A few months ago we wrote about R. Lloyd Ming’s controversial artwork, The Crucifix. The sculpture saw Ming cut up thousands of dollars worth of Louis Vuitton Alma bags.

The piece might seem sacrilegious to Christians and bagistas everywhere, but Ming insists he didn’t intend to offend. Instead he was simply making a statement about the idea of salvation through materialism.

“It is inspired by the new wealth in China,” he explained. “But it can also refer to America or any consumer-driven society.”

It might have had its critics, but the notorious piece has found a place in the heart of a British art collector. Mr. Ming won’t divulge the price the buyer paid, but he would say “It wasn’t cheap.”

“But it should have been more. The buyer got a good deal; however with this economy all buyers of contemporary art are getting good deals right now. I guess I should feel fortunate that I sold anything at all because many artists are not selling.“

I’m sure Louis Vuitton lovers also agree that he was lucky to offload such a contentious artwork too!

[Source: eMediaWire]

Louis Vuitton Alma Bags on eBay

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RG House of Florence keeps it simple with this chic bucket handbag.

The natural straw canvas body is accented by boar leather trim. It’s available with tobacco brown accents, but I’d rather carry this pale green variety. The shade’s just a little unexpected, and ideal for spring!

The body is classically boxy, but there’s nothing traditional about those handles. The loop-the-loop design is so striking, but unlike many avant-garde features the handles remain functional. Their short style may disappoint girls favoring shoulder bags, but I think the purse’s medium size lends itself to hand-held carrying.

This minimalistic style we see outside is mirrored with this purse’s interior. A large zippered pocket extends the length of one side wall, complemented by a slip pouch on the other side. The brown leather lining is an unexpected touch of luxury.

I’d have expected the straw canvas fabric to keep the price right down, but that’s not the case here. I guess the $648 retail value comes from the leather hiding inside, but as we rarely see that the price still seems steep. The style might be spot on, but for me this bucket bag doesn’t really represent value for money.

More Features of This RG House of Florence Leather Trimmed Purse

• Gold-toned hardware
• Zip top closure
• Measures 5.5 x 11.8 x 9.8 inches
• Made in Italy

Canvas Bucket Bags on eBay

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Ah, Roxy. Producers of all things surf-wear and beachy, this brand is synonymous with sun, sand and sea. Their designs are cheap, cheerful and above all casual. No fancy evening purses here; instead we have usability and bright summery colors.

This bag is no exception. In bright primary stripes, this shouts deckchair chic from the rafters. The handles are strong and reinforced, the bag simple. The fabric (nothing luxurious, just real) continues into the attractive and bright colored lining, with useful little zippered compartments and plenty of storage. This bag is deceptively large. At an impressive 17 x 14 inches, this will easily fit all your beach essentials and a beach ball to boot!

Now for the downsides. If you are not a surfer, this tote is in a very particular style. As with Quicksilver or similar, you can tell surfwear from a mile off, and so can everyone around you. It is so casual it needs a new word for it, and serves no other purpose. You couldn’t take it to a party (unless it was on the beach), and wouldn’t dare wear it in the oh-so-judgmental fashion world. It has plenty of storage, but the handles are thin and potentially not too comfy.

Essentially, this is a hold-all and nothing more. If you want fancy features and not just a beach bag, this isn’t the one for you!

More Features of this Roxy Shining Tote

• Top entry with snap closure
• Handle drop of 9 inches
• Dimensions: 17 x 14 inches

Roxy Beach Bags on eBay

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The Tassenmuseum Hendrikje Museum of Bags and Purses is the place to go to see absolutely exquisite handbags and other accessories from the 16th century to modern day. If it’s extremely rare or one-of-a-kind, it’s probably there.

I would expect an entire museum dedicated to handbags to have some interesting items, but I have to admit that one of their current exhibits caught me a little off guard. The display of “Beastie Bags” highlights bags made from or inspired by animals.

