I’ve always found Nine West’s accessories a bit hit and miss, but when it gets things right the results are worth bargain hunters considering. Nine West shows the other labels how colorblocking should look with this Fair & Square shoulder bag.

I appreciate that Nine West has kept the colorblocking simple here. A wide cream racing stripe runs down the center of the purse, effectively breaking up the pretty orchid colored patent material. That material is synthetic rather than real leather, but you’d barely know it. I’ve often criticized Nine West for choosing inferior man-made materials, but this glossy fabric is a cut above other synthetic alternatives.

I’m not such a fan of the tortoiseshell buckle though. It doesn’t seem to gel with the patent leatherette, or the silver hardware. It adds interest to be sure, but I think it attracts eyeballs for all the wrong reasons.

That buckle is a fairly minor misstep though, and one we’ll quickly forgive when we spy the price. At $69 this Fair & Square shoulder bag is an affordable way to add some pop to your wardrobe this winter.

More Features of This Nine West Colorblocked Shoulder Bag

• Interior zip pocket
• A slit pocket on the front interior wall
• Measures 7 x 11 x 3 inches

Get this Nine West Fair & Square Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon
• Check the eBags eBay store to see if this Nine West bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Nine West bags on BagBunch
• The Nine West Fair & Square wristlet bag, a great alternative to this shoulder bag.
• Searching for more Nine West bags on eBay
• Other Nine West Fair & Square bags on eBay (see listings below):

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Nina Ricci takes us back to the 80s with this ultra pink Eve pouchette.

You’ll have to really like pink to embrace the purse. Nina Ricci ups the sugar levels for this highly saturated color. It’s one of the girliest shades I’ve ever seen, and the cheeky bows on the chain strap only amplify that effect. As a girly girl I can’t help embracing its boldness, although I concede I’m not sure how I’d work it into my wardrobe!

It’s a shame Nina Ricci doesn’t offer more color options, because if it weren’t so pink the Eve would have many more fans. The ruffles add dramatic texture to the pouchette’s silky body, and the diagonal stitching makes it feel even richer. The gleaming golden hardware pulls the design together in a luxurious way.

We expect luxury for this price though. $1650 is a lot of money to spend on any purse, particularly one that’s really only appropriate for after five wear. Use it to glam up an everyday wardrobe and aspiring Elle Woods might see value here.

More Features of This Nina Ricci Pink Pouchette

• Zip pocket
• Fabric lined interior
• Metal fold-over closure
• A chain handle with a 5 inch drop
• Measures 13.5 x 8 x 3 inches

Get this Nina Ricci Eve Handbag:

• Available to buy at Barneys New York
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Nina Ricci bags on BagBunch
• The Nina Ricci Tiered Evening bag, a great alternative to this pink bag.
• Searching for more Nina Ricci bags on eBay
• Other pink pouchettes on eBay:

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Most girls love designer handbags, but few show the dedication of American model Karlie Kloss. She adores her Chanel bag so much that she claims she’s “going to be buried with that bag.”

It’s hardly surprising that she’s so fond of the purse, as it was a gift from Karl Lagerfeld himself. After Chanel’s head honcho treated the model to one of his iconic purses, she decided to pay the kindness forward.

Kloss says she gave her mother and her twin sisters he same purses as birthday gifts, so “Now all the girls in my family have one.” That’s the sort of kindness we rarely see in teenagers!

While she appreciates the high class luxury of Chanel and other designer labels, Kloss seems to have her feet formly planted on the ground. She admits that she’s “a total cheapskate” when it comes to fashion, who appreciates apparel and accessories from H&M and Forever New. And she’s not talking about those covetable designer collaborations either.

Personally I find Kloss’ down-to-earth approach to fashion refreshing. We’d all happily accept a designer gift from Karl Lagerfeld, but it’s great to see she can also appreciate the value of more affordable fashion offerings. With an attitude like that, it’s easy to see why fashion movers and shakers are clamoring to work with her!

[Source: Vogue UK]
[Image Source: Christopher Macsurak/Wikipedia Commons]

Chanel Purses on eBay

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Nicole Miller takes an uncharacteristically low key approach to design with this Keira messenger.

It’s hard to believe this purse comes from the same woman who covered her Margot clutch with a chaotic bundle of chains, and who created fabric gemstones for her Brandy clutch. The Keira has none of that flair. In fact, it has very little of anything at all.

It’s got some appealing curves, and a practical design. It’s made of fine leather, but it’s all just so beige. The single color choice is appropriate for a purse that’s so safe, and frankly dull. It’ll work with any outfit and in any season, but I can’t imagine anyone will admire it.

