'Kristina' handbag by Lena Bergström, Made with Orrefors, 2009

Award-winning Swedish designer Lena Bergström (known for her glass and textile design work) has created a limited (read: only 5 in each edition!) collection of handbags made with stainless steel and yes, solid crystal. Bling! Designboom, a design addict’s paradise, featured the bags in their latest daily coverage post, and we are loving the accessories-as-art-piece idea that Bergström is engaging. To coincide with this, the bags were on display at Vessel Gallery in London. Bergström has had work in multiple solo exhibitions worldwide as well. In keeping with Bergström’s signature style, the bags utilize clean lines and create a  minimalist yet striking aesthetic, most notably in the “Siv” model. Mmm hmm, these crystal clutches are super hot!

'Siv' handbag by Lena Bergström, Made with Orrefors, 2009

'Gunilla' handbag by Lena Bergström, Made with Orrefors, 2009

'Lena' handbag by Lena Bergström, Made with Orrefors, 2009

Any python-print loving lady will be charmed by the sight of Betsey Johnson’s new line of Snake Charmer handbags.  The totes are actually made of python-printed leather (not snake skin!) which is why they cost between $295-$365 - much more affordable than genuine python bags.

The Snake Charmer collection includes a clutch wallet, a hobo style bag, a medium sized tote, and a large tote. They come in subtle colors like ivory and blush, perfect against the exotic pattern and heavy chain, and black detail.  These bags are glamorous with a bit edge and are definite attention grabbers. It’s easy for snake skin to be passed off as tacky when applied incorrectly but Betsey Johnson does what she knows best and makes quirky work.  The pieces can be found in the online Betsey Johnson shop and on Zappos.com.

For a woman that loves luxury, Annie Handbags has released a handmade collection made not only from fine quality skins such as crocodile, python, ostrich and calfskin but each bag has also been completed with a little something extra to make purse collectors swoon.   Lined in suede and accented in either white or yellow 14 karat gold, the collection is described as being for “today’s goddesses.”   The collection is appropriately named after Greek goddesses Athena, Clio, Selene and Eris; Annie Diamantidis designed the collection with an air of opulence and elegance that she witnessed whilst living and visiting Greece as a child.

Handcrafted in the USA by a talented team of artisans each bag is designed for today’s modern woman.   These decadent pieces are part of Annie Diamantidis’s debut collection and are the perfect buy to pass down through generations. To indulge your senses, visit the Annie Handbags website today.

Read the full story to see more Annie Handbags.
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One of the booths that we were most excited to stop and see was LeSportsac. We love LeSportsac and we were so excited to see what new goodies they have lined up for Spring/Summer 2009. LeSportsac was founded in 1974 and, since some time has passed, the brand is preparing itself for a new generation of loyal fans. They’re offering more prints, more silhouettes and more options in exclusivity and price-point. Some new silhouettes they’ve added is a yoga mat bag (my prayers answered!), laptop cases and covers, totes, belt bags and cosmetics bags. In addition to lots of new prints, LeSportsac is coming out with patents for those of us that like our bags shiny.

More photos and info after the jump! Read the full story

We have been long time lovers of 31 Corn Lane and it’s always fun to visit the ladies and see what’s new and exciting! Spring 09 is an offering of Little House on the Prairie inspired bags and jewelery. Ditsy floral prints paired with rugged raw denim and rope detail handles are reminiscent of Laura Ingalls Wilde. The fun twist to the collection is the “lil Hood on the Prairie” aspect with two finger rings and big old gold hoop earrings…loving it! See more of the Spring collection and Fall 08 after the jump! Read the full story

Betseyville bags by Betsey Johnson are adorable and fun and she does a great job of picking a theme and having it follow-through the details of the bag. Each theme is cuter than the next, and her newest collection of bags is called “Call Me” (think Blondie). The bags feature fabric printed with telephones, telephone cord and the words “call me.” The details are great including signature glitz and glam with studs, metallic leather, sequin kisses and my favorite, the “telephone cord” that’s attached to the bag. I can almost hear the phone ringing. The collection consists of purses, a weekender, totes and cosmetics bags. I wish they had made a cell phone case! Haha!

More pics after the jump . . .

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Longchamp is best know for their Le Pliage bags that are perfect for travel because they are compact and durable. Now, you can customize your own with a large array of colors to choose from and with custom embroidery.

To limit this brand to the Le Pliage totes is doing them a disservice. Their selection of leather bags, and accessories are so good and they are a refreshing break from the usual other luxury bag suspects. I especially love some of the bags in the men’s collection and think they would be a complement to any ladies’ arsenal.

More after the jump . . .

Longchamp also teamed up with Paris-based DJ Michel Gaubert to create a collection of 8 pieces with a sound-inspired print on pieces ranging from ipod cases to travel bags.


All of the pieces shown here can be purchased online at Longchamp.com.

Just when you thought you thought of everything, something comes along and hit’s you up side the head and makes you say: “damn, I wish I thought of that!” Well ladies, welcome to hangbag-lab.com, the brainchild of M.I.S.S. Amy Grabisch and Claudio Maike, handbag lab is simply that…a “lab” to create a handbag, genius! You can select a style of bag (named after LA and SF streets), select a leather color and hardware color and in a matter of weeks your creation arrives at your door step. There are 190+ possibilites and crafted from fine Italian leather. Prices range from $120 to about $285 for the bag, cost of turning heads on the streets…priceless

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Ladies, remember this name because she makes some of the yummiest exotic handbags that I have ever seen! Sang A, a singer/actress turned designer, is making tons of waves with some of the most fabulous celebrities and fashion editors(hints the Style.com shoutout!), and we can definitely see why.

Her website is complete eye candy. It features the most amazing lizard, ostrich, python, and crocodile skins in practically every color under the sun. Well, the fierce colors that is! My favorite pieces are the river tote and all of the clutches. I love the geometric hardware on the river tote and the sleek modernity of the clutches.

Aren’t you glad Christmas is almost here? If you’re interested in treating yourself a little bit earlier this year, the Sang A handbag collection can be found at Neiman Marcus or you contact a sales rep at store@sanga.com.

Source

When:
Thursday Mar 15, 2007 at 9:00 PM

WHO:
LeSportsac , the leader of chic and functional handbags, and popular culture and lifestyle magazine founded by Shepard Fairey and Roger Gastman, Swindle , will host a party with Fafi to celebrate the Fafi for LeSportsac collection. Fafi, the fashion forward French underground artist, used her famous cartoon-esque nature to create a whimsical print exclusively for LeSportsac. The limited edition of handbags, accessories and travel pieces will hit stores this week.

The Fafi for LeSportsac collection blends together the colorful, comic book sensibility of Fafi with the hip style of LeSportsac. The “Fafiness� print brings to life the tale of a girl “who was looking for the magic in her life and discovers the tree that blooms LeSportsac bags.� The billboard on Lafayette and Bond Street featuring this exclusive Fafi for LeSportsac print will be unveiled the same day of the event.

WHAT:
Guests will be able to meet and mingle with the artist and celebrate the collection while DJ’s spin, Kronenbourg 1664 Beer and Zygo cocktails are served. DJ’s include the “king of bounce,� Ghislain Poirier and French music elitist Melody Nelson .

WHERE:
The XChange
640 West 28th Street
New York, NY 10001
United States

Info: SWINDLE MAG