Mulberry’s just opened the doors of its first San Francisco store. The boutique, located at 166 Grant Avenue, is a striking tri-level building which oozes nineteenth century style.

The building, which spans some 3100 square feet, features retail and gallery space. Handbags, footwear, and women’s apparel from Mulberry’s core and seasonal lines are amongst the items on offer in the retail space. The gallery area on the second floor will host pop-up exhibitions and collaborative projects.

It might be an American store but the design work of renowned British architects ensures the San Francisco store feels like it’s been transplanted from the Old Dart. The customer elevator, with its brass doors and fretwork panels, takes inspiration from the folly structures of Mulberry’s Bond Street flagship. The white porcelain tiled wall draws attention to the double height ceiling. The stark finish contrasts beautifully with the store’s dark wood floor.

Mulberry’s chief executive officer Bruno Guillon says his firm’s “delighted to be launching our first store in San Francisco.” He added that America continues to be a high priority for the British brand.

“In addition to the new stores we have opened this year in New Jersey and San Francisco we are actively looking for more premium retail spaces capable of reflecting the luxury, modernity and craftsmanship of the Mulberry brand,” he explained.

Are you excited to see Mulberry in San Francisco?

[Source: Haute Living]
[Image Source: Aaron Anderer/Flickr]

Mulberry Handbags on eBay

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

Vitalio Vera serves up a fun satchel for less with the Danska.

The Danska is far less flamboyant than many of Vitalio Vera’s creations. Its soft elongated shape is traditional, and it’s free of any real frills. I like the way the teal body contrasts with the brown handles, but there’s also a black option if you prefer a more cohesive, classic look.

It’s also a really practical bag, with great everyday dimensions and plenty of pockets. The two exterior ones give us handy spaces for storing essential items, while the split compartment interior makes it easy to keep our other goodies in order. The straps could stand to be a shade longer, but that’s really the only let down on a practical front.

At $36.95 the Danska is very cheap, but you get what you pay for. Its zippers are flimsy and prone to breaking, and the metal hardware near the straps is also likely to come loose quickly. The Danska isn’t made for longevity, but it should serve you well until you can afford to graduate to a more luxurious purse.

More Features of This Vitalio Vera Synthetic Satchel

• Top zip closure
• Antique brass-toned hardware
• Cotton-nylon blend interior lining
• Dual handles with an 8.5 inch drop
• Measures 8 x 14 x 3.5 inches

Get this Vitalio Vera Danska Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Danska, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

• Check ThePursesBoutique eBay store to see if this Vitalio Vera bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Vitalio Vera bags on BagBunch
• The Vitalio Vera Bedazzled Satchel bag, a great alternative to this classic bag.
• Searching for more Vitalio Vera bags on eBay

Olivia Wilde reminds us that it’ll take more work to rebuild Haiti with this cute messenger bag. The actress designed the casual purse in conjunction with American Apparel to help relief efforts following the Caribbean nation’s 2010 earthquake.

The handbag is crafted from vintage army canvas embellished with antique brass hardware. Strangely though, it’s also trimmed with authentic leather. Olivia Wilde might be a vegetarian, but it sounds like animal welfare isn’t at the top of her list of concerns. The bag is very versatile though, as it converts from a messenger into a backpack.

Wilde has been a longtime supporter of Haiti relief efforts. She even cofounded Campaign Happiness to assist development projects in the region. But her latest work doesn’t benefit this initiative. Money raised from the bag’s sales will reach the Academy for Peace and Justice, a secondary school in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. The school, which educates children devastated by the earthquake, was founded by acclaimed filmmaker Paul Haggis through his charity Artists for Peace and Justice.

Wilde recently told Vogue magazine she carefully considered how best to combine “conscious commerce” with her passion for fashion. Collaborating with Alternative Apparel made sense for the actress, who wears the company’s “sweatshirts every day.”

Olivia Wilde’s charity message bag for Haiti is available for $138 from Alternative Apparel and Shopbop.

[Source: Ecouterre]

Vieta gets girly with its Terra Hobo.

The label’s used leatherette to create a striking lacey finish. It’s such a clever way to use the material. The lace treatment makes the surface seem much richer than a regular leatherette bag. The synthetic is also much stronger than any purse crafted from real lace would be.

The delicate finish is complemented by an oversized bow. This accent looks a little cheap, but it’s so flirty and fun that I can overlook its lack of luxury. Its low price probably makes that a little easier though!

The Terra’s very feminine, but it’s not as fussy as many bags veering towards this side of the spectrum. The secret here is Vieta’s color palette. Choosing pinks or pastels would have been girly but predictable. The Terras look much more sophisticated in dark neutrals, including this steely gray version.

