Carry your make-up in style with this fun Heather Cosmetics Case from Be & D.

I love the Heather’s bold look, which seems much more opulent than its $98 price tag suggests. The finish looks exotic, but the Heather isn’t made from any animal. Instead Be & D has cleverly treated the canvas with a glaze to mimic a more luxurious skin.

The textured canvas probably would have been interesting enough on its own, but Be & D’s added some extra punch with golden spiky studs. I really like the metal accents’ rebellious look, but I’m not sure how practical their application is. Most often cosmetics purses are tucked away inside larger tote bags, waiting to serve when we need a touch up. I wouldn’t want to reach inside my handbag to find this spiky pouch, would you? Ouch!

The interior isn’t as practical as it could be either. A vinyl lining would have been much easier to keep clean. However at least the dark fabric won’t show cosmetics stains.

The Heather looks great though, especially in this rich fuchsia pink. I wouldn’t dare carry it as a clutch, but we can always be a bit bolder with those items that will mostly stay hidden. And for $98, we don’t need to spend a lot of money to do it!

More Features of This Be & D Studded Cosmetics Case

• Logo plate at bag
• Zip top closure
• Measures 4.5 x 6 x 2.5 inches

Get this Be & D Heather Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Be D Heather, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Roksandic eBay store to see if this Be & D bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Be & D bags on BagBunch
• The Be & D Garbo bag, a great alternative to this studded bag.
• Searching for more Be & D bags on eBay

CupCase Your Bras is a brand new travel accessory designed to protect your lingerie in transit.

The company claims its innovative design “protects your bras from crimping, crushing and creasing” during travel. It’d also prevent those unwanted snags that sometimes occur when your bra hooks come into contact with delicate apparel and hosiery. Each hollow CupCase Your Bras case is large enough for three bras and a few extra items. I can imagine using the extra space for hair ties and jewelry. We all know when packing it’s smart to utlize every square inch!

The CupCase Your Bras cases seem like a modern interpretation of a hat box to me. They’ve got that same retro feel, and just like the hat boxes of old they’re a smart way to protect one of your most precious travel assets.

At an affordable $24.95 you’ll probably see value for money even if you only take the occasional getaway. However it’s worth noting that this case can double as a cute purse for evenings out. Just make sure you clear out the lingerie first! With colors ranging from classic black to hot pink, purple, and even leopard and cheetah prints, the hardest part is choosing your favorite!

[Source: Accessories Magazine]

Love it or loathe it; there’s no ignoring this Ostrich Feather Clutch from BCBG Max Azria.

After all, who can look away when confronted with a mass of fluorescent yellow feathers? The saturated citrus plumes appear even more dramatic against the black enamel hinge top. The boldly colored combination feels like it’s been plucked straight from the 80s. Our taste for the decade has waned of late, which makes this purse feel a little dated. However anyone still enamored with the period probably won’t care one bit!

We wouldn’t expect a purse that looks so silly to be practical, and we’re not disappointed here. It’s quite small, and its open pocket seems superfluous. However there is a chain strap ready to serve as the evening wears on. This is detachable too, so if we’d prefer to do without it we can leave the interior clutter-free.

I can’t imagine carrying this feather clutch, but I take my proverbial hat off to anyone who can rock the look. For a bag with such unique style, I think they’re getting a bargain at $140.

More Features of This BCBG Max Azria 80s Purse

• Golden hardware
• Framed body
• Black twill lining
• A removable curb-chain strap with a 10.5 inch drop
• Measures 4.75 x 9 x 1 inches

Get this BCBG Max Azria Ostrich Feather Handbag:

• Available to buy at Last Call by Neiman Marcus
• Available to buy on eBay (see listings below):

[phpbay]BCBGMaxAzria ostrich feather clutch, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Last Call by Neiman Marcus eBay store to see if this BCBG Max Azria bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More BCBG Max Azria bags on BagBunch
• The Kotur Jensen bag, a great alternative to this ostrich feather bag.
• Searching for more BCBG Max Azria bags on eBay

Easter time isn’t simply about showering the one you love with their weight in chocolate. Many retailers exceeded their expectations for March sales thanks to a surge in apparel and accessory purchases.

Luxury retail research firm Unity Marketing confirmed that Easter gifts are on the rise as part of a trend towards year-round gifting.

