Few handbag lines stick to their creative vision as doggedly as Harajuku Lovers. Not everyone has warmed to Gwen Stefani’s cutesy purse collection, but the girls who do love it are never disappointed. And they’re just the kind of bagistas she’s created this Frosting hobo for.

It’s easy to say the Fitness Girls print is juvenile and the simple shape uninspired, but Harajuku Lovers fans aren’t likely to care. They adore the kawaii Japanese characters dressed up for a session at the gym, and feel that basic silhouette only allows the print to shine. They also don’t mind that the polyester body isn’t luxurious, as it’s cheap and built to last.

And they’re rewarded for their adoration with a sizable interior which offers more organizational features than your average high end purse. The logo print lining is waterproof, so you needn’t worry about carrying a water bottle or sports drink to your own training session. It also has zip and slip compartments, and two small slots for holding pens.

And it’s a bargain in the bag world at $58. The Frosting will be too saccharine for many of us, but if you’ve got a sweet tooth this could be your purse.

More Features of This Harajuku Lovers Fitness Girls Hobo

• Made of polyester
• Zip top closure
• Logo print lining
• A single shoulder strap with an 8.5 inch drop
• Measures 9 x 11.75 x 3.25 inches
• Made in China

Get this Harajuku Lovers Frosting Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Harajuku Lovers Frosting hobo, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the M&Y Luxury eBay store to see if this Harajuku Lovers bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Harajuku Lovers bags on BagBunch
• The Harajuku Lovers Dessert bag, a great alternative to this hobo bag.
• Searching for more Harajuku Lovers bags on eBay

Judith Leiber is probably the accessory designer that I have the most tortured relationship with. Her animal-shaped clutches are sometimes elegant in an irreverent way and sometimes just plain ridiculous. The rest of her bags have a streamlined beauty that I find very appealing, but her prices are so outrageous that I just can’t get over it. The Tessen is one of these bags; very beautiful, but totally overpriced.

I find the use of red rhinestones on this bag very intriguing. The color is rich and luxurious, and because it’s so dark, the shimmer on the crystals looks subtle and amazing. This clutch would provide a striking pop of color against a black evening gown, or a lovely complement to another jewel tone.

The fan shape is classic and elegant, and the geometric contours really show off the facets of the crystals. The delicate clasp is all but invisible, and the slim chain strap is feminine and practical at the same time. The Tessen is gorgeous and versatile and timeless and many other wonderful things, but at $3,760, I just don’t see it.

More Features Of This Judith Leiber Tessen Fine Crystal-Embellished Clutch

• 7″ x 4″ x 2″ size
• 8″ handle drop
• Fully lined in silver leather

Get this Judith Leiber Tessen Clutch:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Judith Leiber bags on BagBunch
• The Judith Leiber Leopard Minaudiere, a quirky alternative to this bag.
• Searching for more Judith Leiber bags on eBay
• Other red crystal clutch purses on eBay:

[phpbay]red crystal clutch purse, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

American fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger is celebrated in an opulent new book from Assouline. The tome, from Assouline’s Ultimate Collection, looks at the man and the brand behind the 25-year-old fashion label.

“This book is a culmination of my life’s work, sharing some of my innermost thoughts throughout the years,” said Tommy Hilfiger. “The Tommy Hilfiger brand has existed for 25 years, but I’ve been designing all my life. This book is the equivalent of me telling a friend about my family, how I got to where I am today, and where I want to go from here. My hope is that everyone has as much fun reading it as I did making it.“

You’ll need a pretty big coffee table to display this luxury book on, as it measures 14 x 17 inches. It has 144 pages and more than 200 illustrations, including 65 which are tipped in by hand. It all comes conveniently presented in a linen clamshell box adorned with a gold stitched flag logo. Just 1000 were made, so they’re sure to become sought after items amongst Hilfiger fans.

You’ll need to be flush to afford one though, as they’re priced at $550. Do you love Tommy Hilfiger enough to contemplate spending that sort of money on the book?

[Source: Luxist]

Tommy Hilfiger Handbags on eBay

[phpbay]Tommy Hilfiger, 3, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

I was initially excited by the prospect of Halston’s Heritage diffusion line, but the reality has left me a little disappointed. All too often it seems the brand sacrifices style to cut the dollars, but not here with the Alice clutch.

