Betsey Johnson tones down her usual flash for this Heart-Y Girl Shopper from her Betseyville line.

The deep blue denim is a much tamer choice than the animal printed synthetics she tends to favor. A giant heart at the center is outlined with black shiny synthetic, and decorated with a smattering of studs. I wouldn’t necessarily call this shopper sedate, but it’s far less showy than most Betseyville creations.

The Heart-Y Girl looks very basic from the outside, but it’s got a few tricks tucked away. The enormous interior is lined with Johnson’s signature pink fabric, and kitted out with a pair of gadget pouches and a zippered pocket. Its handles are long and made from more of that soft denim, so they should feel heavenly on our shoulder. The magnetic snap isn’t the ideal closure, but it does the job.

I could probably knock this bag up myself if I had a glue gun and a few hours up my sleeve. However for a relatively affordable $78 I hardly think it’s worth the trouble!

More Features of This Betsey Johnson Denim Shopper

• Dual handles with an 8 inch drop
• Measures 15 x 15 x 3 inches

Get this Betseyville Heart-Y Girl Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Heart-Y Girl, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Bzbzshopper4u eBay store to see if this Betsey Johnson bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Betsey Johnson bags on BagBunch
• The Betseyville Dress Me tote bag, a great alternative to this heart bag.
• Searching for more Betsey Johnson bags on eBay

Etienne Aigner, where have you been hiding? The usually pedestrian fashion label has created an uncharacteristically fashion forward satchel with the Krista.

If I didn’t know better I’d swear this was the work of some high end European designer. Its honey colored snake embossed leather is beautiful, with just the right amount of tonal shading. It’s also available in white, but the contrast between the skin and piping is a bit too dramatic for my taste. This subtler option seems much more sophisticated.

The embossed leather is the star, but the satchel’s design is also striking. It feels like it’s stepped out of the 70s, which actually puts it right on trend. While there’s a retro charm to it I can’t imagine it dating quickly either.

A zippered compartment running down the center of the Krista’s generous interior makes the space more manageable. We’re also treated to four slide pockets, twice as many as most designers offer, and a smaller zip pocket for loose change and valuables.

If it were from one of those European labels the Krista would likely cost a thousand dollars or more. But it’s not, so we enjoy some serious savings. At $185 this satchel is a steal.

More Features of This Etienne Aigner Python Embossed Satchel

• Magnetic snap closure
• Fully lined interior
• A detachable strap with a 20 inch drop
• Measures 4 x 12 x 8.8 inches

Get this Etienne Aigner Krista Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Etienne Aigner Krista flap, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Etienne Aigner bags on BagBunch
• The Etienne Aigner Krista frame satchel bag, a great alternative to this flap bag.
• Searching for more Etienne Aigner bags on eBay

Gura Gear has released the Chobe, a functional handbag which promises to take care of your business, travel, and photography needs.

It seems ambitious for a company to claim their accessory can do it all, but this one’s dimensions give me hope that it might. In regular mode it’s large enough to hold a 15-inch laptop, a tablet device, newspapers, magazines, and important travel documents with space to spare. Then at the flip of a zip the Chobe grows from day bag to overnighter. In this expanded mode you should have space for all the other items along with a change of clothes and some essential toiletries. But the Chobe’s not done. Add the padded insert and it becomes a camera bag designed to hold a professional DSLR camera and its detachable lenses.

You can carry it with the top handle, or use the concealed sleeve to slide it on to your rolling suitcase. The Chobe also adheres to international carry-on conventions so you need not worry about airport angst.

A bag so versatile is likely to get a workout, so I’m thrilled to see Gura Gear has chosen its materials carefully. The Chobe is made from sailcloth, a fabric that’s lightweight yet tough as nails.

The complete Chobe bag, including its camera insert, is available for $349. You can also order the bag only for the discounted price of $299, or get the inset alone for $59. They’re all available from the Gura Gear website.

[Source: PR Web]

I’ve always enjoyed Kotur’s elegant clutch purses but generally its larger bags let the line down. But the fashion house has got things right with the Becker Bowler.

This seems to be the day for surprising me, because I’m also not usually a fan of colorblocking. Yet I find the mix of colors and fabrics here compelling. Red and silver calfskin panels on the side complement the rich crimson suede along the top. Chocolate brown snakeskin handles provide the final luxurious touches. The hanging tassel adds unnecessary clutter in my opinion, but it’s easily removed.

