The new bags from COACH make me envious for sure. It may be a new year, but the economy is still pulling us down. Now it seems even more bags by COACH are calling to me, teasing me. Each bag is a mixture of classic and detail, just what I love. My top picks are from the brand spank-me new “Penelope” collection.

Many will be great for the upcoming Spring with bright colors and fabric bodies, but the black and white bags are always super cool for Winter.

From $298 to $698 at www.coach.com and in stores.

New W09 COACH by DesignerElla

Louis Vuitton art from eLUXURY

I absolutely get giddy when Louis Vuitton and eLUXURY create art for/from their most classic bag(s). The “cool” thing is this sculpture looks even more do-able than a simple ball-y snow man! So brighten yourselves up, those in the cold - when the flurries have fallen, make yourself something better than an angel!

Besides, a bag made of snow is not just priceless, it’s free!

This is a new feature on the blog, dealing with the actual designing (like on an indie/handmade scale) of handbags. Hope you enjoy!

Reader, Ellen Hart recently commented about a Versace bag’s strap on the blog,

I love the handle on the purple bag…

(Original post)

Which got me to think more about how such a look could be constructed in a fun way. It’s simply, basically about:

Purse Rings!

One could attach them onto a flat leather strap, or connect them with pieces of leather … think of your own creative methods! If the result doesn’t require the comfort of a hand or shoulder strap, like is say decorative, one could even use “gate” rings (right) that open/close to make a more chain-like - well - chain, on a bag — perhaps like with the Paddington Capsule style.

Flat O-Ring Source | Gate O-Ring Source

If this has inspired you, or you’d like to review this topic idea, or for any reason - feel free to leave a comment!

And if we do inspire you, remember to be a designer, not just a designer-inspired.

There are some bags that just mustn’t be shown the normal web page size.

This Marc Jacobs Snakeskin-stamped purse is one.

Marc Jacobs Collection Cecilia Embossed Snakeskin Satchel

“Quilt” Jacquard and croc-stamped leather, all on this sophisticated shape.

Lovely … But why is their logo letter “E”?

I’m all over this shape! (And pink!)

In fact, there are no tacky bags in their current collection!

Juicy Couture Distressed Leather Fluffy, Winter White

Phoebe Philo in Fall 2005

Phoebe Philo is back, but not to bring smooshy leather idealism again to Chloé, but as the next creative director of fellow French fashion house, Céline.

LVMH Moët Hennessy confirmed to WWD exclusively on Sept. 4th. The magazine immediately published the news, but in short, almost byte form - so here you get a detailed reaction with enough information to match…

Despite creating arguably the world’s favorite IT bag with the company, Philo left the design world completely 2 years ago to stay home with a new baby, who’s now 3 with a younger sibling of 18 months*. The deal with Céline that appealed to the new mom is that she would be allowed to stay and work in her home town of London, and not the headquarters of both houses, Paris, France. (*Source) Why the success her Paddington and other beloved purses being responsible for Chloé’s clout of today didn’t cause Phoebe to merely take temporary maternity leave, with parent company, Richemont, offering this same compromise is beyond me. Click for more (story, photos, etc.) »

With a flap fastened by their signature turn-lock, no key required or present, this bag is undeniably Coach-style, yet unmistakenly Hermès-inspired.

The Hamptons Leather Flap Tote
(in Coach’s oft-literal naming style.)

I would totally buy one of these, but only if/when…

1. I make more money again… paying rent + utilities now and times are tougher..
2. They shorten the handles a bit.
3. They do some punchier colors. Red or blue? Something still neutral and wearable.

Still I think this goes in the positive ranking for Coach.

Chloé has put out soo many fantabulostest bags this season, it’s mad! Many aren’t happy with new (and recently sacked) designer, Paulo Melim’s clothes, but come on - those bags! I’d hire him if I didn’t do all my own designing and well, owned a huge company. Just for bags, of course. To me, this will be Chloé’s big year, aside from 2005 - there are just way too many bags I’m dying to blog about, even with my newer philosophy to stick to only the most notable (good or bad).

So yes, I’m behind this Spring… and where to start? Well why not where I have a little pun already popped into my mind - even though it’s just an update on my favorite, and I recently blogged about the Paddington, but oh well! It’s a fave for a reason, perhaps.

Yes, the Paddy, that I have dubbed…

The Pattenton

Basically, the Paddy’s out in patent now, which actually is notable for a bag known largely for its smooshy leather. I say since they recently failed to keep up with the quality, why not just go patent? Not forever, but it’s amusing, aaaaaaand surprisingly gorge! I love the matching tone on the new padlocks, too, and that blue is giving me cravings! Other tiny details were altered, as well, which always keeps the bag-candy browsing interesting … even if I can’t afford such a bag right now. And it’s not one I can easily “copy” and make, either. But that does just keep the love deeper.

If you want to and can snatch one up - good luck - Paddies are widely sold out, at least online.

Even though the Paddington is my favorite designer bag, it’s not for the lock. In fact, it’s quite despite it’s more silly features and is largely about those side belts.

But the silliness does not end at that huge padlock, I suddenly this morning found myself pondering why the Chloé brand is so insistent on using only the silver-tone (nickel?) metal for their zippers, no matter how aged-brassy the rest of the hardware is. Apparently it glides better - but the problem is the bag is still a pain in the tush to zip up! Half the time those unsecured ends come undone.

I’d say give us a little less “quality” metal and give us a feature that will actually help speed up the toting of this purse, because most of us just “fling the lock over”, and we could use at least one easier step.

… On the other hand, it kind of tickles me that the bags may seem fake to some when they are the true ones (however I’ve never seen a matchy-matchy fake, sigh).

Now I must go remind “Choccy” I love her. (”Mama didn’t mean it!”)