The Kardashian sisters’ Kardashian Kollection hasn’t even hit shelves, but already the socialite sisters have been taken to task over one of their handbag designs. Monica Botkier claims one of the leopard print purses sold through Sears stores is a copy of her Trigger Clyde satchel.

Media outlets are reporting the designer issued a cease and desist letter against the retail giant, although the Kardashians deny this and any wrongdoing. The sisters that their collection “independently created by Bruno Schiavi’s company Jupi, who “is surprised about Botkier’s allegation.”

I can certainly see similarities in the two handbag designs. The diagonal zippered pockets on the front and the drawstring ties on the side pockets are key elements on both handbags. But a copy? I’m just not sure, as I’ve seen these elements on so many other bags. When does something infringe on copyright, and when does it simply follow the trends? When Christian Louboutin couldn’t protect his recognizable red soles, does Botkier really have a leg to stand on?

There’s also certainly a difference in price to consider. The most expensive bag in the Kardashian Kollection costs $94, but you’ll spend around $600 on one of Botkier’s Trigger Clyde bags. That’s a real difference, and perhaps it would have been enough to drive sales away from Botkier and to the Kardashian label.

Sears has pulled the bag from their website and intend to investigate the matter thoroughly before accepting any more preorders. Do you think the Kardashians have a case to answer?

[Source: Celeb Dirty Laundry]

Botkier Trigger Bags on eBay

[phpbay]Botkier Trigger, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

Carlo Fellini lets the clasp do all the talking with this gorgeous Natalie clutch.

This purse is all about that large semi-circle clasp. The closure is studded with rhinestones, adding the bling that this fairly simple clutch needs to stand out. I like this classic combination of white gems with navy satin, but there are four more options if it seems too safe for you.

Aside from the clasp, the Natalie really is your standard box clutch. It’s covered in navy satin, which is kept blissfully bare. Some might say it’s boring, but I think the purse would look too busy if anything was competing with the clasp.

The interior too is simple, with just a small pouch for holding receipts. There isn’t a lot of space inside though, even by evening bag standards, so be prepared to leave a few items behind when you step out.

Using the chain strap is probably the best way to maximize storage space. It’s disappointing that this strap isn’t detachable, as it clutters up the already small interior when it’s not in use. And sadly when it is, the Natalie doesn’t look quite as elegant. It’s a shame we’re forced to choose whether we prefer storage space or style.

But perhaps we should expect such compromises when we’re paying just $92. That’s really not a lot of money to spend on such an elegant evening purse.

More Features of This Carlo Fellini Box Clutch

• Suede-like interior lining
• A chain strap with a 23 inch drop
• Measures 2 x 6.5 x 3.2 inches

Get this Carlo Fellini Natalie Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Carlo Fellini bags on BagBunch
• The Carlo Fellini Trish bag, a great alternative to this rhinestone decorated bag.
• Searching for more Carlo Fellini bags on eBay
• Other navy box clutches on eBay:

[phpbay]navy box clutch, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

Carla Mancini injects a little extra boho into the hobo style with this Olivia bag.

This hobo breaks a few rules but still celebrates the essence of the style. Its bottom heavy design makes a stable change from the regular crescent, and its more structured leather is another inspired alteration. But it retains its essential hobo-ness with some clever accents.

The cross-stitching decorating the flap is really lovely, as is the braided strap. It’s a shame the tassel is obscured by that rounded flap, but it is removable if you prefer a cleaner look.

The Olivia is much smarter than many hobos too. While their slouchy profile makes accessing the interior difficult, this one will sit up happily. It’s also got two deep side pockets for storing the items you want on hand. The main compartment is large enough to handle the rest, and luxuriously organized with its leather trimmed pockets.

While I love the look of its braided handle, I know it won’t be too comfortable to carry. Thankfully Carla Mancini also offers a much longer flat strap, which won’t dig into your shoulder when the hobo’s full.

On face value the Olivia’s $598 price tag doesn’t seem exactly cheap, but it’s a bargain for a handcrafted bag. If you’ve got that cash to spare you’ll appreciate the attention to detail that comes with a hobo that hasn’t simply fallen off a production line.

More Features of This Carla Mancini Flap Hobo

• Faille lined interior
• Magnetic closure
• A braided strap with a 7 inch drop
• Measures 12.5 x 17 x 4.5 inches
• Made in the USA

Get this Carla Mancini Olivia Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Carla Mancini bags on BagBunch
• The Carla Mancini Amelia hobo bag, a great alternative to this hobo bag.
• Searching for more Carla Mancini bags on eBay
• Other Carla Mancini hobo bags on eBay:

[phpbay]Carla Mancini hobo, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

When Bernie Madoff’s wardrobe was auctioned off along with the rest of his worldly goods last November, many of us wondered what would become of the items. I certainly never imagined the former stock broker’s pants would become iPad cases!

