It is very hard, if not impossible, to pass by an Isabella Fiore handbag and not notice it. These handbags are shocking, so one can either love them or hate them. It seems there’s no middle way. I’ve recently heard somebody referring to those clutches in the latest 2009 collections as being multicolor tacos. Tacos or not, these handbags are surely something to talk about. Older handbags collections were also remarkable, but the style changed a lot, from those “Baroque a Go Go” totes decorated with side tassels to the newest collections such as “Once Upon a Tattoo”, “Geometrics” or “Mosaic”. What’s with mentioning here is that even though the style has changed, Isabella Fiore handbags managed to preserve that “artistic” appearance that brought them the fame and appreciation of the public.

The designers behind the Isabella Fiore brand are two ladies from LA, Jennifer Tash and Tranh Huynh. They managed to bring Isabella Fiore into the attention of several celebrities who became their clients, among them being names like Katie Holmes, Madonna or Kate Hudson. I think Halle Berry was spotted wearing Isabella Fiore handbags, too.

Latest Isabella Fiore Handbags Collections

Watermark

Watermark includes three bags: Sara, a python patchwork clutch with detachable crossbody strap, Rania, an oversized shoulder bag with outside pouch pocket and Mia, a double top zip tote with outside slit pocket fold out.

Geometric

The Geometric collection features Leila, an oversized hobo, Suzanna, a top handle tote with woven flap closure and Amalia, an oversized fan-shaped clutch.

Mosaic

In the Mosaic collection we meet again Amalia, the clutch, this time with a different kind of pattern and with a cute tassel attached. Leila, the Isabella fiore oversized hobo, has now an embroidered side panel. The last piece of this collection is Serena, a double handle top zip balloon tote with woven handles. But these were only the three flagship bags of the collection that we can find featured on Isabella Fiore's website. In fact, the collection also includes the Isabella Fiore Mosaic Susanna Tote, which is as beautiful as the other ones.

Mesh

These handbags are a little bit more sophisticated, suitable rather for evening outfits, although the shape and size of Leila and Francine suggest all day usage.

Once Upon a Tattoo

These three purses are really cute. Liz is a mid-sized shoulder bag with a very nice floral embroidery and with a beautifully rounded shape, Mia is a top zip tote with outside coin purse and Amalia is the same taco-shaped clutch with an exquisite whip stitch detailing and a jeweled leather tassel.

The price range of Isabella Fiore handbags falls within $200 - $700, thus being quite affordable compared with other designer handbags.

Many times it’s enough that one of the most loved celebrities is seen carrying a certain bag model for the whole feminine population of a certain age group to follow. Even if the bag in question is too big for my needs, who cares about that? We can easily find stuff that we could use during the day, so filling up a big handbag is definitely not an issue for the modern girl of our days.

One of the large yet elegant bags that have just been launched for the Spring and Summer 2010 is the new Kristin Metallic Python Drawstring large hobo from the newest Coach bags collections. With a generous size of 17 3/4" x 15 1/4" x 3 1/2", this handbag can also be used as a netbook bag in case you don’t feel like having a lot of luggage in your daily “trips”. Kristin Metallic Python is made of fine Juno leather, carefully embossed in a python skin pattern, featuring a metallic sheen that reminds of modern SF movies characters. One of the most creative accents is the pink color of the fabric lining. Besides the fact that it offers a contrast that’s appealing to the eye, it also resembles the largely open mouth of a real python. With its two multifunction interior pockets, one interior zip pocket and two cute side pockets on the exterior, the Coach Kristin Metallic Python Drawstring large hobo can help a girl be organized and find her important stuff easily inside her bag. This large hobo bag features a shoulder strap with 12”.

Bag price: $589 (in the official Coach online store)

A clutch is a must-have in any woman’s wardrobe, not because you can stuff a lot of items inside, but because over-sized bags and purses don’t match very well formal outfits. Can you imagine yourself wearing a tote bag or a shopper bag with a cocktail dress or with a formal business outfit? I doubt about that. On the other hand, there are a few items which we might need, so this is what a clutch is for. Alexander McQueen Blue Kaiser clutch is made of patent blue leather with silver frame. The frame is embossed with the Alexander McQueen logo and it is applied only on the two flips that open the two compartments of this oblong and elegant purse. The cotton and leather lining is of the best quality, making this bag a good choice for elegant women who are concerned with quality as well as with their overall look and style. The Blue Kaiser clutch costs $925, the same as the Black Kaiser clutch, which is identical in shape. The third purse in this series is the Satin Stripe Kaiser clutch, which is made of blue and red striped satin and which costs $950.

