There’s been a changing of the guard at Chinese Laundry, with M. London taking over the licensing from Viewmark.

M. London’s certainly got the experience and vision needed to take the affordable handbag label to the next level. It’s been in the fashion business for the last 20 years, and it believes Chinese Laundry deserves a more modern, grown-up approach.

Many of the bags will still be made from the polyurethane used previously, although they’ll be a bit more expensive. You can expect to pay between $79 and $110 for the new faux leather Chinese Laundry purses.

But M. London also plans to introduce a real leather Chinese Laundry handbag collection as a sort of companion to Chinese Laundry’s top tier Elise footwear range. Of course we’ll pay more for the privilege of carrying the real leather Chinese Laundry accessories, but I don’t think anyone looking for a bit more luxury from the brand will mind that one bit.

We can expect to see the new leatherette Chinese Laundry handbags in stores soon, with the high-end authentic leather purses to follow in 2012. Are you excited about the new direction Chinese Laundry is heading, or would you prefer the company kept with its original philosophies and price points?

[Source: Accessories Magazine]

Chinese Laundry Bags on eBay

[phpbay]Chinese Laundry, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Paul Smith tones down his usual design vision with this Josephine shopper. Gone is the bright rainbow of colors Paul Smith usually paints with, replaced instead with a soft blue cotton denim.

This fabric is perfect for creating Paul Smith’s casual everyday shopper. It looks so relaxed, with its slouchy shape and gray grosgrain ribbon drawstring. These closures are never my favorites as they’re a bit fiddly to work with, but this one certainly adds to the bag’s everyday good looks. Brown leather trim and handles dress things up just a bit, reminding us that even though it’s a casual purse it’s still one with a designer pedigree.

I really wish Paul Smith had done more with the interior though. The cheery neon yellow logo plate was a great start, but where are the functional features? A bag of this size really needs more than Paul Smith’s minimalist approach. You’re in for a lot of scrounging at the bottom of your bag when you take the Josephine out to play.

At $136.95 it might just be worth the effort though. That’s not small change for a fabric bag, but it’s also not exorbitant for one which bears the Paul Smith name.

More Features of This Paul Smith Denim Shopper

• Brushed golden hardware
• Measures 15.4 x 17.3 inches

Get this Paul Smith Josephine Handbag:

• Available to buy at My Wardrobe
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Paul Smith bags on BagBunch
• The Elie Tahari Beverly tote bag, a great alternative to this denim bag.
• Searching for more Paul Smith bags on eBay
• Other denim shopper bags on eBay:

[phpbay]denim shopper, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Most often when artists use Louis Vuitton handbags in their works they’re making a statement against consumerism. Think Nadia Plesner and her Darfur awareness piece Darfunica or R. Lloyd Ming and his provocative sculpture The Crucifix. Now Billie Achilleos has turned the French fashion house’s purses into art, and it’s with Louis Vuitton’s blessing.

The Louis Vuitton press department approached Chameleon Visual Limited to create four bespoke LV animals for this year’s fall/winter media events. The creative firm commissioned Achilleos for the project, and the results are stunning.

The British artist made the animal sculptures entirely from Louis Vuitton handbags and accessories. They celebrate the 100th anniversary of Louis Vuitton’s SLG Savoir Faire line. They look spectacular, but I’m particularly impressed with the aspects of the bags represented by each animal. There’s the chameleon for Louis Vuitton’s vivid color palette, the grasshopper mimicking the sounds of closing zippers and press-studs, the ever practical beaver, and the tough as nails armadillo.

If you were wondering how on earth Achilleos could create such amazing artworks from Louis Vuitton handbags, you’re in luck. This video takes us behind-the-scenes of the creative process, and gives real insight into the construction of these masterpieces.

These are some amazing, not to mention expensive, works of arts!

[Source: The Purse Blog]

Louis Vuitton Handbags on eBay

[phpbay]Louis Vuitton, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

We all know Pacsafe makes anti-theft bags for travelers, but the mean streets of your own neighborhood can be just as dangerous as any tourist town. So Pacsafe’s made the Metrosafe 100, a small and secure purse for keeping your precious cargo safe in the urban jungle.