John Vaccaro of Frederick James bought all 16 pairs of Madoff pants to create these unusual souvenirs of Wall Street’s darkest moments. The designer said he believes many collectors will want to own such “a quirky piece of history, even the worst kind.” I guess we’ll find out soon whether he’s right!

The cases are made from trousers from big name designers like J. Crew, Ralph Lauren, and Banana Republic. Considering how much money he was fleecing, it’s no surprise that Madoff was wearing some fabulous pants!

I suppose many tech heads would feel a certain satisfaction in sticking their gadget down Madoff’s pants. It’s certainly a unique conversation starter! But these aren’t the most practical cases. They’ll protect your iPad from scratches and scrapes, but there’s no protective lining or padding so they’re a bit useless if the tablet is dropped.

Personally I don’t think the novelty factor alone isn’t worth the $350 asking price, although collectors may disagree. Are you tempted to indulge in one of these quirky tech cases?

[Source: Ecouterre]

Recycled iPad Cases on eBay

[phpbay]recycled iPad case, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

Calvin Klein has created an affordable wardrobe staple with this Vienna tote.

OK, so this tote isn’t all that exciting. Its belted detail and gathered sides give it a bit of personality, but essentially this is very traditional tote. However let’s remember, classics became classics for a reason. By refusing to bow to trends, Calvin Klein has ensured this tote will look just as good season after season.

If the high quality leather and timeless style don’t convince you, perhaps the interior will. The Vienna is a great size for every use; large enough for handling everything we need but not big enough to weigh us down. Its zippered pocket and pair of open slips is fairly standard, but they’re really all a tote of this size needs to stay organized.

What I appreciate most is all those little touches, the leather trim around the pockets and the protective metal feet on the base. They’re the sort of luxuries we expect on a high end designer tote, but rarely enjoy on one costing $252.90. The Vienna might not set the fashion world ablaze, but it’s a solid wardrobe investment.

More Features of This Calvin Klein Brown Leather Tote

• Cotton twill lining
• Top zip closure
• Dual shoulder straps with an 8.5 inch drop
• Measures 14 x 11 x 5 inches
• Also available in black and dune

Get this Calvin Klein Vienna Handbag:

• Available to buy at Macy’s
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Calvin Klein bags on BagBunch
• The Balenciaga Papier A5 tote bag, a great alternative to this brown leather bag.
• Searching for more Calvin Klein bags on eBay
• Other brown leather tote bags on eBay:

[phpbay]brown leather tote, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

Most of us don’t have a lot of use for cassette tapes these days. Walkmans are obsolete, cars are fitted with CD players, and so all those old tapes just sit forgotten in boxes. For the last decade Alyce Santoro has been giving these retro musical treasures a new lease on life with her Sonic Fabric, which she uses to create everything from neckties to bustiers. And for her latest limited edition line, Santoro has turned her beloved tapes into handbags.

Looking at this bag, you’d probably never guess what it’s made from. The tape is woven on antique looms in Santoro’s family-run New Englan textile mill. That traditional technique gives the material its tight weave and professional finish. And the tape still plays music when it’s placed underneath a tape head!

The limited edition purses are made from sound collages based on life in New York City. The natural brown color of the tape makes each bag a little drab, but the brightly colored raw silk lining helps to liven up the interiors.

Money raised from the sale of these purses will help fund Santoro’s next project, a new batch of Sonic Fabric produced in collaboration with weavers in Mexico. At $120 they’re not cheap, but you can enjoy a 50% discount if you pre-order one ahead of its release. Alternatively you’ll enjoy the bag as a gift when you make a $200 tax-deductible donation to United States Artists before the end of the month.

[Source: Ecouterre]

Burberry brings some luxury to its iconic check fabric with this Bridle House Check clutch.

You’ll have to look hard to see that plaid cotton twill, as it’s been obscured by diagonal strips of brown leather. These stitched strips move this way and that, creating an intricate geometric pattern along the clutch’s surface. The effect is striking, and one which makes this fairly simply shaped clutch very appealing.

Simple works in the Bridle House Check Clutch’s favor here. From a design standpoint it allows the clutch’s leather details to shine, and from a practical one it maximizes storage. It’s long but slim, like a stylish pencil case and able to fit just as much inside.

It’s not large enough to become unwieldy but there’s still a detachable strap when we’d prefer to go hands free. This is made from more leather rather than the traditional chain to complement the purse’s elegant leather accents.

