Jil Sander offers a high class alternative to plastic shopping bags with her Transparent Gray Shopper.

To the unknowing eye this shopper looks like the bags we find at our local grocery store. It’s not made from flimsy plastic though. Jil Sander instead has opted for polypropylene, a high tech material so tough it’s used in ropes, lifesaving armor, and protective gear for the NFL.

This transparent shopper leaves little to the imagination. While it’s not quite clear, its opaque finish shows the outline of the items we’re carrying.

The transparent material is matched with a navy blue leather base and a matching embossed leather tag. This tag is the only obvious marker that we’re indulging in a designer original, rather than a stock standard supermarket bag.

Without any interior pockets or even a closure, I’m left feeling very underwhelmed. There’s minimalism and there’s not trying hard enough, and it feels like Jil Sander’s crossed that all important line.

I appreciate the novelty aspect of this shopper, but not its price tag. $289 seems far too much to pay for a glorified plastic bag, don’t you think?

More Features of This Jil Sander Gray Shopper

• Dual handles with a 5.1 inch drop
• Measures 16.9 x 13 inches

Get this Jil Sander Transparent Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Jil Sander bags on BagBunch
• The Jil Sander Market Leather tote bag, a great alternative to this shopper bag.
• Searching for more Jil Sander bags on eBay
• Other transparent shopper bags on eBay:

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Indian designer Suneet Varma recently released a new opulent evening accessory line with America’s clutch queen Judith Leiber. While the pair’s previous ranges have somehow slipped under the radar, the creative minds have been collaborating on collections since 2009.

The duo’s latest crop of Swarovski covered crystal purses were inspired by Varma’s travels through Russia. Think Faberge eggs, St Petersburg’s Hermitage Museum, and the nation’s neon sunsets. There are eight Suneet Varma for Judith Leiber purses to choose from, all studded with enough bling to turn any outfit from drab to fab.

The luxury purses immediately caught the attention of celebrities including Catherine Zeta Jones, Mariah Carey, and Sarah Jessica Parker. In fact, three stars were spotted with the Suneet Varma for Judith Leiber purses at the Academy Awards.

“It’s something unexpected, but I feel it’s a good match,” Varma said of his pairing with Judith Leiber. “Judith Leiber has always been opulent and classy. And that’s something I’ve always tried to achieve in my own clothes, too.“

The Suneet Varma for Judith Leiber clutches have an average price of $3000. If you’ve got an extra three grand collecting dust you can score one at your local Judith Leiber boutique.

[Source: Postnoon]

Judith Leiber Clutches on eBay

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Add a little color to your everyday with this poppy Brenna Wallet from Jessica Simpson.

It’s not a high end accessory, but there’s something endearing about the Brenna’s athletic looks. The perforated finish gives the Brenna a sporty feel, while the colorblocked panels make it feel very on trend. I particularly like the pop of the orange panel against the beige synthetic, but it’s just one of the many color combinations Jessica Simpson offers.

It’s a shame that Jessica Simpson hasn’t continued the design on the Brenna’s back though. Without the orange to break it up, all that beige leatherette looks really boring. Even the addition of a pocket or some more perforation would have made the rear much more appealing.

The dual compartment design makes it easy to keep your finances in order. You might use one side for spending and the other for saving! The Brenna features an open compartment for notes and receipts, credit card slots, and a clear window for a license or favorite photo.

The Brenna is a cute wallet, and at just $45 it won’t take a large chunk out of your budget!

More Features of This Jessica Simpson Perforated Wallet

• Decorative hardware accents
• Fully lined interior
• Measures 7.5 x 11.5 x 4 inches

Get this Jessica Simpson Brenna Handbag:

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

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• Check The Purse and the Plow eBay store to see if this Jessica Simpson bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Jessica Simpson bags on BagBunch
• The black & white Jessica Simpson Brenna bag, a great alternative to this patchwork bag.
• Searching for more Jessica Simpson bags on eBay

Intiq has brought the handwoven designs of South America’s Wayuu tribe into the mainstream with its Mochila bag for J. Crew.

The indigenous Wayuu women handweave every bag using traditional techniques passed down through the generations. The attention to detail is superb, with each bag taking several days to produce. And as each one is handmade, every Mochila bag is a true original.

The intricate designs are traditional, but the bold color palette is exclusive to J. Crew. Modern fashionistas who embrace the tribal trend should warm to the vibrant hues and functional designs, which feature a generously sized main compartment and long 20-inch handle.

The collaboration between Intiq and J. Crew helps the Wayuu women preserve their local customs and raise important funds for their families and community.

