The Bag Lady

Ebay Watch: Lovely Lulu Guinness Shopper

AbiSilvester — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:36:54 GMT

You may have to go head-to-head with me if you're interested in this shopper, as I'm thinking about putting a bid in any minute now. But don't let that put you off: there's only two days left to go on this auction, and the 'prize' is a particularly fun and decorative bag from Lulu Guinness' inimitable range.

High Street Pick of the Week: Oasis 'Dita' bag

AbiSilvester — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:58:53 GMT

If you're looking for something a bit more serious than fun arm candy but can't quite stretch to Hermes and Prada, Oasis are doing quite a good line in business-friendly luggage at the moment. This 'Dita' bag caught the Bag Lady's eye this morning, ticking all the right boxes on style, practicality and cost.

Hermès Autumn/Winter 2010

AbiSilvester — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:42:54 GMT

Hermès went in for big business chic and padded thermal style in equal measure for its 2010 runway shows. The season's seemingly essential burnt orange shade made a brief appearance here, too. I think I have to approve: it brightens up what is otherwise a deathly dark and at times, dull, colour palate. I also love the use of perforated leather on the seriously serious, overly-over-sized business Birkin...

Nine West 'Geri' clutch in orange

AbiSilvester — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:50:10 GMT

I think it's rather brave of Nine West to actually call and orange bag an orange bag here, and not try to label it as 'coral' or anything similarly sheepish. Orange, after all, is a bit colour this season, and next, according to Marc Jacobs. It sits slightly oddly with all the neutrals and dark colours that are dominating both seasons' collections, but somehow the contrast seems to work.

'River Petit' mosaic tote bag at Ascension

AbiSilvester — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:01:50 GMT

There comes a time when we need a bag that's just great at doing all those traditional bag tasks, like carrying heavy stuff, keeping things protected from the elements and lightening the load on excursions. But if you want something that does all those things but looks fun and funky too, I'd have to recommend this tote from La Vie Devant Soie, which is practicality and style all rolled into one.

New bags: Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton

AbiSilvester — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:29:42 GMT

If you thought this Louis Vuitton collection looked a little different from LV's usual style, there's a good reason for that: it's been designed by none other than Marc Jacobs

Fashion Week Highlights: Bottega Veneta A/W 2010

AbiSilvester — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:11:57 GMT

Bottega Veneta always do texture particularly well, and their big-weave spring and summer collection really set the tone for many designers this year. Great to see they're still leading by example in the autumn/winter range, which is full of tactile delights. We're also loving the colour palate used here, which is predominantly dark, but includes some opulent splashes of colour, as in the leaf-green tote (above left).

Ted Baker 'Maggi' multi-leather hobo bag

AbiSilvester — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:39:03 GMT

Here's a lovely large-sized slouchy hobo bag from Ted Baker, practical - and practically perfect in every way!

Limited Collection polka-dot clutch bag

AbiSilvester — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:51:09 GMT

It's not getting any cheerier out there. Which for some of us provides a great excuse to go and seek out brightness and colour elsewhere - in this case, in the shape of fun, high street accessories.

Vivienne Westwood's fresh new look

AbiSilvester — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:11:12 GMT

Vivienne Westwood has never been one to shy away from a little colour, but her latest collection of bags, purses and other accessories is bright, bold and beautiful - even by her usual lofty standards.

Fake furs galore in Chanel's A/W 2010 show

AbiSilvester — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:23:30 GMT

Fur has made a bit of an uncomfortable comeback on the catwalk lately, so I was delighted to learn that the pelts on display at Chanel's Fall 2010 shows were as fake as fake can be. The fun fur was so realistic that if I hadn't been told up front that no animals were harmed in the making of the fluffy adornments, I'd have been feeling pretty unwell by the end of the show.

Ebay Watch: Large pastel green Luella bag

AbiSilvester — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:42:30 GMT

Definitely one to add to your Ebay watch list, this large, pastel green bag by Luella is one of a dying breed of bags by the credit crunched designer. It's a classic style that will work particularly well during the summer in this shade, and judging by the close-up photograph, still seems to have all of its crucial appendages intact.

