When Jennifer Hudson announced she was designing a fashion line for QVC celebrating women and their curves, we assumed it’d be all about apparel. However it seems the Oscar winning actress and acclaimed singer has also tried her hand at accessories.

This snakeskin printed clutch is a bold complement to the line’s sheath dresses, tailored coats, and figure-flattering leggings. We love the way the mellow gray snakeskin print has been punched up by the wide vertical yellow stripe. The simple shape and foldover style are also classic to avoid overcomplicating the already busy finish. It’s not likely to change the fashion world, but this purse shows Hudson has a flair for more than the dramatic arts.

Hudson recently told InStyle that she was inspired by Michael Kors’ approach to design.

“I feel that he focuses on the ‘real woman,’ you know? Every curve,” she explained.

She added that her collection also strives to strike the right balance between comfort and style. The pieces are also priced to appeal to bargain hunters as well. The clutch pictured is quite accessible at $60, and the most expensive item in the range is still affordable at $170.

We’ve got a little time to start saving for Jennifer Hudson’s fashion collection too, as it’ll hit QVC on September 6 to coincide with Fashion’s Night Out celebrations.

Are you impressed by Jennifer Hudson’s designing turn?

[Source: InStyle]

We’ve seen Zara Terez creating whimsical purses covered with bows and suede mesh in the past, but it takes a more traditional approach to design with the Sunset Park satchel.

I must admit, I was initially disappointed by this purse. It’s missing that flair that attracted me to the label. It doesn’t make a strong style statement. It fact, it could come from any average fashion house.

It might be a little boring, but the Sunset Park is well made from plush leather. The pockets appear tacked on, rather than seamless design elements, but they’re practical additions. There are four on the front, and another on each end, plus plenty more inside. The only problem is remembering where you put your lip gloss or set of keys when you need them!

Its straps are long enough for over-the-shoulder carrying in summer, but they’re a little short for slinging over a winter coat. Once the weather cools though, you can simply add the cross-body strap.

Fashions come and go but a bag like the Sunset Park will endure. It just doesn’t have enough personality to tempt me. For $585 I expect a bit more spark.

More Features of This Zara Terez Leather Satchel

• Zip closure
• Fabric lined interior
• Dual handles with a 7 inch drop
• Measures 10 x 15 x 5 inches
• Made in the United States
• Also available in chocolate

Get this Zara Terez Sunset Park Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Zara Terez bags on BagBunch
• The Oryany Handbags Penelope satchel bag, a great alternative to this leather bag.
• Searching for more Zara Terez bags on eBay
• Other black leather satchel bags on eBay:

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Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s overpriced patchwork fur bag might have impressed Rachel Zoe, but we couldn’t see what all the fuss was about. We rejected the bag on an aesthetic level, but PETA have slammed the twins’ latest exorbitant creation on ethical grounds.

PETA never supports the use of fur for fashion, but I can’t recall the animal rights group being so savage in retaliation. It issued the following statement, which is so vicious that it deserves to be printed in its entirety.

“If it looks like a troll and acts like a troll, it’s probably a Trollsen Twin—or someone wearing one of their new $16,000 totes, which are made from the fur and skins of innocent animals. What the Olsens lack in creativity, they try to make up for in shock value. Sadly, it’s the foxes, calves, and alligators—who often have the fur ripped off them while they are still conscious and able to feel pain—who pay the dearest price.“

Ouch! I hadn’t heard the cutting Trollsen Twins nickname before, but it seems PETA has used it to refer to the former child stars since 2007. It’s very clever, if not exactly kind!

I can’t say that I endorse The Row’s use of genuine fur, the questionable design of the patchwork bag, or its obscene price tag. But has PETA gone too far?

[Source: Fashionista]

Patchwork Fur Handbags on eBay

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I was beginning to tire of colorblocked purses, but Zac Posen has reignited my interest with this Audrey satchel from his Z Spoke line.

I appreciate that Zac Posen hasn’t whacked us over the head with the colorblocking. This is a very restrained example of the style, with a pop of rusty red around the handles. We don’t often see this hue paired with eggshell blue, but that unexpected mix makes the Audrey look fresh in spite of its retro styling. It’s got that ladylike look that’s making a fierce comeback, but it’s been interpreted in a bold new way.

That rich red color is picked up again in the bag’s accordion style interior. The space is quite slender, but it should hold everything you need on a day out. The triple-compartment design works with the slip and zip pockets to keep your items in order.

I’m so smitten with the Audrey, and that extends to its price. As it’s part of Zac Posen’s Z Spoke label, it costs just $450. It might require a little saving, but that’s certainly not unreasonable for a bag of such style and quality.