Pleated purses are a dime a dozen, but the structured pleats of this clutch make a welcome change to the soft slouchy ones we typically see. The effect is more refined and elegant, just perfect for a red carpet event or a night at the theater.

The Halston Heritage line always cuts a few corners to keep the prices reasonable, and here it comes in the form of the stingray textured leather. It doesn’t have the prestige of a genuine exotic, but I think Halston’s done a decent job of recreating the sea creature’s skin.

Halston has also left us without a shoulder strap. This isn’t entirely surprising in a clutch, but it’s always a little disappointing, particularly for a purse of this size. Make sure you don’t fill it to the brim if you want to carry it easily in your hand.

I’m more enthusiastic about the interior, which is decked out with a practical zippered pocket and two open slips for gadgets. I’m also smitten by that delicious burnt orange exterior, a refreshing alternative to the fiery oranges we’re used to.

The Alice isn’t the perfect clutch, but for a mere $245 it does enough to impress me. If you want to make one of the Halston Heritage accessories your own, this clutch is a gorgeous option.

More Features of This Halston Heritage Pleated Clutch

• Gold-toned hardware
• Concealed magnetic fastening
• Fully lined interior
• Comes with a dust bag
• Measures 7 x 14 x 3 inches

Get this Halston Heritage Alice Purse:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Halston bags on BagBunch
• The Halston Heritage Susan bag, a great alternative to this stingray bag.
• Searching for more Halston bags on eBay
• Other stingray clutch bags on eBay:

[phpbay]stingray clutch, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

Tory Burch’s posh line isn’t just popular with uptown girls anymore. She’s been adding some edgy touches that give her accessories a broader appeal. This Dayton leather messenger satchel isn’t particularly edgy, but it is more practical and less preppy than  a lot of the Burch designs.

Tory Burch has added a lot of stylish design elements to this very utilitarian messenger style. The overall shape is very traditional, but it has a lot of extras, like the asymmetrically-placed strap detail that attaches to the straps. This makes the Dayton an interesting, texturally complex bag.

The weathered brown leather gives the bag a slouchy look that is casual enough to carry on weekends, but still structured enough to take to the office. The plethora of strap options makes the Dayton very versatile.

All-in-all, this is an extremely practical bag, but it isn’t stuffy or boring. The brass clasp at the front and the brushed brass hardware studs and buckles give it a little bit of street chic style. All-in-all, I am very impressed with how Tory Burch has transformed this messenger bag into a low-key fashion accessory. And for $525, the price really can’t be beat for a bag that will last a lifetime.

More Features Of The Tory Burch Dayton Leather Messenger Satchel

• 16″ x 11″ x 5″ size
• 19″ strap drop
• Detachable top handles and detachable shoulder strap
• Fully lined in taupe twill

Get this Tory Burch Dayton Leather Messenger Satchel:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Tory Burch bags on BagBunch
• The Tory Burch studded leather bag, a great alternative to this bag.
• Searching for more Tory Burch bags  on eBay
• Other brown leather messenger bags on eBay:
  [phpbay]brown leather messenger, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

It seems we won’t have to wait until next year to see some Kardashian-designed handbags after all. Ahead of the 2011 launch of their signature style line, the sisters Kim, Kourtney, and Khloe will add shoes and purses to their current designer collection for Bebe.

I’ve got to say, I’m feeling underwhelmed by the sneak peek we’ve been given of the range. I know that both leopard print and diamond quilting are timeless, but together they simply appear tacky. I don’t mind the braided handle, but I’m really clutching at straws here. Overall this bag seems uninspired; I can only hope the rest of the Bebe range is better. Perhaps the sisters are holding back their best designs for their signature line?

We can expect to see this purse and the rest of the range in Bebe stores and online on September 9. The footwear is priced between $159 and $228 and the handbags between $79 and $298.

Are you feeling the love for the Kardashians newest Bebe collection?

[Source: People StyleWatch]

Bebe Bags on eBay

[phpbay]Bebe, 3, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Articles of H.O.P.E. is the latest company to take up the fight against plastic bags. The label has just launched its collection of eco-friendly shopping bags.

The brand is starting small with two signature lines: the simple but boldy colored H.O.P.E. Sac and the more fashion focused gNg, or Green and Gorgeous, range.

H.O.P.E. stands for Help Out Planet Earth, a message which the brand takes to heart.

