Summer must be looming, because designers are embracing their silly side. And they don’t get much sillier than the North Shore Lynn Tote.

Carry a cutesy tote like this in the thick of winter and you’ll be laughed out of town. But once the weather warms its brightly colored raffia body and matching raffia pom-poms become whimsical and charming.

Perhaps I’m just longing for that warmer weather, but I like this tote in spite of myself. Its orange color is irresistible, the perfect foil for those mellow nude vachetta leather handles and trim. These could stand to be much wider, but as they’re made from real leather they should last.

The open top design offers easy access to our summer essentials, but on the flip side it compromises security. Thankfully Juicy Couture has added a trio of interior pockets, including a secure zippered one, to keep a few valuables safe.

Honestly at $198 this Juicy Couture tote is overpriced. It probably should cost about half that amount, and I’m sure it would if it didn’t have the Juicy Couture name attached. However it’s so unique that anyone taken with it might have good reason to splurge.

More Features of This Juicy Couture Raffia Tote

• Dual handles with a 9.5 inch drop
• Measures 14 x 8.5 x 11 inches

Get this Juicy Couture North Shore Lynn Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Juicy Couture North Shore Lynn, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Brands Castle1 eBay store to see if this Juicy Couture bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Juicy Couture bags on BagBunch
• The pink Juicy Couture North Shore Lynn bag, a great alternative to this orange bag.
• Searching for more Juicy Couture bags on eBay

Baggallini puts its stamp on the classic doctor bag style with the Berlin.

Frankly this is the kind of purse that’s easy to overlook. Its design is neat enough, but it doesn’t really do anything to command attention. It’s available in 12 different colors, but these tame hues do little to add personality.

Its lack of flair means fashion conscious girls will pass it by, but they’ll miss out on all the Berlin’s clever features. The fabric doesn’t look very enticing, but it’s lightweight yet strong, and water resistant to boot. It’s also easy to keep clean, as you can wipe most stains away with a damp cloth. The generous interior goes beyond the traditional array of pockets, with a coin purse, key fob, and even clever lipstick holders. All those pouches and pockets can be difficult to get a handle on at first, but once you become used to them they’re just what the doctor ordered.

The Berlin looks like a regular shoulder bag, but it’s much more versatile than that. Attach the longer strap and it becomes a cross-body bag. The rear pocket also allows you to slip it over a rolling suitcase handle while you’re traveling.

It might not be the height of fashion, but Baggallini’s offering a lot for our $99.95.

More Features of This Baggallini Doctor Bag

• Zip closure
• Synthetic lined interior
• Measures 13 x 7.5 x 9 inches
• Made in China

Get this Baggallini Berlin Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Baggallini Berlin, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Baggallini bags on BagBunch
• The Baggallini Sydney Bagg, a great alternative to this practical bag.
• Searching for more Baggallini bags on eBay

Christian Dior is increasing its online presence with the launch of its new internet-based magazine, appropriately titled DiorMag.

Each issue will feature eight articles, a number which coincides with the original designer’s luckiest digit. These pieces will detail Christian Dior’s history and look forward to the future and its latest products.  The full capabilities of the internet will be exploited with features including video footage and share-ready images. It will also host Christian Dior’s first ever live streamed fashion show, which will beam into homes everywhere tomorrow.

Christian Dior has hired a fulltime editor-in-chief to collaborate with the company’s communications department on DiorMag. However with the first issue now online, it’s interesting that this editor-in-chief’s identity has been suppressed. That mystery will no doubt intrigue DiorMag’s readers. There’s less mystery surrounding the involvement of blogger Susie Bubble, who will comment about the streaming fashion show on Twitter during the event.

Christian Dior says it hopes its DiorMag and its associated online ventures will give its fans an insider’s look at their favourite fashion house. Are you excited to see Dior embracing new technology? And is the online fun enough to distract you from that still burning question of who’ll replace John Galliano?

[Source: Fashionista]
[Image Source: Ilker/Stock.xchng]

Christian Dior Bags on eBay

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Dooney & Bourke shows rare maturity with this Smith Bag.

Its name is very unassuming and ordinary, but the Smith is one of the best Dooney & Bourke bags I’ve seen.

Dooney & Bourke’s crafted its Smith from lightweight nylon material. This easy care material is smartened up with red leather accents and trim. I’m not a big fan of the tassels at either side of the tote, but at least they’re placed discreetly. Overall the Smith looks quite chic, but its greatest strength is its practicality.

