From well-known shoe designer Salvatore Ferragamo comes this stunning handbag that is truly red carpet worthy. If you live in LA (or just read the tabloids), you might see Reese Witherspoon sporting one on a date with Jake or just on a quick jaunt to Starbucks.

While Ferragamo’s designs are usually a little conservative for my personal taste, the Apollonia strikes a fascinating balance between rock hard edginess and chic elegance. The pared down, clean lines of the bag allow the truly spectacular snakeskin to show through. The nuanced palette of the intricate pattern is something that only nature could create.

The bag is made from a reticulated python that weighs in at over 200 pounds. The size of the snake may seem immaterial to the handbag, but it’s the very material of the bag itself that makes it so interesting. The size of the snake means that the relatively small amount taken for the purse is of a more uniform pattern than your usual python. This uniformity definitely adds to the subtly streamlined appearance of the Apollonia.

The 17″ x 12.5″ x 4.5″ size is big enough to accommodate the everyday necessities of even the most heavily-armed fashionista. It also fits the bill for this season’s trend of huge bags. The goldtone hardware with wood insets also make the Apollonia striking. The only real problem lies in the bag’s affordability, or lack thereof. At about $4,000, the Apollonia makes a very expensive statement. Of course, exotic skins are always pricey, but they are also delicate, so you have to consider the practicality of an expensive bag that you’ll want to carry everywhere, but will have to handle with care.

More Features of the Python Apollonia by Salvatore Ferragamo

• Dual, rolled-leather handles
• Fabric-lined interior
• Exterior strap-through closure

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This is our first look at Madonna’s sexy new ad campaign for Louis Vuitton. She may be 50 years old, but you wouldn’t know it looking at those legs!

This is the first of six French-inspired images shot by Madonna’s good friend and regular photographer Steven Meisel. They were taken inside Los Angeles’ Café Figaro, a setting that seems tailor-made for these vintage looking photographs.

The fashion house’s creative director Marc Jacobs was inspired to make the Material Mom his next muse after seeing her Sticky & Sweet concert in Paris.

“I was totally just blown away by it, and moved by her performance, by what she had to say, and her energy.“

So he tapped out a message to the star on his Blackberry. She responded with just three words: “I’d love to.”

There were suggestions that Madonna pocketed a whopping $10 million for the gig, but Louis Vuitton’s director of communications, Antoine Arnault, denied this.

“It’s very far away from that,” he said.

Whatever Louis Vuitton paid, it looks like it was worth every cent! The ad campaign is set to appear in fashion mags in February, the same time as Sean Connery’s Core Values commercials.

[Source: The Bag Lady]

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If ever a brand could be called out for obvious branding on a product, Juicy Couture would be found guilty for this particular one. It’s not like we don’t expect it; we find their name splashed on almost every bag or pair of sweatpants they create. It’s hard to miss when someone is wearing Juicy, which is surely the best advertising they can get.

The Rock the Bag Choose Juicy tote fits in with their signature look. The metallic leather handbag is boldly printed with the name’s catchy phrase “Choose Juicy” and makes no attempt to hide it. It’s not subliminal advertising. It’s directly-in-your-face advertising. You have to give Juicy Couture some credit for unabashedly commanding people to buy this bag and being completely successful with their experiment. The bold if not bossy Rock the Bag tote is very popular.

Despite its rather cheeky phrase, the handbag itself makes quite a statement. The Choose Juicy bag is available in hot pink or gold metallic leather. Either choice is definitely not for blending into a crowd!

On the gold option shown here, the screenprinted text contrasts the bag color with pretty silver lettering. Forget the old rule that you shouldn’t mix your metals. Silver and gold work together well on this Juicy Couture tote. The result is a flashy handbag that manages to look trendy without being overly garish.

In all, the Rock the Bag Choose Juicy tote is fun and stylish even if you are shamelessly promoting Juicy Couture when wearing it. A large, bright metallic leather bag might not be your thing, but it definitely has its place in fashion. Get this one for around $225.

More Features of the Rock the Bag Choose Juicy Tote

• Measures 17.5 x 18 x 4 inches
• Double shoulder straps with 7 inch drop
• Soft metallic leather
• Cotton lining

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Phillip Lim says that his design inspirations come from “absorbing shapes, colors, and textures”. Well, his new Lotte Runway bag is inspiring on all three counts. I love the subtle rounded-off edges, the delicate anthracite gray, and the contrasting textures of the goatskin as much as I love the remarkably reasonable price of $475.

The way the shiny, horizontally-striped center detail sets off the smooth grain of the goatskin sides gives the bag a plush, luxurious appeal. The gathers along the seams of the bag soften its square shape and create volume. The suitcase-style handles are padded for comfort, and have a rich-looking embossed appearance.

