Nine West is showcasing the pieces Karen Elson has designed for its upcoming Vintage America Collection online. The affordable retailer has posted a slideshow of Elson modeling her creations on its website.

Elson’s own single “The Truth is in the Dirt on the Ground” is a great complement to the thrift-store inspired pieces. You could really accessorize from head to toe in this collection which features boots, lock and key chain necklaces, and of course, some very chic handbags.

As we’d expect from Nine West, the items in this limited edition capsule collection are relatively inexpensive, with prices starting from just $32. However the quality of some pieces sees them topping $269. Personally I’m happy to see such range. It means that frugal shoppers can indulge a little, but anyone who’s feeling flush can invest in real quality.

If you like what you see you can buy selected items from the range directly from the Vintage America Collection mini site. Just click on “collection” in the navigation bar and click again on the accessories that have won you over. The complete line should be in American stores by the end of the month, and in UK boutiques by the end of October.

[Source: Accessories Magazine]

Nine West Handbags on eBay

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I’ve long admired Jalda’s clutch purses, with their contemporary designs and high quality materials. What a shame that designing flair didn’t translate to this much larger Paula satchel. It’s got some solid elements, but sadly it falls flat for me.

Let’s start with the positives. That blue Italian lambskin is divine. The leather has a slightly weathered appearance which makes it look like worn in denim. It’d complement that iconic jeans material well, but as it’s slightly different it wouldn’t look too matchy-matchy. It’s also got plenty of storage space in its adorable turquoise faille lined interior.

But quality material and ample room does not a great handbag make. Jalda just hasn’t done enough with the skin in my opinion. The simple voluminous design is a bit lazy, and the black trim and handles really do nothing for the blue lambskin.

I’m also disappointed that the handles are so short. To be fair, Jalda has offered a longer strap as well, but when we use it those short rolled handles hang awkwardly. If they just had a few more inches the Paula would be much smarter.

For $490 this satchel doesn’t represent bad value. It’s well made from high quality materials, and often that would cost us much more. Its minimalist design also means it won’t date as so many bags do. But sadly it’s lacking the flair that makes me want to lay my money down.

More Features of This Jalda Lambskin Satchel

• Zip closure
• Dual handles with a 5 inch drop
• Measures 15 x 16 x 3.5 inches
• Made in the United States

Get this Jalda Paula Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Jalda bags on BagBunch
• The chain strap Jalda Paula satchel bag, a great alternative to this lambskin bag.
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Prada is the latest fashion house to get artistic when advertising its new season collection. The Italian label has released this video to promote its fall fashion range.

It’s called Real Fantasies, a name which is only somewhat appropriate. There’s certainly a fantastical element to the video, but it’s not like any of the real fantasies I’ve had. The purses would certainly feature in my dreams, but they’d probably be in a less surreal setting!

It’s sort of like a moving collage. The models are depicted as dress up paper dolls, and there’s the dancing that seems to be proliferating fashion advertisements of late. Although I don’t think this Prada video has the charm of the Lanvin one. Perhaps if it had Pitbull rather than that jarring musical score I’d be a little more impressed!

The video’s not all bad. The handbags and apparel are gorgeous, but it’s a little hard to appreciate them when there’s so much else going on. I also appreciate when a fashion house steps away from the traditional glossy ads filled with beauties with blank eyes. However with so many labels creating avante garde short films to sell their wares, I’m wondering whether videos like this are becoming the rule rather than the exception. What do you think of Prada’s latest advertising video?

[Source: Fashionista]

Prada Purses on eBay

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J. Tiras has created an evening purse with its own sense of style with the Lynn.

This pebbled clutch is a real beauty with its high quality finish and unusual rounded square shape. The polished metal closure finishes things off beautifully. You simply twist it to open the purse up, revealing the small but adequate interior. This space feels a little more luxurious thanks to the plush velvet lining.

Considering its $136 price tag, I’m a bit surprised that the Lynn is made from synthetic rather than real leather. However the quality of this manmade material is very high, so we don’t feel like we’re missing out too much. It also looks the part. In fact, animal activists may prefer this alternative to the real deal!

The Lynn does have all the other hallmarks of a high quality clutch, including metal feet to protect its base, and a gorgeous golden beaded strap. It’s also sold with a fabric dust cover to keep it safe while it’s in storage.