Its exterior flap pocket hints at the Smith’s user-friendly design. There are more pockets inside, and a hook for your keys. These organizational aids make the Smith’s generous main compartment much easier to manage. While the shoulder straps could stand to be a bit wider, I appreciate their length.

The color schemes are a bit hit and miss though. I love the nautical feel of the navy and red palette here. However some of the other options, including hot pink and royal blue bag and orange and blue, are a bit garish. Choose carefully and you should enjoy several seasons from this $228 Dooney & Bourke tote.

More Features of this Dooney & Bourke Nylon Tote

• Zip closure
• Gold-toned hardware
• Nylon lined interior
• Protective feet on the base
• Dual straps with a 10.5 inch drop
• Measures 16 x 6.5 x 9.5 inches

Get this Dooney & Bourke Smith Handbag:

• Available to buy at Dooney & Bourke
• Available to buy on eBay (see listings below):

[phpbay]Dooney Bourke Smith, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Lindajopen Purses Plus eBay store to see if this Dooney & Bourke bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Dooney & Bourke bags on BagBunch
• The Dooney & Bourke Nylon Editor’s Tote bag, a great alternative to this nylon bag.
• Searching for more Dooney & Bourke bags on eBay

A Tennessee hair salon selling imitation Coach handbags is being taken to task by the fashion giant. The New York company has served Hair in XS, and its proprietor Kitsana Insyxiengmay Thephavong, with lawsuits for a series of offences related to copyright infringement.

It seems strange that a small salong in Murfreesboro would even be on the fashion giant’s radar, but apparently it sent an investigator to the premises after it was tipped off about the illegal activities. The private eye found he could buy an imitation Coach wallet for just $15, a fraction of the genuine article’s recommended retail value.

The papers served to Hair in XS and Thephavong cite a range of crimes including trademark counterfeiting, trademark infringement, trademark dilution, copyright infringement, false designation of origin and false advertising, Tennessee deceptive trade practices and Tennessee common law trademark violations. If these charges are proved in a court, Thephavong will face some pretty hefty damages.

Understandably Thephavong has gone to ground and is refusing to speak to the media. Something tells me that keeping quiet might be the best move.

This case serves as a timely warning to other companies that no business is small enough to get away with copyright infringement.

[Source: DNJ]
[Image Source: Robert Linder/Stock.xchng]

Coach Handbags on eBay

[phpbay]Coach, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Nicole Richie proves she’s a designer of some mettle with this Marley Clutch from her House of Harlow 1960 line.

At its heart the Marley’s a very simple box clutch. We’ve seen its structured shape and rounded corners many times before. But it’s what Richie does with that base that’s really exciting. She’s chosen a soft mustard colored leather, which has been decorated with a crocodilian texture. It’s not the most convincing croc mimic I’ve seen, but it’s also far from the worse.

The purse’s wild side is enhanced with the jaguar head clasp. The rhinestone-dotted closure reminds me of the metal skulls employed by Alexander McQueen. Only time will tell whether Nicole Richie’s clasps become as iconic!

The Marley is very small, so storage space is a bit of an issue. Frankly you’ll be lucky to fit even your essentials inside it. And don’t even think about overstuffing it; that jaguar clasp will pop open defiantly if you do!

If it were more expensive I might demand substance to match the Marley’s style. But at a relatively affordable $195, I’m happy for just good looks!

More Features of This House of Harlow 1960 Crocodile Embossed Clutch

• Antique gold frame
• Cotton lined interior
• A detachable strap
• Measures 5.5 x 3.5 inches

Get this House of Harlow 1960 Marley Handbag:

• Available to buy at Singer22
• Available to buy on eBay (see listings below):

[phpbay]House of Harlow Marley, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Design Appeal eBay store to see if this House of Harlow 1960 bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More House of Harlow 1960 bags on BagBunch
• The House of Harlow 1960 Tilda bag, a great alternative to this clutch bag.
• Searching for more House of Harlow 1960 bags on eBay

I’m a bit of a fashion snob. The feel of high quality leather underneath my fingertips makes me weak, and I swoon over a well-placed sprinkling of Austrian crystals. However even I can’t resist the charms of a well-designed cotton canvas bag. This fun Elephant Tote from Echo Design definitely fits the bill.

That elephant print really sucked me in. I love the way that African tribal markings decorate the body of this majestic beast. The same patterns are repeated on the handles and down the tote’s sides. I’m also really attracted to this tote’s coloring. Echo Design calls it khaki, but it seems closer to a sunny yellow for my money. Whatever it is, it’s sure to brighten up your winter’s day!

