Handbagista

Baby Phat’s handbag collection grew as an appendage from the apparel and accessory line that began as the publicity-building brainchild of hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons. Simmons first produced shrunken T-shirts with the logo “Baby Phat” as a vehicle to produce his men’s line, Phat Farm, but the T-shirts rose to a height of fame in their own right when celebrities, including Claudia Schiffer and Tyra Banks, began donning them on a regular basis. Baby Phat was born, and soon began to grow up.

Simmons brought his wife, Kimora Lee, on board as creative director. Lee had her feet firmly planted in the fashion industry from the age of 13, when, as a model, she became inspirational to designers Chanel and Karl Lagerfield.

Her exposure to the world of hip-hop lent a buoyant energy to Baby Phat designs. The collection reflects her self-described approach to fashion: incorporating current style elements, whether in the form of materials, colors, prints, or details, but in Baby Phat’s own unique execution of the trend du jour.

Current manifestations include Western detailing on a scoop shape, exotic detailing on satchels, a metallic-mesh drawstring, and lots of hardware. Lee is committed to always incorporating at least one element in Baby Phat designs, however—sexiness.

Many of Baby Phat’s bags boast plenty of bling but manage to refrain from being tacky. Rather, they retain a fun, free-spirited classiness. In fact, the word “candy” may come to mind when one views an array of Baby Phat handbags, with their bright colors, material that is often shiny and metallic, and frequent adornment with sparkling beads and baubles.

If Baby Phat bags were indeed candy, one imagines they would be a cross between jolly ranchers—juicy but with an underlying tartness—and a glittering, sugar-coated gumdrop—sweet and girly on the outside, but leaving you with something to chew on for a while beneath the surface.

Make no mistake, however; these bags are for girls who want to have fun. By the way, these fun-loving—and Baby Phat-loving—girls encompass a diverse range, from Britney Spears, the ladies of Destiny’s Child, and Pink to actress Rita Wilson, wife of Tom Hanks.

Baby Phat Handbag Bags White&Gold

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written by Ruth

Seeing this black designer handbag from DIOR actually scares me.

I mean, is it just me or is there a real element of S&M captured in the style and decoration of this little number?

Don’t get me wrong - if horse whipping your beloved is a mutually satisfactory activity then you go for it girl. But I’ve never had much leaning towards that type of thing - I’m more of a hearth rug, glowing coals and a cold glass of Cristal type gal myself!! (Mental note - arrange for hubby to read this post!!)

But the instant I set eyes on this bag I was mentally thrown into a dungeon, accompanied by a pounding beat, breaths and sighs of enjoyment and a mild to strong sense of wickedness.

That might just be enough to make me buy this!

The CHRISTIAN DIOR designer handbag is in black patent leather. It’s adorned, as if you couldn’t actually see for yourself, with polished silver hardware.

It’s also gaining a bonus mark from me because it actually delas with one of my pet peeves - it comes with 4 silver bulleted feet - or as design houses phrase it - it’s foot bottomed!! (Second mental note - maybe stop hubby before he gets to this point!)

Opening and closing is through the proven and reliable magnetic snap closure under the flap, leading to a fully lined interior in the Dior signature fabric with one zippered internal pocket.

This little devil beauty measures 11″ long, 5″ tall with a 3″ depth. The leather strap measures about 14 inches long with a 5 inch drop. The whole ensemble also comes with it’s own sleeper bag as do all the good uns!

I have to say - this Dior black handbag gets a 4 out of 5. It will certainly make an impression where ever you go so don’t be surprised by how many glances and looks you start getting. Follow this link to see more of what I call the Dior S&M handbag.

AUTHENTIC DESIGNER HANDBAG - CHRISTIAN DIOR - PINK LOGO HOBO BAG- LMTD EDITION

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written by Ruth

Now here’s a delight - a good sturdy bag that is actually as light as a feather. (Well, a feather from a largish bird maybe!)

The 7th Avenue Hobo handbag from the Liz Clairborne range follows the standards of a hobo for shape, style and ease of carrying - this one fits to the arm perfectly and is exceedingly comfortable to wear. (Julie has one of these and her comment was “It’s very professional looking, goes well with either business or leisure wear and it doesn’t pull on your shoulder - I love it!”)

This Liz Clairborne hobo weighs in at just 1lb and measures a handy 13″ x 10″ x 4″. Made from jacquard, with PVC trim, it’s got your standard top zip with three pockets on the inside - a cell phone pocket, a slide pocket and a zip closure pocket. (I’d like to have seen a pen holder as well but I’m just fussy!)

The shoulder strap gives a comfortable 11″ drop which, coupled with its 17″ length means this bag will sit in just the right place when worn.

Hard to fault this one and if Julie likes it - and let’s face it, she’s real hard to please - then it’s got to get a recommendation.

It’s also bonus time for Handbagista’s - because you can pick a Liz Clairborne 7th Avenue Hobo handbag up on a special at the moment. Ebags have them with a normal retail price of $88, down to $65.99 and I’ve just had an email from someone to let me know that they’re running a 48 hour special - down to $52.79!!!

Quick - run!

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written by Karen

You know - I think we’re going to need to run a “Currently on Sale At …” section on Handbagista!

All the good online stores like eLuxury and Yoox run Sales - and you can pick up some great bargains!

Take this Isabella Fiore Jill Hobo bag, for instance.

This gorgeous bag is made from handcrafted Italian lambs leather - soft and very supple with a really nice geometric seam pattern. You’d swear it was actually made of overlapping pieces of leather combined into one.

With brass hardware with that aged look for the handle rings - as well as the name plate on one of the two side (or should that be end?) pockets - this bag does sort of shriek out style and longevity!

The strap is made of flat leather and is broad enough not to dig in but thin enough not to slide off or need constant adjusting. Inside is lined with a textile lining in contrasting color and includes a zipped pocket, cell phone pocket and 2 patch pockets and the bag opens and closes via a top running zip with leather pull!

Size? A useful but not too large 17″ x 11″ x 7.5″.

Now the best bit - Price.

Normal retail price is $595.00 but eLux currently have it for sale in Brown or Bone colors for $359.00 - which means $236.00 off, or it did when I was at school anyway!

So what are you doing hanging about here reading my wonderful prose for chris’sakes - get going to eLux and pick up the discounted Isabella Fiore Jill Hobo now - before someone else gets them all!

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written by Ruth

To start the Ones To Watch? section - and therefore gain everlasting notoriety! - we’ll mention Michele McLenon and her Gramcracker Vintage handbags.

We don’t have a huge amount of info on these bags yet, as you’d expect from the section where we try and pick up on new designers as they begin their climb up the ladder of stardom. Don’t forget, this is the ladder which starts at the basic level of “Who Did You Say? Never Heard Of Them” and culminates at the dizzy heights of the “That’s A XXX? Actually, I Was One Of The First To Buy Them You Know!” top rung!

We know that Michele began making handbags because she couldn’t actually find one that she honestly liked! “It snowballed from there,” says the Ferndale, Detroit resident, who studied fashion design. Michele creates her bags from vintage fabrics and upholstery which sell for between $38 and $48 a piece. (You can buy them from Naka in Ferndale currently. Who knows - today Naka - tomorrow Bloomingdales?

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written by Karen