More Features of This Z Spoke Colorblocked Satchel

• Magnetic snap closure
• Dual top handles with an 8 inch drop
• Measures 10.25 x 8.75 x 3.5 inches

Get this Zac Posen Audrey Handbag:

• Available to buy at Bloomingdale’s
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Zac Posen bags on BagBunch
• The Z Spoke Zac Sac satchel bag, a great alternative to this retro bag.
• Searching for more Zac Posen bags on eBay
• Other colorblocked satchel bags on eBay:

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There might be changes ahead at Yves Saint Laurent, but we hope the label never loses its knack for creating effortlessly sophisticated accessories. The Dandy shoulder bag is another great example of timeless design.

The Dandy is such an elegant number, with a classic flap-over design and lush grained leather. Gentle pleating near the base emphasizes the quality of this superior skin. Its bold poppy red hue helps it stand out, as it should for the money. No one wants their Yves Saint Laurent purse to blend into the background!

I also love the look of the leather and chain strap. The red leather is a gorgeous complement to the antique-looking hardware. It’s not as smart as it is stylish though. Yves Saint Laurent’s used chain for the center portion that sits against our shoulder. Picking metal rather than the softer leather is a really curious choice. The strap is also pretty skinny, so it’ll drag on our shoulder once the Dandy’s full.

The Dandy looks petite, but its triple expanding interior allows us to stash more inside than we’d guess. The space is lined with hardy twill, and its zippered pocket is trimmed in leather for extra strength.

Yves Saint Laurent goes the extra mile here, as well it should for the money. If the Dandy came from an average fashion house I’d suggest $1595 was too much to spend, but this is Yves Saint Laurent. I’m willing to pay a premium for its high quality craftsmanship; are you?

More Features of This Yves Saint Laurent Red Leather Shoulder Bag

• Pushlock closure
• A chain and leather strap with a 12 inch drop
• Measures 11 x 7 x 2.5 inches
• Made in Italy

Get this Yves Saint Laurent Dandy Handbag:

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

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• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Yves Saint Laurent bags on BagBunch
• The Yves Saint Laurent Chyc shoulder bag, a great alternative to this classic bag.
• Searching for more Yves Saint Laurent bags on eBay

Archaeologists in Germany believe they may have uncovered the world’s oldest handbag. They found the prized purse, which is believed to date between 2, 500 and 2, 200 BC, at an excavation site near Leipzig.

As you might imagine the fabric has eroded over the years, but what remains is more than a hundred dog teeth arranged closely together, probably for decoration. The effect is something like the metal studs modern day designers favor. Who knew they were mimicking our trend-setting ancestors?

“Over the years the leather or fabric disappeared, and all that’s left is the teeth,” explained Susanne Friederich of the Sachsen-Anhalt State Archaeology and Preservation Office. “They’re all pointing in the same direction, so it looks a lot like a modern handbag flap.“

The purse was found amongst many other items, including spear points, bone buttons, and an amber necklace. But Friederich says the handbag is an especially important discovery as it’s the first time a bag of this type has been unearthed.

It’s believed the handbag’s original owner was privileged, as only the elite were buried with adorned products. Dog teeth were common decorations found in Stone Age hair ornaments and necklaces.

Looking at the picture, I imagine the original purse was quite a looker!

[Source: National Geographic]

Yak Pak never overcomplicates its bags, but it may have created one of its simplest in the Carrie tote.

This is a real back to basics bag, with a traditional shape and no fuss. Yak Pak’s playful skull print brings a little personality, but you could never call it a head turner. Its sturdy black straps pop against the tote’s body, but they’re about smarts more than style.

The Carrie’s such a spacious bag that it can handle one of the label’s netbook sleeves, along with some other necessary belongings. You needn’t worry about overburdening it either, as it’s sold with a lifetime warranty. The tote’s PVC nylon blended fabric is also incredibly light, so it shouldn’t drag you down even when it’s full. That material doesn’t look especially smart, but it’s easy to keep clean. You need only sponge it with a damp rag to remove most stains.

The Carrie won’t garner wistful glances or become a conversation starter, but it gets the job done. And it does it for just $29, which makes it a great bargain buy for anyone counting their pennies.