It looks like a typical fabric bag but the Metrosafe is one tough cookie. It’s made from 840D ballistic nylon which is reinforced with eXomesh slashguard panels and high tensile stainless steel wire in the strap. That ensures that robbers can’t cut your strap away from you, or slash through its body. Tamperproof zips are also resistant to intrusions, so you can breathe a little easier.

This Metrosafe is also packed with organizational features, including a pair of padded pockets for keeping personal technology safe, a key clip, a pen holder, a headphone port, and slots for credit cards. But it is the smallest of the Metrosafe’s, and its stiff nylon body doesn’t allow for over-stuffing. It’s really made for the girl who doesn’t want to be weighed down during the day. Thankfully if you want to carry more, there are larger Metrosafe models available.

As the smallest handbag of the bunch, you get this anti-theft shoulder bag for an affordable $44.95. That’s a small price to pay for peace of mind.

More Features of This Pacsafe Anti-Theft Shoulder Bag

• Spot clean
• Measures 13 x 9 x 4 inches
• Made in China

Get this Pacsafe Metrosafe 100 Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Pacsafe Metrosafe 100, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check The Service Pavilion eBay store to see if this Pacsafe bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Pacsafe bags on BagBunch
• The Pacsafe Metrosafe 200 bag, a mid-sized alternative to this shoulder bag.
• Searching for more Pacsafe bags on eBay

Intricate blue lace overlay makes this simple box clutch from Paco Mena something really special.

Frankly I’m getting a bit tired of seeing evening bags covered in ruffles and studded with bling. So it’s thrilling to see a designer like Paco Mena stepping outside of the box. Rather than ostentatious decorations, Paco Mena relies on midnight toned lace laid over its structured clutch purse. This has all the hallmarks of a box clutch, but its rounded off corners make it appear softer and more feminine. The navy blue clasp is the piece de résistance, capping off a purse that is evening ready, but not too flashy.

That structured body makes the Albertinellia look elegant, but it also restricts storage space. Thankfully there is room for a chain strap, although I’d prefer this was removable. The last thing I want is a chain cluttering up the already small interior when I’m clutching the Albertinellia the old-fashioned way.

But perhaps I shouldn’t be too picky for the price. At $61 the Albertinellia is one of the most beautiful and budget-friendly evening purses I’ve seen in some time.

More Features of This Paco Mena Lace Purse

• Satiny lined interior
• A tuckaway chain with a 21.75 inch drop
• Measures 3.25 x 7.75 x 2.5 inches
• Made in China
• Also available in black and pearl gray

Get this Paco Mena Albertinellia Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Paco Mena bags on BagBunch
• The Inge Christopher Anne baguette bag, a great alternative to this lace bag.
• The Paco Mena website
• Other lace clutch bags on eBay:

[phpbay]lace clutch, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

Cambodian Threads has been creating stylish silk scarves since 2009. Now two years on the fair trade fashion house is expanding its range and adding ties, make-up bags, and wallets to its collection.

As with all Cambodian Threads products, the new fashion items are handmade by the Heng family, a group of Cambodian artisans working in the small village of Prek BongKong under fair trade conditions.

All too often we pay through the nose for that fair trade assurance, so I was thrilled to see the prices of Cambodian Threads’ new items. The cosmetics cases cost just $10, the wallets are $15, and the ties are the most expensive item of the lot at $25.

Even that won’t break the bank, and best of all your money isn’t lining the wallets of corporate fat cats. Instead Cambodian Threads generously donates a portion of every sale to educational initiatives in the Cambodian village it supports.

The Cambodian Threads accessories aren’t flashy, but as they’re handmade their quality is exceptional. That’s certainly more than you can say about most other cosmetics bags and wallets sold at comparable prices. The Cambodian Threads accessories also come complete with a healthy dose of good karma, unlike those high end designer goods we all flock to!

[Source: Treehugger]
[Image Source: Cambodian Threads website]

Fair Trade Wallets on eBay

[phpbay]fair trade wallet, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

Oryany serves up a classic summer tote with the Drew.