If you prize practicality you won’t be disappointed. The Keira is a good usable size, with generous pockets inside and out. The zipper enhanced shoulder strap is also just the right length for grabbing as you walk out the door.

The Keira’s not a bad bag at all, but it’s so boring that I can’t imagine anyone feeling passionate enough about it to fork over $450. For that price you might not find another bag that combines quality and functionality so effortlessly, but you’re guaranteed to find one with a lot more pizzazz.

More Features of This Nicole Miller Beige Messenger

• Two exterior zip pockets
• Magnetic flap closure
• An 18 inch zip accented shoulder strap
• Measures 3.5 x 13.5 x 11.5 inches
• Made in China

Get this Nicole Miller Keira Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon (limited stock)
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Nicole Miller bags on BagBunch
• The Nicole Miller Addison bag, a great alternative to this beige bag.
• Searching for more Nicole Miller bags on eBay
• Other beige leather messenger bags on eBay:

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With its creative director Phoebe Philo almost seven months pregnant, Celine has made the difficult decision to cancel its Paris Fashion Week runway show.

Celine’s chief executive officer Marco Gobbetti reports that Philo is still hard at work on producing a new season collection. She’s also rumored to present the line in some format during the French fashion festival. However all the work that a catwalk show entails is simple too much for the expectant mother to take on at this time.

“A runway show is a very demanding and personal engagement for a creative director,” he explained. “The objective is to simplify.“

Philo is one of those rare designers who seems to put family ahead of her career. She’s been a longtime campaigner for her work-life balance, and she once said she’s “disciplined” about keeping regular office hours. It requires organization, and an excellent team around her, but it’s admirable that Celine makes it work. And while Philo continues to produce the goods, it’s hard to argue with the fashion house’s family friendly stance.

I’ll miss seeing the images of Celine’s runway show, but I’m sure there’ll be plenty of other catwalk snaps from Paris to keep me entertained!

[Source: New York Fashion]
[Image Source: Markkapcic/Wikipedia Commons]

Celine Handbags on eBay

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Nicole Lee puts a playful spin on high-end style with this Adela mini bag.

The Adela’s simple pouchette shape and front flap with its turn-lock closure are obvious homages to leading designer purses. But Nicole Lee’s exaggerated features give this purse its point of difference. The turn-lock threatens to dominate the design, and the wide brown piping pops against the charcoal colored synthetic. The effect is almost cartoonish, and sure to polarize fashion fans. I’m pretty sure anyone with a designer budget will turn their nose up at this quirky imitation, but I don’t think it should be dismissed out of hand.

This is one of Nicole Lee’s most reserved styles, and in my opinion one of her most successful. The designer’s never been a shrinking violet, but with the Adela she’s created an accessory that’s easy to incorporate into a wardrobe. It appears unusual but not a novelty, unlike so many of the label’s other handbags.

While the styling seems fun and even childish, its design is actually very functional. A zip hidden beneath the turn-lock makes the small interior doubly secure. This petite space doesn’t need a lot to stay organized, so its trio of pockets is surely up to the task. In my opinion we could have done without all those compartments, as they seem to clutter what little room we have, but this is a minor quibble.

The use of synthetic rather than the leathers the leading labels prefer see this Adela bag priced at an affordable $81. It’ll never pass as a real designer purse, but it’s a fun and functional alternative.

More Features of This Nicole Lee Signature Mini

• An exterior back pocket with a magnetic snap
• A single shoulder strap
• Measures 4.5 x 11.5 x 5.8 inches

Get this Nicole Lee Adela Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon
• Check the eBags eBay store to see if this Nicole Lee bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Nicole Lee bags on BagBunch
• The Nicole Lee Adela messenger bag, a great alternative to this flap bag.
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Nancy Gonzalez adds python to her signature crocodile skin with the aim of offering twice the luxury and twice the looks. However, sadly this tote somehow ends up being less than the sum of its parts.

I really can’t fault the exotic skins themselves. The earthy golden python is beautiful, and a lovely foil for the bolder black Caiman fuscus crocodile. But when the materials are all cut up into strips, they lose their value. Think of the way an allover python bag speaks to us with its delicate scales. It doesn’t need any embellishment, because the material has enough to attract us. We don’t get that instant impact here, because Nancy Gonzalez has tried to do too much. She’s attempted to be clever, rather than using her prized skins to draw eyes.

