When I heard Vanessa Paradis would replace Brit pop brat Lily Allen as the face of the Chanel Cocoon collection, I had no doubt that Johnny Depp’s main squeeze would be a perfect fit. She’s a Chanel regular after all, and she’s been spending time in front of the camera since she was a teen.

But I must admit, I’m not really feeling this black and white campaign. I’d never imagined Vanessa could look so awkward. Her pose might have been meant to show off her new Chanel bag, but does anyone really carry a purse like that? And more to the point, would anyone want to have that particular Chanel handbag hanging from their arm? It’s definitely not as stunning as the purses we saw in the fall collection.

At least Karl Lagerfeld seems happy though. He recently said that Vanessa “is the most divine person to work with and to be with.”

What a shame this ad campaign doesn’t express those good vibes.

[Source: FabSugar]

Chanel Cocoon Handbag on eBay

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American West attempts to get in touch with its inner musician with this Rock Star tote.

All the right elements are there; edgy black leather, gleaming silver studs, and bold buckles. But somewhere American West’s vision goes awry. At the heart of it, we see that American West is more Willie Nelson than Mick Jagger. You just can’t take the Southern style out of this brand, no matter how hard you try. The crucifix accents don’t quite convince, and the hand-tooled leather while lovely has a decidedly Western flavor.

Just as we can count on country styling, we can count on American West to deliver a functional handbag. The brand has discreetly given us pockets in the sides and front, and that’s all before we even open the top zip! Inside we’ll find another zippered compartment and two pouches ready for a cell phone and MP3 player.

This tote will probably hit the spot for American West fans, but I doubt it’ll win the label any new ones. At the end of the day, to call it a rock star is a bit misleading. Perhaps the name backup singer would have been more apt?

More Features of This American West Black Leather Tote

• Made of pebble chrome black leather
• Dual shoulder straps
• Measures 9 x 4 x 10 inches
• Comes with a dust bag

Get this American West Rock Star Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon
• Check the Rocky Mountain Trading Post eBay store to see if this American West bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More American West bags on BagBunch
• The American West Rock Star All Access cross-body bag, a great alternative to this tote bag.
• Searching for more American West bags on eBay
• Other American West Rock Star bags on eBay:

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We have already seen the flower version of this Fossil wristlet, but I just had to share this adorable owl version with y’all.

Applique is always fun, if not particularly formal. It can make any handbag or coin purse into something cute and playful, although even the addition of diamante couldn’t manage to make it evening appropriate. When the applique takes the form of adorable big eyed creatures it only gets cuter, and a pretty little stylized owl ticks all the boxes for sheer adorability.

You may find this hard to believe, but owls are kind of cool at the moment. Especially when they are accessorized with studs and fun colored leather. However, I do need to warn you that no amount of on-trend looks will make up for the size of this bag. If you don’t want to be left treacherously understocked, I reckon this should be a purse within a purse rather than a wristlet purely in its own right.

Fun, funky and fresh, this Fossil bag is totally sweet!

More Features of this Fossil Candy Wristlet

• Available in a range of other colors and patterns
• Removable wrist strap
• Studded leather exterior
• Multiple compartments

Get this Classy Owl Coin Purse:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Fossil bags on BagBunch
• The Miu Miu Bird clutch, a great alternative to this applique bag.
• Searching for more owl bags on eBay
• Other Fossil bags on eBay:

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What an exotic creature this Isis clutch is. You’d never guess it wasn’t made of authentic snake!

This is one for all the reptile activists out there, and the girls who prefer to count their pennies. The leather has been softly embossed with smoldering serpentine spots. It’s one of the best impersonators I’ve seen, and honestly more attractive than many authentic skins!

I’m not the greatest fan of the look of the metal corners, but I appreciate what Alexis Hudson is doing here. It’s all about protecting that beautiful skin, ensuring it stays pristine for seasons to come. And the metal at least coordinates with the vintage-inspired turnlock closure.

The Isis is a clutch which makes the most of its tiny dimensions. There are three separate compartments in the accordion-style interior, which should help you stay organized and keep the clutter at bay.

The short handle is intended to make carrying easy, but I’m not convinced it’d be any simpler than old-fashioned clutching. If I want simple toting I’ll simply attach the longer shoulder strap and go hands-free.