However, it’s not the somewhat normal crocodile or tortoise shell purses that intrigue me. No, the ones that surprise me are made from sting ray, toad, fly paper, and even from fish. I’m not talking about a fishy looking bag with scales. I mean a fish with no head and a chain attached. Weird.

One-of-a-kind doesn’t seem like a strong enough description for these kinds of handbags. And here I thought bags woven from recycled cat fur were strange.

[Source: Luxist]
[Image: NY Mag]

Animal-Inspired Handbags on eBay

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The Marc by Marc Jacobs Softy collection of bags is some of the designer’s best, I think. Some would probably disagree with me, but if I’m going to pay over $450 for a handbag, it’ll most likely be for something timeless like this.

Most of the Softy bags have pretty shapes, nice color choices, and soft leather material, of course. These qualities generally add up to the kind of purse that will last a while, which is why I like the line so much. There have been quite a few “softies” to be released, but I really like the classic shape of the Jorie.

The pale gray color isn’t a completely unexpected shade. However, it’s an interesting detour from basic black or brown, yet still neutral enough to work with quite a few outfits.

No one could accuse the Jorie tote of lacking storage. There are quite a few exterior pockets in addition to your typical interior storage. Slip pockets on either side of the tote are great for tucking a few small items away. There’s also a horizontal pocket with two zipper entries on the front of the bag.

A mini coin purse, also on the front, doesn’t add much practicality, but it sure is cute. Pretty silver, logo-engraved studs and the Marc by Marc Jacobs emblem finish off the Softy Jorie beautifully.

More Features of the Softy Jorie Horizontal Tote

• Measures 18 x 12 x 8 inches
• Double handles with 9 inch drop
• Striped interior lining

Marc by Marc Jacobs Jorie Bags on eBay

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• Click here to see more Marc Jacobs Softy purses on eBay
• Click here to search all Marc by Marc Jacobs handbags on eBay

Cash-strapped fashionistas have been renting their favorite designer purses for years, so renting high-end luggage seems like the next logical step. Travel store Flight 001 is making it possible with its new Baggage Claim for Hire program.

The initiative allows jetsetters to rent out luxury luggage for days or weeks at a time. It’s not only a great idea for travelers on a budget. It’s also a real space saver for apartment dwellers. It also allows you to test-drive that sexy suitcase you’re drooling over, alerting you to any flaws before you lay your money down.

“Instead of compromising by buying a cheap, disposable piece of luggage, this will allow customers to rent first-class luggage only when they need it, skipping the hassle of storage,” said Brad John, Flight 001 co-founder and director of merchandising.

Right now the selection’s a little lean, with only silver or black Rimowa luggage to choose from. Hopefully the range will expand as the initiative finds its feet.

The service debuted at the company’s flagship store in New York’s West Village this month, but we can expect to see it nationwide by the end of the year.

[Source: BlackBook]
[Image Source: Yoshi Aka/Flickr]

Rimowa Luggage on eBay

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Oroton has reinvented the hobo bag with the Mallorca. The slouchy style and bohemian vibe are gone, replaced with structure and sleek styling.

In fact, calling it a hobo may be a bit of a misnomer. I suppose the shape resembles the traditional crescent with its round corners, but it’s nowhere near as obvious as Jessica Simpson’s Dreamcatcher Macrame hobo, or Christian Dior’s Diorita. Instead the design is clean and chic, making the Mallorca entirely appropriate for trips to the office or an evening out.

There’s little in the way of embellishments, with a simple piped design the only thing to break up the shrunken pebble leather finish. The elegant pattern emphasizes the purse’s shape, drawing attention to its sexy curves.

A leather zipper pull offers easy access to your girly goodies. They’re all kept organized thanks to the cleverly designed interior, which features a zippered compartment on one side wall and a couple of slip pouches on the other.

This perspex purple shade is surprising, yet conservative all at the same time. The Mallorca is also available in cedar brown and black. The shades don’t push many boundaries, just like the Majorca’s design. It might be a different kind of hobo, but it’s not one likely to call attention to itself. That might suit girls who like to follow the pack, but more daring purse lovers may prefer to look elsewhere.