“Although no holiday rises to the gifting magnitude of Christmas, our research shows that Easter is growing in importance in the year-long gifting landscape,” explained the company’s president Pam Danziger, president of Unity Marketing.

In fact, the latest report suggests consumers currently spend around 24% more on Easter presents than they did two years ago. That makes Easter the second fastest growing gift holiday behind Halloween.

While chocolates, books, and toys targeted at youngsters remain popular, the fashion sector is one of the fastest growing gift sectors as the population gives to the significant adults in their lives. Wine, coffee, and personal care products are also becoming popular.

In my family we’re traditionalists who tend to opt for chocolate, although it’s shared around equally amongst the children and grown-ups. However that doesn’t mean I’d object to a new handbag in the mix as well!

What do you give your loved ones at Easter?

[Source: Accessories Magazine]
[Image Source: Aleksandra P/Stock.xchng]

Balmain takes embroidery into the 21st century with this Ivory Tuyet Clutch.

Pretty colored stitching usually makes accessories seem more feminine. That’s not the case here though. Balmain’s created a design which looks like it’s come straight from a burly biker’s tattoo! Those rainbow colored wings are probably a bit tacky for a high class event, but I can imagine rocking this purse with a pair of dark skinny jeans.

This biker inspired finish isn’t my favorite look from Balmain, but I admire the label’s restraint. It hasn’t pushed the biker-chic point with studs or black leather. I’m not sure I could call it subtle, but the ivory leather tempers the stitched design. The classic envelope style also ensures it doesn’t steal focus.

It seems Balmain’s used all its energy on the exterior, because the Tuyet’s really lacklustre inside. There’s a small open pocket, but it’s not very practical. And most disappointing for me, there’s no strap. Forcing us to carry a pale leather purse in our hands full time means it’ll show stains before too long.

I wouldn’t mind that so much if it were cheaper, but at $2930 I’d want to keep the Tuyet nice. If you indulge in this clutch perhaps a good pair of gloves should be next on your shopping list!

More Features of This Balmain Embroidered Clutch

• Flap closure
• Fabric lined interior

Get this Balmain Tuyet Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Balmain bags on BagBunch
• The Alexander McQueen Samurai Skull bag, a great alternative to this embroidered bag.
• Searching for more Balmain bags on eBay
• Other embroidered clutch bags on eBay:

[phpbay]embroidered clutch, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

We’re all starting to tire of Christian’s Dior’s reluctance to name a successor for disgraced former creative director John Galliano, but it seems their silence is paying off on the sales front.

When Galliano was shown the door after his anti-Semitic comments I wondered what sort of hit the fashion firm would take. However in the last quarter the company more than doubled its profits. It made a whopping $118.4 million buoyed by booming in-store sales, which were up by 28%.

This is no rapid turnaround either. The fashion house has been steadily growing ever since Galliano was axed. It gained a larger market share and increased its sales in the first half of 2011, and posted an even larger revenue boost after the year’s third quarter.

More than a year has passed since Galliano’s very public fall from grace. All the bad press from that black spot has died down. The media barely batted an eye when Bill Gaytten’s first ready-to-wear collection hit stores.

Clearly the status quo is working for Christian Dior, so I wouldn’t be surprised if the label continues to drag its feet. Perhaps it will even officially give Gaytten that coveted creative director job. You can’t argue with the numbers!

[Source: Fashionista]
[Image Source: Cocodoko/Wikipedia Commons]

Christian Dior Bags on eBay

[phpbay]Christian Dior, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Timeless design and modern details combine in this Nelida tote from Bally.

It seems counterintuitive to describe an accessory as both timeless and modern, but strangely the Nelida manages to be both. Black leather handbags will always withstand trends, especially when hardware’s kept to a minimum. But the Nelida’s unique curved shape and sweeping stitching brings just the right amount of contemporary flair.

Bally backs up the Nelida’s striking good looks with a really smart design. Its top handle is complemented by a detachable shoulder strap. It’s wide enough for comfortable carrying on a regular day, but if you’ve loaded it up and need extra padding you can add the detachable strap panel. Its ample interior offers enough space for holding everything you need and a few extras besides. I’d prefer the satiny twill lining was lighter, as it’s hard to see all our items amongst the black fabric, but this is a minor inconvenience. At least with internal open and zip fastening pockets at the ready, organization should be a breeze.

At $1,495 the Nelida is no bargain, but it’s not an exorbitant amount of money to spend on a stylish bag made to serve.