“The facts are clear that single use disposable bags are harmful in a profound way to our environment,” explained brand cofounder Karin Bailey. “We have created a bag with both beauty and integrity to enable us to make a simple change in the way we live.“

While Articles of H.O.P.E. is optimistic that its collection could encourage more people to shun plastic bag, it’s not leaving anything to chance. It also campaigns to ban plastic bag altogether, a move which seems to be more than a smart business decision. A portion of sales benefit this legal fight.

The H.O.P.E. Sacs are available for $19.99 while the more luxurious gNg purses cost $99 from the Articles of H.O.P.E. website.

[Source: PR.com]
[Image Source: Articles of H.O.P.E. website]

Eco-Friendly Shoppers on eBay

[phpbay]eco-friendly shopper, 3, “”, “”[/phpbay]

We’ve all admired the modern accessories from Gustto, but now it’s time to turn our attentions to the label’s little sister line, Miss Gustto.

Its name suggests that the styling is geared towards the teen market, but I think Miss Gustto is every bit as grownup as the original collection. If this Ashley tote were made of leather rather than synthetic it wouldn’t look out of place in its big sister range.

Not that the synthetic is really an inferior substitute. The crinkled texture really dresses up the manmade material, and I imagine it’d only look better in time. I love the concept of the corset style lacing, but I’m not convinced about the execution. It just seems a little clumsy to me, although fans of edgy details may disagree.

I’m more enthusiastic about the interior which has plenty of space and the pockets to match. These pockets are trimmed in more of that synthetic material, so they should stack up to everyday punishment.

By using synthetic, Miss Gustto has kept the price down to an affordable $85, a fraction of the cost of the premium Gustto purses. For stylistas on a budget, that’s an attractive proposition indeed.

More Features of This Miss Gustto Synthetic Tote

• Zip top closure
• Polyester lined interior
• Dual shoulder straps with a 13 inch drop
• Measures 10.5 x 16 x 4.5 inches
• Made in China

Get this Miss Gustto Ashley Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Gustto bags on BagBunch
• The Frye vintage stud bag, a great alternative to this tote bag.
• Searching for more Gustto bags on eBay
• Other synthetic tote bags on eBay:

[phpbay]synthetic tote, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

We didn’t have to wait until September 9 after all, as H&M has decided to spill the beans early on its next diffusion line. For the collection the affordable fashion retailer will team up not with Bottega Veneta as first rumored, but with Lanvin. I had my heart set on Bottega Veneta, but the French luxury fashion house is a pretty appealing substitute!

The brand’s artistic director Alber Albaz will spearhead the project, which he says is more about H&M going luxury than Lanvin going public. Details of exactly what the collection will entail are being kept under wraps, but I’ll be disappointed if we don’t see at least a few cute purses!

This video shows Albaz talking about the forthcoming collaboration, and more will be released on September 9. That should all build plenty of hype because the first product images appear on November 2, ahead of the Lanvin for H&M launch in 200 stores around the world on November 23.

[Source: The Glamazon Diaries]

Lanvin Bags on eBay

[phpbay]Lanvin, 3, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Remember when everyone was wearing those strappy gladiator sandals? It seems Guess does, and decided to reinterpret the footwear trend as a bag. That bag is the Chariot Hobo.

It might remind me of the fashions of seasons past, but I don’t mind this hobo one bit. The studded strap accents which decorate the sides help this hobo to stand out. I’m less enthusiastic about the large silver letter G which adorns the front flap, but it wouldn’t be a Guess bag if we didn’t see a little ostentation.

The distinctive looks will draw you in, but it’s the practical styling which will make the Chariot a wardrobe favorite. It’s generously sized, but not overwhelmingly so, and packed with pockets. The strap looks short, but the way the top of the bag dips helps it fit over your shoulder with ease.

At $120 this handbag is well priced for girls searching for a hobo that’s just a little bit different. Get it in white or this more stain resistant pale black.

More Features of This Guess Strappy Hobo

• Top zip entry
• Interior fabric lining
• An interior wall zipper pocket, cell phone pocket, and two slide pockets
• A 10 inch shoulder strap with a 12 inch drop
• Measures 4 x 17 x 11 inches

Get this Guess Chariot Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Guess Chariot hobo, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the 4FashionZone eBay store to see if this Guess bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Guess bags on BagBunch
• The Emporio Armani Strappy bag, a great alternative to this strap accented bag.
• Searching for more Guess bags on eBay