Love Handbags for life...

Sometimes bags don’t have to be colourful. This week I have grown especially fond of the Chiarugi handbags in brown leather. Maybe it is an autumnal being stirring inside me or something like that, but all week I have been looking at people wearing brown things and carrying brown bags, hell, I have even bought myself some wooden jewellery in my obsession.

For me these brown leather bags represent Italian elegance. Somehow they just make you look classy (as long as the rest of your outfit gives them a chance). They do not scream “Look at me”, no, they whisper it in a very seductive way.

The Chiarugi handbags are extra special, because Chiarugi use only the finest Italian vegetable tanned hides. All items are handmade in Florence in Italy and have been so since 1969.

I have only just discovered Birdy Num Num, but I quite like them. Not only because their name reminds me of one of the catch phrases from I can has cheez burger, a website you will probably know, but if not: cats are cute and talking silly and num num means yummy.

Well, anyway, I am digressing. The brand was started in London in 2000 as a small lifestyle accessories label. Their trademarks are the nice soft nappa leather that they use and their attention to detail as expressed in their fine bag linings. Not only do they create handbags, but also related accessories like glasses etuis and bound diaries.

Here are some of the Birdy Num Num handbags that I especially like. These are mostly from the new Autumn Winter 2008 collection with the exception of the cosmetic purse and the glasses etuis.

The Darel company was founded by Gérard and Danielle Darel in 1971 and continues to be family managed. In choosing Mamie as its future muse, Gérard Darel has found the ideal match.

Some of the world’s most beautiful women have stood in as muses for Gerard Darel.
They have included, Stephanie Seymour, Brooke Shields, Christy Turlington, Natassja Kinski and most recently Charlotte Gainsbourg. But Gerard Darel’s latest muse is Mamie Gummer, who is not just the daughter of Meryl Streep, but also a very promising young actress.

So Gerard Darel has names his new collection after Mamie and if I was her, I would be very pleased with that, as there are some very beautiful handbags in that collection.
In style some of them remind me a little of the Nanini handbags, but maybe you feel different about that!
I only picked four to show you as I feel the designs need space to breathe! ? And here they are…

Clockwise from top left:

Vivienne Tam is a New York fashion designer. I did not know her before, but she has come to my attention through the way she has embraced a combination of femininity and technology. What I mean to say is that she sent her models on the runway, clutching mini-Hewlett Packard laptops that looked like very pretty handbags. The laptops are meant to be very light and practical. If you are after actual laptop purses Bizrate should have some.

Her clothes have been worn by many celebrities, Goldie Hawn, Alicia Silverstone and Madonna just to name a few. Her fashion is meant to be appealing to women of all ethnic backgrounds and financial means. I am not sure my financial means exactly fit that profile after looking at her prices but hey ho…

Source: Flickr.com © Rubinho1

I am not sure whether you have heard what some of the coming trends are. Gothic style clothing is coming back in fashion especially for the ladies. The grown up luxury gothic style is moving in. I think that is quite a fitting development considering the gloomy mood autumn brings along, although I am not sure what the real old-school Goths will think of all the new fashion Goths on the streets!

Whichever gothic style autumn handbag you want to go for it will have the ability to make your autumn outfit. To look like a perfect Zombie or Vampire, you will need a handbag to complete the look. Here are some great gothic autumn bags that I have found online:

I never really associated Red or Dead with handbags – for me Red or Dead were a brand that made very nice and wacky shoes and I was also aware of their glasses – I now myself own a pair. But recently, on my search for attractive handbags I have stumbled across the Red or Dead bag collection. And in my opinion the Red or Dead handbags are at least as pretty as the Red or Dead shoes.

Just have a look. These bags exude a lot of character and individuality, without being immature. From top left in clockwise order:

Red or Dead Dirty Girls Small Frame £45.00
Red or Dead Flying Ducks T.V. Messenger £
Red or Dead Russian Dolls Bucket Bag £60.00
Red or Dead Dirty Girls Clutch £40
Red or Dead Russian Dolls Barrel Bag £40
Red or Dead Flying Ducks T.V. Messenger £55

I had never before heard of Buti handbags – until now! As far as I am aware Buti handbags are named after the Buti region in Italy, situated in the Province of Pisa, where, I believe, these beautiful quality leather handbags are manufactured.

Buti handbags are lovely little creations and exude an undeniable elegance with their high-quality leather construction, but it is their details, that make these handbags truly high fashion and recognizable.

Each Buti handbag has an interesting individual shape and some features that they all have in common are similarities in the design of the unique handles, front-hanging charms, front pockets, bold colours or the locks with leather detail.