Elizabeth and James Launch Handbags for Fall 2013

April 16, 2013

Did you notice anything different about the Elizabeth and James Autumn/Winter 2013 collection? Previously their models have always appeared empty-handed, but this year Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s contemporary label launches its first ever handbag collection. I got an early look at the handbag line, and can say without a doubt you are all going to love the designs! Elizabeth and James have covered all bases with this collection: there are shoppers, messengers, backpacks, hobos, cross-body styles, satchels (my personal favourites) and wallets. What more could you ask for?

Elizabeth and James Fall 2013 Handbags

Unfortunately I can’t show you the entire Elizabeth and James handbag collection just yet (although you can see most of the designs in the AW13 lookbook on style.com). But I am able to share close-up images of two styles. The sling bag is already proving to be the most popular design, and the leopard print shopper is an absolute must for anyone who carries 75% of their possessions around with them on a daily basis.

Elizabeth and James Handbags Sling Backpack
Above: Elizabeth and James cowhair sling bag, £374. Below: Elizabeth and James leopard print shopper bag, £473.
Elizabeth and James Handbags Leopard Shopper

The Elizabeth and James handbag collection will hit stores later this year, and price points will range from around £250 to £500. I think that’s the most exciting news, if I’m honest, as it’s impossible to find a gorgeous designer bag for less than £1,000 these days! And if you can’t bear wait, distract yourself with the SS13 collection, now online at Shopbop.

Are you excited about the launch of Elizabeth and James handbags? Which design is your favourite? Let me know…

Images courtesy of Elizabeth and James

Illustrator and Filmmaker, Quentin Jones, Teams Up With Hoss Intropia

March 21, 2013

Quentin Jones Hoss Intropia Spring 2013

Every season Hoss Intropia announce a new ‘Intropia Woman’, and for Spring/Summer 2013 the title has gone to fashion illustrator and filmmaker, Quentin Jones. In the past Quentin has worked with Chanel and Victoria Beckham, so you’re probably familiar with her style even if you didn’t know her name. Fitting a spot of modelling around her work, Quentin is the latest face of Hoss Intropia and has also produced a limited edition handbag for the Spanish brand. The canvas tote features a playful cartoon face design – as illustrated by Quentin – and cool, studded leather handles.

Quentin Jones Hoss Intropia Handbag
Quentin Jones for Hoss Intropia handbag, £60 online and in select stores from April

Hoss Intropia Breakfast
The Hoss Intropia team hosted a breakfast in the Sloane Square store, this morning, to celebrate the bag

Quentin Jones Hoss Intropia
Intropia Woman, Quentin Jones, illustrating in the studio

Hoss Intropia Creative Handicrafts
The women from Creative Handicrafts model their work

All proceeds from the Quentin Jones handbag will be donated to the Creative Handicrafts Fair Trade cooperative in India, which teaches women the skills they need to create products for sale. Hoss Intropia have collaborated with the Creative Handicrafts project since 2007, and all of the limited edition totes were created by their employees in Bomba

It’s a pretty cool collaboration, right? And the Quentin Jones handbag design is super cool. I’ll be rocking it this season!

Four of the Best New Season Handbags by Under-the-Radar Designers

February 22, 2013

Are you bored of seeing the same designer handbags hanging from the arms of every fashionista? I have nothing against ‘It’ bags or the classics (if someone wanted to give me a Pashli or 2.55 I’d be a very happy girl), but recently I’ve been desperate to see something new and different. For Spring/Summer 2013 it’s all about mini, over-the-shoulder handbags, and the very best designs happen to come from under-the-radar designers. Yippee! Take a look at my four favourites…

bags
Shop the Edit: 1. Loeffler Randall’s mint green snakeskin bag // 2. Shourouk’s bubble-gum pink jewellery bag // 3. Kzeniya’s leather and perspex satchel // 4. Opening Ceremony’s aqua over-the-shoulder bag

Granted, you can’t really call Opening Ceremony “under-the-radar”, but I don’t know anyone who owns an OC handbag (or if I do it’s not obvious), so I think it their aqua satchel deserves a place on this list. The dinky little design is a great day-to-night option and I love the fact it’s exactly the same shade as the Twitter bird!