At $295 they’re a bit more expensive than your everyday fabric bag. However that price isn’t unreasonable for such intricately woven designs. After all, SURevolution charged $325 for the Mochila bags it released last year, and the ones Valentino and Maison Martin Margiela created last year for the BeLive Wayuu Mochila Project went for $5000 a piece! I think those Intiq for J. Crew Mochila bags are starting to look very affordable, don’t you?

[Source: J. Crew website]

Mochila Bags on eBay

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Jessica Jensen looks to modern royalty for inspiration with its Catherine Carryall.

The Catherine has the same chic minimalist style the queen-in-waiting is famous for. Its angled tote shape is classic, but the rich moss-colored patent leather makes it feel very fresh. I’m not sure the tan vegetable leather straps are the best complement for the glossy skin, but at least they’re colored without nasty chemicals!

The Catherine’s interior doesn’t exceed our expectations, but the pair of media pockets and large zippered one do the job. I wish Jessica Jensen had opted for a secure zippered top rather than the magnetic closure though. This tote is so wide that small items could easily slip out of either side once it’s set down.

These elements are niggles rather than real functional flaws though. Personally I can live with them at this price point. $398 isn’t a lot to spend such a classic tote made from such high quality materials.

Can you imagine it making its way into Catherine Middleton’s wardrobe?

More Features of This Jessica Jensen Patent Tote

• Made of Italian leather
• Signature gunmetal hardware
• Linen lined interior
• Dual handles with a 10 inch drop
• Measures 12.75 x 14 x 6 inches

Get this Jessica Jensen Catherine Handbag:

• Available to buy at Jessica Jensen
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Jessica Jensen bags on BagBunch
• The Jack Georges Madison Avenue tote bag, a great alternative to this patent leather bag.
• Searching for more Jessica Jensen bags on eBay
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Salvatore Ferragamo stays fashion forward with this elegant top handle satchel.

It makes sense for Salvatore Ferragamo to create a purse like this. Similar top handled satchels are enjoying a fashion renaissance, and the high end label is always on trend. The classic flap-over design and polished clasp give this satchel the right amount of retro flair, but I also appreciate its modern touches.

It’s much larger than the average top-handled satchel. That’s a real blessing, because modern misses need to carry the gadgets women in the fifties couldn’t have imagined. It’s also a bit slouchier than the average retro satchel. That makes it feel a little more casual than its competitors, but it also maximizes storage space. Overstuffing is virtually encouraged!

The addition of a detachable cross-body strap is another nice contemporary perk. While top handles look the part, they’re not very practical when bags are full. Attaching the longer strap does spoil the illusion a bit, but if you’ve got a busy day ahead you’ll be thrilled by its inclusion.

The interior doesn’t exceed our expectations, but the pair of media pockets and the larger zippered one is really all we need to stay organized. And if we’re still searching for space, don’t forget the zippered pocket on the bag.

Salvatore Ferragamo bags are out of the reach of many of us, and at $1950 this one is no exception. However it’s so elegant that if you keep the pale leather clean it should look smart for many years to come.

More Features of This Salvatore Ferragamo Beige Leather Satchel

• Zip closure underneath the flap
• Protective feet on the base
• Fully lined interior
• Top handle with a 5 inch drop
• An adjustable strap with a 19-22 inch drop
• Measures 14 x 10 x 6.5 inches
• Made in Italy

Get this Salvatore Ferragamo Top Handle Handbag:

• Available to buy at Saks Fifth Avenue
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Salvatore Ferragamo bags on BagBunch
• The Salvatore Ferragamo Crossing Calfskin bag, a great alternative to this classic flap bag.
• Searching for more Salvatore Ferragamo bags on eBay
• Other retro leather satchel bags on eBay:

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Hermes has opened the doors of its Leather Forever exhibition, a celebration of its heritage based in London.

Designer Alexandra Plat has created a dazzling display paying tribute to Hermes history. A giant neon Kelly bag sculpture displays the various incarnations of Hermes’ classic Kelly and Birkin bags.

There’s also an artisan room, which features two of the label’s esteemed craftspeople hard at work. These artisans undertake formal leathergoods training and an additional four years schooling in Hermes’ methods before ever creating a handbag, so it’s amazing to watch them in action. In fact, Hermes’ UK and Ireland managing director Thierry Outin says the lengthy training process is the reason why the covetable Birkin and Kelly bags are in such short supply!

But the showstopper must be the room housing Hermes bespoke treasures, including a calfskin wheelbarrow commissioned by the Duke of Windsor for his beloved Wallis Simpson, and a winged saddle crafted for a Japanese rock band.

