Owner: What's Haute - A Handbag & Fashion Blog URL:http://whatshaute.blogspot.com Join Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2006 10:37:37 -0600 Rating:0 Site Description: What's Haute is a Handbag & Fashion Blog, featuring the hautest handbag designers, fashion, jewelry, shoes and more! Site statistics:Click here
Pack Light 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I usually don't bring too many handbags with me when I travel. Most of them are irregularly shaped creations which I love to carry, but are complete hell to pack. Even if they do fit in my suitcase, they come out all bent and deformed. Alexis Hudson must have felt my pain when she created the Hollywood Zipper 'Snakeskin' Tote. It lies completely flat, appearing to be almost one-dimensional. I love the flat front zippered pockets, the drawstring chain handle, and the simulated snakeskin leather. It looks large and roomy - like you can stuff it to the gills, and it'll still look haute.
Ask Haute Girl: Laptop Bags Edition 2007-03-02 04:30:00 What's Haute
reader Wendy asked me to find her some haute laptop bags. Here's a few for you to carry your computer in style:Theresa Kathryn's Melania laptop bag is highly reminiscent of the YSL 'Muse', but at a more affordable price, surprising utility, and all the same style. ($535) Not Rational's Large Computer Bag is a perfectly rational choice to carry your laptop. It's a great daytime bag - cognac leather with multiple straps, snaps and compartments makes it fully functional and fashionable. ($500)The Lin and Leo 'Lap Bag' is a sweet Marc Jacobs-style, double front pocketed satchel. Large and small sizes and luscious colors let you carry your computer in style. ($304)I love the embroidery on Oovoo's Baroque laptop bag - the simplicity of the detailing is beautiful, and it looks so unassuming - nothing at all like a laptop bag. ($200)The Marka Sinclair Slouch bag is a sleek, oversized satchel for laptops, papers, files, etc., and it doubles as a great carry-on/travel bag Read more:Laptop
, Edition
And the Winner is.... 2007-03-02 00:15:00 Marilyn F. of Newark! Congratulations - you won the Anna Corinna 'City' Tote! Thanks to all who entered the contest! Check back later - there will be more haute handbag giveaways! And most importantly, a huge thank you to Luna Boston for sponsoring this haute contest!
Even More Desirable Handbags 2007-03-04 23:22:00 A year after its debut, Begeren (Dutch for desire) is back on the scene with its new Spring collection! The new bags are just as distinctive and just as haute as the first season, with tons of brightly colored leathers and unique shapes and styles. I love the fact that the entire collection is affordable enough that you can buy several pieces, unique enough that you won't see everyone carrying one, and the bags aren't so trendy that you have to stash them in the back of your closet next year.Here are my favorites:The 'Moorea Tote' is back, in new colors, and detailed with grommets in place of studs. I love this honey-colored leather - perfect for every season.This bag, the 'Belmont Shopper' is pictured in my favorite color - hot pink, and it's a great everyday tote. I like to carry a lot of stuff everyday so I could use this to stash my shoes, work papers, water, magazine, book, and so much more. I also like the playful sliders - a throwback to my childhood.I love the crisscross Read more:Handbags
Bottega Ve-NOT! 2007-03-07 03:47:00 Haute or not? Maybe I don't even have to ask - this is just hideous. I'm not a huge fan of Bottega Veneta's woven bags but at least they're somewhat classy. This 'Limited Edition Snakeskin Bag' looks like the leftover confetti scraped up from the streets in Times Square on New Year's Eve regurgitated in the form of a purse.Every now and then it seems that luxury designers lose focus and attempt to venture into new design territory. My advice to them is: Stop it! Stick with what you know best. This bag is a prime example of when good design goes horribly wrong. Even if you typically don't like snakeskin, you have to admit it can be done right. This, however, takes snakeskin to a whole new ugly level. Red, blue, green and yellow snakeskin strips are stitched together then topped off with gray (???) braided leather, a ruched top, clasp closure, and lined in blue suede! Ewww!! There's way too many colors, textures, and trends in one, and an equally revolting price tag of £2,850.0
Gucci Sucks - The Conclusion 2007-03-08 06:14:00 So a few weeks ago I shared with you my predicament about my Gucci
