Love Handbags for life...

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:

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.

I have been a huge Jean-Paul Gaultier fan for a very long time. His costume designs for the film "La cite des enfants perdus", lend the movie a whole new level of eiry atmosphere and the same can be said for "The Fifth Element".

What I really admire about Jean-Paul Gaultier is that he has never studied fashion or handbag design, yet he has managed to get where he is today. Instead he sent sketches to famous designers when he was only a teenager and succeeded in impressing Pierre Cardin, who hired him as an assistant in 1970.

Browsing the internet I have found some more Vivienne Westwood handbags - and the added benefit: The handbags I am going to show you today are on sale!! Obviously these bags are from the previous Vivienne Westwood handbag collection and if you are looking for Westwood’s handbag trend for 2008 and 2009 follow the hyperlink.

Not only are the bags that I have found available for exactly half the original price, but furthermore they go with the sailor style handbag trend that I talked about before. Although they are called picnic handbag (I guess that is because the bag looks like a knotted together picnic blanket or neckerchief), these handbags would perfect the partner-look with Popeye for Olivia Oyl.

Today I want to have a look at the current Prada and the Miu Miu handbag collections. For this I have picked the favourites from the many bags I found online.

Let us start with Miu Miu handbags:

Miu Miu is positioned as the daily-oriented, more affordable clothing line from the Prada fashion house. It was opened in 1992 and is headed by Miuccia Prada. The name – as popularly known - is taken from Miuccia Prada's nickname. The line is known for its clean and stylish designs, use of fine materials, and affordable prices (compared to Prada). Devotees of the label range from Nicole Kidman to Chloë Sevigny.
I think you can see that the handbags are very young and fresh. They definitely look very “designer handbag” and are very fashionable, in a classic but super cool way. These bags will work in any situation.

Then to Prada handbags:

Although I do not like the Radley handbag and the Radley purse unconditionally, some handbags their current collection are quite nice. I think my problem with Radley handbags is that I am not their target audience. Their bags and purses seem too safe and fondly enough – not at all rock’n roll to me – and I am an old Rock chick deep down in my heart. Basically although they seem to be very good quality, they are mostly a little boring.

Some handbags I have found that I do like though, like for example the pretty red slouchy “Soho” bag and the dark brown “Bloomsbury” bag. Above is my selection: