It’s got a grand name drawing from classic literature, but the Gatsby Leather Shopper is definitely a modern gal.

Where a more traditional handbag may have featured complementary accents, the Gatsby dares to be different with tan leather trim. The brown details clash delightfully with either tomato red or bone leather. The front pockets appear to have turnlock closures, but they’re not as fiddly as all that. Magnetic snaps hidden underneath the flaps keep these deep pouches secure, allowing us to stash valuables like keys and a favorite pair of designer sunglasses inside.

There’s more storage space on offer inside. This is a shopper after all! The generous felt lined space has plenty of room for a chunky wallet, bulky cosmetics case, and a thick novel. The Great Gatsby perhaps? A zippered pocket and two open slips keep the inside organized.

The long rolled handles are the ideal finishing touch, allowing busy shoppers to simply grab and go. At $325, the Gatsby is one of Charles David’s most expensive purses, but the combination of fun and functionality make it worth the extra dollars.

More Features of This Charles David Leather Shopper

• Metal hardware
• Magnetic snap closure
• Four metal feet
• Dual 20 inch handles with a 9 inch drop
• Measures 13.5 x 15 x 5 inches
• Comes with a sleeper bag

Get this Charles David Gatsby Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Charles David Gatsby, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Smart Bargains eBay store to see if this Charles David bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Charles David bags on BagBunch
• The Tignanello Soft Touch Ball shopper bag, a great alternative to this pocketed bag.
• Searching for more Charles David bags on eBay

On November 25 Chanel will open the doors to its first boutique in Shanghai.

Architect Peter Marino designed the store in the image of Coco Chanel’s Parisian apartment. The European influence is a fitting one, with Shanghai often described as “the Paris of the East.” The residential feel is enhanced by hand-picked artworks and antiques. Amongst the pieces are original works commissioned by French artist Jean-Michael Othoniel.

Rather than jostling elbows with other eager customers, customers can sit on sofas and have items they’re interested in brought to them. The approach aims to create a different, more elegant, shopping experience for Chanel lovers.

“The result is comfort, quiet elegance, timelessness. The chic of Chanel,” explained Peter Marino.

Just as he did in Melbourne, Australia, Karl Lagerfeld has designed a handful of products available exclusively at the Shanghai store. These include a quilted flap handbag with an inside signature “Shanghai Karl Lagerfeld,” sling-back heels with a metallic CC logo, a tweed jacket, and a gold-trimmed skirt.

The Shanghai boutique is located in the newly-opened The Peninsula Hotel.

[Source: Luxist]
[Image Source: ThaRainbowRider./Flickr]

Chanel Limited Edition Purses on eBay

[phpbay]Chanel limited edition, 3, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

With all the high-class breeding of a pedigree pooch comes Chanel’s Sharpei Tote.

The canine inspired moniker comes from the purse’s wrinkled sides. This ruched detail combines with the buttery soft lambskin to create a slouchy, relaxed style. It’s soft and feminine, but I’m still not entirely convinced. It looks like the purse could easily collapse in an unsightly puddle of leather once it’s set down. I think I’d have to test drive this one to decide whether it’s got enough structure to impress.

The shoulder straps haven’t helped to sway me. That silver really pops against the black leather, but anyone who’s ever carried such chunky chains knows they’re not comfortable. The leather plaiting will do nothing to cushion your shoulders when using this as an everyday carryall. These straps, and the extra chain near the bottom of the bag, are also bound to make an already big purse even heavier.

But Chanel fans know they sometimes have to suffer a little for those designer looks. At least the design is practical, with a zippered pocket, two open pouches for gadgets, and a leash keychain inside. With its $3350 price tag though, I’m still not sure there’s enough positives here to win casual Chanel fans like me over.

More Features of This Chanel Slouchy Lambskin Tote

• Double magnetic snap closures
• Black textile lining
• Four protective silver feet at base
• Dual chain straps with a 9.5 inch drop
• Measures 14.5 x 8.5 x 6.5 inches

Get this Chanel Sharpei Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Chanel Sharpei, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Chanel bags on BagBunch
• The Zac Posen Sharpei bag, a great alternative to this lambskin bag.
• Searching for more Chanel bags on eBay

Grace Kelly is one of those legendary style icons that will always be brought up when fabulous fashion sense, past or present, is discussed. Even decades later, her undeniably chic and feminine looks still provide inspiration for many of today’s designers.

