Versace’s latest advertising campaign sees the iconic Italian fashion house shaking things up a bit. The fall 2011 commercials sees not just a brand new model, but a brand new photography team at the helm.

Mario Testino has been shooting Versace campaigns since 2004, so it’s surprising that this time around he was passed over for Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott. These photographers aren’t exactly slouches behind a camera, but it’s always interesting when a fashion house breaks with such a long standing tradition.

And it’s done it again by choosing Saskia de Brauw, rather than a stereotypical blonde beauty. Versace’s chief designer and company vice-president Donatella said it’s “expected to have the blonde girl, the sexy girl, and this is what Versace meant recently.” However she cast her mind back to her brother Gianni’s controversial casting of Kristen McMenamy and Stella Tennant.

“Everyone was always saying, ‘Wow, this is not a Versace girl, she is not blonde.’ Sometimes you need to renew yourself to work better and to make a little bit of a push,” she explained.

The result of the risks is one of the freshest campaigns Versace’s produced in some time. The elfin beauty of Saskia de Brauw is compelling, and a great foil for that dramatic feathery dress and golden Medusa head purse. Are you impressed by Versace’s new direction?

[Source: Fashionlogie]

Versace Medusa Handbags on eBay

[phpbay]Versace Medusa, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

If you left a four-year-old girl alone with a perfectly good leather handbag, some gemstones, and a glue gun, you might expect to return to find something like the Senso. But I never imagined it’d be created by someone with the designer cred of Sonia Rykiel.

Perhaps I’m being a bit harsh on this purse, but the application of red, clear, and pink crystals against stark white leather looks a bit childish. If the gems had a more subdued palette, or the leather didn’t contrast quite as much, perhaps Sonia Rykiel would have gotten away with it. Even a lighter touch with the jewels might have saved it, smaller gems or less of them, or both. But this purse is just too, too much for me.

The interesting tab and strap fastening should have been the centerpiece here, but it really gets lost in all those stones. We also can’t appreciate the beauty of that stark white leather when it’s covered up with all those stones, even though we’re paying for the privilege of carrying it.

The interior is sound, with its zippered pocket and playful ladybug embellishment. If only more of the whimsy was tucked away like this cute insect! But it’s just not enough to win me over, especially for the price. That $2230 bottom line is really the final insult.

More Features of This Sonia Rykiel Crystal-Embellished Leather Shoulder Bag

• A scalloped back patch pocket
• A silver chain-link keyfob
• Designer embossed lining
• Zip fastening compartment and pocket
• A single shoulder strap with chain-link sides and an 8 inch drop
• Measures 12 x 9 x 3 inches

Get this Sonia Rykiel Senso Handbag:

• Available to buy at The Outnet
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Sonia Rykiel bags on BagBunch
• The Prada Tessuto Pietre bag, a great alternative to this gem encrusted bag.
• Searching for more Sonia Rykiel bags on eBay
• Other jeweled bags on eBay:

[phpbay]jeweled, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Casting begins today for Project Runway‘s spin-off, Project Accessory. The reality TV series invites aspiring handbag, jewelry, hat, footwear, and belt designers to show their stuff, and of course their personalities, on the small screen.

This is big news for accessories lovers, with accessories moving to the forefront rather than featuring in selected Project Runway episodes. The program will follow the same format as its predecessor, with contestants asked to create an accessory each week inspired by a particular theme or challenge.

We can expect a little tough love from the judges, some rivalry and backstabbing, and of course plenty of tears. The winner will receive a cash prize to kickstart their own fashion label. There’s no word yet on who those judges will be, but if the success of Project Runway is any indication we can expect some big names.

Casting begins at New York City’s Yotel Hotel today and tomorrow. The Project Accessory crew will then stop in at Miami’s Epic Hotel on June 21, before traveling to the Hard Rock in Chicago on June 23. Finally auditions will wrap up at Los Angeles’ Sofitel on June 25 and 26. If you think you’ve got what it takes, download the application here and bring it, along with close-up and full body photos, three to five examples of work, and a portfolio, to one of the audition venues! Good luck!

