With The Iron Lady in cinemas, its muse Margaret Thatcher is inspiring a new generation of fashionistas. The immovable hair and honeyed voice are difficult to replicate, but her rigid top-handled handbags are an attainable way to attract attention and command respect.

Margaret Thatcher’s famous accessories became such an integral part of her look that a new term, handbagging, entered the lexicon to describe her aggressive approach to her adversaries.

Thatcher’s handbags were practical, a kind of “portable filing cabinet,” as political novelist Michael Dobbs described them. However they also reminded the public and politicians of her power. Suddenly the feminine accessory wasn’t so feminine any more; it meant business.

You might remember one of Thatcher’s Asprey purses fetching £25, 000 in a Christie’s auction last year, but the former prime minister more often carrying Launer. With the Thatcher biopic in stores, the Midlands factory is enjoying a 59% sales increase in the black, boxy styles that Thatcher often carried. Launer’s creative director Gerald Bodmer says the “Thatcher bags” are popular with young fashion fans as they provide “a contemporary twist on investment pieces.”

With Thatcher bags on the rise, other labels are following suit. While Thatcher herself never carried them, we can imagine she’d love Mulberry’s Harriet or Symthson’s Agatha.

What’s your favorite top handled handbag?

[Source: The Daily Mail]
[Image Source: Wikipedia Commons]

Asprey Handbags on eBay

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Kenneth Cole might be congratulating himself on this wristlet from his Reaction line, but I’m afraid I can’t give it my stamp of approval.

I’m not a fan of signature prints at the best of times, but the jumbled mess of letters that make up the Reaction logo is one of the most distasteful I’ve seen. What was intended to seem youthful and energetic just appears chaotic and childish. The brassy green color only adds insult to injury.

In some ways it’s a blessing that Kenneth Cole has kept the wristlet’s design simple. The muddled logo and flashy color really don’t need another element to compete with. But on the other hand, I wish it showed a bit more flair. It doesn’t even seem like Kenneth Cole is trying here.

The only real saving grace for me is this wristlet’s convertible nature. In the mode pictured we can use it like a shoulder bag, but if we unclip the strap from one side and move it to the other it becomes a traditional wristlet. I’d prefer if both sides were detachable to make it a clutch, but at this price perhaps I shouldn’t quibble.

At $60 this Kenneth Cole wristlet is quite cheap but sadly it also looks it. Personally I’d pass on this one and save up for a more luxurious model.

More Features of This Kenneth Cole Logo Wristlet

• Zip top
• A fully lined interior
• A 14-inch handle
• Measures 7.5 x 4.5 x 1.5 inches

Get this Kenneth Cole Stamp of Approval Handbag:

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

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• Check the Buy Now or Never Bargain Resource eBay store to see if this Kenneth Cole bag is in stock
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Anya Hindmarch is paying tribute to one of her greatest icons, Margaret Thatcher, with The Iron Lady themed decorations in her Pont Street store.

The boutique’s mannequins are dressed in blue pussy box blouses, an array of brooches and pearls, and wigs mimicking Thatcher’s trademark dos. It’s just a small display which says volumes about the impact the former British prime minister made upon one of the country’s most celebrated fashion designers.

Hindmarch credits Thatcher’s “no nonsense attitude” with giving her the drive to establish her own business.

“Her quote: ‘If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman’, is one of my favourites,” Hindmarch explained. “She is a strong and charismatic woman and was apparently a terrible flirt which I admire.“

And of course Thatcher loved handbags, so when Hindmarch met her she couldn’t resist giving her a Bespoke Ebury bag. Coincidentally Meryl Streep, who plays Thatcher in The Iron Lady biopic, also owns one of the luxury purses. The designer also told Thatcher how much she admired her style, which must have been a great compliment.

“Margaret Thatcher dressed as a strong woman and developed a style that was very much her own brand,” Hindmarch recounted. “The hair, the bow, the pearls and the handbag all became iconic. Her accessories from brooches to pearls were her way of being pretty but her handbag became her strength and was incredibly symbolic. To handbag even became a verb!“

Hearing Hindmarch talk of her love of Thatcher goes some way to explaining her own sense of style. Who is your celebrity fashion icon?