This tote gets the job done, but it doesn’t do any more than a cheap tote would. Its interior is spacious, but we’re not treated to the pockets we need to make use of all that room. The bracelet handles are eye-catching but they’re also not up to the challenge of carrying our cargo. We don’t even get a closure, although perhaps if we buy a tote like this we won’t have any money for filling it!

Because at $2,950, this crocodile and python tote is a really expensive proposition. We wouldn’t expect a bag made with such high-end materials to come any cheaper, but we’d also expect it to deliver more than this.

More Features of This Nancy Gonzalez Exotic Tote

• Lined with natural linen
• Measures 13 x 16 x 2 inches
• Made in Colombia

Get this Nancy Gonzalez Python & Crocodile Handbag:

• Available to buy at Bergdorf Goodman
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Nancy Gonzalez bags on BagBunch
• The Nancy Gonzalez Croc & Fox bag, a great alternative to this exotic bag.
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Chanel threw a lavish celebrity bash in Las Vegas last weekend to celebrate a decade of luxury in the city and the revamping of its Bellagio boutique.

Friday night’s party coincided with the opening of Numeros Privees: A Journey Through the World of Chanel. The installation celebrates Chanel’s favorite elements, iconic designs, and range of apparel and accessories.

Jessica Alba, Diane Kruger, Lily Collins, and Alexa Chung were amongst the famous faces who explored the 10-room exhibition. The arcade room was one of the most popular, and it’s not hard to see why. A classic claw machine was filled with Chanel cosmetics, bracelets, and other trinkets which served as prizes for the luckiest guests.

Once they were done exploring, the A-listers moved to a dimly lit dining room where dim sum was served in honor of the Chinese New Year. Imelda May performed while the guests soaked up the room’s speakeasy vibe. And if they were still awake it was off to dance until the wee hours at the 1 Oak Club. Chanel sure knows how to throw a party!

The newly remodeled Chanel Bellagio store opens its doors on Monday. It promises to be worth the wait though, with several Las Vegas themed goodies available from the store. I have my eye on the hot pink crystal encrusted flap bag with dice charms, although considering my budget perhaps I’ll only be able to afford a bottle of the Gold Fingers nail polish!

[Source: LA Times]
[Image Source: Rob Young/Flickr]

Chanel Bags on eBay

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My belief in magic went out the window the moment my parents told me the nasty truth about Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. However Mywalit insists there’s something miraculous about this Magic wallet.

I don’t think it’s as bewitching as its name suggests, but its internal design is quite clever. The cross-shaped elastic note holder keeps your paper money organized and crumple free. The Magic Wallet also has three credit card slots ready to handle your drivers’ license and essential plastic. That won’t be enough to satisfy most girls, but you can always stash more cards behind the notes. Just make sure those magnetic strips don’t rub together!

The Magic Wallet’s design is unique without being gimmicky. Mywalit’s again used rainbow colors well here, although it’s available in a few more sedate combinations if you prefer. And there’s no denying the quality of Mywalit’s buttery Italian leather.

This small Mywalit purse is a lot of fun, but it’s hardly the piece of design wizardry the label claims. Personally it’s too petite to suit my financial needs, but if you like to carry your wallet in a pocket, or simply prefer a more minimalist style, you’ll see value here.

More Features of This Mywalit Leather Wallet

• Measures 3.9 x 3.1 inches

Get this Mywalit Magic Handbag:

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

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• More Mywalit bags on BagBunch
• The Mywalit Flag bag, a great alternative to this coin purse.
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Footwear king Brian Atwood is adding handbags to his fashionable range.

Atwood is starting small, with plans to release just four evening purses this spring. The clutches and minaudieres will be sold in limited quantities exclusively through Gilt.com. Their rarity and high class materials see them priced on the high side, between $1,050 and $1,850.

Atwood says that he’s always loved designing handbags, and after repeated requests to release some he decided to bow to the pressure.

“It seemed like the right time to start with chic clutches then eventually expand on that,” he explained.

While choosing a favorite purse is probably like choosing a favorite child, Atwood admits that he’s partial to the modern zipper-framing of his Carla clutch. This design is available in a range of materials, including suede and crocodile skin, so we can assume the other purses will also be released in various skins.

If those four-figure purses are out of your price range, don’t despair. Atwood says he also plans to add handbags to his more affordable diffusion line, B Brian Atwood. And soon the lads will also be able to indulge in Brian Atwood designs, as he plans to add men’s footwear to his signature collection.

What new Brian Atwood addition are you most excited about?

[Source: Glamazon Diaries]