Michael Kors looks to make a big impact in the American marketplace this year, and fashion forecasters predict it’ll be bad news for Coach.

Michael Kors Holdings Ltd. wants to more than double its North American stores to 400 and more than quadruple its department store infiltration. We should see its products in more than 1000 high end retailers soon. Shoppers can indulge in Michael Kors goodies in popular shopping strips and malls. The label’s collections will focus on accessories, and celebrate “accessible luxury.” Is it starting to sound like another label we know and love? That’s right; Michael Kors is taking a few tricks from Coach’s playbook.

Both companies could theoretically thrive, but Steven Dennis of Sageberry Consulting says Michael Kors push could have devastating results for Coach.

“This is the first mega-brand emerging to take them more or less head on in a direct hit,” he explained. “That’s definitely going to impact Coach’s business.“

Michael Kors is certainly a brand on the up. Since it made its debut on the New York Stock Exchange three months ago its shares have more than doubled. During the same period Coach’s have increased by around a third.

Coach is refusing to comment on Michael Kors assault, which is probably the wisest strategy. Do you think the American company can ward off Michael Kors attack?

[Source: Crain’s New York]
[Image Source: Ed Kavishe/Wikipedia Commons]

Michael Kors Bags on eBay

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Radley takes a traditional approach to design with its Aldgate shoulder bag.

The Aldgate is a perfectly nice bag, but it seems to be lacking the playfulness of Radley’s usual designs. Its Scotch Terrier tag is still there, but the pooch seems out of place amongst that mass of tired tan leather. Its structured shape is quite nice, but Radley hasn’t done enough with it. There’s nothing wrong with a crisp, clean finish, but we need to have something to latch on to. A particularly beautiful leather, perhaps, or an eye-popping color. Instead the minimalism just appears boring.

The Aldgate is practical enough, but I’m not enamored with its design. Its slender shape ensures it doesn’t dwarf our frame, but it’s a bit too skinny to be really functional. The handles also seem far too long for the design. At least they’ll be easy to grab as we’re heading out the door in a rush, but I’d prefer something more in proportion.

As an everyday bag it functions well. It should hold everything you really need with some careful packing, and its unobtrusive design should work for any situation and with most any outfit. It’s priced reasonably at $298, and for its materials alone it’s probably worth that. It’s just a shame it doesn’t come packaged with the whimsical Radley spirit we know and love.

More Features of This Radley Leather Shoulder Bag

• Top zip closure
• Dual handles
• Measures 11.75 x 8 x 4 inches
• Also available in black

Get this Radley Aldgate Handbag:

• Available to buy at Lord & Taylor
• Available to buy on eBay (see listings below):

[phpbay]Radley Aldgate, 2, “”, Lewis[/phpbay]

• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Radley bags on BagBunch
• The Radley Lyric Shoulder bag, a great alternative to this tan bag.
• Searching for more Radley bags on eBay

Warner Bros. has responded to Louis Vuitton’s claims of trademark infringement in its 2011 comedy The Hangover Part II. The film firm told a New York federal court last week that movies have a First Amendment right to feature trademarks as part of creative expression without the consent of rights owners.

The offending scene saw Zach Galifianakis’ character Alan Garner wearing a bag marked LVM. When it is jostled, Alan quips “Be careful, that is … that is a Lewis Vuitton.” Vuitton claims the purse was made by Chinese-American imitators Diophy, and that the 25-second movie scene created “consumer confusion.”

Warner’s biggest defence is the precedence set by the 1989 case of Rogers versus Grimaldi. In that case actress Ginger Rogers sued the creators of the film Ginger and Fred. She argued that the movie wasn’t about her and her costar Fred Astaire, but two fictional Italian cabaret performers that imitated the actors. She claimed the movie consumed viewers into thinking Ginger and Fred was about her, and had her seal of approval. However the 2nd Circuit disagreed and said Ginger and Fred was simple “an exercise of artistic expression rather than commercial speech.”

It’s a compelling argument, but Louis Vuitton lawyers tend to be the best in the business. Do you think Warner Bros’ can wriggle out of this one?

[Source: The Hollywood Reporter]
[Image Source: Cameron Parkins]

Louis Vuitton Bags on eBay

[phpbay]Louis Vuitton, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

Choose classic styling over the fast fading fashion trends with this Cherish Shoulder Bag from Rebecca Minkoff.

Bold navy and white horizontal stripes give this spacious tote a fun nautical feel. That makes it perfect for the warm weather ahead, although the pattern is so timeless you can probably carry it in the cooler months too.

