The French stock market regulator, the AMF, has quashed any suggestions of a LVMH takeover of Hermes International.

At the request of the French fashion house, the AMF has ruled that LVMH cannot purchase any shares from small independent shareholders. This will ensure Hermes can group more than half of its capital into a holding company, thereby maintaining its control.

An investigation is ongoing into whether LVMH violated market rules by purchasing its current shares.

LVMH is putting on a brave face, insisting it was always happy to stand by as a “friendly” long-term shareholder. I’m not sure whether I believe the firm’s chairman Bernard Arnault, but it seems to be a moot point anyway.

Personally I’m thrilled that Hermes and the families that built the company from the ground up will be able to maintain control of it. It’s very impressive the way they’ve turned a humble family business into one of the most iconic fashion brands in the world, and they don’t deserve anyone snatching it away from them. Don’t you agree?

[Source: Vogue UK]
[Image Source: Accessories Magazine]

Hermes Handbags on eBay

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Jessica Jensen reminds us that not all hobos are created equal with this woven bag.

All too often hobos are hippie boho things that seem to fall slovenly around the body. This Jessica Jensen alternative has a lot more structure than we’re used to, which is a very good thing. With just a hint of slouch around the top, this delicately woven hobo projects an air of sophistication. Anyone who’s ever fought with a slouchy hobo also knows this design makes accessing the interior much easier.

That interior is just as impressive as the clean outside. It’s luxuriously large, with leather trimmed pockets and a hardy canvas lining designed to go the distance.

There are three different woven hobos to choose from, but I think this subtle blush pink is the pick of them. It’s feminine but not so garishly girlish to be off putting. Black is a classic choice, but also a bit predictable, while the sea foam shade seems more like a muddy gray than a fresh green.

At $998 this hobo represents a significant investment in style, but also one that’s more achievable than a comparable Bottega Veneta bag!

More Features of This Jessica Jensen Leather Hobo

• Magnetic closure
• A single shoulder strap with a 9 inch drop
• Measures 14.5 x 16 x 5.5 inches
• Made in China

Get this Jessica Jensen Woven Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon (limited stock)
• Check The Emperors Old Clothes eBay store to see if this Jessica Jensen bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Jessica Jensen bags on BagBunch
• The Jessica Jensen woven wristlet bag, a small alternative to this hobo bag.
• Searching for more Jessica Jensen bags on eBay
• Other woven hobo bags on eBay:

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Albert Chu applies the design logic he learned working as an architect to his unusual and functional new handbag label, Otaat.

Otaat has four handbags in all, each with their own unique and practical quirks. There’s the Oak bag pictured, which is designed like a log carrier for easy access to bulky folders and textbooks. After hearing of his sister’s struggles to shop with a baby on her hip, Chu created the Bagby, which is easy to carry with just one arm free. The Fo Bag is a unique take on the classic drawstring purse, with ripstop nylon flaps holding items in place. And finally there’s the bi-valve styled Tu Bag, which can be folded over for a new compact look.

Otaat bags are available from $80 from the label’s website. Those prices might seem high for plain white bags that aren’t very fashion forward, but as each one is hand-sewn and unlike anything else on the market I think they’re very reasonable.

[Source: Co.Design]

It might be a tad egotistical, but I always get a bit excited when I see a handbag that shares my name. This Lauren is too bohemian to suit me down to the ground, but it is a fun example of a hobo bag.

Velvet really is a great material for that characteristic hobo slouch, which makes me wonder why we don’t see more bags featuring it. It gives the bag that relaxed profile it needs, but its soft surface is plush and luxurious. The steely gray shade is ideal for winter weather, but it’s brightened up a bit with the posy of colorful flowers.

These blooms will be a bit kitschy for some tastes, but I love this crafty piece of handiwork. The detailed embroidery makes those felt flowers real works of art. Can’t you just imagine this little beauty brightening up those drab winter days?

You’re really paying for all those accents here. The flowers are only on the front; while that’s not unexpected at this price point it’s also a bit disappointing. The Lauren is big enough to carry everything you need, but it doesn’t have those extra special touches that really impress. The pockets aren’t trimmed, and the magnetic snap isn’t the most secure way to keep the bag closed.

This hobo’s styling may be a bit basic, but its impressive interior might just make it worth its $144 price tag.

More Features of This Jesselli Couture Applique Hobo

• Plainweave lined interior
• A single shoulder strap with a 9 inch drop
• Measures 12 x 19 x 5 inches
• Made in India

Get this Jesselli Couture Lauren Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Jesselli Couture bags on BagBunch
• The Jesselli Couture cross-body hobo bag, a great alternative to this applique bag.
• Searching for more Jesselli Couture bags on eBay
• Other appliqué hobo bags on eBay:

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A luxury leather clutch with boho style? The Jack Rogers La Boheme purse is just that.

