Prepare to shield your eyes and embrace your wild side as you look at this Bows & Whistles Clutch from Betsey Johnson.

Perhaps it’s not even necessary to tell you this is a Betsey Johnson original. I can’t imagine anyone else having the gall to pair metallic red leather with pyramid studs. These spikes cover the big bow, an accent which is much more rebellious than most!

The Bows & Whistles clutch is brave and ballsy, the kind of thing only the most confident fashionista could get away with, and even then only with the right outfit. I can’t imagine carrying it could possibly be comfortable though. It’s amazing to see such a spiky purse doesn’t come with a shoulder strap or even a wrist loop. Would you like to press your palm against those pointy pyramids?

That’s the biggest disappointment for me. Polarizing looks are what fashion’s all about, but they need to have a level of practicality about them. What point is there in a clutch purse you can’t comfortably clutch? For $178, the Bows & Whistles purse is one best admired from afar.

More Features of This Betsey Johnson Studded Clutch

• Top zip closure
• Interior zip pocket and two gadget pouches
• Leopard print lined interior
• Measures 14 x 7.5 x 2.25 inches
• Made in China

Get this Betsey Johnson Bows & Whistles Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon (limited stock)
• Check the Shop Savoy Truffle eBay store to see if this Betsey Johnson bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Betsey Johnson bags bags on BagBunch
• The Betsey Johnson Bows & Whistles wristlet bag, a great alternative to this clutch bag.
• Searching for more Betsey Johnson bags on eBay
• Other Betsey Johnson Bows & Whistles bags on eBay:

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Louis Vuitton and Burberry have won record sums after successfully suing Canadian copycat labels. The luxury fashion houses finally took Singga Enterprises, Carnation Fashion Company, and Altec to task over the replica designer handbags they’ve imported from China for the past three years.

The Canadian court awarded Louis Vuitton the lion’s share, at $1.4 million CAD, a sum that’s equivalent to around $1.5 million US. Burberry’s compensation was still nothing to sneeze at though. The British fashion house pocketed $1.1 million CAD, or approximately $1.14 million US. These sums are the biggest ever awarded in a Canadian court following a trademark counterfeiting and copyright case.

A statement of claim declared the offending firms were “involved in large-scale, sophisticated manufacturing operations in China and were importing vast amounts of counterfeit products into Canada with the intent of selling them nationwide in stores, at gift shows, and online.” The court declared that these counterfeiting actions were “egregious.”

Louis Vuitton’s intellectual property director, Valerie Sonnier, said she hopes the ruling will send a strong message to counterfeiters around the world that Louis Vuitton has a “zero tolerance policy against counterfeiting.”

I do wonder whether the counterfeiters will get the message though. While the payments have been getting bigger in these kinds of cases, Louis Vuitton has always been a litigious lot. If the threat of action hasn’t deterred them before, will the bigger penalties do it?

[Source: Fashionista]
[Image Source: Jennifer Marr/Stock.xchng]

Louis Vuitton Handbags on eBay

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Kooba knows that not every girl wants to carry a bag covered in frills and bows, so it serves up something much simpler with the Brayden.

While I don’t mind the occasional bit of frippery, I prefer something much cleaner on an everyday basis. The Brayden certainly isn’t boring though. It gets its personality from the leather straps snaking through the over-sized grommets at each side. The straps criss-cross over one another, creating accents that are interesting, but not overly feminine.

The androgynous feel is continued in the color palette. Some might call it drab, but black and brown hues are classics for a reason. They effortlessly integrate into any wardrobe, helping us get value from our purchase.

The Brayden is on the small side though, and that’s likely to be the deal breaker for many women. Personally I think there’s something liberating about carrying only the things you really need, but many girls will struggle to fit everything they want inside it.

If you know how to travel light though, you’ll appreciate the versatility that the Brayden offers. This is the kind of purse that promises to become a go-to accessory for years to come.

