Santi might be an evening bag specialist, but it proves it’s also capable of creating an eye-catching daytime accessory with this Beaded Cross-Body bag.

Santi’s beloved beads are sewn on to the cross-body’s flap for an on trend tribal finish. The rainbow of colors really pops against the purse’s neutral black base. It’s impressive to consider that these bags don’t simply fall off a production line either. The label employs artisans which apply the tiny accents by hand.

With all the work that’s gone into that flap, perhaps it’s unsurprising that the rest of this cross-body is pretty simple. Its petite main compartment is basic, with just an open pocket to help us keep our items in order. A zippered pouch would have been more useful, but it’ll still make a handy place for stashing a cell phone. The chain strap is also pretty stock standard, but it too does the trick.

Really you’re paying for the beading here. That’s really well done, but it’s a shame it’s not better supported by the rest of this $258 bag. For that money I just expect a bit more.

More Features of This Santi Tribal Cross-Body

• Magnetic closure
• Satiny lining
• A single chain strap with a 23 inch drop
• Measures 7.75 x 10 x 2.5 inches
• Made in India

Get this Santi Beaded Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Santi bags on BagBunch
• The Cynthia Vincent Folli cross-body bag, a great alternative to this beaded bag.
• Searching for more Santi bags on eBay
• Other beaded cross-body bags on eBay:

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Handbag lovers should ensure they take some time out from shopping next time they’re visiting South Korea. The country’s capital, Seoul, will open the doors of its Simone Handbag museum next month.

The museum is the brainchild of famed handbag maker Kenny Park, who saw the venture as a permanent and comprehensive ode to the world of women’s fashion accessories. He enlisted renowned fashion exhibition curator Judith Clark to see his dream become a reality. She spent the last two years working with academics and curators to assemble the museum’s exhaustive archive.

The Simone Handbag Museum will introduce its visitors to more than 300 historic handbags, dating from the 16th century to modern day classics. Many of them are European bags, although some modern designs from the United States are also represented. The exhibition celebrates the role of handbags in expressing and shaping feminine identity throughout history.

“These handbags were used for dramatically different purposes than how they are used today. Some were for carrying smelling herbs or ‘sweetmeats’ — candies — and then money. The handbag symbolized the emancipation of women — they were able to finally spend money, gaining more freedom over the years,” Clark explained in a recent interview. “The idea of ‘labels’ and ‘it bags’ is a 20th-century phenomenon, coinciding with the rise of the cult of the designer.“

The Simone Handbag Museum opens in Seoul on July 19. If you can’t visit the South Korean museum, have no fear. An accompanying book, dubbed The Making of a Museum, will hit stores around the world in September.

[Source: New York Times]
[Image Source: Patriotmissile/Wikipedia Commons]

Samsonite delivers natural power on the go with this clever Solar Powered Backpack.

A large solar panel makes this simple black bag much more tech savvy than the average. It’s not the most stylish feature, but it’s so practical that we can forgive its aesthetic shortcomings. The panel collects the sun’s energy, ready and waiting until our cell phone dies or our laptop needs powering up. And it doesn’t just use green energy either; it’s also made from eco-friendly recycled PET fabric.

It’s a great concept, and one that works surprisingly well. It has an output of around 4.5 watts, so it can charge a cell phone after around four hours in the direct sun. Its front organizer panel also has a 12 volt car charger adapter, with convenient pockets and cord organizers to keep your devices in order.

The solar powered technology is this backpack’s main drawcard, but Samsonite hasn’t forgotten what we want in a backpack. There’s a padded compartment for safely holding laptops with a 15.6 inch screen or smaller, and cushy shoulder straps for carrying comfort. I also really like the mesh pocket at the side, which happily holds your water bottle away from your technology.

Considering its clever technology, I expected this Samsonite backpack to cost more than the $300 the label charges. Has it won you over?

More Features of This Samsonite Laptop Backpack

• Zip closure
• Measures 21.125 x 12.75 x 11 inches
• Comes with a 10-year limited manufacturer’s warranty

Get this Samsonite Solar Powered Handbag:

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

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Samsonite bags on BagBunch
• The Voltaic Solar Backpack bag, a great alternative to this solar-powered bag.
• Searching for more Samsonite bags on eBay

It sounds like San Francisco tech accessories firm WaterField Designs has looked to Australia for inspiration for its new Outback collection. The rugged capsule line features laptop totes and sleeves crafted from waxed canvas and leather.

“It has a masculine look and a patina that changes over time to give every bag a unique character,” company founder Gary Waterfield explained. “Its muted waxed-canvas color and distressed leather make the Outback sophisticated enough for work, and functional enough for play.“

The Outback Weekender and Outback Daily are known as laptop totes, but they could easily work as travel bags or office briefcases. Each one has an easy-carry leather strap and large interior pockets. They can be zippered shut for security or kept open when you’re carrying large items.

