Frye takes a traditional approach to design with the Kira Karry Satchel.

Its alliterative name might remind you of the Kardashians, but this satchel is much more sophisticated than the socialite sisters, or any accessory they’ve lent their name to. While the Kardashians play with synthetic Frye offers real Italian leather. Its dark brown color doesn’t set my pulse racing, but it should be easy to work into your wardrobe. I’m also not smitten with the Kira Karry’s clean but fairly tame design, but I appreciate its timelessness.

I also appreciate the Kira Karry’s functional design. It’s luxuriously large, although its array of pockets and key clip make it relatively easy to manage. The protective metal feet on the base are a lovely little extra we don’t often get at this price point. The straps could stand to be a bit wider, but at least they’re long enough to easily sling over our shoulders.

Frye’s offering the kind of quality and features we don’t often find in a $398 bag, especially one with such classic looks. It probably costs more than most bargain shoppers would readily spend, but it’s worth a splurge.

More Features of This Frye Italian Leather Satchel

• Zip top closure
• Dual handles with a 7 inch drop
• Measures 16 x 4.5 x 10 inches

Get this Frye Kira Karry Handbag:

• Available to buy at 6pm
• Check The Bagtique eBay store to see if this Frye bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Frye bags on BagBunch
• The Frye Christine shoulder bag, a great alternative to this brown leather bag.
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• Other Frye satchels on eBay:

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Franchi offers classic evening style for less with this Tania Napa Clutch.

A more cynical reviewer might say that we’ve seen it all before. But no matter how many times I see a high quality leather stitched with diamond quilting, it’s impressive. The leather in this case is Napa, one of the world’s most prized skins. Rhinestones at the corners of each diamond give the Tania some extra flair. Any larger and they’d have appeared gaudy, but here they add an alluring amount of sparkle.

The Tania comes with the usual clutch bugbears. It’s too small and slender to hold much of value. Only the most skilled packer will be able to fit everything they want inside it. But the rich satiny lining and elegant serpentine chain strap help to appease us.

And so does the price, an affordable $195. Affordable really is a relative term in the fashion world, but the price is quite low for a bag made from such luxury materials. Dare to take it out for coffee and quick errands during the day and you’ll get value for your money.

More Features of This Franchi Quilted Leather Clutch

• Golden hardware
• Magnetic snap
• An open interior pocket
• A chain strap with a 19 inch drop
• Measures 8.4 x 6 x 1.5 inches

Get this Franchi Tania Napa Handbag:

• Available to buy at Last Call by Neiman Marcus
• Check the Last Call by Neiman Marcus eBay store to see if this Franchi bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Franchi bags on BagBunch
• The Franchi Queenie clutch bag, a great alternative to this quilted bag.
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Mulberry has appointed Hermes France’s managing director Bruno Guillon its new chief executive. Guillon, who’s previously worked with LVMH and Nina Ricci, will join the British fashion house in March.

Current Mulberry chief executive and chairman Godfrey Davis will continue at the firm, although he’ll step down from the chief executive role after a three-month transition period. He explained that his firm had been searching for a new chief executive since early 2011. It’s hoped that Guillon’s experience will help Mulberry expand into further international markets.

Mulberry is well poised to make a real mark on the fashion industry in 2012, after it tripled its annual profits this year. The endorsement of high profile style makers like Alexa Chung and Kate Moss also hasn’t done the brand any harm. However analysts say that while the label is strong in the UK, it’s underrepresented abroad, particularly in North America and the Asia-Pacific. They say that Guillon’s appointment comes at just the right time.

Guillon seems like the right man to take Mulberry from a British success story to an international one. Retaining Davis also seems like a smart move for the company going forward. What do you think of Mulberry’s business plan?

[Source: The Guardian]
[Image Source: Polyvore]

Mulberry Bags on eBay

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When you’re hitting the mall for that last bit of Christmas shopping, you’ll need a spacious shopper to help you out. Francesco Biasia delivers with this casual Jeanne shopper.

I was surprised to see Francesco Biasia passing over its usual leather for a more casual fabric. It makes sense though, because the material is a more lightweight choice. That allows us to take advantage of all the space the designer offers, and there is a lot of it.

Frankly this shopper is enormous. Its array of pockets do their best to keep things in order, but I’m not sure anything could keep a space so large free of clutter. A zippered divider may have made the bag more user friendly, but it would have cut the generous main compartment in half. As it’s designed it can hold a few purchases along with our everyday essentials.