The Becker doesn’t have the domed shape we associate with bags of this ilk, but its boxy design does maximize its storage potential. The Becker’s dimensions are generous but not unwieldy, so we can carry everything we want to and not feel weighed down.

I love the look of the snakeskin handles but as they’re rolled they’ll probably slip from your shoulder. Thankfully there’s also a removable flat strap for the times your patience wears thin.

At $875 this Kotur Bowler isn’t cheap but it’s also not exorbitant in the fashion world. Personally I think it’s worth saving for.

More Features of This Kotur Colorblocked Bowler

• Zip top closure
• Measures 9 x 14.5 x 7.2 inches

Get this Kotur Becker Handbag:

• Available to buy at Neiman Marcus
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Kotur bags on BagBunch
• The Kotur Wallace satchel bag, a great alternative to this large Kotur bag.
• Searching for more Kotur bags on eBay
• Other colorblocked bowler bags on eBay:

[phpbay]colorblocked bowler, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

African themed online shopping destination BILOTEcouture is launching an exclusive new accessories collection, called ZINA, this winter.

The ZINA bags and footwear look to bridge the gap between High Street fashion and tribal artistry. Common Western design elements are juxtaposed with colorful African textiles patterned with bold prints.

BILOTEcouture founder Edith Nkwocha said she drew inspiration from her own world travels when creating the ZINA line. It came about from Nkwocha’s desire to create luxurious accessories that would “empower women to embrace their innate creativity and individuality.” She took the glamour and elegance from high end fashion and reinterpreted these elements into accessible, wearable items for women around the world.

Nkwocha, a trained medical translator, began designing handbags and footwear to escape from the pressures of her profession. Her website, which launched in 2009, features her own designs and those of other emerging creative talents from her home continent.

The ZINA collection will hit the BILOTEcouture e-store and other selected boutiques this winter. Interested shoppers can subscribe to the site’s free e-mail newsletter for notification of its launch and exclusive discounts on BILOTEcouture’s accessories.

No prices have been announced for the ZINA bags at this point, but if they’re comparable to those already displayed on the BILOTEcouture website we should find them for a couple of hundred Euros.

[Source: PR Web]

African Bags on eBay

[phpbay]African, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

It doesn’t have any frills or fashion forward details, but the fine craftsmanship of Jerome Dreyfuss’ Momo Saddle Bag has stopped me in my tracks.

This is a small saddle bag but it packs a powerful punch, both stylistically and functionally. Its calfskin is stunning, smooth and beautiful in rich bordeaux wine. The leather is a gorgeous complement to the Momo’s rich looking polished gold hardware. Its clean lines and soft curves are the stuff fashion dreams are made of.

I didn’t expect lot from a bag so small, so perhaps it’s unsurprising that it exceeded my expectations. However Jerome Dreyfuss has crammed more inside this small purse than most designers offer in large totes. There isn’t just a single main compartment but three, and each one has a zip to keep your cargo safe. You’d be hard pressed to fit a wallet inside, but with six card slots and a coin purse tucked away you don’t need to. And finally there’s a mirror hidden underneath the flap, ready to assist you when you’re touching up your lipstick.

I’d ordinarily suggest $625 is too much to spend on a purse so small, but I can’t deny Jerome Dreyfuss has worked hard to offer value. If you’ve got the money and can travel light, I doubt you’ll regret investing in the Momo.

More Features of This Jerome Dreyfuss Calfskin Saddle Bag

• Snap button closure
• A removable strap with a 24 inch drop
• Measures 5.5 x 7 x 3 inches

Get this Jerome Dreyfuss Momo Handbag:

• Available to buy at Barneys New York
• Check the Mememe Designer Accessories eBay store to see if this Jerome Dreyfuss bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More saddle bags on BagBunch
• The Cole Haan Saddle Handbag, a great alternative to this brown saddle bag.
• Searching for more Jerome Dreyfuss bags on eBay
• Other leather saddle bags on eBay:

[phpbay]leather saddle, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Guess imitates luxury for girls on a budget with this Retro Croc Clutch. Sadly though, it’s a pretty poor mimic.

That’s hardly surprising for a Guess purse. Its crocodile scales seem like they’re barely trying to emulate the reptilian skin. Its glossy surface might pass for a genuine patent leather if it wasn’t so puffy. The croc finish makes this purse appear busy, and its script logo and enamel heart only further complicate the look. While it’s not to my taste, I have to concede that it’s signature Guess. It likely won’t win the label any new fans, but it won’t turn off anyone already converted.