The bag closes with a practical, double-zip top, and the black metal hardware of the zippers and stud detailing reinforces the neutral tone of the leather. You won’t find any obvious bells, whistles, or branding to distract from the minimal simplicity of Phillip Lim’s design, which I find to be a refreshing change from the omnipresent, oversized logos of so many handbags.

The reasonable-to-carry 12″ x 10.25″ x 6.5″ inch size is great for toting your wallet, organizer, phone, and perhaps a small makeup bag without weighing down your arm, and the interior zipper pocket keeps all those little essentials, like lipgloss and keys, organized and easy to reach.

While the cost of this bag is more than what many of us recessionistas might want to spend up front, you would be hard-pressed to find another designer bag of this quality and subtle beauty at under $500. The combination of affordability and clean design is sure to make the Lotte by Phillip Lim the new favorite for quite a Lotte of us ladies.

More Features of the Anthracite Lotte Handbag by Phillip Lim

• Fine textile lining
• Also available in ultra-violet (purple)

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As the winter chill sets in, how does St Tropez sound? We might not all be able to afford that getaway to the French Riviera, but you can capture that sleek summer style with this St Tropez satchel from Botkier.

It may be inspired by the exotic French locale, but the styling is all Italian. Its classic good looks are simple and sophisticated, with angular top stitching near the handles and flap adding interest. The dual rolled straps look so chic and feel heavenly in the palm of your hand.

The contemporary front flap hides a magnetic snap closure. Pop it open to reveal the spacious lined interior. It features a handy inner pocket lined with leather to survive everyday wear and tear.

I love the crisp look of this white St Tropez, but be careful. If you’re looking for an everyday purse, this one is likely to show marks before too long. The basic black bag is a much more practical choice for girls on the go.

More Features of This Botkier Leather Satchel

• Canvas and cowhide exterior
• Logo print jacquard lining
• Dual shoulder straps with a 5 inch drop
• Measures 11 x 17 x 5 inches
• Dust bag included for storage
• Made in Italy

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With Christmas just around the corner, we’re all thinking of that perfect getaway. Girls are simple creatures. We just need some good music, some good company, and a good travel bag to make our vacation something special. With the Swoop Weekend Bag, you might be able to cross one thing off the list!

The synthetic exterior and reinforced piping details are made to stand up to the punishment of baggage handlers or hotel staff. This hardy fabric is decorated with fun designs, from the art deco inspired Maison to the wild Leopard print. Personally I’m swayed by the dramatic pattern and sexy zipper tassels of this La Femme bag.

The zip around satchel style lets you open the bag up and lay it flat for easy packing and unpacking. Large zippered pockets on either side wall are transparent so it’s easy to see what you’ve stashed inside. Store your cosmetics in one compartment and your toiletries in the other to keep them away from your precious clothes. I’m sure anyone who’s suffered from leaky shampoo would appreciate that!

The dual shoulder straps have a short drop, so you can only carry the weekend bag in your hand. This is frustrating if you’ve got a long way to go, particularly if you’ve overloaded your purse. If only Swoop had given us a long detachable shoulder strap for cross-body carrying!

This Swoop Weekend Bag might profess to be the perfect companion for a short getaway, but with so much space on offer it’s also a great travelling buddy for a longer vacation.

More Features of This Swoop Weekend Bag

• Nylon lined interior
• Dual zipper entry
• Dual shoulder straps with a 4 inch drop
• Measures 8 x 11.25 x 3.25 inches
• Made in China

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Yves Saint Laurent is known for creating timeless designs that transcend trends. This bag does just that, but it draws on modern shapes and textures to do so. The messenger style of this bag is ultra-contemporary, as is the cracked metallic gold leather of the exterior, but you can still find the Yves Saint Laurent tradition in the details.

The lustrous sheen of the metallic gold is broken up by the edgy cracked design of the Italian leather, and the goldtone hardware creates a few bits of glimmer on the bag, without being loud or distracting. This is about as tasteful and understated as metallic leather gets. But it’s still heavy on style, making it a great choice for women who want to jump on the metallic bandwagon, but still want a little bit of subtle elegance.

The luxury of the Besace is balanced by the utility of some of the bag’s practical details. The back, for example, features a rear file pocket with pin closure, and the 23.5″ shoulder strap is adjustable to make it comfortable at many lengths. The 11.5″ x 11″ x 4″ size makes it generously proportioned for an everyday bag, but isn’t as bulky as some messengers.