This is one of those rare clutches that would work just as well during the day or on an evening out. Its lack of feminine features is perfect for daylight hours, but its striking appearance could make a big impression when the sun goes down.

At $1095 it’s very expensive for a clutch, but if you can manage to work it into your everyday wardrobe it might just be worth the splurge.

More Features of This Burberry Leather Detailed Clutch

• Top zip closure
• Cotton canvas lined interior
• Measures 13.4 x 4.7 x 0.8 inches
• Made in Italy

Get this Burberry Bridle House Check Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Burberry Bridle House Check Clutch, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Tika’s Coach Collection eBay store to see if this Burberry bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Burberry bags on BagBunch
• The Burberry Metallic Leather Clutch bag, a great alternative to this leather-decorated bag.
• Searching for more Burberry bags on eBay

British designer Debbi Little has teamed up with British textiles company AO Textiles to create a sustainable sheath dress with a matching clutch purse.

AO Textiles is famous for the fabric which is calls “ecouture.” The company takes parachute netting discarded by the Ministry of Defense, and gives it a runway ready makeover by sewing on organic silk remnants.

The Debbi Little and AO Textiles collaboration is cutely known as Little AO. However there’s nothing small about this two-piece set. The dress and matching clutch purse are an intriguing mix of fashionable whimsy and an earthy concern for the planet. I love the mix of greens and neutral tones; I just hope the designers have used vegetable dyes or some other eco-friendly alternative!

Those nitty gritty details are a bit thin on the ground at the moment. The AO Textiles website says its AO with Debbi Little page is under construction. So right now we’re left gawking at the pictures and speculating on when these green fashion items will hit stores, and how much they’ll cost.

How much would you expect to pay for this eco-friendly dress and its matching clutch? And would you be prepared to spend a little more for their green credentials?

[Source: Ecouterre]

Recycled Silk Purses on eBay

[phpbay]recycled silk, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

The wide leather strips we saw on the Bulga Panache hobo are back again with the label’s Fleur satchel.

I really liked the boho flair they brought to the hobo, but I’m not quite so sure about the finish their bring to the Fleur. These flaps gave the Panache’s crescent shape a casual charm, but they make the Fleur’s boxy silhouette seem a bit awkward.

I think the handles are another problem area. The Panache’s average length handle balanced out the bag, but the Fleur’s short ones seem disproportionate against the long strips of leather. The bag looks much better when the longer shoulder strap appears, but its ruched finished adds another texture that this bag really doesn’t need.

Once I peeked inside I mellowed a little bit. The Fleur has a great selection of pockets, and their leather trim will help them go the distance. The size is also just right for everyday use, not too big or too small. But when so many other bags do the same thing, perhaps we can’t praise the Fleur’s interior too much.

It might seem unfair to compare the Fleur to the Panache, but when they are so similar these evaluations are unavoidable. And sadly, the Fleur comes off second best. It’s $20 cheaper, but I don’t think that’s enough of a discount.

More Features of This Bulga Flap Satchel

• Magnetic closure
• One zip and two slip pockets inside
• Printed plainweave lined interior
• Dual handles with a 1 inch drop
• Measures 11.5 x 12 x 8 inches
• Made in China

Get this Bulga Fleur Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Bulga bags on BagBunch
• The Bulga Panache hobo bag, a great alternative to this flap decorated bag.
• Searching for more Bulga bags on eBay
• Other Bulga satchels on eBay:

[phpbay]Bulga satchel, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

Adrienne Vittadini is preparing to make an even bigger mark on the accessories world in the year ahead. A collection of handbags licensed through Franchi will follow the pre-fall 2011 release of her travel collection with Rugged Equipment. They will join the label’s already extensive accessories range which includes jewelry, belts, eyewear, shoes, and scarves.

The handbags launch is quite large for a debut line, with 40 styles in all. We can look forward to high quality bags made from buttery nappa leather, polished calfskin, and patent leather. Perforations, color-blocking, and equestrian styling will give the bags their modern flair.

Considering their superior materials the prices will be quite reasonable, with bags starting from $198 and topping $398. That makes them an attractive proposition for girls who just couldn’t swing that $1300 Adrienne Vittadini’s charging for her four-piece luggage set!

Francho Franchi, the president of Franchi says his company has closely followed the Adrienne Vittadini brand, and so it “embraced the opportunity to interpret its luxury lifestyle into an accessible, stylish handbag collection.“

The Adrienne Vittadini handbags are scheduled to hit stores next spring. If this sunny yellow tote is any indication of what’s to come, I think this collection will be a hit. Are you looking forward to Adrienne Vittadini’s handbags?

[Source: Accessories Magazine]