Queen Latifah is the latest celebrity to add designer to her already full resume. The rapper and actress will release an apparel and accessory collection, appropriately called Queen, through the Home Shopping Network later this year.

The Queen collection will feature leggings, jeans, leather coats, handbags, and even clip-on hair extensions. As we’d expect from HSN the range will be affordably priced, with most clothing costing less than $100. The bags and leather outerwear will predictably be a bit more expensive, but at prices ranging from $170 to $300 even these high end items aren’t exorbitant.

Queen Latifah is proud of her curves, but she’s quick to point out her signature collection isn’t a plus-sized one. In fact, she detests the term and thinks it should be struck from our vocabulary! Instead Queen Latifah’s collection is made to suit women of all sizes from skinny minnies to more voluptuous goddesses.

“We all want to wear beautiful, fly clothes no matter what size you are, and so for me it was important to match with a company that understood and respected that ideal,” she told Women’s Wear Daily.

Look out for Queen apparel and accessories on the Home Shopping Network late August.

[Source: The Washington Informer]
[Image Source: Gdcgraphics/Wikipedia Commons]

HSN Bags on eBay

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Latico’s never been one for making fashion waves, but its traditionally designed handbags are wardrobe staples. With its blend of minimalist design, high quality materials, and practicality the Cleo Tote is another desirable bag from the American brand.

The Cleo’s exterior isn’t likely to send you swooning, but its buttery leather and flame orange finish are very appealing. It’s available in four other shades too, but honestly I find the rest a bit boring. I think such a simple design needs a sassy color to bring it out of the background, but I’m sure more conservative girls will appreciate our choices.

The Cleo’s interior is what really gets me excited. The generously sized space actually has three separate compartments, and each one has its own secure zip. Multi compartment bags aren’t new, but those segregated partitions make this one a bit special. The middle compartment is padded to protect a laptop, and there’s a pocket hidden between the second and third section.

The choice of straps only adds to the Cleo’s functionality. The regular wide shoulder straps are perfectly adequate, but there’s also a longer attachable cross-body strap when you’re on the go.

The Cleo would make an ideal office tote or school bag, although with a style this simple it’d probably suit any occasion. It may not be flashy, but this tote certainly represents value at $249.

More Features of This Latico Triple Zip Tote

• Floral fabric lined interior
• Dual straps with a 9 inch drop
• An attachable adjustable strap with an 11 to 22 inch drop
• Measures 3 x 14.5 x 13.5 inches

Get this Latico Cleo Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Latico Cleo, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Latico bags on BagBunch
• The Latico Mimi in Memphis Triple Zip tote bag, a great alternative to this triple zip bag.
• Searching for more Latico bags on eBay

Young British model Nyasha Matonhodze is one of six new faces fronting Louis Vuitton’s fall/winter 2011 advertising campaign.

Acclaimed photographer Steven Meisel captured the 16-year-old beauty in stylish patent chauffeur style garb behind the wheel of a vintage Rolls Royce. It’s interesting that the Northampton model is barely old enough to drive the luxury vehicle, but she certainly looks the part!

Matonhodze isn’t an established name in the world of fashion, but scoring such a high profile campaign should change all that. The Zimbabwean born stunner was discovered by Elite model agency in 2009. She won the Elite Model Look UK competition later that year, which led to an appearance on Marc Jacobs’ runway at Paris Fashion Week 2011.

“My eyes filled up with tears and I thought ‘Lord you are lucky!’” she said of the moment she heard she’d booked the Louis Vuitton campaign. “It didn’t actually hit me until I was sat in a Rolls Royce sitting eye-to-eye with Mr Meisel. He is a wonder to work with, he and Marc [Jacobs] made me feel beautiful.“

Something tells me it’d be hard to make this teen feel ugly though. She really is breathtaking!

After recent campaigns starred Madonna and Scarlett Johansson, it’s interesting to see the French fashion house taking a chance on an up-and-comer. Do you think that Nyasha Matonhodze is the right girl for the job?

[Source: Telegraph]

Louis Vuitton Bags on eBay

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If Kate Spade has been losing a little of her “retro” recently, the Bixby lets us know that it is definitely still there!

The retro comes in many forms in this leather clutch. Firstly there is the remarkably art deco frame and cute ball clasp. The contrast between the deep dark wood and the light and pale upper layer helps to define the angular shape, which then in turn contrasts with the little spheres that are the crowning glory. The whole effect is beautiful, especially in combination with that rich duck egg blue leather.

