Helen Rochfort Designs Wedding Bag for Giovanna Falcone | Tom Fletcher Bride Gets Mrs McFly Purse

Posted on: May 19

Helen Rochfort Mrs McFly BagMcFly singer Tom Fletcher isn’t the only piece of candy on the arm of his new wife, Giovanna Falcone. Quirky British designer Helen Rochfort designed a bespoke purple and silver purse especially for the blushing bride.

Congrats to The FAB @MrsGiFletcher + @tommcfly x Take a peek @helenrochfort Mrs McFly handbag made for the lovely bride,” the designer tweeted to her faithful followers, along with a link to the Twitpic to the right.

As you can see, the purse is far from tame. The metallic hues are matched by bold Mrs McFly lettering. The words are embellished with glittering rhinestones. Goodness knows when you’d carry such an ostentatious purse. I definitely didn’t see it in the photos of the nuptials!

The former Ms Falcone met Fletcher when they were both students at London’s Sylvia Young Theatre School. Despite being just 13 at the time, their bond stood the test of time. They married in front of close friends and family at London’s One Marylebone.

With the newlyweds now enjoying their honeymoon, perhaps we’ll see some happy snaps with that distinctive Helen Rochfort bag in the coming weeks. Or perhaps not!

It’s hard to be too critical over any gift, but this bag may be one of the ugliest wedding tokens I’ve ever seen. What do you think of it?

[Source: Now Magazine]
[Image Source: Helen Rochfort Twitter]

Helen Rochfort Bags on eBay

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Kooba Ava Convertible Tote | Casual Indigo Leather Handbag

Posted on: May 19

Kooba Ava ToteKooba offers two bags for one low price with the Ava.

In regular mode the Ava is a very tall, spacious tote. Its buttery grained leather has a weathered appearance which in this indigo hue is reminiscent of denim. I can just imagine how good it would look alongside my favorite pair of jeans! Its flat handles may become difficult to use if the Ava’s full, but there’s also a detachable strap to help us out.

Personally I think the Ava’s a bit too tall to manage as a tote. Your whole arm would disappear as you dig around for items that have found their way to the corners. If you agree, you’ll probably spend more time with the Ava in messenger bag mode. Just fold it over in the center and you’re ready to go!

While I’m not keen on the Ava working as a tote, I appreciate the design’s versatility. The extra inches the tote mode affords are ideal for weekend getaways and those days you just need to carry a bit more.

And I certainly can’t fault the price. $548 would be reasonable for any leather accessory of this size, but the Ava’s convertible nature makes it seem like a real bargain!

More Features of This Kooba Convertible Tote

  • Zip pocket with rivets at front
  • An inset top with hinged kiss-lock closure
  • Fabric lined interior with three open pockets, a zip pocket, and a key fob
  • Dual handles with a 5 inch drop
  • A detachable cross-body strap with a 17 inch drop
  • Measures 13.5 x 16 x 4 inches

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Lanvin Partition Purse | Modern Red Authentic Snakeskin Handbag

Posted on: May 18

Lanvin Partition BagLanvin does away with its usual frills and frippery for this elegant Partition Purse.

The Partition has all the elements that make me weak at the knees. Its design is clean and contemporary, a modern take on the classic flap-over purse. The real snakeskin material has dainty, delicate scales which look especially rich, especially against the gleaming pale gold hardware. And that bold red color is incredibly sexy.

Lanvin calls the Partition mid-sized, but it’s so narrow that I’d probably call it small. That means it’ll probably work better as an evening bag than an everyday option. It’s well designed though, with zip and slip pockets helping us stay organized.

The strap is much shorter than I’d like though. The Partition’s small enough to be carried by hand without too much fuss, but when we’re on the go a hands-free option is always much more convenient.

The price is likely to be the Partition’s biggest stumbling block. For $3685 I expect a bag that can become part of my everyday wardrobe, not one that can only be trotted out on special occasions.

More Features of This Lanvin Snakeskin Handbag

  • Push lock closure
  • Measures 12 x 7.5 x 2 inches
  • Made in Italy

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New Flechada Shopping Website | Shop for Latin American Apparel & Accessories

Posted on: May 18

Flechada LogoMarried couple James Stephenson and Sharon Singer are bringing Latin American style to the masses with their new online shopping destination, Flechada.

The shopping website promises to make us fall hard; its name translates to “love struck” in Spanish. Perhaps the moniker also refers to the labor of love the pair embarked on to see the shopping site realized. It combines the skills of Stephenson, the man behind Yahoo’s Latin American division, and fashion marketer Singer.

