I’ve always found colorblocking a bit hit and miss. All too often designers get it wrong, but Sondra Roberts reminds us just how right the effect can look with this Colorblock Clutch.

The first secret is the tried and true color scheme. Black and white is a classic combination for a reason. The fawn panel brings something new to the mix, but black and white are really the stars here. These bold monochromatic hues are complemented by a quirky black tipped kiss-lock clasp. This clutch’s trapezoidal shape is simple, but those details make it something really special.

This clutch is very slender, but we never buy a purse like this expecting stacks of storage space. With that room compromised I’m glad to see the chain strap is detachable. This means we can leave it at home if we feel like clutching it the old-fashioned way, without worrying about it cluttering up the insides.

This is the kind of clutch that would work just as well during the day or the evening. That versatility makes its $125 price tag seem very reasonable.

More Features of This Sondra Roberts Resin Purse

• Grosgrain lining
• A detachable shoulder strap with a 9 inch drop
• Measures 4.5 x 11 x 1.5 inches
• Made in China

Get this Sondra Roberts Colorblocked Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Sondra Roberts bags on BagBunch
• The Diane von Furstenberg Harper bag, a great alternative to this colorblocked bag.
• Searching for more Sondra Roberts bags on eBay
• Other colorblock clutch bags on eBay:

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Soapbox offers a quirky new take on the cross-body bag with this Fiji Oyster Case.

There’s a fun, retro feel to this bag’s hard structured shell. Its curved top takes us back to the 1960s, and those vertical stripes look like they’ve stepped straight out of the mod era.

I wish the nickel turn-lock clasp was a bit larger though. It sort of gets lost in amongst the pattern. However it does the job of keeping this purse secure, which is really all it’s meant for.

The Fiji Oyster Case’s structure means it’s not made for over-stuffing, but you should find enough space to hold everything you really need. Soapbox gives us a head start on that too by offering up some complementary make-up brushes and plastic travel bottles. They’re unusual extras, but we never complain when we’re getting something for nothing. A zippered pocket and array of elasticized loops ensure these goodies, and anything else you want to carry, stays in order.

The thin carry strap is really the only downside I see. The skinnier the strap, the more it tugs on your shoulder. While it’s long enough for easy carrying, an extra inch or two in the other direction would have made all the difference.

But for this price I can forgive that little flaw. At $32, this unusual cross-body bag is a real bargain.

More Features of This Soapbox Cross-Body Bag

• Nylon lined interior
• Nickel feet on the base
• Measures 10 x 9 x 5 inches

Get this Soapbox Fiji Oyster Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Soapbox bags on BagBunch
• The Kavu Keeper bag, a casual alternative to this cross-body bag.
• The Soapbox website
• Other striped cross-body bags on eBay:

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Cutesy lifestyle brand tokidoki has teamed up with American toy favorite Barbie for a fashion collection and limited edition doll.

The limited edition Barbie doll is dressed head to toe in tokidoki’s bold fashions. I’m not sure I’d feel comfortable wearing a bright pink micro miniskirt with leopard print leggings, but it seems to work well for the blonde beauty! She accessorizes with silver stiletto shoes, a tokidoki branded tote bag, and colorful plastic bangles. She’s also got tokidoki’s quirky cactus canine Bastardino by her side. The doll retails for $50.

If your days of playing with Barbie are far behind you, you may prefer to indulge in one of the tokidoki Barbie apparel items and accessories. You can wear the collection’s T-shirts and hooded sweatshirts, and then dress things up with tote bags, hats, or jewelry. Prices for these items start at an affordable $30 and top $250.

Rounding out the range is a limited edition skateboard. Skateboards are generally regarded as a male toy, so I’m glad to see them getting a more feminine makeover.

This latest tokidoki collaboration comes hot on the heels of other notable partnerships with Karl Lagerfeld, Sephora, LeSportsac, and Hello Kitty. That’s an eclectic bunch to be sure, which makes you wonder who’s next on the company’s radar! Who would you like tokidoki to work with?

Look for the tokidoki Barbie collection at selected stores, and the tokidoki and Barbie Collector websites.

[Source: Accessories Magazine]

Barbie Bags on eBay

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Like it or not, the warm weather has left us and it’s time to rug up. It’s certainly hard to adjust, but even casual labels like Serpui Marie are getting into the spirit. With this Painswick clutch the fashion house abandons its favorite natural fibers and opts for a more elegant fabric finish.

The Painswick’s dark silver, black, and gray hues are perfect for winter. The swirling print reminds me a bit of paisley, but it’s much more modern than that retro favorite. Whatever’s inspired it, it’s a lovely complement to the Painswick’s rhinestone-encrusted flower-shaped clasp.

