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 Big handbags, such as totes, satchels and hobo bags,
which have been in for several seasons now, should not be flashy or cluttered
with detail, as their size is balanced by the simple design. These bags are
first and foremost functional and are designed for carrying all the essentials
you may need during the day - your cell phone, keys, wallet, notebook, makeup
and other stuff. Purses, on the other hand, are totally different. Clutches, minaudieres,
petite fancy-shaped cases where you can hardly squeeze in your phone and keys
can be a playground for designer experiments, as their main purpose is to
complement an outfit and draw attention to its holder.
Miniature size, indeed, highly stimulates the
imagination of fashion designers, and although understated classic is still in,
many daring young girls chose unusual purses for their evening out or social
events to flaunt the style with a twist and express their personality. For the
last couple of years, purse trends centered on certain themes, including
jewelry, fur, fancy shapes, and animal prints.
Fine Artwork
Beautiful purses bejeweled with sparkling crystals, stitched
with beads and sequins are made to make you the lady of the evening. And
designers are very liberal in decorating the fancy-shaped purses with all sorts
of ornate detail. While many designers opt for crystals and beads as
decoration, some strive for originality and offer purses that are true objects
of art. Take, for instance, Herve Leger collection for autumn/winter 2010-2011
includes a clutch splayed with tiny crystals imitating drops of water. They
cover the hard hexagonal clutch case that resembles a large faceted stone.
If you're into sophisticated seduction, try Bea Valdes,
a Filipino designer who isn't shy about using sequins, crystals, semiprecious
stones, chandelier drops and vintage feathers on her bags which look sublime. She
debuted her collection last summer, and her wristlets are already the talk of
the town. The silk ribbon goes around your wrist, like a bracelet, and your
fingers clutch the heavily-beaded ball. The purse can probably fit in a mobile
phone, a wallet, a small; palette of makeup, lipstick, and car keys.
Another noteworthy brand that offers exquisite
designer purses is Judith Leiber that recently released the Astor
Collection. Inspired by an archival
Judith Leiber collection, it was reinvented in 2009 with updated shapes and colors.
Judith Leiber handbags are made with heirloom quality and style, and the Astor
Collection demonstrates superiority in design and craftsmanship. Not merely a seasonal purchase, the Astor
Collection is an investment designed to last a lifetime.
The Astor bags are available in three styles - a
top-handle shoulder bag that might have suited Jackie Onassis; an Envelope
Clutch, a chic take on the portfolio briefcase; and the East/West Clutch, a
sleek, elongated clutch, that could move from day to evening. All styles are made from American alligator
with a shiny, classic finish, available in black, cognac, plum, and cranberry. Each
bag in the Astor Collection features signature sterling silver plaques, treated
with rhodium so they will never tarnish.
Plaques are designed for personalization with streamlined art-deco style
block letters, accommodating up to three engraved initials.
Soft and Delicate
It may be strange to see fur on this accessory, but
for several seasons now fur trimming has been an indispensable part of handbag
design. And if the habitual clutch with natural or artificial fur trimming is a
regular occurrence, there are purses that can catch the eye with their originality.
Chanel collection for autumn/winter 2010-2011 featured
clutches and box-like purses that looked like they were made of clear ice and
snow flakes. Louis Vuitton launched a cruise collection for summer 2010 which
included a number of 'winter-themed' cluches. In their design and color, these
leather items imitate the snowflakes, the resemblance enforced with a miniature
snowflake attached to the chain.
The cruise collection by Christian Louboutin is more
traditional. His clutch has a hard case hidden beneath a cloud of tender pink
tulle, which looks very romantic and will definitely appeal to young girls.
Funny Fashion
While elegant purses with luxurious fur or sparkling
crystals are reserved mainly for the evenings out, fancy-shaped funny
minaudieres can be paraded during the day. Minaudieres are small ornamental
cases in which a woman puts her jewelry, makeup products, or other personal
items and often carries them as purses. This striking clutch has been popular
commonly among trend- conscious stars for they always hit the red carpet
occasions. A minaudiere is sometimes referred as a fancy model of a clutch
since they are usually composed of glamorous products as well as are often
embedded with rhinestones, crystals, beads, or sequins.
These captivating little handfuls are more than just
an accent for it is considered as a portable art as well which may be placed on
the dining tables or worn during elite events. What makes these minaudieres
exceptional is the fact that they take elite shapes such as animals, food,
flower, heart, as well as a lot more. Plus, they could be matched not just with
an elegant gown, but even with your favorite pair of jeans. The good thing is these
stunners are not simply available for the wealthy and the well-known, since
there are also minaudieres that suits commoners at regular costs.
For several years now, the collections of Italian
brand Braccialini have featured Temi line which combines the practicality of
high quality leather handbags with bright animal imagery or familiar objects in
unusual presentation. For example, 2010 Temi line includes purses shaped like tomato,
fish or beach lifeguard cabin.
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