Singer says the impetus for launching Flechada was two-fold.

First, we believe in the amazing products that talented Latin American and U.S. Hispanic designers, artisans and indigenous groups create,” she explained. “Second, we have a desire to give back to the Latin American community by providing a valuable platform that allows them to grow their businesses by reaching new markets.

Flechada offers a range of Latin flavored fashion items including apparel, handbags, swimwear, jewelry, and shoes. They’re a diverse bunch, with handmade items, eco-friendly goods, exotic pieces, and vintage inspired items all represented. There’s also a “Give-a-Hand” section, which showcases goods supporting indigenous artisans working in underprivileged communities. Some of the brands offered exclusively through Flechada include Adriana Castro, Mercedes Salazar, Dalia Pascal, and Katch by Kathy Flesch.

The Flechada goods are very affordable, with most retailing for less than $200. It’s also accessible to a wide audience, as customers can shop in Spanish or English.

The site is freshly minted but Flechada is already looking at expansion. We can expect to see homewares, beauty products, kids goods, food, and travel items added to the site in the coming months.

[Source: Accessories Magazine]
[Image Source: Flechada Facebook page]

Latin American Handbags on eBay

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La Regale Diagonal Clutch | Affordable Chic Satin Evening Purse

Posted on: May 18

La Regale Diagonal ClutchLa Regale offers sophisticated style for less with this elegant Diagonal Clutch.

The Diagonal’s design is much cleaner than many of La Regale’s accessories. The classic flap closure is gently angled to make it feel more modern. A band of metallic satin borders the flap for some extra pop. I love the look of silver against the black satin, but there’s also a gold trimmed version if you prefer.

It’s worth noting that this clutch is very small though, with barely enough space for evening essentials. I expected much larger, although perhaps for the money I had no right to! You should be able to fit everything you really need for a night out inside, but it might be a squeeze.

Leaving the rope strap out will maximize storage space, but I think I’d prefer to deal with the clutter. While the strap should feel more comfortable against your shoulder than the usual chain, it doesn’t look quite as smart. When it’s tucked away the Diagonal looks much more chic.

It has a few niggles about it, but for $29 you’re not likely to find an evening accessory that looks quite so stylish!

More Features of This La Regale Satin Clutch

  • Satiny lining
  • Magnetic closure
  • A rope strap with a 22.5 inch drop
  • Measures 4.5 x 4.5 inches
  • Made in China

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Urban Junket Makes Battery Powered Bags | Plastic Bottle Handbags Charge Mobile Devices

Posted on: May 18

Urban Junket Karen HoboWe’ve all heard of handbags that charge your cell phone while you’re on the go, but most of these innovative fashion items cost a mint. Urban Junket offers a more affordable alternative which is every bit as tech savvy with its new battery powered bags.

Urban Junket keeps costs down by adding a TSA safe rechargeable battery pack rather than the solar panels its competitors employ. The pack automatically senses your need for power, so you needn’t spend time fiddling with buttons or switches. It’ll last for ten days before you need to recharge it at a standard US electrical outlet or computer with USB ports.

Urban Junket also chooses a vegan material over leather. It’s a more sustainable choice than typical synthetics though. The leather like skin is actually crafted from reclaimed plastic bottles.

Urban Junket’s created three different battery powered bags: the cross-body Jen, the hobo styles Karen, and the tote-like JB. Each one is available in a range of bright fashion colors. The bags sadly won’t power up laptops, but you can use them to charge smart phones, MP3 players, e-readers, and portable gaming or Bluetooth devices.

Urban Junket’s battery powered bags start at $198 for the Jen and top $240 for the JB. They’re available to pre-order from the Urban Junket website ahead of their release mid-June.

[Source: Accessories Magazine]

Urban Junket Bags on eBay

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Kenneth Cole Reaction Out of the Bag Briefcase | Brown Leather Laptop Bag

Posted on: May 18

Kenneth Cole Out of the Bag Laptop BagKenneth Cole serves up a smart office accessory of substance with this Out of the Bag briefcase from his Reaction line.

The Out of the Bag is simple and without feminine frills, yet it doesn’t look quite as masculine as many briefcases on the market. Its gentle curves and plush cowhide leather softens its silhouette, ensuring it doesn’t feel too stuffy. It wouldn’t look out of place in the boardroom or a casual weekend getaway.

The Out of the Bag is well designed, with an expandable padded compartment for holding a laptop up to 15.4 inches, a gusseted zip pocket with inbuilt organizer at the front, and a triple file divider at the back.

