Sara Berman is a relatively new designer, and while I had sort of high hopes for her, I’m starting to lower my expectations. It seems like she only releases an interesting bag every few months and in between it’s all crap. Unfortunately, this Mini Jivvy is not one of the interesting bags.

It’s pretty sad, actually, that this bag goes so wrong, because a lot of the design elements are good, but they combine in a way that goes terribly awry. The olive green leather is a solid choice though. It’s got a nice rich color, and a smoothly weathered texture that works well for the casual, slouchy style.

The shape of the bag is kind of cool as well. I love the asymmetrical placement of the strap, and its thick, graduated width. The giant grommet hole attachment, however, is a gaudy eyesore. Really, though, the biggest problem is the prevalence of gold studs. The pattern is organized, but not that interesting, and taken all together, the Mini Jivvy just comes off as uninspired and a bit tacky.

At $500, the Mini Jivvy is well-priced for the line, but with looks like these, who cares?

More Features Of The Sara Berman Mini Jivvy Leather Cross Body Bag

• 15″ 13″ x 4″ size
• 20″ handle drop
• Fully lined in leopard-print cotton

Get this Mini Jivvy Bag by Sara Berman:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Sara Berman bags on BagBunch
• The Alexander Wang Bianca Vest Bag, hip alternative to this bag.
• Searching for more Sara Berman bags on eBay
• Other green leather totes on eBay:
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With boys and work to contend with, we can’t always expect our gal pals to cater to our every whim. Thankfully we can rely on the BPal cross-body bag from Steven by Steve Madden to do just that!

Alright, so the BPal might not be able to fix a margarita or dry your tears, but it is a very practical, very convenient accessory. The synthetic panels dress up the nylon body, helping it make that transition from a day at the mall to happy hour afterwards. Also helping the cause is the detachable strap, which enables this cross-body to convert to a clutch once you hit the town.

Personally I feel the BPal is a bit big to work comfortable as a clutch, but if you’re not carrying a lot perhaps you’ll get away with it. It’s tough to balance daytime needs with nighttime style, so while I’m not sure Steve Madden has pulled it off I appreciate his efforts.

At just under the magic $100 mark, Steve Madden has created an affordable convertible cross-body which works harder than most.

More Features of This Steve Madden Nylon Cross-Body

• Nylon lined interior
• Zip top closure
• A detachable shoulder strap with an 18.5 inch drop
• Measures 9 x 14 x 3.5 inches
• Made in China
• Also available in leopard

Get this Steve Madden BPal Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Steve Madden Bpal, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Fashion58 eBay store to see if this Steve Madden bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Steve Madden bags on BagBunch
• The Marni Convertible Leather bag, a luxury alternative to this black bag.
• Searching for more Steve Madden bags on eBay

Laurel and Sunset goes all out with this Gypsy Girl tote. But is too much?

Honestly I think so, although girls with more adventurous tastes may disagree! One thing I’m sure we’ll concur on is how busy this bag is. Taking center stage is the Gypsy Girl the tote’s named for, a hippie type with a headscarf embellished with tiny pinhead studs. There are more studs down the sides of her face, but Laurel & Sunset’s still not done. It completes the look with a heavy handed dose of faux snakeskin. It forms the handles, trims the top, and even creates tassels hanging down each side. Yes, as I said, there’s an awful lot going on.

With all of that handiwork, I’m surprised Laurel and Sunset had any time to spend on the insides. But it seems they did, as the Gypsy Girl is better appointed than most high end designer bags. Sure we don’t see have reinforced pockets or a luxury lining, but this tote has what we need to stay organized. A large zippered pocket divides the interior into three separate compartments, while a plethora of small pockets take care of your valuables.

If you’ve fallen for it, you’ll be thrilled that you can own the Gypsy Girl tote for just $39.95. Sadly though while the price is low, the tote is just too much for me!