The exterior flap is suede-lined, and closes with loop-through straps that look amazing, but might be slightly awkward if you want to get into the bag right away. With the average woman sporting a handbag that weighs upwards of five pounds, this bag seems like a lightweight at just 2 pounds. That’s great if you’re like me, and carry around so much stuff that you don’t really want your bag itself to weight you down.

I love the allover seam detailing, the D-ring accents, and the lack of obvious logos. In case anyone wonders, though, YSL is embroidered at the bottom! The side features a great patch pocket with pin closure, perfect for easy access to your cell phone or PDA. The Yves Saint Laurent Besace has all the practical features of a great day-to-day bag mixed with designer details for the cultivated connoisseur.

More Features of the Cracked Gold Besace by Yves Saint Laurent

• canvas-lined interior
• inside zip and patch pockets

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La Regale is a name that is usually synonymous with affordable handbags. If you need a decently priced yet trendy evening bag, they are the go-to brand. Occasionally, however, one of their small purses moves beyond the $200 mark. These higher priced handbags are generally in the formal category and are almost always worth every penny of their uncharacteristic price tag.

One of these gorgeous and more expensive La Regale bags is the Soft Bodied Rhinestone Clutch. The glittery material immediately catches your eye. Some might think it’s a little overwrought with rhinestones, but I say the more the merrier when you’re going formal. This amount of glitter usually looks classier on your bag than on your outfit anyway. Unless you can pull off a sequined mini, reserve the glitz for your accessories. Pair the Rhinestone Clutch with a simple satin gown, and you’ll look ready for the red carpet.

If you find clutches awkward to carry, this La Regale purse offers a small gold strap that will fit perfectly on your wrist or in the crook of your arm. The strap is somewhat short, though, so don’t expect to sling the purse on your shoulder. This clutch is delicate and requires a light hand when carrying it. It won’t be as clunky as some hard-shell evening bags, though. The soft body of the purse makes it much more manageable for those long holiday party nights.

You won’t use it every day, but the Rhinestone Clutch is perfect for a special event where “black tie” is on the invitation. It is priced higher than many of La Regale’s other bags as it retails for $410. However, unless you attend a formal event every other weekend, this one will serve you well year after year.

More Features of the Rhinestone Clutch

• Measure 7.5 x 1.5 x 4
• Optional strap with 6 inch drop
• Soft body with handset rhinestones
• Snap lock closure

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From America’s fashion capital New York comes Anne Klein, a designer who knows how to put a contemporary twist on some old favorites. With the Paramount satchel she’s brought the classic doctor bag into the 21st century.

You’ll recognize that timeless domed shape, but no doctor I know would dare to carry a bag finished in such glossy patent leather. This slick fabric always looks glamorous, and paired with the Paramount’s gold hardware it doesn’t disappoint.

The zip top closure opens to reveal a roomy main compartment. It’s lined with a ribbed satin fabric to stand up to everyday wear. If you’re looking for features you’ll be disappointed though, with only a zippered pocket for interior organization.

Anne Klein delivers style and space with the Paramount, but she doesn’t give us a lot of color options. Basic black is a safe choice, particularly considering how loud this multi-colored purse is. It’s certainly fun, but I can’t imagine what you’d carry it with. I’d buy this bag in the purple, blue, or red, but the combination of these vibrant colors is a little overwhelming!

More Features of This Anne Klein New York Patent Purse

• Gold toned lion accent
• Protective feet on the bag’s base
• Dual shoulder straps with a 7.5 inch drop
• Measures 7.5 x 12 x 5 inches
• Comes with a dustbag
• Made in China

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Chanel designer Karl Lagerfield has made his directorial debut with a 10-minute silent film celebrating Coco Chanel. Mr Lagerfield was inspired to make the movie to set the record straight about the style pioneer.

“It’s a funny movie, unpretentious,” said Mr Lagerfeld. “Chanel was a charming woman, at liberty to seduce men. Everybody this year has decided to make a movie about Chanel, and you know their historical worth is not always too exact.”

The film tells the story of Coco’s love affair with Duke Dimitri Pavlovich. The decision to shoot in black and white is sure to add an air of authenticity to the work, which is set between 1913 and 1923.

Karl chose people closest to him to fulfill his creative vision, casting models Edita Vilkeviciute and Brad Koenig to play Coco and The Duke, his own bodyguard as a nightclub owner, and workers in his atelier to fill the minor parts.

“I cannot take extras,” Mr Lagerfeld stressed. “They don’t know how to touch the clothes.”

The short film will make its world premiere at Paris’ Ranelagh Theatre tonight to coincide with the launch of the Chanel Paris-Moscow pre-fall collection.

[Source: FabSugar]

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