The woven cross-body strap is substantial and strong, but I’m not a fan of its looks. It really cheapens what’s otherwise quite a polished purse. Of course you could detach it if you’re concerned, but something tells me those short handles will be difficult to manage once the Out of the Bag is full.

Several customers have also reported that those metal zipper pulls jangle noisily while the Out of the Bag’s in motion. It’s a minor irritation rather than a real functional flaw, but one that detracts from the owner’s enjoyment nonetheless.

It’s not the perfect laptop bag, but at $229.95 it doesn’t have to be. That’s not a lot of money to spend on a real leather accessory that will become part of your everyday wardrobe.

More Features of This Kenneth Cole Reaction Laptop Bag

  • Fully lined interior
  • Measures 13 x 9 x 4 inches

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KC Malhan Leaf Clutch | Handmade Hot Pink Beaded Purse

Posted on: May 17

KC Malhan Leaf ClutchKC Malhan puts a contemporary twist on its usual tribal styles with this Leaf Clutch.

This purse’s beaded finish is just what we’ve come to expect from KC Malhan. The tiny accents are applied expertly, and as the work’s done by hand we can trust it’ll hold.

From this classic base KC Malhan brings us something new. The leaf print makes a refreshing change of pace from KC Malhan’s usual geometric designs. It’s perfectly complemented by the shock of saturated pink. Girls with tamer tastes may disagree, but I love this bold choice. If you’re not so sure it’s worth noting that KC Malhan produces the same purse in black and white and beige and turquoise versions.

If you’re expecting something beyond the surface you’ll be bitterly disappointed. This clutch is very basic; there’s no pocket or shoulder strap to be found. I don’t mind the lack of pockets, as a space so small is easy to keep organized. But a shoulder strap would have given anyone who’s nervous about knocking off those beads some extra peace of mind.

It feels mean to quibble though, because at $69.95 this clutch is much more affordable than most handcrafted accessories on the market.

More Features of This KC Malhan Beaded Clutch

  • Made of rayon
  • Snap closure
  • Measures 9 x 5 inches
  • Made in India

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Kirna Zabete at Target | Soho Fashion Boutique Joins The Shops Program

Posted on: May 17

Target Store LabelsSoon we needn’t visit Soho to indulge in Kirna Zabete handbags and apparel items. The New York based boutique is one of the four outlets named in the second crop of Target’s The Shops at Target initiative.

As with the first batch of The Shops at Target stores, Kirna Zabete goods will be sold in pop-up stores located inside Target outlets this September. Other retailers this time around include homewares boutiques The Curiosity Shoppe and Patch NYC and menswear store Odin.

But the Kirna Zabete goodies are likely to be of most interest to fashionable women. The collection features apparel items including loose fitting printed blouses, feminine skirts, and genuine leather jackets, which can be paired with the label’s handbags and fedora hats. There are around 100 different pieces on offer at prices to suit all budgets. The cheapest costs just $9.99, and the most expensive tops $199.99. When we’re talking about a line which includes authentic leather jackets it seems like a steal!

I was initially disappointed that The Shops at Target initiative would replace the retailer’s former Go Target designer collaborations, but the steady stream of unique and high-end items is enough to brighten my mood.
Have you embraced Target’s latest designer direction?

[Source: Fashionista]

Kavu Clutch-n-Go Wallet | Leopard Printed Nylon Purse

Posted on: May 17

Kavu Clutch-n-Go WalletKavu applies its practical knowhow to a small package with this Clutch-n-Go Wallet.

This is a very different purse from Kavu. We’re used to its large day bags intended for conquering the great outdoors, but this one’s more suited to the urban jungle. Especially if you choose this modern safari print! If you’d prefer something a little tamer Kavu also offers the design in green paisley and playful dotted versions.

The prints really save the Clutch-n-Go wallets from fading into the background. The pouch style is classic but not designed to turn heads. The nylon material is also a little lacking. While it’s not particularly luxurious it’s a hardworking material. If stains start to show we can simply hand wash it in cold water and leave it on the line to dry.

The Clutch-n-Go isn’t really about inspiring handbag envy though. Like all Kavu creations it’s meant to serve us, and it does with an array of zippered pockets and credit card slots. I also appreciate the removable strap, which converts the Clutch-n-Go from a traditional wallet to a wristlet.

It’s those functional features rather than the Clutch-n-Go’s styling that ensures we see value for our $28.

More Features of This Kavu Leopard Print Wallet

  • Bi-fold style purse with snap closure
  • Measures 7.5 x 4.5 x 1 inches
  • Made in Vietnam

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