[Source: Accessories Magazine]
[Image Source: The Carat Diet]

Sonia Kashuk has created a purse which offers more than we might expect with this Geo Foldover clutch.

This is your classic cheap and cheerful clutch, or at least it appears to be. Its nylon body points as its affordable $14.99 price tag. It’s not at all luxurious, but at least it’s lightweight, durable, and easy to keep clean. The blue and white geometric print gives the Geo its personality. It’s like a meeting of art deco design and 80s retro, with a hint of Greek style thrown in.

With its simple exterior and bargain price tag, I didn’t expect much inside to be honest. But Sonia Kashuk has surprised me with several lined compartments, perfect for keeping yourself organized on an evening out. What it lacks in style it certainly makes up for with design. In such a compact, lightweight package, I’m not even missing the shoulder strap.

I’m not sure the Geo has what it takes to attract attention once the sun goes down, but it’d be a very cute clutch during the day. And once evening hits, it could always do double duty as a cosmetics case inside a classier tote bag!

More Features of This Sonia Kashuk Patterned Clutch

• Zip top closure
• Nylon lined interior
• Measures 9.5 x 2.75 inches

Get this Sonia Kashuk Geo Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Sonia Kashuk bags on BagBunch
• The Sonia Kashuk Geo double zip clutch bag, a great alternative to this zip bag.
• Searching for more Sonia Kashuk bags on eBay
• Other nylon clutch bags on eBay:

[phpbay]nylon clutch, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Sondra Roberts embraces summer with this Cut-Out Tote from her SR Squared line.

The combination of natural toned woven raffia and poppy blue synthetic trim is perfect for warm weather use. It’s cute and casual, the kind of look that’s made for pairing with cut-off shorts or flowing maxi dresses. The bamboo turn-lock clasp also offers a more seasonal twist to this traditional vintage closure.

The Cut-Out tote is large enough to hold beach towels, flip flops, and other summer essentials, but I’d be a bit careful when loading it up. Raffia is notoriously fragile so overstuffing this tote could shorten its lifespan. It’s really made for lighter bulky items rather than cargo that will weigh it down.

Those items will stay organized thanks to the large zippered pocket and pair of open pouches. We expect this kind of configuration in most luxury bags, but many summery styles take a more minimalist approach. I’m glad for those additions, and you will be too when your cell phone is ringing! It’s refreshing to put your hand on those must have items without the scrounging.

At $85 this tote isn’t exactly a bargain, but it’s well priced for a bag that will get a real workout this summer, and the next.

More Features of This SR Squared by Sondra Roberts Raffia Tote

• Blue fabric lined interior
• Dual handles with a 6 inch drop
• Measures 14 x 16 x 3.5 inches
• Made in China

Get this Sondra Roberts Cut-Out Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Sondra Roberts Cut-Out Tote, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the RareFindsAuctionsUSA eBay store to see if this Sondra Roberts bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Sondra Roberts bags on BagBunch
• The Oryany Handbags Drew bag, a great alternative to this raffia bag.
• Searching for more Sondra Roberts bags on eBay

It’s been a bad day for me and Michael Kors. This is the second Kors bag in twenty-four hours that I don’t have many good things to say about. I’ve been a big fan of the MICHAEL line all season, and I just don’t understand what’s going wrong.

The leather on this bag is fabulous. It has a great balance of thickness and softness, and the seam details are expert and beautiful. Unfortunately, it’s the best part of the bag. Fortunately, there’s a lot of leather here, so if you squint, you might just want to buy the bag.

The design is uninspired. I think Kors was trying to create contrast with the square bag and round handle, but it just comes off as awkward and forced. Also, the bag’s very wide opening isn’t practical for most city dwellers. And on a personal note, I kind of hate tubular leather straps, because they never stay put on your shoulder.

$350 isn’t bad for a solid black leather everyday bag, but this just isn’t it. Try again, Kors.

