Four years after launching its first leather apparel collection, British fashion house Muubaa is finally adding handbags to the mix.

The purses are made from the same soft cow and lamb leathers we’ve seen in the brand’s clothing lines. They also share the apparel’s sophisticated, yet slightly edgy, sense of style. The leathers have been washed, puckered, or distressed to give them a worn in, weathered finish. Large rivets, padlocks, and lobster claws decorate the bags and up the attitude. They’re available in a range of sizes and styles, from small clutch purses to everyday satchels and large duffles for weekends away.

The Nerissa Duffle pictured is just one of the handbags in Muubaa’s new collection. I like the way the modern details work with the conservatively colored brown lamb leather. Choosing a neutral hue ensures all that metal doesn’t seem too overwhelming or trend conscious, as well as making it easy to work into your wardrobe.

The various sizes of the Muubaa bags see the prices ranging from $299 for the smallest to $750 for the largest. That’s on the high side, but also not unreasonable for such quality leather items. They’ll be available at selected stores on America’s East and West Coast, and at the Muubaa website.

[Source: Accessories Magazine]

Lamb Leather Bags on eBay

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Liz Claiborne opts for versatility over flash with this Croco Wristlet.

This purse won’t turn a lot of heads, but I can imagine it easily slotting into your daytime and evening wardrobe. The gray hue is sophisticated but a little bland. However it’s given some extra punch with some crocodile embossing and a glazed finish. Adding an exotic texture for interest has almost become clichéd, but I think it works well on this simple design.

However, for me the real showstopper in the large logo button which sits proudly on the center of the flap. I’ve never been a huge fan of logos, but this one is so abstract that it becomes a chic design feature.

This is a very slim wristlet, but it’s packed with features. There’s a zippered pocket dividing the interior into three sections, and another zippered pocket in the back wall. You’ll also find a snug pouch for your cell phone, and another large slip for holding receipts and paper money. Can you believe Claiborne’s gotten all that in a space that’s less than an inch wide?

Considering its classic versatility, I think this wristlet represents great value at $43.99.

More Features of This Liz Claiborne Glazed Wristlet

• Magnetic snap closure
• Logo print khaki twill lining
• A convertible wrist strap
• Measures 5.5 x 10 x 0.8 inches

Get this Liz Claiborne Croco Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Liz Claiborne bags on BagBunch
• The Liz Claiborne crocodile wristlet bag, a great alternative to this glazed bag.
• Searching for more Liz Claiborne bags on eBay
• Other crocodile wristlet bags on eBay:

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Linea Pelle injects some exotic flair into this Parker tote bag.

I don’t know about you, but to me this feels like a bag that’s putting on airs. Its crocodile embossing barely seems to be trying to fool us. It brings texture to the leather, but I think the skin would have been better off without the finish. I’m also not a great fan of the gray color. It might be the new black, but a stronger shade would have seemed much more fashionable.

While the Parker’s looks may not have turned my head, I can’t help appreciating its practicality. Its large curved shape really makes the most of the tote’s dimensions, inviting us to load it up with our essentials and then some. The slightly too short handles aren’t really made to help us out when the tote’s full, but we can always attach the cross-body strap.

The Parker’s not a terrible tote, and at $475 it’s not even a particularly expensive one. But I’ve seen Linea Pelle do better than this bland crocodile impersonator.

More Features of This Linea Pelle Croc Embossed Tote

• Gunmetal toned hardware
• Protective metal feet on the base
• Hidden magnetic closures
• Fully lined interior
• Dual handles with a 6.5 inch drop
• A detachable strap with a 13 inch drop
• Measures 16 x 5.5 x 12 inches

Get this Linea Pelle Parker Handbag:

• Available to buy at Zappos
• Check the Celeb Style Finds eBay store to see if this Linea Pelle bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Linea Pelle bags on BagBunch
• The Linea Pelle Dylan Croco shoulder bag, a great alternative to this croc-embossed bag.
• Searching for more Linea Pelle bags on eBay
• Other Linea Pelle Parker bags on eBay:

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Warner Bros. will launch a fashion collection inspired by its teen drama series Gossip Girl in conjunction with Romeo & Juliet Couture.

The Gossip Girl by Romeo & Juliet Couture line will start with apparel items including tops and bottoms, dresses and outwear. It later plans to add accessories to the mix. The first batch of items are a little more expensive than I’d expect for those targeted at teens, with prices starting at $80 and topping $200. However I’m sure Blair Waldorf and Serena van der Woodsen wouldn’t wear anything that’s cheaper!