[Source: Vogue UK]
[Image Source: Wikipedia Commons]

Anya Hindmarch Ebury Handbags on eBay

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KC Malhan combines the traditional craftmanship of the East with Western sensibilities to create this OMG wristlet.

The beaded body is trademark KC Malhan but the loud OMG slogan is something new. Frankly it’s a little too faddish for me, but I’m sure tweens and teens will love the bold lettering.

The beading is first rate but I’m not convinced by the color choices. If you’re going to commit to this kind of bold fashion statement, it seems to be that you shouldn’t do it by halves. The gray background and orange letters are just a little reserved for this kind of purse. Classic silver and gold would have made a much glitzier statement.

It’s also worth noting that this wristlet is very small. It’ll hold a smart phone or Blackberry, but there’ll be little room for anything else. I don’t mind traveling light but I still want space for the items I call essentials. You’ll need a very understanding boyfriend with very deep pockets to handle your excess I think!

It’s easy to criticize a purse like this but it’s important to consider its price. It is just $24 after all, so we can’t go expecting the world. I’d never carry it, but I think it’d make a great gift for budding fashionistas.

More Features of This KC Malhan Beaded Wristlet

• A detachable wrist strap
• Measures 6.5 x 4.5 inches

Get this KC Malhan OMG Handbag:

• Available to buy at KC Malhan
• Search online for this bag

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Anne Hathaway must have a pretty hectic schedule with her thriving movie career and wedding plans, but she’s still found time to model for Tod’s Signature Collection. The actress makes her return to Tod’s for this year’s spring advertising campaign.

Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott took the photos in London last year, as they did for Tod’s fall/winter 2011 campaign also fronted by Hathaway. The acclaimed photographic twosome have managed to capture her youthful energy and class, which is just what Tod’s creative director Fabien Baron was hoping for.

“The campaign for Tod’s Signature reaches out to a new and younger clientele,” he explained. “We see a stunningly exquisite Anne as a classic beauty with a modern Italian edge — feminine and strong.“

It seems it’s a bit of a mutual admiration society too, as Hathaway, a longtime fan of the fashion house, said she was “excited to be a part of exploring a new side of their identity with the launch of their Signature Collection.”

Despite the ads rolling out over the next few weeks, the Signature Collection bags won’t hit stores until October. By that time we’ll likely be hanging out for the classic designs and high quality finishes of these purses. Or we’ll have forgotten about them.

It seems a real gamble to release an advertisement for a new line so many months before it hits stores. Do you think the risk will pay off?

[Source: People StyleWatch]

Tod’s Handbags on eBay

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Kavu’s created a backpack for girls on a budget with the Samish. Its name is quite appropriate, because this backpack appears to be the same as many others on the market. Its shape and design are very familiar, but there are a few key aspects that make it worth considering.

The Samish is crafted from 600D polyester, a fabric that’s tough as nails and capable of withstanding any punishment that you can dish out. Zippers on the main compartment and inner pocket have nickel sliders to help them last. Bar tacking at key stress points ensure this backpack won’t fall apart in hurry. It even comes with a limited lifetime warranty, which is the sort of guarantee we rarely see at $50.

It’s nothing fancy but I appreciate the range of colors and prints available. Conservative types can enjoy the Samish in matte black or olive green while more daring girls will appreciate this patterned powder pink alternative. With ten versions in all, there’s bound to be one to suit your personality.

More Features of This Kavu Patterned Backpack

• Adjustable padded shoulder straps
• An air mesh back panel
• Dual side mesh pockets
• Measures 18 x 14 x 7 inches

Get this Kavu Samish Handbag:

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

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• Check the eBags eBay store to see if this Kavu bag is in stock
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Coach is celebrating the Year of the Dragon with a new Zhang Lan illustrated capsule collection. Coach commissioned the Chinese artist, who is a member of the EDGE Creative Collection, to create the Asian dragons which adorn the label’s new tote bag and small leather goods.

Lan’s illustrations resemble the traditional ink style paintings created by Chinese masters for generations.  It’s no ordinary dragon either. Lan fashioned his creature after Qinglong, a famous Chinese beast known as the Azure Dragon of the East. He’s one of four symbols of the Chinese constellation, and he represents both the east and the season of spring. The Chinese people believe the dragon was reincarnated as some of their most famous generals through history and folklore.