The clue was in the name, I suppose. La Boheme conjures images of a decadent kind of bohemianism, and that is exactly the impression that this fold-over clutch gives. The clever ridged seaming and cute, yet traditional, applique give a sense of folk dancing and carefree living, whilst the leather itself (and the clear artistry) take it above the realms of something that is just a bit hippy-ish.

If boho isn’t your style, then I don’t hesitate to say that this won’t be high on your wish list. However, it isn’t as over the top as many bags in the genre, and the brown-on-brown theme makes the applique and detailing a little less cutesy. Sure, it won’t ever work for an evening bag, but it is more than smart enough for work!

The price of $368 is quite steep, but in my humble opinion this Jack Rogers clutch is one of the smartest boho purses on the market.

More Features of this Luxury Applique Clutch

• Also available in black and platinum leather
• Stitched/appliqued leather decoration
• Optional leather strap
• Soft suede lining

Get this Jack Rogers La Boheme Purse:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More boho bags on BagBunch
• The Inge Christopher Havana clutch, a great alternative to this stitched bag.
• Searching for more Jack Rogers bags on eBay
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I find that a lot of the time, weekend bags are either giant behemoths perfect for carrying the kitchen sink, or ugly creations that put practicality way ahead of style. This Will Leather tote bucks both those trends, instead preferring to be a reasonable size and cool with it.

The functional canvas of this Will weekend bag make this a durable and practical choice for lugging around with you. You can bash it and abuse it, but its heavyweight hessian-esque canvas shouldn’t wear too easily. However, it is also important to be aware that for a weekend bag, the carrying options aren’t great, and perhaps it could use a long cross body strap or even a way to convert its tote shape into a basic backpack.

Still, at least the looks deliver fully. The “leather goods” stamp makes this fun, as well as hitting buttons for people who love that “re-used” style. Think old feed bags, or recycled materials. The leather handle is the perfect addition, taking such a basic shape into a classier realm.

This is a great choice for a small weekend bag.

More Features of this Will Leather Canvas Tote

• Available in other colors
• Canvas exterior and lining
• Leather handle
• Drawstring closure

Get this Functional Printed Weekend Bag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More weekend bags on BagBunch
• The Tommy Hilfiger striped tote, a great alternative to this canvas bag.
• Searching for more canvas bags on eBay
• Other weekend bags on eBay:

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Jalda has taken a relaxed design approach for its New Look Stacey Clutch.

At first the differences between the two models might not be apparent, but it’s all about the slouch. While the first Stacey had that casual profile, this new mark is even more relaxed. In some ways this unstructured design seems a bit lazy, but its laid-back nature would look great paired with a favorite pair of jeans.

What you see is truly what you get though. There are no pockets or shoulder straps tucked away inside this faille lined interior. That’s disappointing, as the Stacey is larger than your average clutch. I’m not sure I could keep it organized, and I’d start to resent the lack of strap by the end of the day.

The choice of colors is a major selling point though. If you’re a classic beauty you’ll embrace the black, burgundy, or deep purple Staceys. I love the unexpected pop of this turquoise purse, and I’m sure anyone looking for something different would agree! I’m not sure Jalda has really improved the Stacey with its New Look design, but it probably does enough to warrant the $198 tag.

More Features of This Jalda Slouchy Leather Clutch

• Hinged frame entry
• Measures 5.5 x 11.5 x 4 inches
• Made in the United States

Get this Jalda Stacey Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Jalda bags on BagBunch
• The Jalda fabric Stacey bag, a great alternative to this leather bag.
• Searching for more Jalda bags on eBay
• Other turquoise clutch bags on eBay:

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Chanel has confirmed rumors that Gossip Girl Blake Lively will front its next handbag campaign. The fashion house says the American actress will be the fact of its new Mademoiselle purse line.

The label’s esteemed creative director Karl Lagerfeld took the photos himself at Chanel’s Rue Cambon headquarters. We won’t get to see the images until April, but it seems Lively’s modeling turn meets The Big K’s approval.

“She’s a kind of American dream girl,” he explained. “I think she will become a great actress. It was an easy job because everyone fell in love with her.“

Vogue editor-at-large Anna Wintour introduced the unlikely pair at Paris Couture Week. Lagerfeld gave Lively a sneak peek of the new collection, never imagining where the encounter would lead.

“I took a photo of him so that I would never forget that moment. Never did I think six months later he would be photographing me,” she gushed.

The Mademoiselle collection will feature five differently sized bags with distinctive rectangular shapes and Chanel’s iconic chain handles and quilting. I can’t wait to see them, and Blake Lively, in the new ads!

[Source: The Bag Lady]
[Image Source: Kristin Dos Santos/Wikipedia Commons]

Chanel Handbags on eBay

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