Luxury Handbags ,Designer Purses And Fashion Accessories

I’m on the hunt for beautifully simple, luxuriously soft leather handbags! Sometimes chain handles are too glitzy-looking for an everyday bag, but the chain-cum-charm combo looks classy on Dior’s simple, clean hobo. The dangling Dior charm dresses up this bag with just the right amount of elegance - check out thatlovely side view, with it’s patterned (“canned”) leather. It’s available for a hefty US$1750 from

Catwalk Queen have reliably informed me that it’s Resort collection time, and Dior are the first down the catwalk in New York with their designs for the, ahem, how should I say it…more wealthy customers, let’s put it that way. John Galliano, head designer at Dior, sent down many ’60s designs which our sisters-in-the-know are calling ‘Elizabeth Taylor-inspired’. The bags followed suit, with these pastel coloured pillbox-style shoulder bags done in patent leather, suede, and shown here, croc…

I must say, I’m awfully surprised to see Kylie Minogue with this ‘Lady Dior’ Cannage bag at thefashion show for 2008’s Resort collection by Dior, as it’s not the usual bag I’d associate with her. Plus, it’s only worth £845, hardly pop-minstrel standard fare! Unfortunately I can’t find the champagne colour online to buy, however you can pick it up in black, white or a garish pink at Dior’s website. Otherwise, there’s a whole range of ‘Cannage’ bags to choose from, some of which are in that delicious champagne shade. Would rather have Dita Von Teese’s dress, though!

Let’s be honest ladies, we all love a bargain, don’t we? Especially when that bargain has Dior written all over it. Actually, the bag itself, the St. Germain mini flap bag, has CD written on it, on a silver metal plaque on the front flap of this tan leather bag (eLUXURY calls it gold, I call it tan). The bag is US$529, down from US$805 from eLUXURY. Also available is a matching purse, the St. Germain double face continental wallet, US$430, which, sadly, is not in the sale.

Gahh!! What is this mess! The Neiman Marcus trunk show for Dior spawned some of the most atrocious bags, ever. I can’t decide which one is most revolting, but here are the top contenders in that category… Thenew cannage drawstring bag, medium size, in blindingly bright pink includes a gigantic tin “D” charm, a funky strap that clips or turns into a chain or loops back on itself or…something. And worst of all, it’ll cost US$900 but its made out of NYLON. (Uh, isn’t that Prada’s sad schtick? Didn’t know that was contagious, please get it looked at.) It “includes white storage bag, certificate of authenticity, and maintenance guide,” which I think should be a plastic Hefty bag, an ID sticker on it that says “TRASHY!” and a instructions on how to promptly dispose of it without causing radioactive damage to the environment. Then there is the’Plisse Basket’ tote looks like what might occur if my paper shredder threw up, and the US$3900′Samurai 1947 Woven Frame Bag’ looks like…I don’t even know. God help me.

I stopped by the Dior boutique the other day and saw this extremely eye-catching Dior cannage ‘D’ clutch. The multitude of shiny details – patent-shiny finish, the big ole ‘D’ logo, grommets, threading… are altogether a little over the top, but I can’t deny that it draws my attention. Thing is that its made out of vinyl – a huge no-no! And they’re charging US$530 for it! Why can’t it be patent leather for that much money? For shame. Never should vinyl be chosen over patent leather when it comes to luxurybrands!

We continue to look at some of the key bags which have defined the it-bag era. Having previously looked at classic offerings from Chloé and Hermés we now move to the legendary design house of Dior. Under the careful leadership of John Galliano the French fashion house has gone from strength to strength especially with accessories. At the turn of the Millennium Dior released the Saddle Bag, so-called because of it’s shape. It was the first it-bag to feature heavy hardwear with it’s signature ‘D’ stirrup detail. The Daily Telegraph explained that, “John Galliano brought novelty and whimsy to mass-market bag design – no small achievement in the stiff, po-faced world of leather goods.”

When I first saw this bag I couldn’t quite believe my eyes. It’s just so … red. And ruffled. And it looks like broderie anglais. But then I looked at it some more and I started to kind of like it. When I thought about it, I realised that the ten year old me would have adored it.

But the ten year old me would have been out of luck (as, unfortunately, is the thirtysomething me) since it costs $1,755 from eLuxury.

Made from what could be leftovers of your gran’s spare bedroom quilt or maybe Ivanka Trump’s ski jacket, this Dior hobo appears to be one of those fabrics (and one of those colours) that you either screech “yesssss!” or “yeeeuch” to.

It’s actually made from soft lambskin and that quilt-like effect is actually “signature cannage pattern embroidery”. The mustard colour is quite nice for winter and a plush suede lining may salvage it if you’re not a fan… just maybe.

At Dior Spring Summer ‘09, bags were in keeping with the whole African tribal chic theme seen throughout the show (check out those fertility goddess heels!) and were done in exotic skins like crocodile, with contrast leather and, by the looks of it, fur trims.