This hobo’s got as much substance as it does style. It’s enormous, but its interior is so well designed that we never feel overwhelmed. Its pockets are also trimmed in more of that synthetic for strength.

The Terra takes its cues from the feminine accessories from Valentino, but at $102 it costs far less. If you’ve got a big budget it won’t deter you from the coveted designer line, but it’s a great option for girls strapped for cash.

More Features of This Vieta Lace-Like Hobo

• Zip top closure
• Gold-toned hardware
• Dual handles
• Measures 6 x 19 x 11 inches

Get this Vieta Terra Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Vieta Terra, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Vieta bags on BagBunch
• The Valentino Raffia and Lace bag, a great alternative to this lacey bag.
• Searching for more Vieta bags on eBay

Versace celebrates the season with this Starfish shoulder bag.

This is a very different purse for Versace. I’m used to its cutting edge designs which ooze contemporary cool. This handbag shows the label’s sillier side though. A large starfish dominates the purse’s semi-circle shaped front, and there are many smaller images of the sea creature printed behind it. It’s far from the refinement we’re used to from the label, but sometimes fashion should just be about having fun!

The starfish won’t be everyone’s favorite design detail, but personally I prefer it to Versace’s ostentatious chain strap. The label’s cleverly incorporated its logo into the handle, but I think it looks a bit gaudy. If, like me, you think it makes an already busy purse seem too fussy you’ll happily note it’s removable. The purse isn’t quite as practical without it, but it appears much smarter.

It might look less sophisticated than Versace’s usual offerings, but that doesn’t mean the label’s skimped. It’s well crafted from high quality Italian lambskin, which feels sumptuously soft underneath our fingers.

If you’re tempted it’s worth noting its dimensions. This Starfish purse is so small that it’ll barely hold the essentials. No one wants a large starfish emblazoned handbag hanging from their arm, but a few extra inches would have made all the difference.

Versace bags always cost a packet, so I’m not surprised to see this one clocking in at $1720. That doesn’t mean I’m not disappointed though. That’s far too much to spend on a purse that will look out of place once winter hits.

More Features of This Versace Summer Shoulder Bag

• Concealed snap button closure
• Fully lined interior
• Measures 4.3 x 5.9 x 2 inches

Get this Versace Starfish Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Versace bags on BagBunch
• The Forzieri Seastar bag, a great alternative to this starfish bag.
• Searching for more Versace bags on eBay
• Other starfish bags on eBay:

I’ve always liked Christian Louboutin because he sticks to what he knows: accessories. You won’t find him getting tempted by the clothing industry. You might, however, find him getting tempted by the trends. In the case of the Loubiposh, I totally forgive him for it. It combines punk and posh in the best way I can think of. With gold spikes.

I’m a big sucker for a pouch style purse. Seriously, what could be easier? This one is well-sized to carry an evening’s worth of niceties, but it has a little give if you need some extra room. The shape itself is totally pared down, which lets the coolness of the material and details take center stage.

Nothing says punk like spiked red plaid. But nothing says posh like goldware and sleek design, so the Loubiposh has got all its bases covered. The plaid wool gives the spikes a busy, but beautiful, backdrop. Actually, the spikes seem part of the design more than anything else. And I love the black leather reinforced corners. They’re a much needed nod to preppiness.

Frankly, at $895 I think the Loubiposh is a steal. You won’t read me saying that very often either, but the lure of classicism mixed with cutting edge is just too seductive to resist.

More Features Of The Christian Louboutin Loubiposh Spiked Wool Tartan Clutch

• 12″ x 7″ x 1″ size
• Detachable shoulder strap
• Lined in signature red twill

Get this Christian Louboutin Loubiposh Spiked Tartan Clutch:

• Available to buy at Net-A-Porter
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Christian Louboutin bags on BagBunch
• The Christian Louboutin Pillow Clutch, a sweet alternative to this bag.
• Searching for more Christian Louboutin items on eBay
• Other spiked clutches on eBay:

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Launer Londer sales are on the up following Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

The British monarch has been a longtime fan of the fashion label’s conservative boxy handbags, and it seems the rest of the world is taking note. She’s been in the public eye a lot lately, and her favorite purses never seem to be too far behind. All that visibility’s seen the label’s sales rise a whopping 58%. Its website even crashed due to the high traffic volume. Clearly Launer London’s not used to being so popular!

It’s not the first time that the Queen’s endorsement has propelled Launer London’s sales sky high. After she carried a Launer London bag to Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding last year, the label’s sales increased 60%.