Burberry is a British luxury fashion house which became famous for its tartan check pattern. They manufacture clothing, fragrances and other fashion accessories, handbags included. The Burberry house was founded in 1856 by Thomas Burberry, who was only 21 years old by that time and who decided to open his own shop in Basingstoke, a small town in England. Thomas Burberry opened his first London store in 1891, in the Haymarket. The location is still used today as corporate headquarters for the company. Burberry is the inventor of gabardine, a water-resistant yet breathable fabric which was patented in 1888. Breathability was possible thanks to the fact that waterproofing is done upon the yarn before weaving it.

The Burberry Equestrian Knight Logo

The Burberry Equestrian Knight logo was developed and registered as a trademark in 1901. It contained the Latin “Prosum” which means forwards. Ten years later, Roald Amundsen literally took the Burberry logo forwards, in his successful attempt to reach the South Pole. Today, “Prorsum” is still the name of a Burberry handbags line of 11 bags, from the minuscule Feather Leather Wristlet and Feather Leather Sling Bag, to the Alligator bags which include the Baby Alligator Leather Tote Bag, the Suede Leather Tote Bag with Alligator trims and the Alligator Leather Tote which costs nothing less than $22,195.

The Burberry “Check”

What we know today as the “trench coat” was initially the military officers’ coat adapted by Burberry in 1914 to better suit the war conditions of that age. Civilians adopted this fashion after the war and it soon became so popular that it was featured in movies like Casablanca: who doesn’t remember Humphrey Bogart wearing that famous trench coat with the iconic Burberry check? The famous Burberry check is a black, tan and red pattern, initially used only for the lining of clothing items, then extended to umbrellas, purses, scarves and luggage. After the success of this pattern, Burberry launched two more: the Novacheck, aimed at younger target, and the diamond pattern.

Bags that feature the check pattern:

• Burberry Studded Check Shopper Handbag
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The Burberry Outlet Chain

Burberry is by definition an UK fashion house, but this didn’t stop them from opening boutiques all across the USA, from Aspen, Atlanta, Austin or Beverly Hills to New York City, Washington, Philadelphia or Minneapolis. They also run operations in Asia.

Shopping for a Burberry Bag for Less

A Burberry bag will always be perfect to the smallest detail. Burberry is a high-end, top quality brand, therefore they keep their standards at a very high level. Although no authentic Burberry purse comes cheap, it is possible to find some of them discounted, especially during sales seasons. Make sure to check the Sales section on the Burberry website, as they offer a lot of clothing and accessories at heavily discounted prices. Counterfeit Burberry handbags are quite widespread, therefore it’s not advisable to buy so-called authentic purses in places like the China Town in New York or from non-trusted sellers on eBay.

This average sized wristlet that can be worn as a shoulder bag if desired, has an extremely simple line, with no decorations other than the “intrecciato” pattern of the woven leather. The Brunito finish hardware is designed in a clever way, so the bag looks great either when worn as a wristlet or on the shoulder. This is one of those simple ideas that seem obvious, yet it takes a brilliant mind to bring them into real life.

Orchid is one of the most vivid and beautiful colors Bottega Veneta offers us for this spring season. It surely reminds me of flowers.

The bag features top zip closure, suede lining and its dimensions are 9.8” x 6.6” x 4.9”. For those of you who are interested in buying an Orchid Intrecciato Nappa bag, check out the Bottega Veneta website, where you can order one for the price of $980.

The Kristin tote is simple, yet sophisticated, with its rather classic look and its soft and supple leather and with its fine detailing that makes this Coach bag a favorite of celebrities like Sandra Bullock, who even accepted to be featured on the Coach official website, endorsing this tote bag.

Kristin is available in three color options: brown, green and coral, all of them featuring brass hardware. I think brass is a nice choice, because it matches very well all these three colors, giving this purse a plus of elegance and style. The 17” strap with chain detail looks cool, although I think I’d have preferred the strap without chain. The outside flap pocket is very nicely finished, I just love the details around its closure.