Romeo & Juliet Couture’s chief executive officer David Shamouelian says the new collection was inspired by “the modern and sophisticated” characters portrayed in the cult TV program. “The designs are intended to empower young, independent women to embrace their feminine side and still maintain their strength.“

The apparel items will hit high end fashion stores including Kitson, Neiman Marcus, and Saks Fifth Avenue on September 26, not so coincidentally the same day the premiere of Gossip Girl Season 5 screens on The CW. Gossip Girl inspired handbags and accessories will join the collection in spring.

I must admit, it seems like a strange time to launch a Gossip Girl line. The early seasons made a real splash, but the buzz seems to have died down somewhat. Do you think this new fashion line can revive interest in the program?

[Source: Accessories Magazine]

Romeo & Juliet Couture Bags on eBay

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Oh, Valentino, how do I love thee? I could count the ways or I could count the decades. Either way, the Valentino line has stolen more than its fair share of my heart. Even after the main man’s retirement, the house still manages to surprise and delight with bags like this one.

The python on this tote is unbelievable. I actually can’t believe the intricacy of the color pattern. The blue, brown, and tan shades have been expertly combined to create a look that is striking and sophisticated. Python is pretty cool without a treatment like this, but with it it’s just unbeatable.

The design of this tote is the perfect combination of classic and contemporary. It has a pretty standard shape, but the molded front pocket gives it a distinctively modern look. The polished clasp adds to the unparalleled chic without detracting from the glory of the material.

Honestly, I can’t imagine a price tag that would be too high for a bag this beautiful, but at over $4,000, it is, admittedly, pretty pricey.

More Features Of The Valentino Python Bag

• 12″ x 9″ x 6” size
• 6” strap drop
• Fully lined in navy leather and ecru twill

Get this Valentino Python Bag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Valentino bags on BagBunch
• The Bebe Metallic Mesh Clutch, an edgy evening alternative to this bag.
• Searching for more Valentino handbags on eBay
• Other python totes on eBay:
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Lily Waters sticks to its creative guns with this patterned Tara tote.

In many ways it’s more of the same from this fashion house. We’ve seen these prints before, and the classic tote shape is also nothing new. The material is also predictable, although it has the advantage of being lightweight, a real plus in a bag so large. The Tara is a lot like the Jodi tote, although it’s much taller. Personally I prefer these dimensions as they offer a bit more security for the items you’re carrying inside.

The interior is spacious, but sadly there’s only a single pocket inside to organize it. There’s another pocket on the outside for carrying essentials like keys and cosmetics, but a few more pouches wouldn’t have gone astray.

There are a few little perks that we don’t often see on such an affordable bag though. The double zip top is a small but important touch for anyone who’s ever had a zip fail on them. If one breaks, there’s still another to rely upon. I also like the removable base, which adds structure when it’s in, and makes storage simpler when it’s not.

The Tara’s not about to get fashion columnists gossiping, but for $40 Lily Waters has created another affordable and adorable tote.

More Features of This Lily Waters North/South Tote

• Made of a cotton polyester blend
• Dual straps with a 10 inch drop
• Measures 15 x 12 x 4 inches

Get this Lily Waters Tara Handbag:

• Available to buy at eBags
• Check the eBags eBay store to see if this Lily Waters bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Lily Waters bags on BagBunch
• The Lily Waters Jodi bag, a great alternative to this tote bag.
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• Other Lily Waters tote bags on eBay:

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Strong sales in Asia and the opening of several new stores have seen Italian fashion house Prada S.p.A post a 74% increase in its half-year profits.

It’s been a stellar year for Prada so far. The company posted a net income of $245 million for the first six months of the year.

The fashion label was also the biggest initial public offering (IPO) on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange this year. It had hoped to raise $2.6 billion for that IPO, but the $2.1 billion it took is still nothing to be sneezed at. Its debut saw it become the first Italian company listed on the Asian stock market, and with results like that I’m sure it won’t be the last. Since listing the company’s stock has jumped 4.6%, which is even more impressive when you consider that the country’s Hang Seng Index dropped 13% during the same time.

Asian fashion lovers couldn’t seem to get enough of Prada. Its sales in the continent’s countries, excluding Japan, rose by 35% compared to the figures from last year.