bag. Some of you suggested that I take it to the nearest Gucci store and demand that they fix it, or at least resolve the problem somehow. I thought about Nordstrom's alleged shoe policy, where if you purchase a pair of shoes, and they become defective, you can return them/exchange them for another pair at any time. So, I figured, Gucci being the high-class luxury brand that it is, would offer me at the very least a similar deal. So, I hightailed it down to the Gucci store on Fifth Avenue, showed a saleswoman my bag and explained the story, very politely I might add. She looked very uncomfortable at the thought that a Gucci bag could self-destruct in such a way, and instructed me to speak to her manager. After assisting other customers more likely to purchase a bag that day, she finally went to the back of the store to get him for me. A youngish man came out, introduced himself as the manager - again I explained the si
In the Pink 2007-03-11 16:52:00 I know everyone in Hollywood and beyond has been and still is in love with Kooba but I personally never felt compelled to purchase one of their bags. It's not because I don't like, them - I just always felt that they had a somewhat hard edge - rugged totes made of sturdy leather and hardware. And while there's nothing wrong with that, I'm a girly-girl, so I prefer a girly bag.So I was shocked when I came across these adorable bubblegum-pink Kooba bags. Oh how cute they are! The 'Kim' (on sale for $199.99) is a boxy barrel-like shape, made of soft pink leather with strategically placed brushed gold studs, and it's the perfect Spring/Summer alternative to the Louis Vuitton 'Speedy'. The 'Helena' (on sale for $209.99) is a large tote with stand-alone top handles, gold studs and a shoulder strap for carrying convenience. I think it's a great, brightly colored bag to carry to work, and then converts to a great shopper for later.I like that these aren't typical 'Kooba' at firs
Celeb Spotting: Victoria Beckham with the Prada Napa Fringe Tote 2007-03-13 02:50:00 (Click pic to see larger)It always amazes me to see how trends come back in style every so many years. For instance, I was watching Ferris Bueller's Day Off yesterday and noticed Ferris' love interest wearing some cute slouchy boots. I guess she was way ahead of the times. But not every trend should be repeated. Like fringe. It was popular in the 60's, among hippies, and then again in the 90's when I was in high school. I remember dating a guy who wore a purple leather fringe jacket - I don't know who told him that was a cute look! Now, Prada
is bringing fringe back on their designer bags.(Click pic to see larger)Posh Spice/V. Bex was spotted with the new Prada Napa Fringe Tote ($2,650) that I am so not a fan of. It looks like you're carrying some sort of wild animal under your arm (I guess, to match the wild animal around her neck). I'm usually a fan of Posh's style but not this time. I really don't understand the hype over this bag, and I'll be glad when this trend goes out Read more:Spotting
, Beckham
, Victoria Beckham
Weekly Haute Bag Round-up 2007-03-12 06:29:00 Style Dash discovers a Giles Deacon handbag that hurts more than your wallet. Ouch!eBelle 5 finds cheap and chic Marc Jacobs totesCheck out FabSugar's handbags patent-a-thonK Style discovers hot handbags under $100Modish's 'Site of the Week' is Cahoots HandbagsSee Pretty Things likes Betsey Johnson's new buttoned up bagsIn My Bag discovers a handbag museum! I must visit!Purse Page likes the simple embossed logo on Balenciaga's B. Script Tall ToteShop Happy discovers Pink Mascara’s Kooba sale Read more:Weekly
, Haute
Rafe NY Cozumel Clutch 2007-03-13 23:25:00 Rafe NY has long been one of my favorite handbag designers. Lately, however, his handbags have been looking just like the ones in his line at Target. Nothing wrong with that, but when you can't tell the difference in quality, why pay the difference in price?But this clutch reminds me of why I fell in love with Rafe in the first place:The CozumelClutch
(in Coral) is a beauty of a bag. It's something I'd carry while on vacation - the coral-colored laser-cut leather and sculpted wood top is so versatile that you can probably wear it with just about anything. It's small enough to pack or tuck into a carry-on, but big enough to fit the basic things you need. ($325 at Luna Boston)
A Turtle on Your Shoulder 2007-03-15 03:04:00 Turtles and fashion? I never thought I'd see the day that one influenced the other. But A. Testoni did. The Turtle Hobo is allegedly "the Italian leather shoulder bag that everyone is talking about." I wouldn’t go that far, but I do really like this bag.It's a totally different approach to the hobo - a removable inner gusset pouch is surrounded by S&M style leather straps, interwoven to resemble a tortoise shell. The quality and workmanship looks impressive but it's a bit pricey - $1343.95. But look at it this way - it's not one of those 'fad' bags, and it'll probably look great and last forever. Read more:Shoulder