More Features of This Oroton Hobo Bag

• A single chain strap with leather insert
• Exclusive ‘O’ hardware
• Measures 13 x 10.5 x 5 inches
• Comes with a dust bag

Get This Oroton Mallorca Handbag on eBay

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• Click here to see more from the Yummydad store on eBay – An Oroton Handbags Retailer
• All Oroton bags on eBay

Timmy Woods does it again. As always, this bag is a work of art; just one that you can carry with you to hot fashion events in the city and make intelligent yet sexy conversation with glorious man-boys from underwear shoots. It makes like Sex and the City, and this truly is where a bag like this belongs.

So what is so special about it? The polished wood exterior shines with strong grain, and is embossed with a diagonal square pattern. Reminiscent of snakeskin and 70s interiors, the pattern draws out the feminine grain and makes the piece quite something to look at.

Beautiful as it is, with it’s stylized beaded handle, this bag is strangely similar to a hipflask, all square shapes and curved corners. Alcoholic associations aside, however, it is supremely classic, taking furniture styling and creating an item you can wear. Not that I’ve ever felt the urge to wear a chair, but in this situation it really works!

The downsides, as with all bags that are more fashion than sense, are obvious. Space is always an issue, and the bag has no flexibility, so you can take your phone and card and that’s about it! The handle is small and somewhat pretentious, although it does look good.

If you want art and fashion, this is the bag for you. Just don’t confuse paying lots of money with buying lots of practicality. Not a chance!

More Features of this Timmy Woods Wooden Purse

• Wooden exterior
• Snap closure
• Seventies dark wood detailing

Timmy Woods Handbags on eBay

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Mental note: when you’re famous and have an entire section of your closet devoted to Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld is bound to take notice of you.

British pop star and Chanel uber-fan Lily Allen has earned herself front row seats at Paris Fashion Week with her loyalty to the brand, and now she’s going even further with her devotion. She’s signed on to star in their upcoming fall handbag campaign.

The cheeky singer-soon-to-be-model has been called a muse of Karl Lagerfeld; and the announcement, straight from the legendary designer, seems to confirm that. Adding to the honor, Lagerfeld himself will be shooting the campaign.

It seems an odd pairing, feisty (dare I say sometimes offensive) singer and sophisticated label. However, stranger things have happened in the fashion world, to be sure. Allen’s pretty pixie face and big personality could be just what Chanel needs to spice things up a bit. I’ll trust Lagerfeld’s genius on this one.

[Source: Elle]
[Image: neil365/Flickr]

Chanel Handbags on eBay 

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Tod’s is basically the Italian version of Hermes, minus the horsiness. Both lines have an extremely loyal following of upper crust customers, both produce timeless luxury classics, and both are almost completely inaccessible, economically, to anyone who isn’t actually old money.

This white leather Helmut Zip Tote Media bag is about the most contemporary piece I’ve seen by Tod’s. Not that their stuff looks dated, but this looks almost futuristic. For me, it’s only the thick, shapely handle attachments that give away this bag’s old school ilk.

The square design is modern and sleek, and the zippers all over the place make it look almost edgy, but not quite, the white leather keeps it classy. And all those zippers aren’t for show anyways, this handbag is an organizational marvel. It has two interior gusseted compartments with full zip closures, interior and exterior zipper pockets, an interior patch pocket, and another for your cell phone. Which makes this bag about ideal for anyone who feels the need to compartmentalize.

The texture of the leather is smooth, and the sleek look of the bag is set off by the polished silver hardware, and intricate stitch details. The rolled leather handles are sturdy and made to last. In fact, the whole bag is of such superior quality that $1,925 doesn’t really seem an inordinate price to pay for it. Even those of us who aren’t blue bloods might consider it as an investment piece.

More Features of Tod’s Helmut Zip Tote Media Bag

• 13″ x 14″ x 8″ size
• 7″ handle drop
• logo jacquard lining

Tod’s Totes On eBay

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• Click here to search Tod’s handbags on eBay