The Cherish’s shape is classic to maximize storage space. Its generous dimensions ensure you can carry your wallet, cosmetics bag, essential technology, and a cardigan in case the weather turns, and still have space to spare. I also love the whimsical red and white bird printed lining! It doesn’t add much on a functional level, but it’s so cute!

Rebecca Minkoff’s used leather on the base for strength and a touch of luxury, but sadly she doesn’t protect it. Why use such an expensive skin if it’ll just get beat up? A few metal feet on the bottom would have made all the difference.

Frankly I don’t think there’s enough leather to justify spending $295 on this shoulder bag, but if you can find it on sale I’d snap it up!

More Features of This Rebecca Minkoff Striped Shoulder Bag

• Pale gold-toned hardware
• Open closure with side snap gussets to control space
• Back wall zip pocket
• Dual straps with a 9 inch drop
• Measures 18 x 7 x 11 inches

Get this Rebecca Minkoff Cherish Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Rebecca Minkoff Cherish, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Denimwalk eBay store to see if this Rebecca Minkoff bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Rebecca Minkoff bags on BagBunch
• The Rebecca Minkoff Cherish mini bag, a great alternative to this large bag.
• Searching for more Rebecca Minkoff bags on eBay

San Francisco artist Lauren DiCioccio has created a beautiful alternative to plastic grocery bags as part of her residency with her local Workshop Residence arts initiative.

DiCioccio was inspired to create her unusual works after hearing her local council’s decision to outlaw plastic bags. Long fascinated with obsolescence, the state where working objects become outdated or unwanted, she began to “think about plastic objects that are being replaced for good reasons.”

Her pondering led her to create delicately embroidered organza versions of the much maligned grocery bags. The project fits nicely with her work with Workshop Residence, a scheme that reexamines our ideas of luxury products and aspires to transform local production techniques. The scheme’s director, Braden Weeks Earp, is helping DiCioccio assemble a crew of artisans to create functional versions of the artworks.

DiCioccio and her team of helpers are looking to create a diverse selection of her bags, from elegant evening purses to everyday shopping totes. A small selection of the finished accessories will then be available through the Dogpatch district space, local retailers, and Workshop Residence’s online store. DiCioccio and Workshop Residence will share in the profits.

Would you carry one of DiCioccio’s beautiful totes to your local grocery store?

[Source: EcoSalon]

Guess takes an uncharacteristically classic approach to design with this Socialite doctor bag.

Frankly this purse is a lot more subdued than the socialites that make headlines these days. The snakeskin embossed trim hints at the riches of these page six princesses, but it’s really quite subtle for a Guess design. Hardware is kept to a minimum, and rather than the usual logo we see just a discreet letter G. And personally I think the Socialite’s a better bag for it. The label’s fans may long for some of its usual fanfare, but I appreciate the gentle contrast of exotic, patent, and matte black synthetics.

Real socialites generally have an entourage to carry their odds and ends, but Guess knows most of us aren’t so lucky. And so it’s made the Socialite spacious and packed it with features, including card slots and internal and external pockets. It is narrow though, so while there’s room for everything you need it’ll require careful packing. From a functional standpoint the handle could stand to be longer, but it really suits the Socialite’s somewhat squat dimensions. Sometimes we have to sacrifice practicality for good looks!

Happily you won’t need the bank balance of a Paris Hilton or Kim Kardashian to own this Socialite. It’s priced quite affordably at $128.

More Features of This Guess Snake Embossed Doctor Bag

• Silver-toned hardware
• Snap button closure
• Floral printed cotton twill lining
• A single handle with a 5.5 inch drop
• Measures 1.5 x 11 x 4.75 inches

Get this Guess Socialite Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Guess Socialite doctor, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Brands Castle 1 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 neutral Guess Socialite Doctor bag, a great alternative to this black bag.
• Searching for more Guess bags on eBay

Keen photographer Kelly Moore combines style and functionality with her on trend range of camera bags.

Fashion snobs may be disappointed that Moore doesn’t play with real leather, but her favored synthetic is high quality and water resistant. Antiqued brass hardware complements the leatherette, which comes in classic shades like black and gray as well as more playful hues including pink and purple. Each bag is also hand-crafted to ensure its quality is first rate.

The Kelly Moore line’s centrepiece is the Libby, a clever tote style purse with a divided padded interior. All those compartments ensure your camera and its gear stays separated from your personal affects. The dividers are all removable and rearrangable, so you can personalize the Libby to make it work best for you. And if you’re still searching for space, don’t forget its four external pockets!