Celeb Spotting - Naomi Campbell with Hermes 'Lindy' 2007-03-16 17:33:00 (Click pic for larger)The world's most hated infamous supermodel was spotted toting a haute orange Hermes
'Lindy'. You may or may not like Naomi
, but you have to admit she does have a pretty good sense of style. Well, in handbags anyway. The 'Lindy' is haute off the Spring 2007 runway, and it's one of the more affordable (cough, cough) Hermes handbags, with unusually placed side straps connected by a top shoulder strap. It's available in a multitude of colors but I prefer the signature Hermes orange color that Naomi's rockin' – it's great for summer.Available on eBay Read more:Spotting
, Campbell
, Naomi Campbell
Fendi, Is That You? 2007-03-19 05:46:00 Since my love affair with Gucci has come to a screeching halt, I decided to turn to Fendi
for my luxury needs. But then I realized that I now have a love/hate relationship with Fendi, that is, I love to hate their bags. I used to be a huge fan of Fendi growing up - I owned several double F logo bags - a cute black drawstring version, a thin strap shoulder bag, and others. But lately I've been growing weary of Fendi's new creations. I don't blame them for trying new things but they always seem to miss the mark.This bag is a mishmash of colors and styles, and there's nothing 'luxurious' about it. It's meant to be 80's retro color-block but it looks more like the designer was color blind. In fat, it hurts my eyes to look at it. I wonder how much this ambitious creation is going to cost? Or even better, what poor sucker will shell out the cash to cop it?Do you love it or hate it?(Photos via Style.com)
Matchy Matchy, Vichy Vichy 2007-03-21 03:38:00 I hate matchy matchy. Have you ever seen those couples at an amusement park wearing matching tee shirts with their picture on it, or a woman walking the streets in head to toe Louis Vuitton - jacket, pants, bag, shoes, etc.? Both instances are totally tacky. But Yves St. Laurent makes matchy matchy very pretty.Picture this - a basic black tunic top and black pants. Simple, yes, boring, maybe. But add the YSL Downtown Vichy handbag, ($1995), cinch your waist with the Vichy belt, ($555), and step out with the Vichy Holly Ballerina flat, ($450) and you've got the perfect Spring/Summer Fall/Winter outfit. The bag is an investment piece - the shape isn't too trendy, plus black and white never goes out of style so it can be worn in any season. It's a great size for toting to work, and it works for going out at night too.Get your match on at ShopVogue.com
Looking for a Few Good Haute Girls 2007-03-20 05:07:00 No, this is not an application for Hooters! I'm looking for contributors for What's Haute
.com and Hauteness - The Handbag Magazine. What's Haute will be re-launching soon so email me if you love to write about all things fashion. Or if you love handbags, then you'd be a perfect contributor for Hauteness - The Handbag Magazine! Email me for more details. Read more:Girls
Oh, Snap! 2007-03-23 04:25:00 Goldenbleu consistently designs bags that aren't 'It' bags, and I love that about them. Their bags are always edgy, unique, and full of adorable details. The Luella Patent Leather Tote has a very cute, very practical front-pocket with a top snap closure - ideal for placing your cell phone, lip gloss, cash, and other things that usually get lost in the black hole of your purse. The handle is a unique, rounded shoulder strap held in place with studded tabs. The green color is my fave for Spring but the black and white are just as fresh. ($566)
Tough Chic 2007-03-27 04:54:00 (Tracy Reese - Spring '07 Collection)Tracy Reese is all about feminine chic. Her clothes are perfectly girly - lots of pastels, prints, flounces, and frills. I feel glamorous just looking at her collections! Because her pieces are so feminine, I love that her handbag line has a somewhat tough edge. Her bags are the complete opposite of her clothes - sturdy and structured - but still sexy.My favorite is the 'Cecily' Flap Satchel ($795) - a boxy bag with a top flap, double handles, gorgeous gold hardware, and extra outside pockets for easy access. I think it is a great bag to pair up with the season's feminine fashions - like flirty mini-dresses, big belts, puffy tops, and skinny pants. The neutral 'bone' color works nicely against eye-popping colors as well as neutrals and basic blacks. Read more:Tough