More Features of This Bally Black Leather Tote

• Push-clasp fastening at fold-over flap
• A top handle with a 3 inch drop
• A shoulder strap with a maximum length of 50 inches
• Measures 13 x 7 x 3 inches

Get this Bally Nelida Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Bally bags on BagBunch
• The Bally Mairie tote bag, a great alternative to this black leather bag.
• Searching for more Bally bags on eBay
• Other black leather tote bags on eBay:

[phpbay]black leather tote, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

With Easter Sunday looming, some of our favorite fashion designers are already getting into the holiday spirit. Style makers including Mulberry, Prabal Gurung, and Peter Som have served up Easter Bunny inspired pieces for Vogue.com.

It’s a little lazy, but the cotton-tailed Mulberry Bayswater bag pictured also has a bit of charm. The iconic leather accessory was fitted with a pair of floppy ears, some furry feet, and a cute cotton tail for the season.

Clearly Prabal Gurung was feeling a bit more inspiration when he created his plush rabbit toy. The bunny wears a kaleidoscope printed dress crafted from silk and wool, not unlike the gowns in the New York designer’s pre-fall collection.

Peter Som also created a stuffed Easter Bunny, although his is made from the same floral fabric featured in his critically acclaimed spring 2012 pantsuit. The tiny little bow tie is an adorable finishing touch.

I don’t know what Opening Ceremony was thinking though. Rather than the usual Easter fare, it’s served up a tiny cactus dubbed Prickles. It’s undeniably stylish in its blue wayfarer sunglasses, but is it really Easter appropriate?

The entire collection is on display at Vogue.com. What’s your favorite Easter fashion statement?

[Source: Daily Mail]

Mulberry Bayswater Bags on eBay

[phpbay]Mulberry Bayswater, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Few things irk me more than fashion houses that stop trying. So I felt my heart sink as I spied this two-tone leather pouch from Balenciaga.

There’s often a fine line between minimalist and boring, and Balenciaga’s crossed it here. Everything is so basic, from the ordinary rectangular shape to the two-toned design. This is colorblocking by numbers, with little innovation or personality.

The story doesn’t get any better when we peek inside. There’s no lining at all. A small bag made of leather doesn’t really need this feature of course, but I feel like we should be getting something for our money. Balenciaga tries to make amends with the interior open pocket, but it does little to impress me. If we fill it with anything more than receipts the pouch will probably develop unsightly lumps and bumps.

I wouldn’t hesitate to spend $345 on a beautiful clutch purse, but I don’t feel Balenciaga’s done enough work for our dollar. It’s used high quality materials as it always does, but it hasn’t done a lot with them. For that price I expect to feel pampered, but here I just can’t shake the feeling Balenciaga’s put in the bare minimum.

More Features of This Balenciaga Basic Leather Pouch

• Silver-toned zip closure with gold-toned metal pull
• Measures 9.75 x 7 inches

Get this Balenciaga Two-Toned Leather Handbag:

• Available to buy at My Theresa
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Balenciaga bags on BagBunch
• The Balenciaga Carreaux Pochette bag, a great alternative to this clutch bag.
• Searching for more Balenciaga bags on eBay
• Other two-tone clutch bags on eBay:

[phpbay]two-tone clutch, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Recently launched handbag label Velvet Pepper has hit the internet. The new website www.VelvetPepper.com brings the Utah fashion firm’s classic styles to busy woman around the globe.

Company co-creators Stacee Sparrow and Brittany Andrus launched their firm to offer modern misses, especially mothers, well-made accessories that don’t skimp on functional features. Its diaper bags have all the style of traditional tote purses along with key parental perks. That ensures they don’t need to be traded in once the kids grow.

The flagship collection, called the Hannah line, features a convenient changing pad and a large exterior pockets for storing the items baby needs on hand. Moms’ needs aren’t forgotten either with the exterior cell phone pocket and array of interior pouches. The line features totes, satchels, hobos, and even clutch-style purses in color combinations including peridot, bluenote, camel, and cabernet. Perhaps the latter is for mommies that are feeling a bit stressed with their new role!

If you’re happily childless, or your parenting days are behind you, Velvet Pepper also offers a selection of bags without the change pads.

All Velvet Pepper bags are priced at less than $200, and you can save even more money if you indulge in one of the label’s value bundles.

[Source: WebWire]
[Image Source: Velvet Pepper]