More Features of This Laurel & Sunset Embellished Tote

• Top zip closure
• Silver-toned hardware
• Polyester lined interior
• Dual handles with a 7 inch drop
• Measures 14 x 14.5 x 4 inches

Get this Laurel and Sunset Gypsy Girl Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Gypsy Girl tote, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check The Purses Boutique eBay store to see if this Laurel and Sunset bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Laurel and Sunset bags on BagBunch
• The Earth Axxessories Gypsy Tipsy Fringe tote bag, a great alternative to this boho tote bag.
• Searching for more Laurel and Sunset bags on eBay

Matt & Nat rests its iconic vegan leather in favor of another eco-friendly fabric with the Joplin tote. It’s a bit cheeky for this fashion house to use animal print for a cruelty-free bag, but that just might be the key to its appeal.

The Joplin is made from coated canvas embellished with wild tiger stripes. This more affordable fabric was a smart choice as it tempers the animal print, making it appear more casual and less showy. Helping the cause are the color options: this gentle aqua-gray and an earthy tone called neutral. Betsey Johnson could learn a thing or two by studying these bags; the subtle hues are much more appealing than her neon animal prints!

The interior will feel a bit more familiar for Matt & Nat fans. It’s lined with the green design duo’s unique eco-friendly suede alternative, which is crafted from recycled water bottles! Extra canvas helps to reinforce the pockets, ensuring they last just as long as that tough canvas body will.

The Joplin isn’t as fashion forward as many of Matt & Nat’s designs, but its affordable $165 price tag is made to impress.

More Features of This Matt & Nat Tiger Stripe Tote

• Magnetic closure
• Dual handles with an 8.75 inch drop
• Measures 12.75 x 17 x 4 inches
• Made in China

Get this Matt & Nat Joplin Handbag:

• Available to buy at Endless (limited stock)
• Check the Amazing Handbags eBay store to see if this Matt & Nat bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Matt & Nat bags on BagBunch
• The Matt & Nat Marling E/W tote bag, a great alternative to this striped bag.
• Searching for more Matt & Nat bags on eBay
• Other tiger print totes on eBay:

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Alexander Wang is on a roll. He’s recently released all his spring bags, and they are so casually cool that they’re going to have all the hipsters in NYC saving their hard-earned pennies. This Marti backpack is one of the best of the lot.

The pale gray leather on the Marti is so soft and supple that it almost looks like woven fabric. This look, of course, is a Wang trademark, and one that I love. It looks just like faded denim. The contrast seaming emphasizes this design feature, as do the prevalence of zippers.

The shape of the Marti is cool and casual. It is one of those rare bags that is both beautiful and totally practical. The great side pockets are perfect for holding your cell phone and wallet, while the flat pocket on the flap front cover will be great for smaller items like gloss.

As usual, Wang has kept his price in the middle range. At $875, it’s not cheap, but it’s definitely a bargain for a bag you’ll love for decades.

More Features Of The Alexander Wang Marti Leather Backpack

• 15″ x 17″ x 5″ size
• Fully lined in black nylon

Get this Alexander Wang Marti Backpack:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Alexander Wang bags on eBay
• The Alexander Wang Coco Duffel Bag, a larger alternative to this bag.
• Searching for more Alexander Wang handbags on eBay
• Other gray leather backpacks on eBay:
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Ugh. I am sorry tired of being disappointed by Miu Miu. I know that I should just stop expecting the label to come up with something wonderful, but since it does it every so often, I always approach the line with an ounce of hope. In this case, I really shouldn’t have, because this metallic cracked leather tote is almost every kind of terrible I can think of.

The first and most major mistake that Miu Miu made on the design of this bag is the choice of fabric. Seriously, this silver is mirror surface reflective; well, if your mirror is cracked, that is. The cracked finish on the leather should take some of the edge of its shininess away, but it really doesn’t. Somehow, it just makes matters worse.

The shape of the tote is fine, but the size is, like most of the bag, too much. I guess it would be fine if the bag weren’t so loud, but the combination of loud and huge is almost unbearable.

I’m having a really hard time figuring out who is going to spend $995 on this bag. It’s too expensive to work for for the bling-loving masses, but it’s too ugly to be classy. This bag exists in a very sad limbo, and I don’t think it’s going to escape very soon.