The Timeless Beauty of Burberry 2007-03-28 05:27:00 Burberry is one brand that, in my opinion, hasn't been completely tainted by Canal Street knockoffs. The Burberry check pattern seems to be difficult to duplicate, and I'm glad that at least one luxury brand can maintain its uniqueness. The Buckled Leather Hobo is a classy and versatile hobo. The color scheme is neutral but not boring, and the plaid print is surprisingly anti-trendy so you can carry it for years. And the price is another surprise - only $425?! You can't even purchase a mainstream designer bag for that price these days! Koobas and Botkiers are priced around $650! I'm thinking of snatching up both the black and the white trimmed bags - white for Spring/Summer, black for Fall/Winter. With its timeless beauty, I don't think Burberry will ever go out of style. Read more:Timeless
, Beauty
, Burberry
Dooney Downgrade 2007-03-29 06:09:00 What happened to Dooney
& Burke? When I was growing up, I dreamed of owning a Dooney bag. Although I owned numerous luxury brands and tons of other bags, I never purchased a Dooney. But I wanted one badly. The sturdy pebbled leather, contrasting smooth leather trim, and that duck logo always got me excited. But these new Dooneys make me depressed.Who in the world is designing this crap, and for whom? Dooney was one of those brands that had lasting beauty and style, and now they look like cheap knockoffs of multicolored Coach and Louis Vuitton bags. These new bags remind me of the Spice Girls CDs - you know someone must be supporting them/buying them because they keep producing more, but no one admits to buying them (how many people do you see rockin' these fugly bags?). Dooney - I'm done.
Last Day for Begeren Giveaway! 2007-03-31 07:43:00 Today is the last day to win the fabulous Shamrock 'Moorea' Tote by Begeren! If you haven't already entered, please click here for more details. Good luck!
Weekly Haute Bag Round-up 2007-04-03 05:50:00 Fergie's a handbag designer? Kipling thinks so.Check out every version of the Chloe Bay bag ever made.Louis Vuitton does it again - check out the handbags in the Monogram Denim Patchwork Collection.Purses aren't just for women anymore - Japanese men are toting handbags too.Check out the new handbag line A. Che by designer Amanda Che.Are you an indie handbag designer? Enter the 1st Annual Independent Handbag Designer Awards (sponsored by Handbag Designer 101).Check out the Louis Vuitton "Urban Satchel". Read more:Weekly
, Haute
Cheap and Chic 2007-04-07 16:13:00 Despite the absence of Spring-like weather, I'm still starting my Spring/Summer shopping. I'm always on the lookout for cute beach bags or colorful carry-all totes. Sheila D. has a bunch of great reversible corduroy tote bags in eye-popping Spring colors. These handmade bags are of great quality, and are adorable and practical. My favorites are the 'Pomegranate - Red Lines' tote (above) and the 'Cotton Candy - Red/Orange Flowers' tote (below). At $28 per bag, you can pick up one in each color to supplement your wardrobe. All items are made of limited edition fabrics so visit Sheila D. ASAP to get your cheap and chic sumer bag. Read more:Cheap
Celeb Spotting - Jennifer Lopez with a Katherine Kwei 'Stella' Tote 2007-04-09 00:03:00 Who else but La Lopez
could show up for jury duty looking uberly fabulous? Jennifer Lopez
was spotted rockin' casual chic as only she knows how. She manages to make an extra-long cardigan, oversized sunglasses, and baggy jeans look haute, but the best part of her look of course, is the bag.J. Lo, always a fashion trendsetter, is toting one of Katherine
Kwei's luxury knotted handbags. The 'Stella
' Tote (in Putty) is made of 'pricked' goat and lambskin, lined in goat suede, and has Kwei's signature eternity knots across the bottom. Available for $1600 - visit KatherineKwei.com for more details. Read more:Spotting
New Kid on the (Tod's) Block 2007-04-12 00:38:00 I love this bag. It's small, it's sleek and it's sexy. And it's surprising. When I think of Tod's bags, I tend to think of Tod's shoes - pebbled leather body with a pebbled rubber sole. At first glance, I didn't even recognize this as a Tod's product. The 'New Girelli' ($875) is a cool clutch that would work with just about anything. I could carry this wearing a T-shirt and jeans, and equally well with an evening gown. Made of silk with lizard tejus trim, and crystal side snaps, this clutch is very anti-Tod's and it works. Take note Fendi - when you step outside of your design 'box', this is the right way to do it.
