The way I have railed against Gucci lately, you would think I don't like the label at all, but that's not the case. It's my favorite in fact, but this season has been a complete and total disappointment for me. I only like one bag from this collection. One out of, what, at least twenty. Take this Hysteria Hobo for example, the tortoise coloring is way too much. If it was accented with the color that would be great, but in shiny patent leather it just looks cheap. And why did Gucci change their hardware logo? Stick with the classic GG, please. $1,360 at Saks for those of you who care.

Finally! A Fall 2008 Gucci handbag that I actually like. This is the Gucci Sukey Python Tote and it has no studs, no hearts, and no graffiti. It's just a classic python tote with brown leather trim. The python skin is beautiful, and much more fitting for the sophisticated Gucci label than the previous bags from this season. This is a bag that will last many years, through every season, and if I had the cash I would love to have this in my collection. $3,195 at Saks

Another Gucci atrocity. Just when I think it can't get any worse, something like this handbag appears in stores. It looks like a messenger bag (which I can't stand), the color is boring, the tattoo image is tacky, and the heart logo looks cheap. If I had not seen some of the Gucci handbags coming out next Spring, I would think they had hired some new, horrible designer. At least I have comfort in the upcoming bags, because the current crop is hideous. $1,395 at Saks.

Frida Giannini, the designer for Gucci, is different from Milan's other female designers. There was absolutely no runway fantasia in her show, it was strictly ready to wear on the streets. While I applaud her pragmatic standpoint, I was a bit shocked that she only offered 3 handbag designs in this collection.  There was an up-sized, slouchier, hand-stitched "New Jackie" (which is a fantastic handbag), a utilitarian backpack that transforms into a carryall, and a clutch. She did the "New Jackie" in every possible material from the GG logo to exotics like crocodile and snakeskin. One version had the GG logo with snakeskin front pockets. Same thing with the backpack, but the was only one version of the clutch (which I didn't really care for). The "New Jackie" is a classy and beautiful handbag and would look gorgeous with any outfit, especially a business suit. But with only one out of three designs that I liked from this collection, I thought the handbags were an overall disappointment. Especially after the horrible Fall 2008's Babouska collection. In Giannini defense she has steered the Gucci label in a more chic business like direction, so the lack of frills and wild color combinations makes sense, but I would have liked to see more variety. And do we really need a backpack?

Gucci did a nice crocodile version of the Pelham shopper. This handbag features crocodile in dark green with silver hardware and two braided straps, horsebit accents, tab-snap closure, protective feet on the bottom, and an inside zip pocket. Measuring 19.3″ x 5.1″ x 11″ . Basically, it's exactly the same as the other Gucci Pelham Shoppers, except it's crocodile. Unfortunatly Gucci is a also delusional when it comes to what warrents the price of a handbag. It is priced at $22,900. There is no bling on this bag, the hardware is standard metal, and I doubt it took any more man hours to design than the standard GG print Pelham Shopper. And the gator really isn't that great.