Bag size: 14” x 16” x 5 1/5” (at this size, it could accommodate one of those small netbooks that are in big fashion these days)

Bag price: $598

The Logan satchel is so cool that the golden snake lambskin variant is already sold out on Botkier’s website. Actually I’ve just checked and all variants are sold out. There’s no wonder, for such an elegant and high quality purse, roomy enough to serve even a girl that needs lots of stuff with her all the time. The vertical and horizontal zip details and the long tassel pulls give this satchel a distinctive look or luxury. This satchel from Botkier features two handles and an adjustable shoulder strap, 17” drop. The side exterior slip pockets can be useful for keeping some small items at hand, but even if one doesn’t use them at all, they add a touch of elegance to the overall aspect of the bag. Besides, they are expandable, thanks to the surrounding zippers. The interior is lined and it features one single compartment and a multifunctional pocket. The Botkier Logan satchel is available from Endless, the possible colors being black (to see it follow the previous link), chalk, Golden Snake and moss. The suggested retail price is $595.

As a photographer for fashion magazines such as Mademoiselle and Surface, Monika Botkier spotted a niche that was still uncovered in the fashion design world: approachable designer creations. Always in search for the perfect bag, Monika ended up by creating her own line of handbags, which were a happy marriage between style and functionality. Her downtown Manhattan style made this first handbags collection a success, although when she started, she only wanted to make those bags for her personal use. Actually, Monika did create a few purses for her personal use, but many women in her entourage expressed their interest in buying such handbags, so she started considering this more seriously. From here to the international recognition Botkier has managed to acquire in 2007 when she became a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, there was only one more step, translated in passion, creativity and hard work. Fashion magazines like Glamour, Vogue, Marie Claire or InStyle published articles about Botkier handbags and shoes collections and even featured them on the front cover.

After seven years of building her reputation in the fashion accessories industry, in January 2010 Monika Botkier opened her first flagship store in New York, in NoLIta district. In designing her boutique, she collaborated with interior designer Valerie Pasquiou for creating a modern and sophisticated atmosphere. Cool and chic, Botkier handbags are luxurious without being expensive, “an independent brand that marries luxury with utility” as Monika herself states on the Botkier website. Indeed the prices are in the $500 range, way less than what we’ve been used to when we talk about designer handbags.

Many celebrities such as Beyonce, Halle Berry or Megan Fox were spotted wearing Botkier creations.

Botkier Bags Collections

Here are the latest creations, covering various bag types such as satchel, hobo, crossbody, shoulder, tote or clutch. Detailed reviews of many bags in these product lines will make subjects for separate articles and will be published as we manage to write them.

Venice: 

Botkier Venice crossbody clutch

Rio:

Botkier Rio Tote Bag

Dion

Harper

Howard:

Botkier Howard Street Satchel Bag

Brooklyn

Logan

Botkier Logan Satchel

Noa

Aiden

Tao

James

Sasha

Trigger

Sydney

Uma

Gianni is a suede leather bag belonging to the new Lena Erziak line for spring and summer 2010. The natural leather handles in contrasting colors and the hand sewn stitches are two of the details that make this bag turn heads on the street. The front pockets with snap closure are cute, but they are rather small, so there's not too much one can put inside them other than some change or some bus tickets. Nonetheless, their shape is nice and it adds a touch of youth to this handbag. As usual, Gianni has a fully lined interior.

Bag size: 17" x 9" x 4"

Colors available: blue suede and purple suede

Price: $575

Colors are one of the strongest points of Lena Erziak handbags. Fuchsia or magenta is extremely fashionable this year when it comes to clothing and fashion accessories such as shoes or bags. Romeo belongs to the summer 2010 collection of Lena Erziak and it is an oversize tote that can accommodate all a girl needs to carry around with her.

The bag is made of high-quality python printed leather and it features adjustable handles, thus offering a custom fit, which is an innovation for this type of handbags. It's always nice to be able to customize a handbag's handles according to your size and preferences, so it's one more reason to love this bag and to want to have it in your personal collection.

Romeo has a beautifully rounded shape, nicely evidentiated by the hand sewn stitching bordering seams which contrast with the bag color. The interior of the bag is crafted with the same care and attention for detail as the exterior: fully lined, with a key organizer and a hidden change pocket, it makes this bag very handy. The golden hardware and the signature tassel give this bag an exquisite, original look. The only color available is magenta.

Bag size: 15" x 18" x 4"

Bag price: $856