This purse’s tri-fold design is more like a wallet than a traditional clutch. The card slots and bill pockets make it easy to keep your finances in order, but you’ll struggle to fit a cell phone or even a tube of gloss inside.

Personally I’d forget the clutch moniker and use it as a regular wallet. Tucked away inside a larger handbag seems to best place for this eyesore anyway! At least it’s cheap at a meager $38.

More Features of This Guess Crocodile Clutch

• Silver-toned hardware
• Snap button closure
• Measures 6.5 x 3.5 x 12 inches

Get this Guess Retro Croc Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Guess retro croc slim clutch, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Ewingstore 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 black Guess retro croc clutch bag, a great alternative to this orange bag.
• Searching for more Guess bags on eBay

Timbuk2 ensures you’ll never get lost with the release of its new limited edition Map Messenger Bag.

The mid-sized casual bag features a Google bike map sewn into its flap closure. Cyclists can choose from either Timbuk2’s native San Francisco or the bright lights of New York City. Whichever location takes your fancy, lifting up the flap sounds much easier than wrestling with an over-sized road map when you lose your way!

But the perks for bike lovers don’t stop there. The carryall bag features reflective binding for increased visibility during the day or night. It’s also made from Timbuk2’s famous ballistic nylon, which is tough and made to withstand some serious punishment.

The Map Messenger Bag’s nifty features and limited edition status see it priced at $120. That’s slightly more than I’d usually spend on a nylon handbag, but there’s so much going for this purse that I think it’s worth the splurge. You’ll find it online at Timbuk2’s website.

Timbuk2 states that this is the “first run of printed-liner messengers,” before adding that there’ll be more locations or different map styles if this batch of Map Messenger Bags is successful. Which city would you like to see featured next?

[Source: Ecouterre]

Timbuk2 Messenger Bags on eBay

[phpbay]Timbuk2 messenger, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

Balenciaga’s never been one of my favorite fashion houses. The familiar hardware and styling of its iconic City, Work, and Weekender bags never really grabbed me, and it seemed the label was resting on its laurels. But then I met the Carreaux, and all my reservations melted away.

Balenciaga has avoided the fussy styling that usually plagues pochettes and opted for something much sleeker and more refined. The wide woven finish is more casual than an intricate wicker finish would have been, but the high quality leather ensures it doesn’t feel sloppy. Black might not be a revolutionary choice but it is a versatile one which ensures the Carreaux will look just as good during the day as it does at night.

The Carreaux is sizable but slender, so you may struggle to hold everything you deem to be essential during the day. If you enjoy traveling light though you’ll enjoy the way this clutch works with any outfit.

And well it should for the money. The $1295 price tag is hefty, and probably too high. But if you can make it part of your everyday wardrobe, this Balenciaga beauty might just be worth the splurge.

More Features of This Balenciaga Woven Pochette

• Magnetic flap
• Fabric lined interior
• An interior slip pocket
• Measures 6 x 14 x 1.5 inches

Get this Balenciaga Carreaux Handbag:

• Available to buy at Barneys New York
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Balenciaga bags on BagBunch
• The Balenciaga Brilliant Pochette bag, a great alternative to this black pochette bag.
• Searching for more Balenciaga bags on eBay
• Other woven black leather bags on eBay:

[phpbay]woven black leather, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Jewelry designer Matthew Campbell Laurenza has turned his talents to handbags. The man behind MCL will release two new spring collections tomorrow exclusively through Gilt.com.

Fashionistas can choose from the Gold Crest and Purple Crest lines, both of which are finished with gemstone encrusted latches and handles. The handcrafted Gold Crest purses feature embroidered fabrics paired with either Italian leather or snakeskin. As if that wasn’t luxurious enough, the purses are embellished with semi-precious gemstones including rubies and sapphires. I suppose we couldn’t expect a jeweler to forget about the jewels!

The Purple Crest line is no less indulgent, but its purses are a little less showy. The accessories made from textured leathers in complementary colors are designed to take us from early morning starts to late nights out.

It seems Gilt.com is in a festive frame of mind, as it’s offering a surprise gift from Laurenza’s jewelry range with every purse sold.

Prices haven’t been announced at this point, but Laurenza assured People magazine that the bags will be “obtainable.” That’s a relative term in the fashion world, especially when high-quality materials are concerned, so I’ll reserve judgment until these Matthew Campbell Laurenza bags hit Gilt.com.

Are you excited about Matthew Campbell Laurenza’s latest foray into the handbag world?

[Source: People StyleWatch]