Lamarthe, spring 2001
9 ½” l. x 4 ¾” w. (base) x 9 ½” h. + 7 ½” drop

Like the Calvin Klein seafoam pieces which I showed 06.23.2009—06.25.2009, the dusky aqua of this crisp, fresh tote is a just-beyond-neutral color—easy on the eyes, easy to wear. I love the effortless combination of the satin finished split cowhide with the natural cotton cord handle—another great summer look. And, the bag is beautifully, minimally crafted, unlined and with clean-cut edges.

Alfred Lamarthe founded his French luxury leather goods line in 1930 with the premise that his bags should be functional as well as beautiful; after patenting several accessories innovations he opened his first boutique in Paris in 1936. In addition to the Lamarthe boutique at 19, Avenue Opera, 75001 Paris, this European top seller can be found at Galeries Lafayette, Printemps, and Le Bon Marche. My bag was featured at Nordstrom, but I found the last one at T.J.Maxx!

LAMARTHE Tan Leather Handbag $60.00

AMaZiNG DeSiGNeR LaMaRTHe PaRiS ORaNGe SQuaRe HoBo HaNDBaG PuRSe $35.00

Popularity: 67% [?]

Technorati Tags: Designer Handbags, lamarthe, leather, tote

anonymous, spring 2005
6 ½” l. x 4 ½” w. (base) x 8 ¾” h. + 5” drop;                                
bag flairs to 20” @ top edge

This light-hearted nude saddle leather tote works equally well with a simple linen sun dress or jeans and a tee. It’s another feel good piece—so much fun to carry—it seems that flowers should be spilling over the top!

I can’t tell you any more about it than what you see in the pictures—it has no label, logo, or “made-in” tag. However, the Loehmann’s price tag did say it was from Italy.

POPCORN Italian Made Natural Black Leather Designer Shopper Tote Bag Handbag $345.00

Lovely Fun Summer Designer Fossil Handbag/Tote $19.99

Popularity: 72% [?]

Technorati Tags: Designer Handbags, leather, tote

Charles Jourdan, spring 2000                                                                                                        
10” l. x 3 ¾” w. (base) x 7 ½” h. + 6” drop
Spring 2000 was a stellar season for handbags, and this very clever, unusually handled tote took me to the moon! I found it at the tres chic Charles Jourdan boutique on the Champs Elysses in Paris (Yes, the same shopping trip as the fabulous Jean Paul Gaultier pieces which I showed you 06.08.2009—06.11.2009). Part of the fun of carrying this bag is the memory of a wonderful experience in France!

This tote was made in Spain—I don’t think many (or even any) Charles Jourdan bags were still being made in France at this point. It’s a beautifully crafted piece, but the finish on the leather is too fragile for everyday use.

CHARLES JOURDAN, PARIS~SUEDE EVENING BAG~EXQUISITE! $37.43

VINTAGE CHARLES JOURDAN OFF WHITE BUCKET SHOULDER BAG PURSE HANDBAG FRANCE PARIS $19.99

Popularity: 70% [?]

Technorati Tags: charles jourdan, Designer Handbags, tote, vinyl

Furla, spring 2005
10 ⅜” l. x 4 ¾” w. (base) x 10 ¾” h. + 6 ½” drop

I love when my colors have yummy food names! And when I think they’re not really accurately descriptive, no matter how delicious they sound, I come up with another! I’ve never seen paprika quite this hue…let’s see, how about coral cream? Or nectarine sorbet? Anyway, that’s the designer in me—I have to make it my own.

This tote is really my go-to summer bag—it’s a clean, simple design and useful size (big enough for a statement/presence and to hold plenty; not so large as to weigh me down). Like the Francesco Biasia Wave Tote, there is no extraneous hardware to clutter up the bag or to compete with my jewelry. And, this beautiful not-really-paprika works equally well as a pop of color with black and white or a bright accent for neutrals.