Attendees can also see the four UK themed Hermes Passe-Guide handbags which will be auctioned off later this month.

It might seem strange for the French label to celebrate its 175 years in the United Kingdom. However as 2012 is the year of the Queen’s Jubilee and Summer Olympics it makes sense for the fashion firm to be amongst all that action.

The Leather Forever display will stay at the Royal Academy’s Burlington Gardens galleries until May 27. And unlike everything else that bears the Hermes name, admission is free.

[Source: Telegraph]

Hermes Handbags on eBay

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With its oversized three-dimensional flower motif, it’s easy to see where Jesselli Couture’s La Fleur got its name!

The flower accent really is La Fleur’s crowning glory. It’s been beautifully crafted from pieces of authentic leather, sewn together to create a head-turning bloom. But that’s not all this bag has going for it. The tote’s gentle curves work with the bold ring handles to bring a retro feel to the classic tote shape. I can’t imagine those handles will be easy to use, especially when the bag’s full, but don’t they look smart?

While the exterior is striking, I can’t help being disappointed by this tote’s interior. It’s very simple, almost as if Jesselli Couture forgot about it. There’s no closure and no pockets at all. It’s also lined in black fabric, which makes it difficult to find anything we’ve put inside. It truly is a black hole! A bag this size really needs more organizational aids if it’s to become an everyday accessory.

Its minimalist interior is disappointing, but at $349 this Jesselli Couture still represents great value. That’s not a lot to spend on a real leather tote with such an elaborate design.

More Features of This Jesselli Couture Flower Tote

• Dual handles with a 6 inch drop
• Measures 11.5 x 11 x 4.75 inches

Get this Jesselli Couture La Fleur Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Jesselli Couture bags on BagBunch
• The Jesselli Couture La Tissage Fleur tote bag, a checked alternative to this white bag.
• Searching for more Jesselli Couture bags on eBay
• Other flower tote bags on eBay:

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Fendi is celebrating the 15th birthday of its iconic baguette bag by reissuing six of its most popular design.

Admittedly some of these styles have aged better than the others. The denim version with its embroidered flowers is looking particularly tired, but I love the pop of the citrus yellow version. And with fashion from the past continuously cycling back into vogue, perhaps an investment in retro designs is smart for our fashion future!

“In this time of a quick-changing, fast-paced world, it is important to remain close to one’s roots and values. The Baguette represents the perfect expression of this and of Fendi’s DNA,” Pietro Beccari, the brand’s CEO told of the plans.

With this latest announcement it seems everything old really is new again. After all, it comes hot on the heels of Prada revealing it would also re-release several favorite bags from its vault.

To complement the reissued baguette purses, which are scheduled to hit shelves next month, Rizzoli will also publish an illustrated coffee table book paying tribute to the purse that gave rise to the It bag concept.

Can you believe it’s been 15 years since Fendi’s baguettes first hit our shelves? Will you snap up one of the reissued baguettes, or the coffee table tome, to celebrate the milestone?

[Source: DIY Fashion]

Fendi Baguettes on eBay

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I’d begun to tire of Jeffrey Campbell’s fringe decorated accessories. It seemed like the designer was trying too hard to shock with vivid colors and unusual fabrics. However he’s got the formula right with the Sneakout Cross-Body Bag.

The Jeffrey Campbell hallmarks are there. The long fringing brings the necessary retro flair, and the gold hue is definitely bold. However I appreciate the uncharacteristic restraint Jeffrey Campbell’s shown here. The brown suede  fringe and braided strap are a gentle complement to the golden leather. A little whipstitching around the edges finishes the clean design off nicely.

On a purely aesthetic level, I also appreciate the Sneakout’s small stature. Bright purses can easily dominate an ensemble, but this tiny bag adds just a pop of color. It’s probably large enough to carry everything you really need while running errands, but it’s really too small to become anyone’s everyday bag.

Even though he uses real leather I don’t think Jeffrey Campbell offers enough for our dollar. It’s so small, and we’ll only be able to use it sparingly. That makes its $118 price tag a little too high, but its quality makes it worth considering if you can find it on sale.

More Features of This Jeffrey Campbell Gold Cross-Body Bag

• Top zip closure
• Fully lined compartment
• An internal zip pocket
• A braided cross-body strap
• Measures 8.1 x 1.5 x 7 inches

Get this Jeffrey Campbell Sneakout Handbag:

• Available to buy at Need Supply Co.
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Jeffrey Campbell bags on BagBunch
• The Jeffrey Campbell Hoffman bag, a great alternative to this cross-body bag.
• Searching for more Jeffrey Campbell bags on eBay
• Other fringed cross-body bags on eBay:

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