Metropolitan Style 2007-04-14 15:39:00 I just came back from a business trip in Palm Springs, CA - I know, lucky me :). The weather was gorgeous - almost 90 degrees and sunny. I'm a typical girl when I travel - I pack way too many clothes, shoes, and accessories, and since it was a business trip, I had to pack my laptop too. I have a few of those typical shoulder bags for my computer but I hate them because they swing all over the place, usually hitting people right and left. I recently received the 'Milano' Notebook Bowler by MetStyle
, which I carried on my trip. I love that it looks much like a designer bag, but was roomy enough for my large laptop, magazines, music, books and papers. There's a bunch of compartments inside to keep things organized, and the shorter shoulder straps that snap together make it easier and more comfortable to carry.I checked out MetStyle's other products and they have some really cool 'gear cases'. The 'Tokio Sleeve' in Titanium is a chic, Chanel-style quilted notebook protector. For y Read more:Metropolitan
Snoop's Got My Bag! 2007-04-17 04:21:00 Though his overall style may be questionable, his handbag is to die for. After my Gucci letdown, and my recent disappointments in Fendi, I've been checking out Louis Vuitton to fulfill some of my luxury needs. I have wanted to buy the Monogram Canvas 'Speedy' for several years now but it seems like EVERYONE and their mother owns one, and if I'm going to pay over $600 for one, I want some sort of exclusivity. The Damier Canvas 'Speedy' is a slightly less ubiquitous LV purse, and the checkerboard pattern is a nice switch from the usual LV logos. I think it has a bit more class than the Monogram version, and is knocked off less. What do you think? Should I buy the Damier Speedy?On another note, who in their right mind would pay $255 for a 'Speedy' key ring??? Read more:Snoop
Fendi Strikes Again 2007-04-18 03:50:00 Now this blog is mainly reserved for haute handbags and purses, with the occasional fugly one, and some fabulous fashion. But leave it to Fendi
to make me stray from my usual and report on the fugliest, most impractical designer shoes ever to walk the face of this earth.I ask once again, WTF FENDI???I think someone at the House of Fendi is playing some cruel tricks on the fashion world, consistently designing crap to get us all to scratch our heads and become really confused. And then maybe once we all get to the point where we just can't take it anymore, the folks at Fendi will yell 'April Fools!' or something like that and things will get back to normal. Ok, maybe not.So, I don't know what's worse - the silver sequins covering the shoes or the stupid kitten heel underneath the huge wedge heel, or the patent slides with orange stitching and a wood grain heel. Oh, there are so many issues here. These shoes have to be some of the worst things I've ever seen. Fashion should be prog Read more:Strikes
, Again
What's In a Name? 2007-04-21 14:26:00 With a name like Thickskin, you expect heavy duty, sturdy leather bags. And that's just what you get. Thickskin's bags are made of textured, scarred leathers and exotic skins that are beautiful, yet durable and tough.I'm a fan of Thickskin's use of metallics in their Classic Collection. Since metallics have become a favorite for every season, these bags fits the bill. The Exotic Bucket bag is made of glistening ostrich leather and fits nicely over your shoulder. And the two front zip pockets give you a place to quickly stash small stuff. The All-Nighter is the perfect carryall - both for travel and for overnight 'excursions'. The caramel-colored lambskin is a great neutral tone nicely paired up with metallic silver trim. The slim Clutch is a classy day and evening bag also made of textured ostrich leather. Visit Thickskin to check out their other collections.
Janet Jackson's 'It' Bag 2006-10-10 16:44:00 'It' girls always carry 'it' bags - it's the unwritten law of the fashion universe. Superstar JanetJackson
was spotted leaving the Louis Vuitton fashion show during Paris Fashion Week, carrying this incredible, oversized metallic gold Louis Vuitton Alma satchel. Louis Vuitton Luv shows off another blinged-out style, the Papillon, in metallic gold. I'm not sure where you can purchase one, but if you're on the 'It' list, I'm pretty sure you'll be sporting one soon. Read more:Janet Jackson
Mirror, mirror on the wall 2006-09-09 07:02:00 Which bag is the shiniest of them all? The Metallic Mirror Leather Tote by Alessandro Dell’Acqua. I have never seen a bag quite like this. The leather shines as if it were a mirror made of gold. As if it weren’t shiny enough, the bags is ornamented with gold metal tags, and gold leather trim. With all this gold, it just may be worth the $1400 price tag. Perfect for the narcissistic fashionista.
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