Even after several summers of use, this bag still looks fresh and only lightly worn. I’m pretty careful with my bags, but high praise goes to Furla for its amazingly stain and scuff resistant leather. And Furla always has beautiful color choices which you are free to rename! When in New York, be sure to visit one of the two Furla boutiques, either 598 Madison Avenue @ 57th Street or 727 Madison Avenue @ 64th Street. Furla is known as an affordable luxury brand, but mine was even more affordable since it came from Loehmann’s!

Furla Leopard-Printed Tate M Shopper EBF12 $303.75

$945 New Furla Tote From Giovanna Furlanetto Collection $359.99

Popularity: 62% [?]

Technorati Tags: Designer Handbags, furla, tote

Francesco Biasia, spring 2002
11 ½” l. x 4 ¾” w. (base) x 10 ½” h. + 8 ½” drop

This Italian tote was designed two years after the three Jean Paul Gaultier bags which I showed on 06.08.2009—06.10.2009, and it employs laser-cut leather in a new and ingenious way. I love the clean edges and elegant simplicity of the wave design—look at my detail shot—it looks like a detail of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Guggenheim Museum! The color is just gorgeous—a warm coral with a mellow metallic glow, with antique gold inner surfaces and drawstring pouch. I usually carry this tote with a small black zipper pouch (really necessary so small item don’t slip through the cracks) which just disappears in the shadows and gives the bag a more minimal appearance—my personal style. I also love that there is no extraneous hardware to clutter up the bag!  This is a real feel-good piece!
Is there really a Francesco Biasia, or is it just the name of the company? Neither from the website nor Google could I find much to pass along, except that Francesco Biasia is once again supporting “Baby nel Cuore”, a non-profit organization which develops solidarity for children in need throughout the world.

 
From the “Spotlight “ section of the Francesco Biasia site:

“The association also uses a non-profit Web portal called eforpeople.com that sells designer clothing and accessories at competitive prices to raise money for its projects. To this end, Francesco Biasia has donated some of its unique pieces for sale on the website. The proceeds from the sale of the bags will be used to create children’s homes for street children in the city of Salvador de Bahia in Brazil. Currently about 30 percent of the population in Salvador de Bahia lives below the poverty line in “favelas.” The illiteracy rate among young people is more than 30 percent. These alarming numbers along with problems in terms of health care, education and professional training among young people make for a real emergency. This is why Francesco Biasia is proud to participate in this initiative to help resolve the problems in this part of the world.”

For more information or to support the project by making a purchase online, go to:
www.eforpeople.com

Kudos to the company for their compassion and generosity!

Authentic Francesco Biasia Black Leather Purse Handbag With Dust Bag $107.99

Francesco Biasia Hand Bag $0.99

Popularity: 14% [?]

Technorati Tags: Designer Handbags, francesco biasia, tote

Moschino Cheap and Chic, spring 2004
17” point-to-point

I was simultaneously both star-stuck and totally amused by this glittering bag!   This witty piece is from Moschino Cheap (not really, unless you mean a bit tacky) and Chic (sort of, but also sort of cheeky). The Italian designer Franco Moschino (1950-1994) was known for bringing humor and irreverence to fashion. Picture this: a cashmere jacket with “Expensive Jacket” embroidered across the back, or a perfectly crafted leather handbag detailed to look exactly like a steam iron! I saw the iron bag in Saks circa fall 2000; even reduced it was much too much of a splurge. I’ve never even seen a picture of it since! But the handbag which is truly iconic is the ivory and dark brown leather trompe l’oeil dripping “Chocolate Handbag”—delicious!!

I initially discovered this handbag in an editorial layout in the now defunct Shuz magazine (miss it!) but never saw it “in person” until it found its way into the designer case in the Manhattan Loehmann’s. I won the treasure hunt that day!!!

To see another approach to molded construction handbags (like the steam iron), check out www.braccialini.it or visit their tiny Soho boutique at 436-438 West Broadway, NY, NY 10012, 212.334.2441. You’ll be amazed by the flawless craftsmanship and amused by the array of animals, vehicles, birds, flowers, etc. Past season bags are available by special order.