More Features of This Kooba Small Cross-Body Bag

• Top zip closure
• Fully lined interior
• Two slip pockets and a zip pouch inside
• An adjustable 37 inch strap
• Measures 12.5 x 7.75 x 2.5 inches

Get this Kooba Brayden Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Kooba Brayden, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Kooba bags on BagBunch
• The Kooba Pippa bag, a great alternative to this small cross-body bag.
• Searching for more Kooba bags on eBay

They say that a woman’s handbag says much about her own personality, but few reflect their culture like the purses from United Arab Emirates’ Poupee Couture.

Designer Roula Ghalayini knows all too well the way that Arab women must act to blend in with society. They can’t always say what they want to say, or behave the way they want to behave, but their true nature is always simmering just underneath the surface.

Just like Arabian women, the bags from Poupee Couture are multilayered. On the surface they’re structured with clean, crisp lines. But look closer still and you’ll see the brilliant colors peeking out from underneath. These radiant hues always shine through, whether it’s from the careful layering of materials or tiny geometric perforations.

The world of fashion often appears very homogenized, so it’s refreshing to see handbags with such a strong sense of place. I’m sure they’d make any Western outfit appear that much more exotic.

Poupee Couture bags are sold at selected stores in the Middle East, United States, and Europe. However no matter where you are, you can find them online at Boticca. Considering how intricate many of the designs are I think they’re relatively affordable, with prices ranging between $85 and $395.

[Source: Poupee Couture]

Add a bit of sparkle to your evening with this Krystle Minaudiere from Inge Christopher.

This is a really dreamy purse, with its structured pillow shape and twinkling Swarovski crystal accents. By using three differently sized gemstones, Inge Christopher has made this purse more contemporary than it might have been. There’s just a hint of rebellion about it, and that should appeal to modern misses.

The Krystle is available in a range of colors, but I think this bronze one is my favorite. Bronze is such a hard color to do well; too much shine and it appears cheap and brassy, not enough and it comes off like gold’s poor cousin. Inge Christopher has struck the right balance though, creating a purse that could really pop against a dark neutral or a metallic print ensemble.

I always appreciate a strap, but this one’s got some extra charm. It’s a really striking, almost serpentine concoction that should feel smooth and comfortable against bare skin. It’s a little short for comfortable over-the-shoulder carrying, but it should easily drape over your wrist.

Such a small structured purse could never be practical, but it does look dazzling. And for a relatively affordable $165, that’s enough for me!

More Features of This Inge Christopher Swarovski Crystal Minaudiere

• Button clasp closure
• Matching satin lining
• An interior slip pocket
• A drop-in chain with a 7-inch drop
• Measures 1.8 x 3.5 x 6 inches
• Also available in black, smoke, and purple

Get this Inge Christopher Krystle Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Inge Christopher Krystle, 2, “”, clutch[/phpbay]

• Check the Buy’s Internet Superstore eBay store to see if this Inge Christopher bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Inge Christopher bags on BagBunch
• The Inge Christopher Krystle clutch bag, a great alternative to this minaudiere bag.
• Searching for more Inge Christopher bags on eBay

Melie Bianco does its best Gucci impersonation with this Amber satchel.

The affordable designer doesn’t even try to pretend it’s not ripping off the Italian brand’s Bamboo purse. All those trademark details are there, from the rounded shape and flap to the bamboo handle and turn-lock clasp. But then I think Melie Bianco takes things a step too far by using snake-printed synthetic.

If this material was meant to look exotic, it well and truly missed the mark. The mottled finish just appears blotchy, and the synthetic has a really cheap, tacky sheen. We don’t expect genuine snakeskin for $113, but I do expect something less obviously faux.

Melie Bianco does offer more than the average affordable label though. The Amber’s base is protected by metal feet, and its interior is well appointed. There’s also a long, adjustable strap, which is sure to be more practical than that pretty bamboo handle.

If you can afford Gucci prices I doubt you’ll look at the Amber twice. But it does make a decent budget alternative if you’re really set on that Bamboo tote look. Personally though, I’d cringe carrying something that’s so obviously a designer fake. There’s a fine line between inspiration and mimicry, but I think Melie Bianco has crossed it.

