That's A Fabulous Handbag

The iridescent wings of beetles was the theme for the Fall 2010 Bottega Veneta handbags. The result was shiny and sometimes iridescent colors on their famous woven leather bags, as well as clutches that feature 3-D beetles on the front. Designer Tomas Maier used traditional materials like leather, crocodile and snakeskin, but this year he created some bags from paper. The "Papier" bags are made from paper and light as air, but expertly woven and well made. The last picture below is one of the Papier bags that feature a beetle lock that turns to unlock the flap.

Tags: designer handbags

Bottega Veneta designer, Tomas Maier, made his handbag collection the focal point of his overall looks with bright colors, and beautiful materials. While the clothing collection was done almost entirely in shades of cream, while the blues, magentas, and yellows come in the handbags. Maier said,"The clothes are meant to be a backdrop, a blank canvas, so the wearer can play with color and accessories to change the look and make it her own."    

While I didn't care for the fringed bags, he did an amazing translation of the house leather intrecciato bag into something resembling a soft straw basket. Overall, the bags are beautiful and practical.

Tags: designer handbags

Have you ever wondered what happens to all the fabulous designer handbags that don't sell out in their allowed season? They go to outlet malls. Well, theOutnet.com is the outlet mall for Net a Porter, one of the best, US based, on - line luxury goods retailer. If you know this blog you know I review lots of bags from their store.

The Outnet offers some really great bags at discounted prices, between 30% and 50% off. Here are a few they are currently selling.

This Jimmy Choo handbag is black pleated eel with contrast watersnake fold-over panel and a gold bar closure at front. It has a gold-tone chain strap, suede lining and a zip fastening internal pocket. An exotic bag 40% off! Good deal. $1,197

This Bottega Veneta handbag is red patent leather intrecciato oversized flat tote with 'liquid stripes' and a braided handle. This tote has a brass clasp fastening in the center of the handles, brass eyelets around the top and camel suede lining with a zip fastening internal pocket. Also 40% off, $1,608.

This Fendi handbag is natural canvas with a silver-tone leather trim and shoulder panels. It has brass-tone chain handles, oversized silver buckles on the front, signature F detailing on buckle prong, a small clasp fastening underneath flap, visible tonal stitch detail and ruching on back. Also 40% off, $1,245.

Buy at theOutnet.com.

Tags: designer handbags

I thought the Bottega Veneta Fall 2009 Handbag collection was beautiful. The bags were both classic and sophisticated in design and style. They were the kind of handbag you would image on the arm of a powerhouse CEO-ette rather than a young hipster. We have come to expect Bottega Veneta handbags to be rich in texture, and this collection does not disappoint, most notably was the leather pailette hobo. Designer Tomas Maier only strayed into color territory with beautiful lilac, a color theme throughout his entire collection. For those wealthy that need extra incentive to open their crocodile wallets, this collection may be just the thing.

Check out the gorgeous Bottega Veneta shoe collection.

Tags: bottega veneta fall 2009 handbag collection, bottega veneta handbags, fall 2009 handbags

I never understand why classic handbag labels come out with cutesy, cartoonish designs. Like when Louis Vuitton did the bright multi-colored monogram canvas bas...they were awful. This Bottega Veneta leather tote is just like that - over the top cutesy. It looks like a cupcake. The bright multi-colored knots are not only ugly, but also uncomfortable. I could see a teenager wearing this bag, but how many teenagers can afford a $1,850 handbag.

Don't forget to sign up for our December Handbag Giveaway.

Tags: bottega veneta handbag

Tomas Maier, the Bottega Veneta designer, said "it's not a time to be ostentatious" with fashion, seemingly referring to our global economy. It is no surprise, then, that his handbag collection is not only beautiful, but also wearable year round. His version of downbeat luxury in muted browns—caramel through dark saffron, copper, and chestnut—is no less expensive in the execution of amazing fabric treatments and handcrafted leathers than it's ever been. Though Maier may have been conservative in design, but, thankfully, he had a vast selection of sizes and styles, something many other designers have held back.

The 2009 Spring collection had everything from carry alls to clutches, and in as many different materials. Bottega Veneta is famous for it's beautiful woven design, and this season they expanded on that design and made a more open basket weave design. One of the bags in this style was a multi hued amber carry all. Amber, the semi precious gemstone, comes in mostly shades of caramel and brown, but also green and yellow. These colors were the central theme in this collection so it's no surprise that many of the models were wearing amber jewelry. There were also lots of shoulder bags and clutches in patent leather, embossed leather, crocodile, snakeskin, and ostrich. This collection is by far my favorite from Bottega Veneta. I think Thomas Maier achieved his goal of creating beautiful and classic handbags that can be worn and re-worn for years to come.

Tags: bottega veneta, spring 2009