Her often-imitated, ladylike style is soon to be celebrated through a new display at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The V&A will feature some of Kelly’s most famous and stylish outfits in the upcoming exhibit Grace Kelly: Style Icon.

Among the collection are some of her costumes from films such as High Society and Rear Window as well as designer clothing and accessories she wore after becoming Princess Grace of Monaco. Most notably, the exhibit will also include the original Hermes Kelly handbag named after the the actress-turned-royalty.

HSH Prince Albert of Monaco said: “My mother treasured her clothes and would have been delighted to have them exhibited at the V&A. Throughout her life she exuded effortless elegance, whether she was appearing at the most spectacular public occasion, or a simple family gathering.”

[Source: Telegraph]
[Image: UltimateGraphics/Flickr]

Hermes Kelly Bags on eBay

[phpbay]hermes kelly, 3, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Though there’s not much I dislike about this bag, the Duchess Clutch’s design elements are probably the furthest from what I’d expect from typically edgy and contemporary Treesje.

Pink, linen, pleated, and detailed with a bow sound like descriptions that would fit a brand more like Lauren Merkin more than this designer label. Feminine details aren’t completely out of the ordinary for Treesje since ruffles and ruching have shown up on some of their other bags. However, I would never have guessed that company produced this girly, little number.

The light pink color has one touch of the unexpected, though. Its shiny metallic finish adds a little of the edgy style I’m used to seeing from Treesje. It also highlights the pretty linen texture quite nicely.

The Duchess is available in a slightly tougher looking pewter-colored linen as well, but this clutch also comes in solid red, gray, or black leather. If you’re looking for something unique and feminine, I’d stick with one of the linen options. Otherwise, the leather versions toughen things up a bit. Both options retail for $325.

More Features of the Duchess Clutch

• Measures 13.75 x 9 x 4 inches
• Zip top closure
• Bow detail on front
• Soft pleating around top

Get this Treesje Duchess Bag:

• Available to buy at Amazon
• Check the Shop Savoy Truffle to see if this bag in snakeskin-printed leather is still in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Treesje bags on BagBunch
• The Alexis Hudson Martini Wristlet, a great alternative to this pleated clutch.
• Searching for more Treesje clutch bags on eBay
• Other linen clutches on eBay:

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

She was the face of the new Chanel advertising campaign and described as Karl Lagerfeld’s latest “muse.” But that wasn’t enough to convince South Korean beauty Daul Kim that life was worth living. The 20-year-old model was found hanging in her Parisian apartment on Thursday.

Emergency services were called to the apartment in the trendy 10th arrondissement district, but they were unable to revive her. While police are investigating her death, it appears to be a suicide. In her own blog, Daul wrote of feeling depressed and lonely.

“My life as dual was so miserable and lonely. Please join my loneliness in another world. I love you all,” she wrote back in April 2007. It seems her mood didn’t improve, with a post this August reading “I need to learn how to stop destroying myself, stop being hard on myself and be nice to myself.”

How tragic that this young model couldn’t figure that out before her depression won out.

[Source: The Telegraph]
[Image Source: Mirririr/Flickr]

Chanel Handbags on eBay

[phpbay]Chanel, 3, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Rafe has produced a great accessory for the Christmas party season, with this glitzy and glamorous clutch.

Whilst this silver purse looks like it is made out of metal mesh, it is actually a sequin print pattern, giving you all that sparkle in combination with the soft leather. It’s much more suitable for cold winter evenings than mesh, as leather won’t get freezing cold!

That silver pattern is complemented well by the black leather fold-over flap. In particular the studs bring a great 80s vibe to the clutch. Whilst this is great for coordinating with leather jackets and biker styling, it is worth asking how long 80s bits and pieces will be on the catwalks.

All in all this is a surprisingly spacious clutch, which would be even better with the addition of an optional strap for when you are bored with carrying it. Other than that, however, this is a stunning item that should see you through even the smartest of parties.