I love the way the menacing mythical gold animal pops against Coach’s classic signature print. They really elevate the fairly drab colored leather and make it something special. I really like the tote, but if you’re not sure about carrying the print on such a large scale you could indulge in a wallet, passport case, or travel organizer.

No prices have been released at this point, but with Coach making an effort to keep their prices reasonable I wouldn’t expect this capsule collection to be too exorbitant. Look for the Year of the Dragon accessories soon at your local Coach store.

[Source: Pursuitist]

Coach Signature Totes on eBay

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Kathy Van Zeeland’s gotten in touch with her feminine side to create this Pretty Young Thing Satchel.

I was surprised to see KVZ’s name attached to this conservative satchel. Its hardware is remarkably reserved, and its flap-over shape an elegant nod to the past. It’s far from the most sophisticated satchel I’ve seen, but it’s much more ladylike than the ones I’ve seen from Kathy Van Zeeland in the past.

She couldn’t resist adding a few signature flourishes though. The braided pulls which cinch in the bag look very out of place, and the garnet floral version is also completely over the top. But in birch, black, and even the metallic bone leatherette the Pretty Young Thing is uncharacteristically subtle.

In my opinion the Pretty Young Thing is just the right size. Any larger and it would lose its femininity, any smaller and it wouldn’t hold all the things we need. And it has all of the important things covered, from a good range of pockets to the pair of carrying alternatives. The top handle looks the part while the longer attachable strap puts practicality first.

The leatherette fabric is what sees this satchel priced at an affordable $99. If you can afford a real leather version you’ll probably turn your nose up at the thin, shiny skin, but if you’re on a budget this is an affordable alternative to those structured satchels you’ve been coveting.

More Features of This Kathy Van Zeeland Flap Satchel

• Magnetic snap closure
• A top handle with a 4.5 inch drop
• An adjustable attachable strap with an 11.5 to 21 inch drop
• Measures 14 x 9 x 6 inches
• Made in China

Get this Kathy Van Zeeland Pretty Young Thing Handbag:

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

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• Check the Lindasplace47 eBay store to see if this Kathy Van Zeeland bag is in stock
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Proenza Schouler is a relative newcomer to the world of advertising, but it’s already daring to be different. For its spring/summer 2012 campaign, we see the fashion house forgetting about its model and focusing on its wares.

It seems a tad frivolous and somewhat disrespectful to pay for the expertise of Natasha Poly, only to sever her head, but that’s exactly what Proenza Schouler has done here. And personally I think the gamble pays off.

Firstly we find ourselves paying attention to the ad because it looks so different. Photographer Willy Vanderperre and stylist Olivier Rizzo have worked well together to create and ad that stands out from the pack. This isn’t the kind of commercial you’d simply flick past in a magazine.

And while we’re admiring it we’re zooming straight in at the fashions. We’re not drooling at it from a distance either. By cropping in close Vanderperre has captured the intricate weave of the handbag and the texture of those platform heels. On another ad we would have missed them, but here those devilish details are showcased people.

Is this unusual fashion ad a work of genius or was Proenza Schouler mad to ignore its rather expensive model?

[Source: The Purse Blog]

Proenza Schouler Purses on eBay

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Kathrine Baumann takes a break from her playful novelty minaudieres to create this chic money bag purse.

This minaudiere has all of the luxury of its stablemates but in my opinion it’s much more wearable. Multicolored Swarovski crystals are expertly applied to create a delicate patchwork and floral design. Its rich colors and black lines make it resemble a stunning stained glass window. The design is set off beautifully by a black cabachon topped push clasp.

It shouldn’t surprise you that this isn’t a very practical purse. No one buys such a show pony expecting functionality. It’s very small so carrying even the essentials is a tall order. But at least we get a golden shoulder strap and a few extra crystals for at home repairs. Those clever touches are more than many high end designers provide!

It’s quite fitting that this minaudiere is shaped like a money bag, because you’ll probably need a few of those to afford this purse. At $2675 this clutch is strictly for cashed up fashionistas.

More Features of this Kathrine Baumann Stained Glass Minaudiere

• Gold leather lined interior
• Measures 5.63 x 4.38 x 3 inches

Get this Kathrine Baumann Money Bag Handbag:

• Available to buy at Kathrine Baumann
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• The Inge Christopher Charlott bag, a great alternative to this stained glass bag.
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• Other money bag clutches on eBay:

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