Mulberry Shows Lana Del Rey Some Love

Singer Lana Del Rey may have suffered a heavy backlash from audiences following her SNL performance, but Mulberry has lovingly embraced her. For Mulberry's show at London Fashion Week, the line premiered its latest bag inspired by the muse, the Del Rey.

The Del Rey is a white leather bag with Mulberry’s trademark gold hardware. Since Alexa Chung gained mainstream recognition after inspiring Mulberry's Alexa bag, perhaps the fashion world could become Lana Del Rey's saving grace.

Along with naming a bag after her, Mulberry sat Lana in the front row of their runway show, along with Michelle Williams and Elizabeth Olsen. She performed at the after party with a piano instead of a band. Mulberry says that the 25-year-old has "the style of Old Hollywood," and creative director Emma Hill was “captivated by her soulful, melancholy voice and the nostalgic beauty of her 'Video Games' single and [music] video.” Lana Del Rey’s musical talent may be controversial among critics, but the bag she inspired, which starts at $1,250, is agreeably chic.

Text Emily Thomas
Image and Source Style.com, Fashionista.com

Crystal Clear Bags

The future is crystal clear, and the forecast is calling for transparent totes, purses, and carryalls in tones ranging from white to neon.

Louis Vuitton could not help but dress models in sweet eyelet frocks paired with a variety of clear bags and clutches stamped with the brand's signature logo. Vuitton, however, is not the only design brand behind this trend. BCBG offers petit plastic totes, as well. Consider it a warning that plastic does not guarantee privacy, so accessorize at your own risk.

Text Katelyn Chef 
Source and Image Style.com

Oh, Michael!

Expect the unexpected when it comes to Michael Kors's latest edition to the tote world. He introduced the Hamilton Frosted Large Jelly tote this year, and it is already deemed as one of the "IT" bags for 2012. 

Stepping aside from the traditional canvas tote, this bag is great for traveling, or just maintaining your city appeal. The longer chain strap keeps the handbag feel to a style we know so well. With all the great qualities of a handbag, including the double straps, Michael Kors ensures that the city lady can maintain her chic presence in the midst of her leather competitors. Priced at $268, a steal for Kors, you'll be sure to keep some extra cash inside of your tote and walk alongside the best of them. 

Text Kia Chenelle and Chistiana Greene

Image and Source Macy's 

Katrantzou Vamps Up Longchamp

Longchamp is in for a new colorful print! Mary Katrantzou has teamed up with the brand to design two handbags with her new print on them.

Katrantzou was inspired by an “East meets West” theme, and each of the new bags will adorn her signature colorful, digital print. On the smaller bag, the print is inspired by New York’s Carnegie Hall and an Asian temple. The larger of the two bags will feature the staircase from the Longchamp store in New York. Both of these designs will be adorned with lanterns and bright flowers. Along with the limited addition bags, Katrantzou has also created a print for Longchamp’s Le Pilage collection, with a price range from $93 to $590. This collection's print will feature a bright blue sky with colorful orchids and lanterns.

The collection will be released on January 23 exclusively at Colette, a boutique in Paris, but it will have a larger release date later this year.

Text Caitlin Beck 
Image Fashion Has It

Trend Alert: Ostrich-Embossed Bags

First leopard and now ostrich! Who can say no to ostrich-embossed bags and leather goods? Many handbag designers are taking note and constructing beautiful handbags in this gorgeous design. 

Not only do they come in great shapes, but the colors are also amazing and they add a pop of color to a lifeless winter wardrobe. 

Accessorize your outfit with Rebecca Minkoff's Ostrich M.A.C Clutch in Persimmon or Michael Kors Ostrich Embossed Saddle Bag in Electric Pink. 

Text Kia Chenelle and Christy Greene 

Image and Source Rebecca Minkoff

Female Drummer Named Face of Boy Chanel Campaign

Recent chatter in the fashion world has suggested that Thrush Metal drummer Alice Dellal may be the new face of Chanel's Boy Chanel handbag collection campaign. The House of Chanel has now confirmed that the half-shaved head model will be the face of the campaign. Dellal can be typically seen wearing ripped jeans, biker jackets, and fishnet tights. It seems that her grunge style has influenced creative director Karl Lagerfeld to create a handbag line that rebels against the traditional ideas of womanliness. It was said that Dellal represents the perfect incarnation of all that is unique about the Boy Chanel handbag collection.