The handles could stand to be a bit longer, but if you’re petite you should be able to sling them over your shoulder. Using them by hand will just be too awkward, especially if you’re making use of all that space. A few extra inches would have made the Jeanne that much easier to manage.

It’s not the perfect shopper but it is a lovely example. $298 is probably too much to pay for an accessory made of material, but at least we’re getting plenty of bag for our dollar.

More Features of This Francesco Biasia Fabric Shopper

• Dual handles with a 6 inch drop
• Drawstring and inside magnetic closure
• Measures 24 x 3 x 16 inches

Get this Francesco Biasia Jeanne Handbag:

• Available to buy at 6pm
• Available to buy on eBay (see listings below):

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• Check the Kate’s Designer Bags and Things eBay store to see if this Francesco Biasia bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Francesco Biasia bags on BagBunch
• The Francesco Biasia Edith tote bag, a great alternative to this large bag.
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Prada’s passed over more exotic settings and shot its new spring 2012 advertising campaign at a humble gas station.

Photographer Steven Meisel makes even this ordinary location look glamorous, with a little help from a mob of models. Meghan Collison, Natasha Poly, Ymre Stiekema, Elise Crombez, and Katryn Kruger are all transformed into vintage pin-up girls in this retro themed ad series.

Prada says it selected the unlikely gas station locale because it sees the setting as a “central symbol in this post-modern crossroads of new horizons and economic fulfillment, a stage set where fashion, fantasy, and the promise of new discoveries collide.” I don’t think I’ll ever see the spots in quite the same way again!

Steven Meisel’s low camera angle is also really interesting. There are no accidents in the world of fashion photography though. Prada explains that it heightens the “power and positivism” of the advertisement, and indeed the entire spring collection.

I love the color of this campaign, which seems perfect for the warmer weather approaching. The retro styling also seems really fresh. I’m not sure I’d be brave enough to pair that printed clutch with such a busy ensemble, but I’m just imagining how it’d look with my favorite little black dress.

What do you think of Prada’s latest advertising effort?

[Source: Fashionista]

Prada Clutch Purses on eBay

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Fossil takes us back to the 70s with this boho inspired Modern Cargo Tote.

The buttery soft leather gives the Modern Cargo its casually cool silhouette. The slightly shiny skin reminds us that it isn’t the best quality leather, but it’s better than most materials at this price.

The exterior pockets point to this tote’s practical nature, but they’re a bit misleading as they’re really too small to be of any great use. Most cell phones and bunches of keys won’t fit inside, so what’s the point? Really they’ll only hold loose change, but as they’re unsecured we probably wouldn’t trust them! The interior pockets are a bit more useful, although the cell pouch is too large to snugly hold most phones.

I really appreciate this tote’s convertible nature though. We can carry it as it is, fold it over and attach the cross body strap, or take that off an use it as an oversized clutch.

But all Modern Cargo totes aren’t created equally. While the brown and black leather versions are classic options, the silver one looks a bit gaudy. The metallic finish really cheapens the leather, which is less than we deserve for $168.

More Features of This Fossil Leather Convertible Tote

• Zip closure
• Dual handles with a 4.75 inch drop
• A detachable strap with a 21 inch drop
• Measures 12.5 x 2.5 x 13.5 inches

Get this Fossil Modern Cargo Handbag:

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

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Fossil bags on BagBunch
• The Fossil Modern Cargo cross-body bag, a great alternative to this tote bag.
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Just as every girl needs a little black dress, there’s always space in a closet for a little black handbag. Fontanelli hopes to fill that need with its appropriately titled Little Black Handbag.

This purse bears more than a passing resemblance to a Hermes or Mulberry bag, but I don’t think that’s such a bad thing. Where one fashionista might see a derivative design I see an affordable classic. That’s a relative term in the fashion world, but I think $550 is a steal for such an elegant Italian made leather purse.

It’s that European pedigree that really sets this bag apart. All too often patent leather looks tacky, but here the glossy surface appears sophisticated and high class. The polished gold-toned hardware makes the luxurious leather appear even richer.

The leather lining ensures the interior feels just as opulent as the outside. The single pocket would feel like skimping on another bag, but for one of this size it’s perfect.