Something tells me the Lynn won’t spend too much time at the back of your closet though. Its clean but eye-catching design would suit everything from a dinner date to a black tie function, at any time of the year. That versatility gives us real value for our dollar.

More Features of This J. Tiras Clutch Purse

• A small interior pocket
• A metal chain with a 22 inch drop
• Measures 6.25 x 6 x 2.88 inches

Get this J. Tiras Lynn Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More J. Tiras bags on BagBunch
• The Alexander Wang Adele clutch bag, a great alternative to this clutch bag.
• Searching for more J. Tiras bags on eBay
• Other pearl clutch bags on eBay:

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Get ready to party with this dazzling Belva clutch from J. Renee.

This purse is a real showstopper thanks to that kaleidoscope of sequins. The colored discs cover every inch of this purse! I love the unexpected combination of red, pink, orange, and silver, and the way the accents catch the light. Although I’m not sure whether you can call sequins accents when there are so many of them!

It’s no practical marvel, but I appreciate the Belva’s features. It’s a decent size, and its soft fabric body means you should be able to overstuff it without too many problems. The interior features a long zippered pocket, which is much smarter than the small slips we usually see. The cord strap doesn’t look quite as chic as the metal chains we typically get, but it should be a lot kinder on your shoulder.

While I enjoy the vibrant hues of the Belva, it’s surprising that this red color scheme is our only option. I think it’d look amazing in monochromatic colors, some well chosen metallic hues, or a cool blue-green combo. A few more choices would have helped the Belva appeal to a much wider audience.

More Features of This J. Renee Sequined Clutch

• Magnetic closure
• Logo print lining
• A chain strap with a 22 inch drop
• Measures 5.5 x 11 x 2.75 inches
• Made in China

Get this J. Renee Belva Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More J. Renee bags on BagBunch
• The Santi Multicolored Sequined bag, a great alternative to this sequined bag.
• Searching for more J. Renee bags on eBay
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PETA and other animal rights groups have Victoria Beckham in their sights again. Her love of exotic skins has never earned her any brownie points with these organizations. However it’s her failure to disclose her sources that has recently angered the groups.

The animal groups fear that this lack of disclosure indicates Beckham’s sources may not follow ethical guidelines. These guidelines are in place to stamp out the cruelty seen in some reptile farms. In these establishments it’s not uncommon to see animals kept in over-crowded tanks, and beaten to death rather than killed humanely.

There are little real facts to go on, but Beckham’s silence is making people think she’s got something to hide. PETA has chosen its words very carefully, suggesting not that Beckham has evil intent but that she may simply be “misinformed” on the issue.

The closest we’ve come to any real statement is Beckham’s comment, issued through a spokesperson, that the information is “confidential.” With Beckham debuting her spring/summer 2012 collection in New York this Sunday, I can’t see the speculation dying down any time soon.

Staying mum on some business practices simply makes good sense, but when it starts to undermine the brand as it’s doing here I think it’s only smart to break the silence. What do you think?

[Source: The Bag Lady]
[Image Source: LGEPR/Wikipedia Commons]

Victoria Beckham Bags on eBay

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J. Furmani gives us a stylish satin purse with a surprisingly affordable price tag with this pleated clutch.

Perhaps I shouldn’t be so surprised by the cheap as chips price. This is J. Furmani after all, a label which prides itself on its accessible evening accessories. Personally I think this is one of the fashion house’s chicest designs. The tight pleating brings an exciting texture to its satin body. Satin is an almost mundane choice for evening purses, but the pleats make the material seem fresh. I also really like the chocolate brown color, and the way it complements the brassy frame.

This clutch is long but slender, so it’ll require careful packing to hold everything you need on an evening out. Its storage space is further compromised when we tuck the chain strap inside, although I suppose we should be glad we have one. When we pay just $24 for a handbag we don’t take any features for granted.

To some degree we get what we pay for. The lining feels cheap, and the workmanship isn’t as high quality as we’d find in a high end designer purse. But it’s important to remember that we’re not paying for one. It may not last for a long time, but it also won’t cost a lot to replace.