Popularity: 12% [?]

Technorati Tags: cheap and chic, Designer Handbags, moschino, star

Rodo, spring 2004
⅛” w. x 8 ½” h. with 6” drop

Fun! I feel like a Jackson Pollock drip and splash painting is dangling from my wrist when I carry this pretty (young) thing! It’s made in Italy of soft calfskin with applied fabric paint.

Jackson Pollock (1912-1956) was an American Abstract Expressionist painter who pioneered the All-over style as well as the Drip and Splash style.  Ed Harris’s 2001 bio-pic brought Pollock back into the public consciousness; perhaps this whimsical piece was one of the results.

This little treasure came from Loehmann’s in Manhattan.

Popularity: 12% [?]

Technorati Tags: Designer Handbags, evening bag, handpainted bag, italian, rodo

Charles Jourdan, spring 1985
“Liscorne”, noir/blanc (black/white)
10 ¼” w. 6 ½” h. + 46” detachable shoulder strap

This bag could be black or white! Love the contemporary geometric shape and the
graphic use of color!

Color blocking is not usually my taste—I generally prefer a much more monolithic look, but this was such a fresh approach—I just had to have the matching shoes and bag.  This combo was too much fun to pass up!

You can see that the bag has a detachable shoulder strap; I never used it.  The bag is much more chic carried as a clutch or tucked under the arm.

This bag and the shoes came from the fabulous Charles Jourdan boutique in the Trump Tower.

CHARLES JOURDAN, PARIS~SUEDE EVENING BAG~EXQUISITE! $37.43

VINTAGE CHARLES JOURDAN OFF WHITE BUCKET SHOULDER BAG PURSE HANDBAG FRANCE PARIS $19.99

Popularity: 18% [?]

Technorati Tags: charles jourdan, clutch, Designer Handbags, leather, vintage

Calvin Klein, autumn 1999 
8” w. x 3 ¼” h. with 7 ½” drop

When I remodeled my home in 1986, a wonderful friend gave me some exquisite acid-etched black glass fruit bowls from the Japanese Sugahara Glassworks. They were beautiful in my new environment! This terrific little special occasion bag manages to recall that satiny-feeling glass, but in a rather more pragmatic “frosted” Lucite. The use of a glazed saddle leather for the handle is genius (even more so with the unexpected oxblood underside)—I love the shiny rich black against the softer matte black; the natural against the plastic—it’s a brilliant combination.

This can be worn as a modern shoulder bag high under the arm, or hung over the arm in an ironically lady-like manor. The greater irony, however, is how extremely difficult (Let’s be honest—almost impossible!) it is to open this otherwise perfect piece!!!

I found this modern minaudiere at the Calvin Klein flagship store on Madison Avenue. When in New York, be sure to see the fabulous interior designed by British minimalist architect John Pawson. This location opened in September 1995, and in the early years was adorned with enormous clear glass cylinder containers (think “high tech”) each containing five or six dozen perfect calla lilies—a visual feast!
     

Calvin Klein Black Leather/micro fiber shoulder bag $9.99

black calvin klein wheeled carry on travel luggage duffle bag $125.99

Popularity: 13% [?]

Technorati Tags: calvin klein, Designer Handbags, john pawson, lucite, sugahara glassworks

Calvin Klein, spring 1998

Again–the color says it all…I had to have these seafoam green Italian-made sunglasses to wear with the bag(s)!

NWT CALVIN KLEIN Womens Sunglasses R601S Black $72.00 $32.50

NWT Authentic Calvin Klein Mens Sunglasses R110S Gun/Purple $37.00

Popularity: 12% [?]

