined with herringbone fabric and reinforced with leather piping. Storage space is limited, but the Madison will hold the things you really need when you step out. The chain strap is long enough for easy cross-body wear, and the soft leather center will cushion your shoulder all day.

At $198 Gorjana isn’t offering us a lot of bag for our dollar, but it is providing quality. A few more color options would have given it wider appeal, but if you like teal you’ll see value here.

More Features of This Gorjana Leather Cross-Body Bag

• Magnetic closure
• A chain and leather strap with a 25 inch drop
• Measures 6 x 6 inches
• Made in China

Get this Gorjana Madison Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon (limited stock)
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Gorjana bags on BagBunch
• The regular Gorjana Madison cross-body bag, a great alternative to this small bag.
• Searching for more Gorjana bags on eBay
• Other teal cross-body bags on eBay:

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London College of Fashion student Sungmin Han‘s proved she’s one to watch after she designed a range of origami-inspired handbags.

Han’s handbag line takes the concept of convertible purses and pushes it to the limit. It was inspired by the ancient Japanese art of paper folding, although you don’t need to be well versed in the craft. Simply fold along the lines to transform your purse and change its shape and style.

“If one section is pulled out, it will be a different shape, or its features can be changed if it is reorganized,” Han explained.

Han said she was inspired by the way that origami transforms flat paper into an object with form. Continue with the origami and the original shape can become something else with a few clever moves.

“I think this can be good example to show what my concept is, and how I want to make accessories,” added Han.

As Sungmin Han is still a student it’s likely to be some time before we see her bags on the market, but I love their originality. She’s really thought her concept through, with sketches showing how the foldable style would work with clutches, backpacks, shoppers, and totes.

Someone sign this young designer up quick. She’s got fresh ideas, and in the world of fashion that’s a precious commodity!

[Source: London College of Fashion website]

Global Elements takes a break from its usual tribal inspired fare to create this Suede Hobo.

This hobo has a unique homespun charm to it. It’s not very high class, but there’s a sweetness to its fun floral accents and classic brown suede finish. It’s the sort of purse you might pick up from your local markets, or even make yourself if you only had the time and patience.

This hobo is on the small side, but it should hold everything you really need with some careful packing. You’ll also need care to keep the clutter at bay, as there’s only a single zippered pocket to help us out. It’s easy to carry though, as the handle is flat and long enough to sit snugly on your shoulder

At $76 this is a pretty cheap hobo, but you get what you pay for. The beads tend to fall off quickly, and the pale fabric used on the flowers discolors just as fast. Still, when the bottom line is so low it’s easy to see value for money.

More Features of This Global Elements Floral Hobo

• Top zip closure
• A single strap with a 7 inch drop
• Measures 12.5 x 7.5 x 2.5 inches

Get this Global Elements Suede Handbag:

• Available to buy at eBags
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Global Elements bags on BagBunch
• The Mellow World Bliss bag, a great alternative to this flower applique bag.
• Searching for more Global Elements bags on eBags
• Other suede hobo bags on eBay:

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Givenchy gives the classic hobo a fashion forward makeover with the Obsedia.

Givenchy’s retained elements of the traditional style, but made the finish much more sophisticated. There’s a gentle slouch to the material, but it’s so thick and lush that it doesn’t collapse in a heap. That added structure makes this hobo much easier to use than the average. The brown color isn’t exactly going set the fashion world on fire, but it’s a timeless choice which will suit any occasion or season. The earthy hue is set off nicely with the Obsedia’s distinctive signature clasp.

The Obsedia hobo has all the space we need with the functional features to match. I wouldn’t say that the pair of open pouches and zippered pocket exceed our expectations, but with so many high end designers taking a more minimalist approach I appreciate the features offered. The handle is significantly shorter than I’d like though. It looks just right, but it’s not long enough to easily sling over our shoulder, which is the preferred carrying method for a bag so large.

Givenchy bags never come cheaply, and at $1580 the Obsedia’s no exception. It’s pricy but incredibly sophisticated. If you can stomach some carrying angst you’ll appreciate this chic statement purse.

More Features of This Givenchy Textured Leather Hobo

• Magnetic snap closure
• Fabric lined interior
• A single flat leather handle with a 5 inch drop
• Measures 14 x 16 x 3.5 inches

Get this Givenchy Obsedia Handbag:

• Available to buy at Barneys New York
• Check the Debdard68 eBay store to see if this Givenchy bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Givenchy bags on BagBunch
• The Givenchy Tinhan bag, a great alternative to this hobo bag.
• Searching for more Givenchy bags on eBay
• Other Givenchy hobo bags on eBay:

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Oregon-based design Meghan Corbin gives old clothes a new lease on life with her freshly launched label Meg Expressions.

The Portland native transforms jeans, T-shirts, and sheets into sweetly styled, original accessories. They’re a bit girly, but they should appeal to tweens, teens, and women in touch with their feminine sides. Each purse features a “handmade with recycled materials” stamp to remind users of the item’s heritage and eco-friendly credentials. There’s a great range of designs to choose from including coin purses, wallets, totes, and shoulder bags in a variety of colorful prints.

The materials might not be very high class, but it’s admirable that Corbin’s designs keep the fabrics out of landfill. By using ordinary clothes, Corbin also ensures that her handbags are machine washable. That’s great news for anyone who laments the stains that bags inevitably show after a season or two.

Right now Corbin uses her own materials, but I’d love to see her expand to create a customized service. I can imagine it’d be really popular with moms wanting to hold on to their baby’s clothes a little longer, or women finally willing to let their too small skinny jeans go! Until then we can browse her recycled fabric handbags through her etsy store.

[Source: Meg Expressions]