Its woven finish in natural toned raffia is a warm weather staple, but the Drew looks much more elegant than many summery purses do. Oryany uses conservative brown leather to trim the tote, rather than a bright color, and there are no loud prints or flirty accents. This minimalist approach helps us carry the Drew once the weather cools, unlike so many summer-styled handbags.

While the Drew will suit summer picnics and trips to the farmer’s markets, I’d keep it away from the beach. Leather needs careful handling, and sea air and salt water will only make it age more quickly. That means it’s not a great beach bag, but if you keep it away from the chlorine it might serve as a pool purse.

The Drew really is enormous, so I’m glad Oryany has added a much longer strap. Those handles won’t be much good once the tote’s loaded up, although they do look gorgeous with their intricate stitching.

This Drew tote’s evergreen appeal and generous size makes it excellent value at $398.

More Features of This Oryany Handbags Raffia Tote

• Patterned cotton lining
• Zip top closure
• Dual handles with a 5 inch drop
• A detachable strap with an 11 inch drop
• Measures 16 x 18 x 5 inches
• Made in China

Get this Oryany Handbags Drew Bag:

• Available to buy at Endless (limited stock)
• Check the Pink Pistol Boutique eBay store to see if this Oryany Handbags bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Oryany bags on BagBunch
• The boxy Oryany Drew Tote bag, a great alternative to this domed bag
• Searching for more Oryany bags on eBay
• Other Oryany Drew bags on eBay:

[phpbay]Oryany Drew, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

As the Northern Hemisphere basks in summer sunshine, the fashion industry is looking ahead to cooler weather. Burberry is the latest label to release images of its fall/winter 2011 campaign, and this shot almost makes me want to rug up.

Acclaimed fashion photographer Mario Testino shot the model newcomers for the Burberry ad. These guys and gals might be nearly novices, but they seem pretty comfortable in their lush Burberry coats, furry hats, and iconic Nova checked bags.

Burberry has an eye for talent, so perhaps we’re looking at the next supermodels. The ad features, from left, British model and sometimes actress Amber Anderson, 16-year-old Molly Smith, blonde bombshell Thomas Penfound, and Felicity Jones. Do you think any of them have the potential to make a real splash in future ads, or on the catwalk?

I must admit, I like this ad but I’m not really loving it. Its rather tame by industry standards, relying on pretty people and attractive clothing and accessories rather than any real creativity. But then again, it beats those artsy-fartsy short films the fashion houses were producing not too long back! Perhaps Burberry’s simple campaign signals a new wave in fashion advertising; one that focuses on the products rather than flash. What do you think?

[Source: Fashionista]

Burberry Bags on eBay

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

As Australian handbag labels go, none is bigger than Oroton. The fashion house has been churning out high quality purses since its inception in 1936. But even the greats make a mistake, and I think Oroton has with this Heritage O Tote.

The O Tote has been an Oroton staple for many years, taking over from its vintage mesh purses as the Australian It bag. So on paper it made sense to combine the two styles for a Heritage design. Often what appeals on paper doesn’t work in the real world though, and I think that’s what’s happened here.

The silvery mesh panel adds glitz to Oroton’s lush white leather, but is that really what we want? Personally I think it interrupts the flow of the purse, and makes it look just a little bit tacky. The thick chain strap is another sore point for me. It complements the mesh well, but it’s just a bit clunky, not to mention uncomfortable to carry!

The quality is, as always, first class. The vegetable tanned leather is buttery smooth, and the leather trimmed pockets are all we need to stay organized. But Oroton has done better. It just goes to show that sometimes a fashion house is smarter to look to the future than dwell on the past.

More Features of This Oroton Mesh Tote

• An Oroton plate logo on front
• Measures 15 x 10.5 x 5 inches

Get this Oroton Heritage O Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Oroton bags on BagBunch
• The pink Oroton Heritage O tote bag, a great alternative to this white bag.
• Searching for more Oroton bags on eBay
• Other Oroton tote bags on eBay:

[phpbay]Oroton tote, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]