Totes like this are generally all about their surface appeal. However this handbag’s charm goes much deeper. There are a few pockets inside to keep your cargo organized, and a magnetic snap to ensure your possessions stay just where you left them.

At $88 this canvas tote is no bargain, but it’s also not outrageous for a bag which offers a bit more than its peers.

More Features of This Echo Design Printed Tote

• Made of cotton canvas
• Structured base
• Hand washable
• Measures 17 x 22 x 4.5 inches

Get this Echo Design Elephant Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Echo Elephant tote, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Echo bags on BagBunch
• The Echo Reversible tote bag, a great alternative to this printed bag.
• Searching for more Echo bags on eBay

Hermes is in a spot of bother after it failed to register the name it’s known by in China.

Apparently the Hermes name is difficult for the Chinese to pronounce, and so the company is known as Ai Ma Shi there. It’s a common practice for a company to go by a different name abroad, but firms need to be abreast of the issue and register both titles. Sadly when Hermes tried to register its Chinese name recently, it discovered a local apparel firm had beaten them to it. This Chinese clothing line secured the trademark right in 1995.

It’s a bit difficult for Western fashionistas to understand, as Hermes still has that Hermes name under its belt. However Beijing lawyer Stan Abrams says the Chinese version is always more valuable than the original foreign brand name.

Unless Hermes can convince the China Trademark Appeal Board to reverse their decision, they could actually find themselves infringing the copyright of this Ai Ma Shi clothing company. Can you imagine some small company suing Hermes for infringing their trademark? What a sticky situation for the luxury leader. It certainly serves as a lesson for all high end designer labels looking to expand abroad!

[Source: Fashionista]

Hermes Handbags on eBay

[phpbay]Hermes, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

I haven’t always embraced Jessica Simpson’s handbags, but lately the pop star turned designer has surprised me. The Contempo tote is another great accessory which proves this celebrity is really finding her designer feet.

The Contempo’s appeal is all about its clean modern lines. From the unique tab flap to the curved piping decorating the front panel, it’s the lines they create that make the Contempo something special.

We can always rely on Jessica Simpson accessories for practicality, and the Contempo is no exception. The tote is generously sized, with an array of pockets inside and out. The handles are long and flat too, so they won’t slide off your shoulder when you’re on the go.

Not all Contempos are created equally though. In my opinion the tote looks its best in conservative all-over colors like black, walnut, and this ivory version. When Jessica Simpson experiments with colorblocking, animal printed panels, and various fabrics, the Contempos start to look busy and ostentatious. I suppose some girls might appreciate the bolder statements these totes make, but I prefer the more timeless designs.

More Features of This Jessica Simpson Ivory Tote

• Zip closure
• Dual handles with a 10.5 inch drop
• Measures 13 x 5.5 x 13.5 inches

Get this Jessica Simpson Contempo Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Jessica Simpson Contempo tote, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Sexy Cool Shoes eBay store to see if this Jessica Simpson bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Jessica Simpson bags on BagBunch
• The Jessica Simpson Contempo satchel bag, a great alternative to this tote bag.
• Searching for more Jessica Simpson bags on eBay

MCM is shunning the cold weather trend for dark colors and conservative styles in favor of wilder designs this fall/winter.

Many of the new bags feature leopard printed panels, which pop against MCM’s orange, red, green, chocolate, and blue leathers. The spotted details are threaded through several MCM lines including the trendy Funk Rock Luxury range, the studded Leo collection, and the small statured Little Veronika Visetos line. It sounds like it’ll be difficult to escape the jungle print this season!

If these animal themed accessories are a bit bold for your sensibilities, then look to its classic Heritage line. This season’s range features several new designs including barrel-shaped weekenders, pillbox inspired hard luggage, and jewelry and vanity cases. These travel accessories are complemented by everyday options including a mini cross-body, a mid-sized messenger, a reversible shopper, and a large shoulder bag.

MCM’s popular First Lady line has also received an upgrade, with some new colors and larger, more practical shapes.

MCM has also expanded its men’s accessories ranges: Heritage, Stark, and Urban Styler. This season fashion-conscious blokes can enjoy MCM’s new passport holders, iPhone cases, and wallets. While they’re intended for the lads, I’m sure many conservative girls will also warm to these unisex styled designs.

Look for the new MCM accessories in the label’s boutiques around the world soon.

[Source: The Moodie Report]

MCM Bags on eBay

[phpbay]MCM, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]