More Features of this Rafe Pixie Purse

• Single interior pocket
• Magnetic clasp closure
• Available in silver or gold
• Dust bag included

Get this Sequined Foldover Clutch:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Rafe bags on BagBunch
• The Whiting & Davis lizard clutch, a great alternative to this sparking bag.
• Searching for more sequined bags on eBay
• More Rafe bags on eBay:

[phpbay]rafe handbag, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

This sassy Gemmium Corset clutch from Celine is the ideal antidote to all those prim and proper evening purses.

The basic flap design and satin fabric is classic, but what sets the Gemmium Corset clutch apart is the treatment after that. Instead of reserved black or ivory, this purse comes in shocking fuchsia pink. Faceted pink and purple stones are just as daring with their silver accents. The look screams 1980s, which is still right on trend.

The Gemmium Corset clutch is larger than most evening bags, giving you space to carry a few extra cosmetics and a small mirror for touch-ups. With the extra space on offer, I don’t mind the tuck-away chain. Ordinarily I’d hope for a removable strap to avoid the clutter, but this purse is big enough to handle it.

The $1470 retail value seems a little steep for an accessory without timeless looks on its side. Who knows how long the 80s trend will last after all? But if you’ve fallen for it anyway, at least you know your money will buy high quality craftsmanship.

More Features of This Celine Satin Purse

• Magnetic closure under flap
• Lined interior
• A zip pocket inside
• A tuck-away chain strap with a 12 inch drop
• Measures 14 x 8 x 2 inches
• Made in Italy
• Comes with a dust bag and authenticity card

Get this Celine Gemmium Corset Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Celine Corset, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the A Pinch of Rosemary eBay store to see if this Celine Gemmium bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Celine bags on BagBunch
• The Kenneth Jay Lane Giza clutch bag, a great alternative to this pink bag.
• Searching for more Celine bags on eBay

This clever Botkier Cooper handbag will literally take you from the board room to a casual after-hours dinner with a quick switch of handles.

During business hours, the Cooper Convertible Hobo functions as a chic but professional-looking work tote with supple leather material and classic briefcase-style short handles. It’s the type of bag you can use to carry around various paperwork and maybe even a small laptop when you’ve got meetings and presentations to attend but want to look stylish and put together.

After work hours are over, however, simply unhook the side flaps and attach the single, buckled-detail strap to convert the Cooper to classic, roomy hobo. The look is much more casual, though certainly not as informal as many other hobo bags.

Honestly, even when switched to a hobo, I think the Cooper is still probably office-appropriate for many work environments, but the tote option definitely has more of a professional vibe. I wish that the Cooper’s strap could have been longer and adjustable to allow for cross-body carrying since it is rather large and could be kind of bulky on petite arms, but the single shoulder strap does make for an attractive handbag style.

More Features of the Cooper Convertible Hobo

• Measures 18.5 x 13.5 x 5 inches
• Short tote handles with 1 inch drop
• Convertible side flaps with detachable strap
• Front zipper detail

Get this Botkier Cooper Convertible Bag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Botkier bags on BagBunch
• The Rampage Cadence Cross-Body Tote, a great alternative to this convertible bag.
• Searching for more Botkier hobos on eBay
• Other convertible handbags on eBay:

[phpbay]convertible, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Aspinal of London might not specialize in handbags alone, but the luxurious designs it offers customers in that category are very much worth considering. In addition to everything from apparel to housewares, the company has its artisan handmade bag crafting down to an art.

The Kylie Purse Clutch fits right in with Aspinal of London’s classy collections with its faux snakeskin calf leather and suede and silk lined interior. Although the Kylie’s $225 price tag can be considered quite affordable when compared to some luxury designer clutches on the market, it’s still out of the range for plenty of women’s budgets.

However, you just might be able to snag one of these Kylie clutches in a dressy metallic silver mock snakeskin by entering My Fashion Life’s current handbag giveaway. Residents of the United States can enter the contest by filling out the simple form on the giveaway page that signs them up for the blog’s newsletter. Get your info in by December 10 at 11:59 (EST) for a chance to win.

[Source: My Fashion Life]

Faux Snakeskin Clutches on eBay

[phpbay]faux snakeskin clutch, 3, “”, “”[/phpbay]