The ad campaign will be released in early March. Expect to see the edgier side of Chanel drawing inspirations from heavy black eyeliner, braids, and the looks seen at the Metiers D'Art fashion show earlier this month.

Dellal is the sister of the fabulous shoemaker Charlotte Olympia and has previously been seen in ad campaigns for Mango and Agent Provocateur. 

Text Quinn McBee
Image and Source Yahoo 

The Story Behind the Birkin Bag

The Birkin bag is an exclusive, handmade purse created by the coveted brand, Hermes. It serves as a status symbol of wealth due to its high price points and elusiveness to the public. The prices range from $9,000 to $150,000, depending upon their materials and the rarity. The bag is released in limited quantities, which in turn creates an unintended exclusivity.

The Birkin bag came into existence after Hermes chief executive Jean-Louis Dumas was seated next to Jane Birkin on a flight from Paris to London. She placed her straw bag in the overhead compartment, where the content tumbled to the floor. She then explained to Dumas how difficult it was for her to find a leather weekend bag she liked. The iconic brand was created in 1984, based off of a 1892 design.

The bag has greatly evolved since its first thought on the flight between Paris and London. The Birkin bag is now one of the most recognizable bags in the fashion industry — and in public. It is a highly coveted bag and for a while it had a waiting list of up to six years — the longest wait for any bag in history.

Text: Quinn McBee
Image Time

Clutch War: Bottega Veneta vs. McQueen

Last month, we highlighted Bottega Veneta’s iconic Knot clutch, as it was reinvented for the brand’s fall 2011 collection. The handbag, with its boxy silhouette and simple closure, is unique to the brand. However, Bottega Veneta is not the only fashion powerhouse who celebrates this shape as the perfect purse. Alexander McQueen also shares the same formula for simple luxury with the brand’s line of box clutches for next season.

Under the creative direction of Sarah Burton, Alexander McQueen’s spring 2012 collection includes an exciting selection of miniature handbags, which channel the look of Bottega Veneta’s Knot clutch. However, the clutches from Alexander McQueen clearly emphasize the brand’s famed peculiarity, as the clutches are adorned with the notorious skull.

While accessories in the fashion world — like clutches — are often imitated, they are never duplicated. Both brands experiment with the same square structure, yet result in two totally different visions of clutches: One that is classic Bottega Veneta, and one that screams McQueen.

The final question: Which clutch do you prefer? Refresh your memory of Bottega Veneta’s Knot clutches here, and check out Alexander McQueen’s spring 2012 clutches after the jump…

Knot Your Average Clutch

Steering away from dark shades, which dominated the runways last fall, it was clear that Tomas Maier had a different agenda for Bottega Veneta this year. Opting for an alternative approach, the fall 2011 collection is peppered with pops of color and playful texture. While Bottega Veneta maintains a tradition of impeccable craftsmanship, this season's line of handbags sets a high standard for skill and creativity. Spearheading the new standard is the reinvention of the brand's iconic piece: the Knot clutch.

Since its reintroduction in 2001, the Knot has endured consistent transformations year after year — yet it remains a cherished staple in wardrobes worldwide. Unlike its predecessors, this fall's handbag demands attention, with its intricate detailing of woven velvet and python trim. By pairing punchy hues with exotic materials, this one-of-a-kind clutch carries a dramatic flair. Despite its metamorphosis, the Knot still incorporates the brand's unmistakable intrecciato pattern, as per tradition.

Available in four colors, ranging from stone to fire, each Knot follows a balmy color palette and radiates a different degree of heat. If you're looking to extend the warmth of summer through the fall and winter, look no further than this surprisingly chic quartet.

Text Jennifer Bernard
Image Style.com
Source Bottega Veneta

New Handbag Collection Combines Edge and Elegance

Fabiola Pedrazzini has presented her first handbag collection — innovative in design and featuring satchels and clutches that blend elegance with a street edge. Characterized by an urban chic motif, this collection is eclectic and refined in its details and materials.

The designer has focused on creating pieces with a functional design, yet each handbag maintains an intricate architectural structure that's produced with high quality materials. In her collection, Pedrazzini mixes materials, such as pairing lamb and calf leathers with high-quality brass hardware.

True craftsmanship is embedded in her light weight bags, with handles and shoulder straps made of chain detailing, and the added touch of contrasting color lining.

Text Tiffany Frasier
Image courtesy of Fabiola Pedrazzini