More Features of This Melie Bianco Snake Print Bamboo Satchel

• Two pouch pockets and a zip pocket inside
• A bamboo handle with a 5 inch drop
• An adjustable strap with a 12 to 26 inch drop
• Made in China

Get this Melie Bianco Amber Handbag:

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

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• Check the Slimskii Couture eBay store to see if this Melie Bianco bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Melie Bianco bags on BagBunch
• The Gucci New Bamboo tote bag, a luxury alternative to this affordable bag.
• Searching for more Melie Bianco bags on eBay

Radley London is lending its support to Russell Simmons’ 12th Annual Art for Life East Hampton benefit, to be held in the New York City suburb on July 30. The iconic British accessories company will provide VIP gift bags for the event.

Each gift bag will be made of canvas and embellished with a British Union Jack colored version of Radley’s famous Scottie Dog. They’ll be filled with a swag of goodies and gifted to the honorees and A-List stars in attendance, including Uma Thurman, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Anna Karlen, Radley London’s Head of Marketing says her brand is excited to support Art for Life East Hampton, the primary fundraising initiative for the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation. The group, launched in 2000, provides arts education and gallery programs for thousands of at-risk New York students.

Radley London is far from a household name in the States, although it’s very well known in its native United Kingdom. I’m sure the label will hope this opportunity raises its profile in America. We all know how anything attached to celebrity tends to sell, and everyone loves a company that supports community and charity initiatives.

Do you think Radley London’s star is rising in the States?

[Source: PR Underground]

Radley London Bags on eBay

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Elliott Lucca shows we don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy a luxurious leather weave with this Millana bucket bag.

I’m smitten with the stormy blue colors of this woven surface. It’s almost like a tie-dye, but without the hippie dippy vibe. The palette moves easily from pale gray to blue to black, creating an effect that begs to be paired with jeans.

While I’m enamored by the finish, I’m not entirely convinced by what Elliott Lucca has done with it. The long tassels only clutter up the design, and the chunky mass of chains holding the shoulder strap seems equally unnecessary. We find the weave fighting for attention, when it should easily be taking center stage.

It’s not all bad though. The voluminous shape and drawstring closure are perfect for a bag with such a casual application. Drawstrings are a bit fiddly and not very secure, but there’s a magnetic closure hidden underneath for extra peace of mind. And while I don’t appreciate the cluttered collection of thick chain, the long, wide strap looks like it’d feel heavenly on your shoulder.

Elliott Lucca hasn’t done everything right here, but it’s probably done enough to justify this bucket’s relatively affordable $208 price tag.

More Features of This Elliott Lucca Woven Bucket Bag

• Cotton lined interior
• A shoulder strap with a 15.5 inch drop
• Measures 10 x 12.5 x 8.25 inches
• Made in China

Get this Elliott Lucca Millana Handbag:

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

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• Check the Wholesale Row of Fashion Accents eBay store to see if this Elliott Lucca bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Elliott Lucca bags on BagBunch
• The Elliott Lucca Millana tote bag, a great alternative to this bucket bag.
• Searching for more Elliott Lucca bags on eBay

She might live in Brighton now, but Japanese born designer Nawako “Lala” Joy has never forgotten her roots. She created the fashion house Uroco with her husband David to give her birthplace’s kimonos new life.

Uroco takes vintage silk kimonos and carefully crafts them by hand into Asian inspired clutch purses, handbags, wraps, brooches, and belts.

All the items are beautiful, but I think the clutch purses are my favorites. They’d really pop against a little black dress or simple evening ensemble, or lend an air of authenticity to Asian inspired nightwear. Each one is fully lined with denim and fitted with a handcrafted wooden handle, which also gives the clutches their structure. These handles are small and a bit fiddly to manage, so I’m thrilled to see Uroco also offers us a tortoiseshell effect chain strap. As each purse is made from vintage silk kimonos each one is also a one-of-a-kind, which is a real plus for girls who love to stand out in a crowd.

Uroco’s husband and wife team sells its wares at London’s Portobello Markets each Saturday, but you needn’t plan a trip to the United Kingdom to own one of these beautiful and green accessories. They’re also available through the Uroco and Boticca websites.

[Source: Uroco website]

Kimono Bags on eBay

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