More Features of This Alexis Hudson Snake Embossed Clutch

• Twill lined interior
• A detachable shoulder strap with a 21.5 inch drop
• Measures 5.5 x 5.5 inches
• Made in China

Get this Alexis Hudson Isis Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon
• Check the E-Breeze Boutique eBay store to see if this Alexis Hudson bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Alexis Hudson bags on BagBunch
• The Alexis Hudson Eternity Combo bag, a great alternative to this snake clutch bag.
• Searching for more Alexis Hudson bags on eBay
• Other Alexis Hudson clutches on eBay:

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Just as the world is wondering whether Greece’s financial woes will translate into another international crash, Hermes has released some promising sales figures.

The French fashion house increased its first quarter sales by 19%, which translates to a jump of around $651 million. It was even better news at Hermes’ boutiques, which reported a 26% sales jump. The most popular Hermes items were those iconic leather goods, perfumes, and watches.

The secret to Hermes latest success is to introduce products that are more accessible to money-conscious luxury hunters. While we’ll never see Hermes create a department store diffusion line, its more affordable products have done great business. While a watch priced between $2000 and $4000 could never be regarded as cheap, it’s a lot less expensive than a Birkin bag. And at around $100, the new Voyage d’Hermes fragrance almost seems like a steal.

The recent numbers speak for themselves. Clearly Hermes is doing something right!

[Source: Fashionista]
[Image Source: Liu Wen Cheng/Flickr]

Hermes Handbags on eBay

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I’m always amazed by the prices Aldo charges for its bags. You can pick them up for next to nothing, yet they always look great and do the job.

Of course, for just $50 we don’t expect a fabric that’s too flash. But the synthetic Aldo employs doesn’t have that glossy look of a lesser quality faux leather. In fact, I love the vivid electric blue shade of this skin, just as much as the bright green alternative.

Those bold colors will probably turn as many people off as the synthetic material. While I love the idea of adding color to an outfit, many girls are scared to wear anything beyond black or brown. Classic these colors ain’t, but they are a lot of fun.

The Leinemann is well put together too, with its modern east/west shape and smattering of tiny studs around the tab closure. But its appeal goes beyond the aesthetic. The interior is sizable and well-appointed, with complementary colored lining and just enough pockets. The handles are a little short for my tastes, but as Aldo offers a longer removable strap I don’t mind too much.

As with any bag in this price range, the Lienemann might not last longer than a season or two. But won’t you look good carrying it while you can?

More Features of This Aldo Blue Tote

• A zip top closure
• Silver-toned hardware

Get this Aldo Leinemann Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Aldo bags on BagBunch
• The Aldo Hurigoto bag, a great alternative to this tote bag.
• Searching for more Aldo bags on eBay
• Other blue tote bags on eBay:

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Fledgling label FuchstBags is turning heads with its sophisticated range of handmade purses. The line is the work of Mandy Ng, who says the brand’s name is an abbreviation of her bags’ greatest attributes: functional, chic, and stylish!

FuchstBags are made to suit the lifestyles of real women, from the small leather clutches to the practical Lotus hobo diaper bags. But what’s most interesting to me are the removable straps, which help selected bags convert from one style to another. For example, this Tethys bag can be worn as a wristlet or shoulder bag depending on your mood.

Mandy says inspiration for her FuchstBags come from all around her, in what she sees and does every day. That down-to-earth approach is reflected in the bags, which have a relaxed and playful style.

Mandy Ng sells her FuchstBags through her Etsy store to customers all around the world. Her store also features her handmade jewelry, which features semi-precious stones and freshwater pearls, so it’s worth taking time to browse all she has on offer.

[Source: Fuchst Bags]

Handmade Handbags on eBay

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When I hear the name Claire, I instantly think of Molly Ringwald’s pampered character from The Breakfast Club. And something tells me Ms Standish would love to carry this pretty in pink wallet to the mall!

Of course, pink crocodile textured leather will never suit everyone. It’s a very distinct look, meant to appeal to the princesses out there. And it’s probably for princesses on a budget, as any real royalty would prefer the genuine article than this unconvincing embossed leather. While it might not appear like real croc skin though, I don’t mind the look of these bold scales.

By opting for leather over an exotic, Abas gives us more spending money for those mall excursions. The wallet is well organized, with a gusseted currency pocket and zippered change purse. But fans of the fantastic plastic may be disappointed with just six card slots. I don’t know about you, but that won’t even hold my store loyalty cards!