More Features of This Yak Pak Skull Tote

• Measures 0.4 x 14 x 15 inches

Get this Yak Pak Carrie Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon
• Check the etrnitycaliGal eBay store to see if this Yak Pak bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Yak Pak bags on BagBunch
• The Yak Pak Arco tote bag, a great alternative to this skull bag.
• Searching for more Yak Pak bags on eBay
• Other Yak Pak tote bags on eBay:

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Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen love creating high priced items for their The Row label. Following on from the jaw-dropping $39, 000 alligator backpack they released last year, the sisters have created a bold patchwork fur bag. This statement piece from The Row’s pre-fall collection is much cheaper than that much-talked about backpack, but at $17, 000 it’s still no bargain.

Of course, the impending release of this bag has already created a buzz online. Celebrity stylist and fledgling designer Rachel Zoe has already voiced her support for the bag.

“Pretty in patchwork, The Row’s posh pack combines comfort and class,” she recently wrote on her The Zoe Report blog. “The fuzzy texture on this nifty knapsack is also a fashion favorite.“

And if you’re wondering what to wear this unique purse with, Zoe offers some suggestions there too. Apparently “a blush blouse, skinny jeans, and a bold boot,” will set it off nicely.

We must admit though, we can’t see what Zoe sees. It just looks like a mess of fur, a discordant design that’s downright ugly. I could understand anyone with the means indulging in that alligator backpack, but I wouldn’t carry this bag if you paid me!

If you are a fan though, it’s worth noting that the style is also available in polished black calfskin and glossy black alligator. Prices haven’t been released for these versions, but nothing The Row creates is on the budget end. Considering its last notable alligator creation topped five figures, I’m expecting some whopping price tags.

[Source: Heatworld]

Patchwork Fur Bags on eBay

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XOXO keeps it simple with this Radiance Tote.

XOXO’s usually got such a problem with overembellishment, so I’m thrilled to see it opting for a more minimalist design. Its lines are clean and its shape tried and true. The bold butterfly image is the only real decoration, and XOXO allows it to take center stage. It seems like the youthful fashion house may be learning a thing or two about style.

The straw finish is far from luxurious, but it looks much better than the tacky synthetic the label typically employs. The woven natural fiber isn’t trying to be anything it’s not, and it shines because of it.

The Radiance is a spacious tote, but I wouldn’t push it to its limits. Straw is notoriously fragile, and it might break if it’s trusted to carry anything heavy. I’d use the space for light but bulky items, like beach towels and flip flops. This tote looks like it’s ready for hitting the coast after all!

The Radiance isn’t likely to inspire handbag envy, but it’s one of XOXO’s strongest designs. And at $79, it also won’t break the bank!

More Features of This XOXO Butterfly Tote

• Polished gold-toned hardware
• Magnetic snap closure
• A zip and pair of slip pockets inside
• Dual handles with an 8 inch drop
• Measures 20 x 18.5 x 12 inches

Get this XOXO Radiance Handbag:

• Available to buy at Macy’s
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More XOXO bags on BagBunch
• The Coach Poppy Canvas Butterfly tote bag, a great alternative to this butterfly bag.
• Searching for more XOXO bags on eBay
• Other butterfly bags on eBay:

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Whiting & Davis put an exotic spin on its iconic metal mesh with this Pop Tassels Cross-Body Bag.

The purse’s metal mesh body is classic and simple, although there’s nothing classic about that orange color. Personally I feel a bag that plays with tradition as the Pop Tassels does deserves a bit of spice, but it’s also available in more conservative black and white hues if you prefer. Whichever hue you pick you’ll see the metal mesh complemented by an exotic leather flap. Whiting & Davis mimics boa here, with bold oversized scales and plenty of sass. A playful tassel made from the same embossed leather finishes the style nicely.

The Pop Tassels is a small purse, so it works well as a petite cross-body or as a clutch. Just detach that heavy chain to convert it. Personally I prefer it in clutch mode, as the chunky strap seems to overwhelm the style. However it’s all a matter of preference, and I can’t fault Whiting & Davis for giving us options.

And the fashion house does it all for just $185. We’re not getting a lot of bag for our dollar, but that price does buy a whole lot of style.

More Features of This Whiting & Davis Mesh Cross-Body Bag

• Zip closure under magnetic flap
• An interior slide pocket
• Signature logo polyester lining
• A detachable, adjustable chain strap
• Measures 1.5 x 6 x 6.5 inches

Get this Whiting & Davis Pop Tassels Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon (limited stock)
• Check the eBags eBay store to see if this Whiting & Davis bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Whiting & Davis bags on BagBunch
• The Whiting & Davis Pop Tassel clutch bag, a great alternative to this metal mesh bag.
• Searching for more Whiting & Davis bags on eBay
• Other Whiting & Davis Pop Tassel bags on eBay:

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