Prada’s chairman Carlo Mazzi hasn’t been overly effusive about the financial results, but he told Reuters his company was continuing on its path of planned investments and new store openings. When a firm sees no reason to change tact, you know it’s feeling confident about its success.

[Source: The Epoch Times]
[Image Source: 22Kartika/Wikipedia Commons]

Prada Purses on eBay

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LeSportsac offers another practical purse with just a hint of sparkle with its Cleo Cross-Body Bag.

OK, perhaps the Cleo isn’t really sparkling, but its colorful star print brings some real pizzazz to its basic black polyester body. Polyester is a material that rarely excites, tough as it might be, so I’m glad the label’s given it some flair.

There’s plenty of space for carrying everything you could hope for, with a roomy main compartment and generously sized front pockets. But I think it’s a little large for a cross-body bag. If you utilize all that space it’ll drag down on your shoulder. At least the adjustable strap is wide to help minimize the discomfort.

Personally I think a cross-body is best when it’s smaller than this. That’s the way it’s typically done, and for a good reason. It’s just easier to carry, and it looks much more stylish sitting neatly on your hip. By taking the road less traveled I’m not sure LeSportsac has created the best cross-body, but for $58 it has offered an affordable alternative for pack rats.

More Features of This LeSportsac Star Cross-Body

• Zip closure
• Polyester lined interior
• An adjustable shoulder strap with a 12 to 24 inch drop
• Measures 12.5 x 16.5 x 6 inches
• Made in China

Get this LeSportsac Cleo Handbag:

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

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• Check the Sewcrafty32 eBay store to see if this LeSportsac bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More LeSportsac bags on BagBunch
• The LeSportsac Cleo bag in Boandgo, a great alternative to this star print bag.
• Searching for more LeSportsac bags on eBay

When done well, a nude handbag can be one of the fashion world’s most versatile creations. But in the wrong hands this mellow color can make any design bland. Sadly that’s what we see here with Lauren Merkin’s Lizzie satchel.

The workmanship on this handbag is superb, and its materials exquisite. The washed lambskin body is supple and buttery soft, and the lizard printed trim makes the satchel feel a little more luxurious. It’s such a good mimic that the most discerning fashion fans would never know the difference. The clean minimalist design also makes the Lizzie very versatile.

The Lizzie is also really practical. Size-wise it’s as close to perfect as I could hope for. Its dark twill lined interior will hide any stains, and its plethora of pockets will make organization easy. Its straps are long and flat so they won’t slide from your shoulder.

But its bland color really lets it down. It’s just so nothing, so ordinary, so pedestrian, and so boring. On trend it might be, versatile it might be, but I can’t imagine it inspiring anyone to fork over their cash. Lauren Merkin doesn’t demand a lot, relatively speaking, but $495 still seems too much to pay for a bag so lacking in personality.

More Features of This Lauren Merkin Lambskin Satchel

• Zipper closure
• Dual handles with an 8 inch drop
• Measures 11.5 x 15.25 x 4 inches
• Made in the United States

Get this Lauren Merkin Lizzie Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Lauren Merkin bags on BagBunch
• The Lauren Merkin Louise bag, a great alternative to this lizard-print bag.
• Searching for more Lauren Merkin bags on eBay
• Other washed lamb bags on eBay:

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The career of The Hangover star Zach Galifianakis is taking an unexpected turn. The quirky comedian will design a one-of-a-kind purse for Hung On U, the fashion label founded by Keith Richards’ wife Patti Hansen.

Galifianakis is just one of many stars flexing his creative muscles for the project, although he’s certainly the most unlikely. Famed fashion icons including Simon Doonan, Christian Louboutin, Donna Karan, and Joe Zee will also contribute, as will entertainment personalities Anthony Keidis from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, actresses Patricia Arquette and Debra Messing, and Keith Richards’ old Rolling Stone pal Ronnie Wood.

The celebrity creations will be auctioned off at the label’s upcoming launch party celebrating its arrival at Barneys stores. Money raised from the sale of the handbags will benefit the fashion house’s pet charity, the Epidermolysis Bullosa Medical Research Foundation. This organization strives to find a cure for the genetic connective tissue disorder.

While many people will have their eyes on the already established fashion names, I’m attracted to the unpredictability of the celebrity designed purses. Do you think Galifianakis will create a casual cross-body bag like the one he favored in The Hangover, or do you expect he’ll offer something a bit more high fashion?

[Source: Fashionista]
[Image Source: Cameron Parkins/Wikipedia Commons]

Hung On U Bags on eBay

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