With its stylish good looks, it seems a shame to hide this wallet away in a larger day bag. Try carrying it as a clutch on an evening out and wait for the compliments!

More Features of This Abas Croco Wallet

• Metal zippered closure
• An ID window
• Measures 4 x 0.7 x 8.5 inches
• Made in the USA

Get this Abas Claire Handbag:

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

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• Check the eBags eBay store to see if this Abas bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Abas bags on BagBunch
• The Abas python Claire bag, a great alternative to this croc bag.
• Searching for more Abas bags on eBay

Jimmy Choo’s latest line of handbags might be my favorite of the season. I’m not a huge Choo fan, generally, but he’s really killing it right now. The Tita shoulder bag is a perfect example.

Snakeskin and suede fringe are two great flavors that taste great together. And the taupe snakeskin on this bag is particularly fabulous. I love the way it’s been cut into strips and woven together with suede at the corner of the bag. It gives an already texturally rich material a little extra oomph. Adding fringe at the bottom may be gilding the lily a little bit, but it looks amazing.

The Tita manages to be both posh and bohemian at the same time. The pouch shape is simple and shows off the complexity of the materials. My only complaints about this bag are that the strap isn’t long enough to wear across the body, which would be a fabulous look for this bag, and the logo plaque on the front is distracting. It mostly blends in, but frankly, I just don’t want anything to detract from the awesomeness of this bag.

The Tita isn’t cheap at $995, but seriously, it’s so cool that I don’t even care how much it costs. Except that I, personally, can’t afford it. Bummer. Someone please enjoy this bag on my behalf.

More Features Of The Jimmy Choo Tita Snakeskin Suede Fringe Bag

• 11″ x 7″ x 0″  size
• 13″ shoulder strap
• Lined in tan suede

Get this Jimmy Choo Tita Bag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Jimmy Choo bags on BagBunch
• The Jimmy Choo Simone Hobo, a great alternative to this bag.
• Searching for more Jimmy Choo  bags  on eBay
• Other snakeskin bags  on eBay:
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Have you ever seen a handbag that you love, but not known how to style it? If so, then you could probably use a few styling ideas to set you off on the right foot. These ‘How to Wear‘ posts will aim to do just that: to give you a few fashion ideas to inspire you with the bags you love. Each post will be on a handbag that we have featured on BagBunch, ranging from the weird to the wonderful.

Celebrating the arrival of weather somewhat akin to summer, this week’s bag is a vibrant green beauty that is just perfect for sunny days. The Melie Bianco Loop tote is sophisticated and classy, but some people may have trouble making that bright color work for the office. That is what we are here to help with!

At The Beach

Summer | The Melie Bianco Loop Tote

As you can see it is easy to create a beautiful summer outfit with this stunning bag. To really work well under the beating hot sun I recommend a light cotton maxi skirt, which will create a beautiful silhouette at the same time as keeping you nice and cool. I have teamed the white base of this outfit with coordinating greens, and summery beaded accessories to echo that really unusual olive shade, and I have thrown in a glimpse of red to brighten it up. Don’t worry; being brave with color like this won’t make you look like a Christmas tree! Finally, a hat is the key accessory to the summer; don’t forget it!

• Carol Wior halterneck
• Tara Fashion bolero
• American Eagle fedora
• Isabel Marant Howlite bracelet
• Nine West Heels
• Cream tiered maxi skirt
• Red Agate bracelet
• Handbag: Melie Bianco – (read our review)

Workwear

Workwear | The Melie Bianco Loop Tote

Whilst summer is super easy with a beach friendly bag like this, most people worry about such a bright color at work. I maintain that by creating a fresh spring look you can make the green stand out less, instead becoming a component of a coordinated and natural outfit  rather than anything bold and over the top. I have stuck with a simple pair of work pants and as classy leaf necklace, and then built the fresh and youthful look up with a figure flattering floral blouse and coordinating Fluevog heels. The color scheme, thanks to the lilacs, becomes muted and gentle, and you may well be the most stylish gal in the office!

• Kensie dress pants
• Roberto Cavalli floral blouse
• Gold leaf pendant
• Dolce & Gabbana belt
• Fluevog heels
• Handbag: Melie Bianco – (read our review)

You may also be interested in:

• More Clothing & Handbag Fashion Tips
• The J. Furmani studded bag, a great alternative to this apple green bag.
• Searching for more green bags on eBay
• Other Melie Bianco bags on eBay:

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