More Features Of The MICHAEL Michael Kors Leather Shoulder Bag

• 15″ x 13″ x 6″ size
• 9″ strap drop
• Fully lined

Get this MICHAEL Michael Kors Leather Shoulder Bag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Michael Kors bags on BagBunch
• The Marc by Marc Jacobs Moto Proto Hobo Bag, a very cool alternative to this bag.
• Searching for more Michael Kors handbags on eBay
• Other black leather totes on eBay:

[phpbay]black leather tote,2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Attention fashionistas; there’s a new It bag in town. It’s a been a while since any handbag has sported the covetable title, but with a host of trend-setting celebrities now carrying the Yves Saint Laurent Chyc Cabas I think it’s definitely earned its stripes.

The sophisticated tote is a favorite of actresses Sienna Miller, Leighton Meester, and Salma Hayek, Australian music royalty Kylie Minogue, French first lady Carla Bruni. No doubt they love its combination of style and substance. Its sheepskin leather is lovely, and its magnetic Y closure may be one of the most fashionable ways I’ve seen to stamp your brand. It sure beats those ugly signature prints and tacky name plates, doesn’t it? Plus it’s roomy enough to hold everything a star could need on a day out and it’s got pockets inside and out to make organization a breeze.

The range of colors is also another advantage for a bag with It status, as you needn’t look like everyone else when you’re carrying it. There’s black, gray-brown, and olive-tinged sand for the classic beauties, and magenta, leopard print, and bright blue for more daring fashionistas.

The Chyc Cabas retails for $1995 from Yves Saint Laurent stores.

[Source: The Bag Snob]

Yves Saint Laurent Chyc Bags on eBay

[phpbay]Yves Saint Laurent Chyc, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

I’ve long been admirer of Soapbox’s quirky retro styles, so I was disappointed to see the label take a turn for the ordinary with The Nell satchel.

From the outside there’s really not much that we haven’t seen before. The crocodile embossing seems like a halfhearted attempt to make the synthetic seem more luxurious. It doesn’t come off though, especially in the pale blue color. The shade is fun, but it makes the reptilian skin seem even more unrealistic.

The Nell’s shape is also a bit ho-hum. Its clean lines are nice enough, but it’s just not very compelling. I feel like I’ve seen it all before, or at least I did until I looked inside.

That’s where this satchel really comes into its own, with more practical features than we’d expect at this price point. A pair of zippered pockets is complemented by a collection of elastic loops in various sizes made to hold a cell phone, lip gloss, pens, sunglasses, and more.

The predictability of this satchel is disappointing, but Soapbox has certainly given us value for less than $40.

More Features of This Soapbox Crocodile Embossed Satchel

• Fully lined interior
• Zip top closure
• Dual handles
• Measures 12 x 4 x 6 inches

Get this Soapbox The Nell Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Soapbox bags on BagBunch
• The Nine West Plain Jane satchel bag, a great alternative to this croc-embossed bag.
• The Soapbox website
• Other croc-embossed satchel bags on eBay:

[phpbay]croc-embossed satchel, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

Recently, I’ve been a big fan of the MICHAEL by Michael Kors line. It’s been full of reasonably-priced, chic accessories. Unfortunately, the Julian is not one of them.

Michael Kors does faux snakeskin better than any line I can think of. Which makes it duly disappointing that this one is so lackluster. Actually, lackluster isn’t the right word, since the material is metallic, but that wasn’t a good choice either. The very faux looking python combined with the shine make for a bag that looks cheap and cheesy.

The shape of the Julian is a redeeming quality. I really dig how the bottom is more rounded off than the traditional tote bag shape. I also like the hardware that’s been used to attach the straps to the bag. The metal is very elegant. Unfortunately, it attaches to a not very attractive or practical chain and leather strap.

The few pretty details on the Julian don’t come anywhere close to making it worth the $400 price tag. Hopefully Kors will redo the style in a different material. I’ll be crossing my fingers.

More Features Of The MICHAEL Michael Kors Julian Python Print Leather Shoulder Bag

• 18″ x 13″ x 4″ size
• 9″ strap drop
• Fully lined

Get this MICHAEL Michael Kors Julian Python Print Bag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Michael Kors bags on BagBunch
• The Marc by Marc Jacobs Moto Proto Hobo Bag, a very cool alternative to this bag.
• Searching for more Michael Kors handbags on eBay
• Other gold snakeskin bags on eBay:

[phpbay]gold snakeskin,2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]