That petite size is this bag’s biggest downside. When Fontanelli says little, it means little. It’s ideal for evenings out, but it probably won’t become anyone’s go to bag.

More Features of This Fontanelli Patent Leather Purse

• A leather handle with a 3.9 inch drop
• A detachable shoulder strap
• Measures 8.66 x 6.69 x 2.76 inches

Get this Fontanelli Little Black Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Fontanelli bags on BagBunch
• The Fontanelli Shiny Croco-Leather handbag, a great alternative to this classic bag.
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• Other black patent leather bags on eBay:

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Gisele Bundchen stars in Givenchy’s new spring 2012 campaign, the darkest and broodiest I’ve seen of the season.

There seems to be some remnants of winter that still need shaking off in this advertisement. I’ve never seen a beach looking quite so menacing in an ad, particularly one that’s supposed to celebrate warmer weather. It seems as if storm clouds are brewing around Bundchen and her sexy surfer companions.

Riccardo Tisci’s explanation doesn’t really shed any light on the unusual creative choices he’s taken here. In fact, I’m even more befuddled. He told Women’s Wear Daily that the ads are “the expression of a love story between a surfer and a mermaid.” Yet Gisele has sexy long legs rather than a fishy tail. Color me confused.

Famed photographic duo Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott were behind the lens, and they’ve captured Tisci’s goth aesthetic beautifully. But this ad really doesn’t say spring to me. It’s also so dark that I can barely make out the outfit Bundchen is wearing, let alone the purse in her hand. And isn’t admiring the apparel and accessories the whole point of advertising? Needless to say, I’m perplexed. What do you think about Givenchy’s dark take on the season?

[Source: Fashionista]

Givenchy Bags on eBay

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If you’re still searching for the perfect everyday accessory, it’s time to stop looking. Foley & Corinna has you covered with its Benja Day Bag.

The Benja is made for girls who don’t need a special occasion to enjoy a little luxury. It’s crafted from buttery soft leather, with elegant curved seams to emphasize its gently undulating shape.

While its refined looks will suck you in, all the features will ensure this bag becomes part of your everyday wardrobe. Its interior is spacious but not ungainly, with just the right amount of pockets to keep your everyday needs in order. A zipper runs across the top to ensure everything stays just where you left it. The handles are long enough to sling over your shoulder, but if you prefer a more casual look you can attach the cross-body strap.

At $475 the Benja is well priced, but I’d consider the color carefully before you settle on it. I love this nude hue called birch, although I worry it’ll show stains quickly. The black crocodile embossed leather version won’t present such obvious wear, but it doesn’t look quite as refined. Which would you pick?

More Features of This Foley + Corinna Nude Leather Tote

• Polished gold-toned hardware
• Fully lined interior
• Dual handles with a 7 inch drop
• A detachable strap with a 19.5 inch drop
• Measures 14 x 3.5 x 11.5 inches

Get this Foley + Corinna Benja Handbag:

• Available to buy at 6pm
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Foley + Corinna bags on BagBunch
• The Foley + Corinna Benja tote bag, a great alternative to this day bag.
• Searching for more Foley + Corinna bags on eBay
• Other Foley + Corinna Benja bags on eBay:

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Miu Miu is commemorating the opening of its new Houston store with release of a new limited edition trio of purses.

The luxurious snakeskin evening bags are available in three pastel colors: powder blue, pale pink, and a creamy beige hue. Each one is finished with golden hardware accents and a complementary chain shoulder strap.

The new Houston boutique is located in The Galleria’s luxury wing, alongside big name designers like Omega, Jimmy Choo, and Prada. Architect Roberto Bachiocchi stamped Miu Miu’s signature style on the 300-square-meter space, which was previously occupied by Bailey Banks & Biddle. Inside you’ll find ready-to-wear apparel, footwear, accessories, and of course a comprehensive handbag collection.

The Galleria’s marketing director Nicole Delmer said she was excited to bring Miu Miu’s only Houston outlet to local residents.

“We’re striving to bring exciting new store options people can’t get anywhere else,” she explained.

You’ll need to visit the store quickly if you hope to snap one of these limited edition purses up, as there are only 15 bags, five in each color, available. Each one costs $2350, which probably isn’t a bad deal for purses produced in such limited quantities. Do you hope to find one underneath your Christmas tree?

[Source: CultureMap Houston]

Miu Miu Snakeskin Purses on eBay

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