We have a treat for your eyes! Hermes has become ubiquitous with the ultimate designer handbags. The luxury associated with Hermes is known worldwide, continues throughout the years and seasons, and transcends across generations. My collection of Hermes bags is small, but includes all Holy Grail bags for me; a Blue Jean Birkin, a Kelly Wallet in Orange Alligator, and my stunning white Kelly Longue. Next on my wishlist from the brand is a travel size bag. Something big, something to take for weekend trips, something reminiscent of what the brand is known for but offering a new shape to my collection. Top of my list is the Haut A Courroies, better known to the masses as the HAC. And the ultimate HAC from Hermes would be the crocodile HAC that was at Christie’s. Continue Reading While New York Fashion Week is an amazing event, Milan Fashion Week always leaves something to look forward to with its top fashion house designers. The big handbag accessory behind the Prada Fall 2007 line in Milan were hand-held clutches. Sure this makes life hands free, but the actually space where you place your hand is rather bulky and large which hides your hand completely and seems a tad overpowering. Miuccia tried to tone it down a notch by adding a bow, and of the two, the bow version would be my pick. After the clutches came an odd array of handbags. From alright, to furry, to simple, to ruched green, the line was not really powerful overall. Spotted all over the runway was huge outfits of tufty mohair, colorful stockings, and funky high-heeled shoes. Miuccia may confuse some, but Prada is always a designer force to be reckoned with.

I’ve been writing about more Burberry bags lately than I ever have before, and I’ve been trying to figure out why. Larger collection this season? No, I remember a lot of bags from previous season. New handbag designer at the brand? I can’t find any information about that online, so I guess it’s possible that someone with a new point-of-view has come in to shake things up. But overall, I think the reason that I’ve noticed them more than I have in previous seasons is that they’re just BETTER than they have been. I’m much more impressed than I previously have been with them. So today, in our Endless Parade of Burberry Handbags That Amanda Likes, we have the Burberry Prorsum Willow Leather Clutch. Like the brand’s other recently featured bags, they’ve worked the leather in a way that gives the bag an enormous amount of texture – the little leather squares flake up like python scales, but would theoretically be much more durable than the often-delicate exotic. It’s got a little wrist strap and a cell phone pocket inside, plus it’s a great neutral color with an interesting textural concept – where do I sign up for one? When I saw the Burberry Heart-Studded Satchel for the first time, I had the same internal monologue that I had while flipping through accessories pictures from the brand’s Spring 2011 runway show. It went something like, Really? That’s it? Christopher Bailey can do wonders with every other segment of the brand, but this is all that us handbag folks get? Sadly, yes, this is all we get. Despite some accessory success several seasons ago and a few nice-yet-completely-unmemorable bags popping up every few months, Burberry’s handbag efforts have left much to be desired for some time now. I can only hope that the best is yet to come and that Bailey will throw us a bone of some sort in the near future. In the meantime, what in the world does he want us to do with this?