More Features Of The Miu Miu Large Metallic Cracked Leather Tote

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

Get this Miu Miu Cracked Leather Tote:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Miu Miu bags on BagBunch
• The Miu Miu Bugatti Glazed Leather Tote, a great alternative to this bag.
• Searching for more Miu Miu handbags on eBay
• Other silver leather totes on eBay:
  [phpbay]silver leather tote,2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Versace is one of those lines that always seems to be making a comeback. It never goes out of style completely, but it sort of fades in and out of the spotlight every few years or so. Thankfully, this season it’s on the upswing, and this amazing mod white hobo is the perfect example of why.

The cream colored leather on this bag is a bold, but subtle choice. It’s hard to make a pale bag that has a lot of finesse, but this one definitely comes together perfectly. The smooth texture of the majority of the leather makes a gorgeous textural contrast with the perforated leather accents.

The very structured look of this hobo is totally retro-modern. It has a solid 60s vibe, but details like the perforated leather accents keep it contemporary. The circular design is emphasized by the seaming and its contrast with the hard-edged top.

Everything about this bag is summer fabulous, which, at $1,695, it should be.

More Features Of This Versace Leather Shoulder Bag

• 15″ x 14″ x 2″ size
• 3″ strap drop
• Fully lined in green twill

Get this Versace Leather Hobo:

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

You may also be interested in:

• Other Versace bags on BagBunch
• The Mulberry Mitzy Hobo, a larger,  more minimal alternative to this bag.
• Searching for more Versace bags on eBay
• Other cream leather hobos on eBay:

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A psychedelic color scheme makes this Boaz hobo from Donald J Pliner really pop.

I know the surreal color combination of yellow leather with aqua piping won’t excite everybody, but I love its difference. If it’s too lairy for you don’t worry; Donald J Pliner offers a more classic black and white bag, and subtle black and brown versions.

I’m not sure about those tassels though. I suppose Donald J Pliner was attempting to imbue its hobo with the necessary bohemian style, but they stick out like sore thumbs. In my opinion the Boaz would look much better without them.

The Boaz is made of super soft leather, but the seams and piping give it more structure than your typical hobo. While hobo purists may disagree I think it’s a good thing. It makes the Boaz’s sizable interior more accessible and user friendly. Zip and slip pockets are stacked on one side wall, so you know exactly where to find your small items.

At $485, the Boaz represents good value for a hobo that rarely puts a foot wrong.

More Features of This Donald J Pliner Piped Hobo

• A hidden drawstring closure
• Twill lined interior
• A single shoulder strap with a 10 inch drop
• Measures 8.5 x 14 x 4.5 inches
• Made in China

Get this Donald J Pliner Boaz Handbag:

• Available to buy at Endless (limited stock in some colors)
• Check The Review Shoppe eBay store to see if this Donald J Pliner bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Donald J Pliner bags on BagBunch
• The Donald J Pliner Bazil tote bag, a great alternative to this piped hobo bag.
• Searching for more Donald J Pliner bags on eBay
• Other Donald J Pliner hobos on eBay:

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Jill Granoff has stepped down as chief executive officer of Kenneth Cole. The decision came about “by mutual agreement,” according to Women’s Wear Daily. Her resignation is effective immediately, and includes resignation from the Kenneth Cole board.

There’s no word yet on her replacement, but Kenneth Cole will do the job until another candidate can be found. Cole is no stranger to the position, as he held it until Granoff took the reins in May 2008.

The Kenneth Cole offices don’t feel too empty though, as Paul Blum has returned to the fold. He left the company after fifteen years to work as David Yurman’s chief executive officer in 2006. However he’s now back to his old stomping ground and working as the vice-chairman.

Kenneth Cole lost $2.7 million for the period ending December 31, but that’s a lot better than the $52 million loss it suffered the year before. Chief financial officer David Edelman says he’s confident the business is on the way up.

“We believe that our business is now positioned to take advantage of significant untapped opportunities for growth. We have closed our underperforming stores, put new leadership in place and, once the near-term impact of our decision to close underperforming stores is behind us, we expect to see a financial benefit that far outweighs these short-term costs,” he said.

Do you think the recent internal changes will help Kenneth Cole turn it all around?

[Source: The Cut]
[Image Source: Manfred Werner/Wikipedia Commons]

Kenneth Cole Handbags on eBay

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