But not everyone’s indulging in the conservative black and white handbags Her Majesty favors. Launer London’s managing and creative director Gerald Bodmer reports most customers choose more fashion forward hues including pastel and metallic shades. They’re spending big on them too, as Launer London’s bags cost between ₤477 and ₤6000, or the equivalent of $744 to $9359 American. When you consider how much each bag costs, Launer London must be thrilled with the way the Queen’s boosted its sales!

[Source: Styleite]
[Image Source: NASA/Wikipedia Commons]

Vera Bradley’s created a bag for gadget loving girls with its Laptop Portfolio.

This tech bag is available in 14 different prints, but each one is as girly as the next. That might not impress anyone who prefers more minimalist looks, but it gives this Laptop Portfolio a point of difference. There are plenty of androgynous looking laptop bags on the market; Vera Bradley’s definitely filling a niche here.

With so many different patterns it’s hard to pick just one favorite, but I think this Doodle Daisy design might just have the edge. It’s playful with its large blooms and youthful blue and green color scheme. This print is finished with Vera Bradley’s familiar diamond stitched quilting.

But this isn’t just any Vera Bradley bag. While it looks like so many of the designer’s cotton creations, its shell is a bit harder to protect technology. Its interior is also densely padded to minimize impact in transit. But it is a bit smaller than Vera Bradley suggests. She claims it will fit a 17 inch laptop, but customers report this isn’t the case. If your computer’s on the chunky side, this probably isn’t the bag for you.

If you’re carrying the latest slimline technology though, this Laptop Portfolio is a great girly way to do it. And for $84, it also won’t break the bank.

More Features of This Vera Bradley Computer Bag

• Made of cotton
• Dual handles and a removable cross-body strap
• Measures 17 x 12 x 2.5 inches
• Machine washable on a gentle cycle

Get this Vera Bradley Laptop Portfolio Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon (limited stock in some prints)
• Available to buy on eBay (see listings below):

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• Check the Five Star Experience eBay store to see if this Vera Bradley bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Vera Bradley bags on BagBunch
• The Vera Bradley mini laptop bag, a great alternative to this large bag.
• Searching for more Vera Bradley bags on eBay

Louis Vuitton is offering more ways to shop for its forthcoming Infinitely Kusama collection, a collaboration with Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. The fashion house will open a selection of pop-up shops in key fashion cities to complement the displays in its 463 boutiques around the globe.

The maiden pop-up shop will open outside Louis Vuitton’s New York flagship store in Soho on July 10. Further pop-up boutiques will open near existing Louis Vuitton outlets in Singapore, Tokyo, and Hong Kong. There’ll also be another Tokyo pop-up outlet inside the city’s buzzing Dover Street Market.

It makes sense to focus on the thriving Asian market, but Louis Vuitton won’t neglect its stable European customers either. It also plans to open pop-up stores inside Printemps in Paris and Selfridge’s in London. European shoppers will need to wait a little while for them, but these temporary boutiques will open their doors on August 23 and 24 respectively. Those pop-up stores really will pop up everywhere!

There’s been so much hype about this collection that we wonder whether Infinitely Kusama can possibly live up to it. We might all be suffering burnout by the time it finally hits stores! Are you still keen to shop for these polka dotted pieces?

[Source: The Purse Blog]
[Image Source: Sengkang/Wikipedia Commons]

Louis Vuitton Bags on eBay

[phpbay]Louis Vuitton, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

VBH reminds us that the simple things in life are often the best with its Manila clutch.

VBH lets the eelskin do all the talking here. The underrated exotic has a gentle luster and delicate scales which I personally feel look more refined than the more common snakeskin. That subtle finish is balanced beautifully by the bold red color. I can just imagine how well it’d pick up a printed ensemble, or pop against a favorite little black dress.

The Manila is a great example of modern minimalism. Its lines are uncomplicated so we can really hone in on that skin. Its envelope shape has been a fashion staple for years, although the Manila’s angled flap gives it a more contemporary feel.

The Manila is a large clutch purse but as it’s slender it still looks sophisticated. Its slim shape means you may struggle to pack bulky items inside it, but it should fit everything you need for an evening out. Just make sure you pack those goodies carefully, because without a shoulder strap it could easily become unwieldy.

Exotic purses always cost a packet, and if I’m objective this one’s probably too pricy at $2750. But its timeless design ensures that if you can overlook the expense, you’ll enjoy carrying it for years to come.

More Features of This VBH Eel Clutch

• An interior plaque with limited edition number
• Suede lined interior
• Measures 6.5 x 15 x 1.5 inches
• Made in Italy

Get this VBH Manila Handbag:

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

[phpbay]VBH Manila, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Linda’s Stuff eBay store to see if this VBH bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More VBH bags on BagBunch
• The VBH Glitter Clutch bag, a great alternative to this envelope bag.
• Searching for more VBH bags on eBay