In fact, the whole of this classic little purse is about the contrasts. The patterned lining contrasts with the leather trim, the hard frame contrasts with the gently folded leather. It works really well, and the clear effort that has gone into the retro looks actually goes quite far towards justifying the $325 price tag. Sure, it ain’t cheap, but it is pretty!

The Bixby is one of the most dramatic looking clutches from Kate Spade in a long while, and its chirpy summer colors just beg to be celebrated.

More Features of this Kate Spade Retro Clutch

• Available in a range of other colors
• Leather exterior
• Wooden frame clasp
• Interior slip pocket

Get this Leather Bixby Purse:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Kate Spade bags on BagBunch
• The Elaine Turner Bianca clutch, a great alternative to this retro bag.
• Searching for more retro bags on eBay
• Other Kate Spade bags on eBay:

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Lanvin celebrates vintage style with this elegant Maisha shoulder bag.

This purse is every inch the lady, from its golden push-lock clasp to its gentle brown color. Fans of Lanvin’s more flamboyant designs may feel this shade is a bit drab, but it’s also timeless. It’s a hue that you can wear in any season, and any decade, as well you’d want to when you’re paying Lanvin prices!

The Maisha’s shape is like so many vintage inspired purses I’ve seen, but its buttery leather softens its edges. This helps the purse feel a little less buttoned up, which is a blessing if you don’t have a social calendar full of high teas and country club luncheons!

The dimensions are generous for a bag that hearkens back to a simpler time. Lanvin knows it’ll be carried by modern women, so it gives us some extra space and pockets for holding 21st century technology. The strap is also a bit longer than many vintage style bags, so we can carry it over our shoulder as well as over our arm.

Those extra concessions are lovely, but I still balk at spending $2245 on the Maisha. That’s a lot of dough to splash around on a bag that could easily fade in the background.

More Features of This Lanvin Brown Leather Shoulder Bag

• Tonal topstitching
• Measures 9 x 13 x 3.5 inches
• Made in Italy

Get this Lanvin Maisha Handbag:

• Available to buy at Bergdorf Goodman
• Check the Celebrity Owned eBay store to see if this Lanvin bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Lanvin bags on BagBunch
• The Anya Hindmarch Bonita bag, a great alternative to this flap bag.
• Searching for more Lanvin bags on eBay
• Other vintage flap bags on eBay:

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Tod’s has created a sunny yellow version of its D-Styling Bauletto bag to celebrate the reopening of its South Coast Plaza boutique.

This is a strictly limited edition item, with just 35 made. I expected that sort of exclusivity to send the price sky high, but this one isn’t too bad with a ticket value of $1665. That’s not small change in anyone’s language, but with the regular D-Styling Bauletto costing around $1500 anyway it’s not much of a mark-up either. The interior is discreetly embossed with the words “My Tod’s Special Edition,” just to make them extra special. Perhaps that’s what the extra dollars are paying for.

If you’ve fallen hard for this cheery colored handbag you’ll need to get in quickly. With just 35 made and a relatively reasonable asking price, I’m not expecting this limited edition tote to hang around for too long. Tod’s new limited edition yellow D-Styling Bauletto bags only available through the South Coast Plaza store, but staff are happy to take phone orders on 714-556-0239. Personally I’d want to see them in the flesh before committing, but I know many Tod’s enthusiasts that will jump on these rare handbags. Are you one of them?

[Source: The Bag Snob]

Tod’s Bauletto Bags on eBay

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We can always count on La Regale to create chic evening accessories at affordable prices. But rarely do we see La Regale offering a purse as modern as this one. This Pinwheel Beaded purse is a great option for girls who embrace contemporary fashion.

We tend to associate beading with vintage fashion, but the geometric shapes created here shake things up a bit. I really like the angular lines, but I’m less convinced by the pinwheels the purse is named for. In and of themselves they’re lovely, but the rayon material which shows behind their spokes looks as inexpensive as it is. This sadly cheapens the finish which otherwise seems really rich.

I can forgive La Regale for a couple of reasons. Firstly, this is a purse with appeal that goes beyond its beaded surface. The interior is relatively sizable by clutch standards, with enough space for a cell phone, basic cosmetics, tissues, and other evening essentials. There’s also enough space for the chain strap which tucks neatly away when you’re clutching it by hand.

And then there’s the clincher, the bottom line. To find such an intricately crafted purse at a mere $66 is a real treat.