Anya Hindmarch 'Britt' handbag

AbiSilvester — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:57:57 GMT

If you're looking for a cool, contemporary small-to-medium sized handbag, you could do a lot worse than to check out the current range at Anya Hindmarch. I particularly like this 'Britt' handbag, which is smooth, stylish and so very 'now' without labouring under too many obviously trendy bells and whistles.

Lulu Guinness big Jenny quilted lips bag

AbiSilvester — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:39:42 GMT

We LOVE a bit of trompe l'oeil around here, and this clever design by Lulu Guinness is just the sort of thing that gets us going. At first glance, it's your generic, padded Chanel-a-like bag (albeit a very cute one).

Bargain Tuesday: Peacocks does it again

AbiSilvester — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:05:04 GMT

Peacocks do seem to have the magic formula when it comes to designing bags that are super cheap and trendy without being tacky or overly fussy. This cute nautical-style bag is never going to win any awards for designer imitation, but it's fun, pretty and looks practical too - definitely one to see you through summer.

Smart, continental purses on the high street

AbiSilvester — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:30:23 GMT

I was always a fan of small, zip-around purses - but then I got my trusty Mulberry Somerset continental-style wallet, and I wouldn't look back. It can be a pain to fit into small clutch bags, but that's what spare coin purses are for, n'est-ce pas?

Ugly Accessory of the Week: Fiorelli

AbiSilvester — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:26:40 GMT

I usually like a bit of texture on a bag, and honeycomb can look great.Bbut somehow the use of it here really, really doesn't work for me. I think perhaps it's the way they've covered one panel with the funny 'folds', while leaving the others smooth. I think this should really be an all-over pattern or a not-at-all pattern, and I like the result not at all!

Rihanna in Givenchy's studded tote

AbiSilvester — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:01:22 GMT

Rihanna has been pretty consistent in providing TEH GLAM recently, and here she goes again with a bag that we'd all love to dangle from our arms. She's wearing it in just the way these pieces work best: as a day bag that gives just enough sparkle to an everyday outfit to add interest, but without completely overpowering her look.

French Connection shoulder bag in Moroccan suede

AbiSilvester — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:17:38 GMT

On the high street, so many practical bags are ugly, and so many interesting bags are impractical. Here's one from French Connection which I think manages to get the balance just about right, so I'm sharing it with you as a bit of a rare find.

Interview with Jackie Cawthra of Belen Echandia

AbiSilvester — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:10:45 GMT

Here at The Bag Lady, we recently got the chance to speak to one of our all-time greatest handbag heroes: Jackie Cawthra, designer of the beautiful, artisan-made Belen Echandia bags.

Interview with Jackie Cawtrha of Belen Echandia

AbiSilvester — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:38:37 GMT

Here at The Bag Lady, we recently got the chance to speak to one of our all-time greatest handbag heroes: Jackie Cawthra, designer of the beautiful, artisan-made Belen Echandia bags.

Tila March clutch bags at Colette

AbiSilvester — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 08:12:06 GMT

We're loving these cheery, spring-like clutch bags by Tila March, each one a visual delight.

Sea monsters at See by Chloe

AbiSilvester — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:55:12 GMT

I do have to wonder who buys these crazy charms. Liberty's display cases can sometimes look like the cabinets of a toy shop, so jam-packed they are with funny little friends to adorn the handbags of the seriously rich.

Fenn Wright Mason chrysanthemum devoré bag

AbiSilvester — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:35:51 GMT

While we're on the subject of shabby-chic and vintagey looking accessories, I thought I'd pick out something a little more affordable than Marni's runway delights from the high street. Fenn Wright Mason's satin devoré bag, with its lovely, contrasting chrysanthemum design is a great example of a time-honoured look that's been brought right up to date with clever styling - and I love it. Ideal for those planning on a summer of garden parties and weddings...

Fashion Week Roundup: Marni A/W 2010

AbiSilvester — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:04:30 GMT

Finally, a label that's dared to bring a little brightness into its winter collection! Marni is known for its bold, contemporary designs, and I really like what its designers have done with the A/W collection for 2010.