Technorati Tags: calvin klein, Designer Handbags, designer sunglasses

Calvin Klein, spring 1998
9 ¾” w. x 6” h. with a 5/8” belt

Exactly as in yesterday’s post, this chic little belt bag is quintessential Calvin Klein—perfect proportions, minimal details (no extraneous hardware!), and the softest Italian lambskin in a just-beyond-neutral seafoam green. The thin profile and supple leather keep the bag close to the body. This is not a tourist’s fanny pack! With its low slung belt, it is, however, a very modern way to carry your lipstick and look fabulous doing it! And obviously I’m addicted to this beautiful color.

Calvin Klein Black Leather/micro fiber shoulder bag $9.99

black calvin klein wheeled carry on travel luggage duffle bag $125.99

Popularity: 16% [?]

Technorati Tags: belt bag, calvin klein, Designer Handbags

Calvin Klein, spring 1998
11 ¾” w. x 5 ¼” h. with 8 ½” drop

This chic little shoulder bag is quintessential Calvin Klein—perfect proportions, minimal details (no extraneous hardware!), and the softest Italian lambskin in a just-beyond-neutral seafoam green. With its thin profile and short drop, this bag is designed to be worn high under the arm and close to the body. Hidden magnets snap the top edges together.

Calvin Klein Black Leather/micro fiber shoulder bag $9.99

black calvin klein wheeled carry on travel luggage duffle bag $125.99

Popularity: 17% [?]

Technorati Tags: calvin klein, Designer Handbags, shoulder bag

Issey Miyake, autumn 2006
4” x 4” base x 6” h. + cord

Adorable! This charming little bag is a unique combination of butter-soft leather and Kyoto bamboo with urushi lacquer. Hachiroh Kosuga, of the Kohchosai Kosuga Bamboo Gallery in Kyoto, is the bamboo designer. According to the gallery, “Kyoto bamboo gained the place in history when it was found ideal by Edison as the filament for his first electric lamps. And it is still highly prized for its purity, its natural flexibility and the living quality it retains even in finished works.

“With honor and respect for the bamboo, the craftsman combines his sensitivity and skill with this beauty in making a masterpiece. His creativity determines the value of the works.

“The delicate rhythm found in each piece is sometimes a harmony of the two.”

I was honored to be given this by a Japanese friend who knew of my passion for unique bags. It came from the Madison Avenue Issey Miyake boutique.

Issey Miyake clear bag $0.99

ISSEY MIYAKE PLEATS PLEASE BLUE + BLACK SHOULDER BAG NEW $102.68

Popularity: 36% [?]

Technorati Tags: bamboo, Designer Handbags, issey miyake, kyoto bamboo, leather, urushi lacquer

Pleats Please by Issey Miyake, summer 1999
5 ¼” w. x 11 ½” h.

This drawstring pouch looks like a Mohawk when closed! It’s made of a wonderfully papery-feeling, crispy polyester. It was both pleated and silk-screened after fabrication, which resulted in the color striation on the pleats and the bleeding on the edges of the violet color block. The top edge of the bag was laser-cut into strips which are supported at their base by the lining.
I found this little handbag in the Pleats Please shop in Soho in the summer of 1999.

Issey Miyake clear bag $0.99

ISSEY MIYAKE PLEATS PLEASE BLUE + BLACK SHOULDER BAG NEW $102.68

Popularity: 17% [?]

Technorati Tags: Designer Handbags, issey miyake, pleats please

me by Issey Miyake, summer 2007
5’’ diameter x 5 ½”—7” h. (stretches with contents)

This amazing little reticule is another example of Issey Miyake’s unrivaled ability to manipulate fabric to create volume. A shibori technique has been used to magically transform black polyester chiffon into an ethereal bunch of grapes! The pouch is lined with teal crepe de chine, which gives a glow to the “grapes.”

My dear friend and fellow Issey devotee gave me this treasure for my birthday. She purchased it at the Madison Avenue Issey Miyake store.

Issey Miyake clear bag $0.99

ISSEY MIYAKE PLEATS PLEASE BLUE + BLACK SHOULDER BAG NEW $102.68

Popularity: 22% [?]

Technorati Tags: Designer Handbags, issey miyake, me by issey miyake, shibori