The Painswick clutch doesn’t really skimp on practical features, but it certainly doesn’t exceed our expectations. The optional chain strap, the tiny interior pocket, and the fabric lining are all just what we’d hope for. They do the job without really wowing us.

$300 is perhaps a little steep for a fabric covered clutch, but it’s also not unreasonable for an evening purse. Pair it with your favorite dark denims during the day to ensure you get your money’s worth.

More Features of This Serpui Marie Fabric Clutch

• Measures 7 x 1.75 x 4 inches

Get this Serpui Marie Painswick Handbag:

• Available to buy at Diani Boutique
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Serpui Marie bags on BagBunch
• The Apple & Bee organic silver bag, a great alternative to this fabric bag.
• Searching for more Serpui Marie bags on eBay
• Other fabric clutch bags on eBay:

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French accessories king Jean-Michel Cazabat has just opened his first store in the United States. The boutique at 350 Bleecker Street, in New York’s West Village, opened its doors on Saturday October 8.

Shoppers are treated to the shoes Jean-Michel Cazabet became famous for and his brand new handbags and clutch purses. These accessories are spread out over some 1800 square feet, in a space decorated to resemble Cazabat’s own SoHo loft. The décor features Cazabat’s favorite Napoleon Blue and Rouge Taureau colors, which also feature prominently in Cazabat’s home. We’d probably all want to check out his personal closet, and it seems this store is aiming to be the next best thing.

It was easy for Jean-Michel Cazabat to settle on an American location. He said the Big Apple is his favorite city, before explaining “This store is for my fans and supporters who love my designs and have searched for a place to shop my collection. I am thrilled to have a place to call home and welcome everyone to now.“

You’d better save some money if you hope to do a little shopping at Jean-Michel Cazabat’s new New York store. His exotic handbags start at $1250, and the cheapest items are some $245 pairs of shoes! Something tells me that this store would be a very easy place to max out a credit card or two!

[Source: Examiner]
[Image Source: Esme Vos/Flickr]

I’ve always thought of Savanna as a cheap and cheerful label. However with the Oval Stone Clutch it shows us it also knows a thing or two about luxury.

This purse is a bit of a poor woman’s Judith Leiber clutch. That might sound derogatory, but let’s face it: few of us have the cash to indulge in a real Judith Leiber creation. When we consider our own bank balances rather than our hearts, a cheaper alternative suddenly starts to sound a bit more enticing.

We do notice the differences when we’re comparing this purse to a high end one. It’s covered in purple rhinestones rather than real Austrian crystals, and they’re spaced more sparsely. We lose a bit of the wow factor along with the jewels, but the stones are a lovely complement to the purple satin. I really like the regal air this color has, but this clutch is also available in black for more conservative types.

Of course we don’t have enough space, but we do have enough carrying options. Savanna offers us long rope and chain straps. The cord one is more forgiving but not quite as luxurious, so I’d probably use it during the day, then trot the chain version out at night. Or I could always clutch this purse the old fashioned way. Decisions decisions!

At $112 this is a much more expensive purse than most of Savanna’s range, but it’s also more opulent than the rest of the bunch.

More Features of This Savanna Jeweled Clutch

• A rhinestone clasp closure
• Two attachable straps with 22 inch drops
• Measures 1.5 x 6 x 4 inches
• Made in China

Get this Savanna Oval Stone Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Savanna bags on BagBunch
• The Savanna Shattered Rhinestone clutch bag, a great alternative to this rhinestone covered bag.
• Searching for more Savanna bags on eBay
• Other oval clutch bags on eBay:

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Sara Berman steers clear of the trends and takes a more traditional approach to design with this Daphne Lady Satchel.

Frankly I’m thrilled to see a Sara Berman bag that’s not covered in studs or frills. By keeping things simple we can better appreciate the quality of the brown leather. I initially thought it was a little boring, but after taking in the colorblocked alternative, I’m happy to stick with safe. In my opinion the complementary color scheme is much more stylish than the navy and fawn version.

Despite its retro appearance the Daphne Lady is a modern woman with plenty of practical features. The interior is spacious but not overwhelmingly so thanks to the array of leather trimmed pockets. The double zip design ensures that we can still close the bag even if one becomes jammed. I also appreciate the metal feet that protect the base. The handles are really the only flaw as they’re a shade too short for easy carrying. However as they look the part they’re easy to forgive.

The Daphne Lady isn’t a bargain, but at $517 it’s also not unreasonable for a satchel of this quality.