The crystal embellished Shourouk design is my absolute favourite, though. It’s so blingy you won’t need to bother with jewellery, and it’s sure to get people complimenting you constantly. Just remember not reveal who it’s buy, as we need to make sure these handbags remain our little secret…

Burberry’s Spring/Summer 2013 Accessories {A Closer Look}

February 8, 2013

Burberry Spring Summer 2013 Accessories heels

By now we’re all familiar with the Burberry Prorsum Spring/Summer 2013 collection. You can spot the chic satin bustier trench coats a mile off, and I’m pretty sure the futuristic metallic bomber jackets are visible from space, but are you as well acquainted with Burberry’s SS13 accessories? If you’re not quite sure what a “Blaze” is then the answer is no, and I’m here to help.

Burberry’s SS13 runway accessories followed on from the collection themes, so there’s lots of bold jewel tones, metallic leather and luxurious duchess satin. The shoes are absolutely amazing (especially the ankle-cuff heeled wedges) but the “Blaze” handbag collection is likely to get the most editorial action. The “Blaze” comes in three styles – a perspex clutch finished with a python trim and padlock, a metallic leather bowling bag and a double duchess satin bowling bag…

Burberry Spring Summer 2013 Accessories clutch bag
Burberry Spring Summer 2013 Accessories Blaze handbag
Burberry Spring Summer 2013 Accessories

The Burberry Prorsum Spring 2013 accessories collection is now available to buy in store and online at burberry.com and Net-A-Porter. I wonder if Romeo Beckham plans to get VB one of the metallic python handbags for her 39th birthday, on April 17th. He probably gets an employee’s discount, after all…

Image courtesy of Burberry

I Think You’ll Like… ASOS’ Croc-Effect Structured Handbag

January 18, 2013

ASOS Croc Constructed Bag January isn’t the most cheerful month of the year, let’s face it. The pizzazz of Christmas is behind us, the New Year’s Resolutions are heading south and it’s cold and grey outside. So how about a cheeky fashion purchase to cheer you up and get you through the next two weeks?

I just spotted this croc-effect handbag on ASOS and had to share it! The structured design is super chic and roomy enough for all your daily essentials. Plus, at £40 (or $70 at ASOS USA) it’s the perfect pre-payday treat.

Unfortunately it’s not real leather, so probably won’t last beyond the season, but it will definitely turn heads and put a spring back in your step. Especially as it bears a passing resemblance to The Row’s now-iconic £22,950 backpack…

Order your’s now before it reaches sell-out status:
£40 at ASOS UK // $70 at ASOS USA

Posted by Filed Under: Accessories, ASOS, Handbags, Shopping

Chloé Celebrates 60 Years in Fashion With a Re-Editions Collection and the Paddington Bag is Back

January 11, 2013

chloe paddington bag illustration Mark your diaries, ladies, because the Chloé re-editions collection is set to launch online on March 1st. The exclusive line is made up of 16 iconic designs, which have been reproduced to celebrate the brand’s 60th anniversary. There are pieces by all of Chloé’s previous creative directors – from Stella McCartney’s 2001 pineapple T-shirt to Karl Lagerfeld’s 1978 printed maxi dress. But the most recognisable is, of course, the Paddington handbag, created by Phoebe Philo in 2005.

The Paddington came at the peak of ‘It’ bag mania, and I wanted one desperately. It was the era of the ‘Zoebots’, and Mischa Barton and Nicole Richie were rarely spotted without an oversized Chloé Paddington on their arm. I never fulfilled my teenage dream of owning the padlocked bag, but eight years after it’s original debut I may get the chance. It suddenly looks fresh again, don’t you agree?

The re-editions collection will be available at Net-A-Porter from March, as well as Selfridges London and Barney’s New York. But, if you’re desperate to avoid waiting lists and possible disappointments, you’ll be able to find the line at Printemps in Paris from January 24th. Perhaps it’s time to book a weekend city break…

Are you excited about Chloé’s 60th anniversary re-editions collection? Does the Paddington still appeal to you?

Image courtesy of Chloé
Posted by Filed Under: Accessories, Chloe, Handbags, Runway
«Older Posts