More Features of This La Regale Beaded Clutch

• Kiss-lock clasp
• Satiny lining
• Interior slip pocket
• A chain strap with a 21 inch drop
• Measures 4 x 10.5 x 1.5 inches
• Made in China

Get this La Regale Pinwheel Handbag:

• Available to buy at Endless (limited stock in some colors)
• Check the Desertdealsandsteals eBay store to see if this La Regale bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More La Regale bags on BagBunch
• The La Regale Confetti beaded bag, a great alternative to this beaded bag.
• Searching for more La Regale bags on eBay
• Other La Regale beaded bags on eBay:

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German luxury goods company Labelux has beat the competition to secure accessories fashion house Jimmy Choo. The acquisition expands Labelux’s already impressive fashion sector, which includes Bally, Derek Lam, and Solance Azagury-Partridge.

It’s unknown exactly how much Labelux paid for the Tamara Mellon helmed company, but early reports suggest the brand was worth between $650 million and $895 million.

Labelux’s chief executive officer Reinhard Mieck says his company was attracted to Jimmy Choo’s “enormous growth potential” and “ability to deliver material growth synergies” across the organization.

It all sounds rosy now, but I can’t help wondering whether this latest acquisition will stick. Jimmy Choo has changed hands three times in the past seven years after all, from Choo himself to TowerBrook Capital and now Labelux. At least there is one constant though. Company co-founder Tamara Mellon, who holds a 17% stake in the firm, will retain her role as chief creative officer.

But some things will change. Apparently under Labelux, Jimmy Choo will create more men’s shoes and handbags. It will also expand its presence in China, which can only be a good thing for luxury lovers in the East.

Are you excited about the next chapter of the Jimmy Choo story?

[Source: The Wall Street Journal]
[Image Source: Labelux website]

Jimmy Choo Handbags on eBay

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I’ve been tiring of L.A.M.B. in recent years. It seems Gwen Stefani’s label relies on its quirky prints, plastering them on countless lackluster purses made with shoddy materials. So I’m thrilled to see L.A.M.B taking a more traditional path with the Bettie satchel.

In so many ways this is like so many satchels, but there’s a reason some styles are classics. While Gwen Stefani hasn’t really taken any risks with design, its poppy red textured leather gives it some personality. The bold black nameplate spoils the effect somewhat, but even it can’t take away the Bettie’s appeal.

That red leather drew me in, but the Bettie’s smart design has sold me. Its handles are long, and its generous interior is well appointed with leather trimmed pockets. These complement the one we get up front, which is ideal for stashing keys, lip balm, and other items we love on hand. The only disappointment is the bare base. I wish L.A.M.B. had added some metal feet to protect that leather, but I wouldn’t expect this perk at this price point.

For $438 L.A.M.B. has delivered quality and style, a rare combination for this celebrity-helmed label.

More Features of This L.A.M.B. Red Leather Satchel

• Logo print lining
• Zip closure
• Dual handles with a 9 inch drop
• Measures 10 x 11 x 6 inches
• Made in Vietnam

Get this L.A.M.B. Bettie Handbag:

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

[phpbay]L.A.M.B. Bettie satchel, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Snooky’s Corner eBay store to see if this L.A.M.B. bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More L.A.M.B. bags on BagBunch
• The L.A.M.B. Josephine hobo bag, a great alternative to this red leather bag.
• Searching for more L.A.M.B. bags on eBay

Diffus, the design firm behind the innovative Climate Dress, has turned its talents to accessories. This solar powered handbag is the company’s latest sustainable creation.

Bags powered with solar energy are nothing new, but it’s unusual to see a label using the photovoltaic cells as a design element. There are actually 100 small solar panels stitched onto each bag which together generate around two watts in sunlight. In layman’s terms that’s enough energy to power a cell phone and the fiber optic lights hidden inside. These illuminated fibers make finding your keys or wallet a snap.

Diffus has shrunk down monocrystalline silicone, one of the most efficient photovoltaic materials to create its solar panels. This allows the panels to be relatively small and stylish, yet still very effective.

The technology is impressive, but thankfully it hasn’t taken precedence over functional design. The carry-all has enough space to carry all your everyday essentials, and its sturdy strap is the right size for slinging over your shoulder.

Diffus develops the technology rather than mass-producing the products, so it’ll be a long while before we see these bags in stores. But at least we’re getting there. The thought of solar power becoming more than a gimmick, but a stylish and practical component of an accessory is pretty exciting.

[Source: Ecouterre]