The Libby is complemented by several other familiar bag silhouettes, including hobos and messengers. Looking at the chic styling, it’s easy to forget these are actually practical purses designed to hold cameras!

Kelly Moore bags are available from the designer’s website. With free shipping available to all American shoppers, these camera bags are even more affordable than you might think!

[Source: Kelly Moore website]

Kelly Moore Camera Bags on eBay

[phpbay]Kelly Moore, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Most men wouldn’t be caught dead carrying a diaper bag. They’re either too cutesy, too feminine, or both. However in this modern age, parenting duties tend to be shared between mom and dad. So what’s a man to do? Perhaps indulge in this Daddy Daybag from Quiksilver!

Its name implies that this backpack is exclusively for the blokes, but I imagine many women would like its design as well. It’s very simple but no one can really argue with a classic backpack in basic black can they? I’m not a big fan of the logos, but I can hardly blame Quiksilver for their inclusion. If I’d created such a versatile diaper bag, I’d want to advertise it too!

In my opinion it’s easier to use than most tote style diaper bags. Its dual straps leave hands free for holding on to little ones, or cleaning up the destruction left in their wake! The interior is large enough to hold everything baby needs, including the changing pad Quiksilver provides. The front and side pockets are also insulated to keep juice boxes and bottles cold.

So who wants one bag for mom and another for dad anyway? For just $75 this diaper bag is an affordable accessory for all new parents to share.

More Features of This Quiksilver Diaper Backpack

• Base made of tough ballistic nylon
• Multiple zippered compartments

Get this Quiksilver Daddy Daybag Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More diaper bags on BagBunch
• The Diaper Dude Diaper bag, a great alternative to this mens diaper bag.
• Searching for more Quiksilver bags on eBay
• Other men’s diaper bags on eBay:

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We all know that practicing yoga is good for our wellbeing, but thanks to I AM. it can also help others. The label works with Mayan artisans in Guatemala to create unique woven yoga mat bags. The initiative, spearheaded by I AM. founder Will Baxter, looks to return half of the net profits of its yoga mat bags and other accessories to the needy communities that created them.

I AM.’s yoga mat bags are crafted from naturally dyed hand-woven cotton cloth. Each one is lined with recycled material to help them last. The small bags cost $69, while the larger versions are a little more expensive at $79. If you prefer to travel a little lighter, or simply want to save yourself some cash, you may prefer I AM’s yoga mat straps. These clever straps attach directly to any yoga mat for easy carrying. The straps are fitted with two small pockets for holding coins and other small essentials. The yoga straps cost $39.

It’s early days for I AM. though. It raised the necessary funds for production through Kickstarter, so now those promised yoga accessories are in production. Anyone who leaves their e-mail address on the I AM. website will be notified as soon as the yoga accessories are ready to order.

[Source: I AM. website]

Fair Trade Yoga Bags on eBay

[phpbay]fair trade yoga bag, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

Jason Wu offers a luxurious take on the cross-body with this elegant Jourdan purse.

This cross-body is a world away from the casual cloth accessories we see teens toting to music festivals and the classroom. The Jourdan is a cross-body for adults, and ones with very expensive taste at that. They’ll adore its ladylike structured body carefully crafted from creamy calfskin. They’ll also appreciate the way this ivory leather appears even richer against the golden hardware. The metal is used sparingly to maintain the design’s minimalist sophistication.

The chain strap is also a stroke of genius. It’s retractable, so we can sling it across our body or suck it up inside the purse and use it like a clutch. Either way there’s no clutter and no fuss. It’s a shame that there’s no leather insert to cushion our shoulder, but it’s still inspired.

While the interior is small, Jason Wu still makes us feel pampered. It’s lined with thick faille material and kitted out with a zippered pocket. This secure pouch works well with the exterior pockets which are discreetly hidden underneath that flap.

At $1595 the Jourdan will be far too rich for the blood of many bag lovers. However such quality rarely comes cheaply. If you’re looking to indulge, you could spend the money on worse things!

More Features of This Jason Wu Leather Cross-Body Bag

• Designer stamped flip lock fastening
• A retractable chain strap with a 22 inch drop
• Measures 10 x 7 x 2 inches

Get this Jason Wu Jourdan Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Jason Wu Jourdan, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the cdn619mpn924 eBay store to see if this Jason Wu bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More cross-body bags on BagBunch
• The Cole Haan Ali Mini bag, a great alternative to this leather cross-body bag.
• Searching for more Jason Wu bags on eBay