The Outback laptop sleeves are available in a range of sizes to suit Apple models, including the new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. They’re made from shock-absorbing neoprene wrapped in a waxed canvas shell. Vegetable tanned leather accents make each case feel a little more luxurious. They can be used as a solo accessory or stashed inside one of the Outback totes, or indeed any other Waterfield bag.

The Outback Laptop Sleeves cost $49, the Daily Outback Tote will set you back $149, and the Outback Weekender Tote is a bit pricier at $159. They’re all available now for pre-order at the WaterField website ahead of their release next week.

[Source: MarketWatch]

Waterfield Bags on eBay

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Reed Krakoff takes his usual contemporary aesthetic does a few notches with this minimalist Turn-Lock Detailed Wallet.

It’s appropriate that its name referenced the Turn-Lock detail on the zipper pull, because really that’s the only feature of note on this purse. It looks good, but I’m frankly a bit confused by it. Turn-locks add some retro flair, but they’re predominantly designed for security. Here the zipper itself is doing all the work, so the turn-lock seems a bit superfluous. Why Reed Krakoff, why?

I suppose we shouldn’t sell the salmon colored leather short either. The shade offers a modern take on recent favorite coral. It’s lovely, and as it’s used on a wallet rather than a carry bag it doesn’t need to accessorize with anything else we’re wearing!

It ticks the boxes we expect a wallet will, but in my opinion doesn’t go far enough for modern shoppers. There’s the zippered change pocket and bill pouches we expect, but just four card slots. That seems a bit stingy, don’t you think?

This Turn-Lock Detailed Wallet seems a bit boring when compared to the rest of Reed Krakoff’s bags, but it’s also significantly less expensive than them at $320. That’s more than I’d want to spend on a wallet, but if you’re desperate to own a piece of the CFDA award winning designer’s legacy you might be willing to part with the cash.

More Features of This Reed Krakoff Leather Wallet

• Made of cow leather
• Zip across top
• Silver-toned embossed logo
• Gray leather and fabric lined
• Measures 4.25 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches

Get this Reed Krakoff Turn-Lock Detailed Wallet:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Reed Krakoff bags on BagBunch
• The Reed Krakoff RK Large Nappa Wallet, a great alternative to this leather wallet.
• Searching for more Reed Krakoff bags on eBay
• Other salmon wallets on eBay:

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It might not be blessed with one of the flirty monikers of its stable mates, but this Metal Corner Clutch from Rebecca Minkoff still knows how to attract attention.

No accessory made from such a brightly colored leather will ever be overlooked. Rebecca Minkoff calls the hue bright green, but that doesn’t adequately describe the richness of this tone. It’s almost teal, with blue undertones that make it perfect for the warm weather we’re enjoying. Rebecca Minkoff also offers the purse in a hot pink, but I think that one might date once we’re over the 80s resurgence.

Whichever shade you pick, you’re likely to love the way those silver decorated corners pop against the leather. The hardware is delicate but really modern. The details ensure we don’t need to wait until night falls to enjoy it.

The leather strap adds to the Metal Corner Clutch’s daytime appeal. It seems a little skinny at first, but the larger padded section near the shoulder provides a valuable cushion. But unfortunately it’s not detachable as many clutch straps are. This means that if we want to clutch it in the truest sense of the word, we’ll have a long strap trailing behind. How unsightly!

Perhaps calling it a clutch is a bit of a stretch, but as a small leather accessory this Rebecca Minkoff performs admirably for $395.

More Features of This Rebecca Minkoff Leather Clutch

• Printed twill lining
• Zip closure
• A leather strap with a 21 inch drop
• Measures 6.5 x 10.5 inches
• Made in China

Get this Rebecca Minkoff Metal Corner Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Rebecca Minkoff bags on BagBunch
• The orange Rebecca Minkoff Metal Corner bag, a great alternative to this green bag.
• Searching for more Rebecca Minkoff bags on eBay
• Other Rebecca Minkoff clutch bags on eBay:

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The rumor mill is buzzing that H&M will join forces with Maison Martin Margiela for its next designer collaboration collection.

WWD reported that H&M will announce a single collaboration with Maison Martin Margiela for the holidays “soon.” H&M and Maison Martin Margiela are both staying mum about the rumors, but they’re also not denying their truth either. And let’s remember that the fashion bible is rarely wrong about such things. It’s not set in stone, but if I were a betting girl I’d put money on it.

H&M has managed to court some big names over the years, including Versace, Karl Lagerfeld, and Lanvin. It also took a turn for the edgy with its recent Marni collection, so a line with Maison Martin Margiela would make sense if it continues to explore that darker side of fashion. And let’s remember, Maison Martin Margiela has some experience designing for a younger, more mainstream demographic through its MM6 diffusion line.

But the rumor hasn’t been well received by some of Maison Martin Margiela’s most ardent supporters. They suggest that such a mainstream collaboration seems like the antithesis of all the fashion house stands for.

Do you think a Maison Martin Margiela for H&M line would dilute the brand, or does the prospect excite you?

[Source: Fashionista]
[Image Source: Nick/Flickr]

Maison Martin Margiela Bags on eBay

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