More Features of This Sara Berman Domed Satchel

• Satiny lining
• Dual handles with a 5 inch drop
• Measures 10 x 15 x 7 inches
• Made in India

Get this Sara Berman Daphne Lady Handbag:

• Available to buy at Endless
• Check the Shoes for Sure eBay store to see if this Sara Berman bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Sara Berman bags on BagBunch
• The Lodis Synergy Libby bag, a great alternative to this satchel bag.
• Searching for more Sara Berman bags on eBay
• Other domed satchel bags on eBay:

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Louis Vuitton just got a bit more exotic after its parent company, LVMH, assumed control of leather tannery Heng Long International. LVMH now owns 51% of the exotic skins supplier while the Koh family that founded the business owns the other 49%. It’s estimated that LVMH spent around €92 million, or approximately $120 million US, to buy out the Kohs.

Business analysts say it makes sense for LVMH to make such a significant investment though. By investing directly in suppliers and subcontractors, LVMH is effectively controlling the supplies of the exotic materials. That’s a great position for the firm to find itself as the price of leather and other skins continues to rise. It’ll also help Louis Vuitton enjoy the pick of Heng Long’s exotic skins.

Louis Vuitton probably couldn’t find a more secure company to invest in either. Heng Long International is a family-run tannery, that’s been with the Kohs for four generations. They’ll continue to control the day-to-day running of the business, and no doubt enjoy LVMH’s healthy investment.

“This is an excellent fit between two partners who share demanding standards for sustainable development and conservation of wildlife species,” a LVMH spokesperson said in a statement that’s likely to baffle animal rights activists. I suppose any standards for exotic skins are better than no standards at all though, right?

The Koh family has also entered into a long-term shareholder agreement with LVMH. Key Heng Long International figures, managing director Chon Tong Koh and Choon Heong Koh, have agreed to stay on at their stations for at least the next five years.

It sounds like a bit of a win all round to me. What do you make of LVMH’s latest business deal?

[Source: Accessories Magazine]
[Image Source: GSelmes/Stock.xchng]

Louis Vuitton Crocodile Handbags on eBay

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Santi’s known for its colorful, glittering evening accessories, but it’s toned things down a bit with this Sabrina clutch.

The label’s trademarks are all there, but they’re in more muted colors than we typically see. I like the way the black, amber, and deep blue gemstones bring a dark sense of drama to this evening purse. That moodiness helps this clutch satisfy sophisticated women, rather than the girly girls.

This is purse that looks better from a distance than it does up close. From afar it looks a million dollars, but honestly the combination of metallic synthetic, all-over netting, and jewels seems a little cheap up close. I’m also a bit surprised we’re getting synthetic, rather than real leather, for $270. That’s really too much to pay for materials that only look luxurious.

While the fabric is a letdown, at least Santi hasn’t forgotten the important features. This clutch is more spacious than the average evening bag, and it comes with a drop-in chain for hands-free carrying. Its dark gemstones also help to set it apart from the pack. I’d hesitate to buy it at retail, but I’d jump on it if I found it on sale.

More Features of This Santi Gemstones Clutch

• Magnetized frame
• Satiny interior
• A drop-in chain with an 8 inch drop
• Measures 4.25 x 11.25 x 1.75 inches
• Made in India
• Comes with a dust bag

Get this Santi Sabrina Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Santi bags on BagBunch
• The Santi Reese bag, a great alternative to this dark bag.
• Searching for more Santi bags on eBay
• Other brown clutch bags on eBay:

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Sustainable Swiss fashion house Freitag is expanding its empire with its newly opened flagship store in Tokyo. The Japanese outlet on the Ginza shopping strip is the label’s ninth store, and its first in Asia.

As is fitting for a label with Freitag’s emphasis on renewal, the Tokyo store is an old industrial building. Torafu Architects set to work turning the unused two-storey space into an edgy, utilitarian outlet.

The fashion house’s founders, brothers Daniel and Markus Freitag, made the pilgrimage to Tokyo for the store opening. The siblings entertained fashion’s elite and media at an exclusive press preview days before the official opening.

It makes sense for Freitag to put down roots in Japan. The country was one of the first overseas territories to embrace the label’s concept of upcycling old materials into fashionable accessories. The Tokyo store promises some 1200 unique bags made from old truck tarpaulins, punctured bicycle inner tire tubs, defunct air bags, and worn seat belts.

In keeping with Freitag’s philosophy of minimizing waste, its new Tokyo store also features a repair center. Anyone whose Freitag bag starts to suffer wear and tear can take it into this refurbishment hub for a tune up.

The new Tokyo store join Freitag’s other outlets in Berlin, Hamburg, Davos, Vienna, Zurich, Cologne, and New York City.

[Source: Magnifeco]
[Image Source: George Arriola/Flickr]