More Features of This J. Furmani Satin Clutch

• Interior open pocket
• A chain strap with a 7 inch drop
• Measures 0.2 x 9.5 x 4 inches

Get this J. Furmani Pleated Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon
• Check the eBags eBay store to see if this J. Furmani bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

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• More J. Furmani bags on BagBunch
• The J. Furmani Pleated Metallic Flap bag, a great alternative to this pleated bag.
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Phillip Lim is one of the most interesting, and most modern, contemporary designers. It’s not because he adds a whole bunch of bells and whistles to his designs either. It’s because he keeps his aesthetic clean and consistent. This Nashiki clutch epitomizes Lim’s style, even if there are a few bumps in the design.

Ten years ago neoprene was just for diving suits. Then it became the go-to material for protecting high tech accessories. Now it seems to have come full circle right into the midst of the fashion world. And why not, really? It’s sleek, versatile, and virtually indestructible. Plus, it looks especially great here trimmed in leather.

The Nashiki’s design is simple and super smooth. It might be a little too smooth, however, and honestly, it looks a little too much like a laptop case for me to fall head over heels for it. I think it’s the odd bubbling of the material around the zipper attachment that’s ruining the look for me. It’s just a little bumpy looking, and I’m not sure how it will wear.

Overall, though, the Nashiki is a cool clutch for a woman with super modern, super minimal style.

More Features Of The 3.1 Philip Lim Nashiki Neoprene And Leather Clutch

• 12″ x 6″ x 1″ size
• Fully lined in black leather

Get this 3.1 Phillip Lim Nashiki Neoprene Clutch:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More 3.1 Phillip Lim bags on BagBunch
• The Alexander Wang Darcy Shoulder bag, a more minimal alternative to this bag.
• Searching for more Phillip Lim bags on eBay
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Beauty.com has teamed up with Victoria Bartlett for its latest free gift offer. Customers will receive Bartlett’s VPL travel bag and goodies, valued at $140, when they spend $100 with the online beauty store.

The exclusively designed purse is the latest in Beauty.com’s quarterly series of fashion house collaborations. It’s classed as a mini satchel, but its 16 interior compartments and detachable pouch ensure there’s plenty of space for carrying all your beauty must haves.

As if to prove the point Beauty.com has stuffed the purse full of designer cosmetic and skin care samples, including eye and lip cream, self tanner, hand sanitizer, and thickening hair spray.

While the VPL purse’s nude color is very on trend, its styling isn’t likely to set the fashion world ablaze. However Barlett said that functionality was foremost in her mind during the design process.

“The closures keep items separated and secure to avoid shifts in transit,” she explained. “The elastic strap allows you to hang the bag on the bathroom door, keeping everything within arm’s reach without adding clutter.“

All those complimentary beauty items, and the cute purse they come in, make this another very attractive free gift from Beauty.com. As if we needed another excuse to splurge on the shopping website!

[Source: PR Newswire]

Nude Cosmetics Purses on eBay

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Isaac Mizrahi shows off more of his signature quirk with this unusual medium leather bag.

Its name might not be too exciting, but its design is inspired. At its heart it’s like so many other brown leather bags, but the devil’s in its unusual details. The straps are what initially struck me. Their asymmetrical design reminds me of something Picasso might have painted, with its combination of traditional leather and chain portion. The ponyskin panels on the sides are also striking, providing an interesting balance to the leather.

The interior makes us feel spoiled with its high quality lining and leather trimmed pockets. It’s those little extras the big designers offer that help them command the big bucks. Having said that though, this is one of Isaac Mizrahi’s more affordable accessories. At $580, it is likely to appeal to girls who always felt an Isaac Mizrahi original was out of reach.

There’s a lot to admire about this Isaac Mizrahi creation but it still hasn’t won me over. It reminds me of the duffels old men take on vacation, although it’s a very modern take on that design. Even with that quirk factor it feels like something my father would carry rather than me.

More Features of This Isaac Mizrahi Brown Handbag

• Top zip closure
• Protective feet on the base
• Dual handles with a 13.3 inch drop
• Measures 5.9 x 13.3 x 9.4 inches

Get this Isaac Mizrahi Medium Leather Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Isaac Mizrahi bags on BagBunch
• The Gucci Greenwich bag, a great alternative to this asymmetrical bag.
• Searching for more Isaac Mizrahi bags on eBay
• Other brown leather bags on eBay:

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