I begin a new year of content, coming back from technical and then personal problems, with a reflection upon the greatest hand styles from the last. Without further ado…

#10: Red Jersey Roxanne Bag by Mulberry for Gap

When an IT bag goes discount and it’s legit, there must be huge hype. Not only is that true for this Roxanne bag by Mulberry and Gap, but 50% of the proceeds go to a charity fighting AIDs. What could be hotter than this product Red bag, then? Made out of jersey fabric, it still looks just as haute. Watch out though, it’s only available in one store (a Gap flagship) in London. Burned?

It’s some eye-candy via eLUXURY’s home page. They may not be all mine, but it’s still a delicious treat. (A good diet dessert—but you know, with a little bit of dark chocolate in the stomach.)

Louis Vuitton Speedies all in a row

Sacré Bleu! Non, Sacré Noir! What I’ve hoped for from Louis Vuitton is here; black monogram, in their signature denim this time in their newest shapes. Funny thing is they call it “Monogram Black Denim” instead of “Monogram Denim Noir“, which is just a tiny little setback in my dream come true — I mean I’ve just envisioned it a different way. Another setback; no Speedies. I do love their Neo Cabby MM, but the Speedies are more toward my price range these days.

The line also comes in Neo Cabby GM, XL Denim (Hobo), gorgeous scarves, a belt, and two pairs of shades (although I don’t think they have actual denim on the sunglasses).

The Louis Vuitton Monogram Black Denim Neo Cabby GM features side buckles to adjust size, boasts grained calfskin trim, is sized roughly 15″ x 10″ x 5″ and runs $1,500.

Well more good news is that these bags will age quite gracefully for eBay in years to come. Click for more (photos: angles, colors, etc.) »

Britney lost the law suit defending against LVMH, but what we care about second to that bit of news is finding this music video, natch!

Britney Spears - Do Somethin’

I’ve added the vid to our No Knockoffs playlist on our YouTube account: Lipped Media, as well, so check it out.

And of course you should check out the news story, if you don’t already know all the details.

This post is part of our Early Gift Guide Week.

For the handbag lover, the perfect gift above a certain budget range of course depends on the specific (bag) lady, but one choice, and my top pick, is the Louis Vuitton Mini Lin Speedy Croisette (only in size 30). How many fashion-minded women wouldn’t be thrilled with a Louis Vuitton, especially one both classic and modern. What put this pattern over the top for me was its new color option; an understated red with overall pale tones, making this bag subtly festive for the holiday season, while classic enough to tote all year round; for years to come.

The LV Mini Lin Speedy Croisette (not a direct link, as the LV website [where it’s only available] is flash, apologies.) only costs $750.00, too! Not bad! It would be the best gift of the holiday for most women out there!

And if you want to pass this on to someone as a hint -> there’s an e-mail forward linkto the side, above ->>. Or if you’re wishing for something only similar by Vuitton, browse or pass on this link for eLuxury’s LV Holiday Gift Catalog.

Furthermore, please leave your comments on how you feel about this pick (hey, it’s a tough call) and what would be your choice. (Better for forwarding to others, my dear.)

Click for more (photos: angles, colors, etc.) »

Consumers are cutting back, even fashionistas, even bag ladies - yes, even I am. Are we maturing? singularly, most of us (and me!). Is there a higher cost of living? Of course. Perhaps, it might be due in part to a growing awareness of “right” and “green” and all that. Does the American public have more of a conscience with spending?

I for one have cut back on my IT bags because I’ve gotten my own apartment, am struggling to work hard enough to keep my income rising and fit it in with managing a home. As a first-time parent-free lass, I have a boom of immediately worse costs, as well. Most of that will get better, but responsible times are ahead. It’s today, it’s the future.

But one blog, Luxist, suggests maybe designers’ efforts to produce drool-inducing must-haves in fact brought upon a terrorist attack on arm fashion beauty. Case in point: Louis Vuitton’s “explosion” of popular styles all in one tote. The LV Patchwork Tribute bag may have been the eye-opener to strike some sense into accessory fetishists everywhere. Maybe it’s caused us to see ornate handbags as sillier, or perhaps designers’ creativity (and sense of aesthetic sanity?) was lost or temporarily damaged in pursuit of dollar signs.

It’s something to think about. But rest assured, or perhaps the opposite: the handbag is here to stay of some importance to modern, stylish women. Everything goes in cycles, so if IT bags have either lost their appeal or there just aren’t worthy gorgies to satisfy and salivate us — it’ll come back big time again. The market rises and falls, economies change, budgets are balanced and blown — and presidents swear in and lame duck-tail it out. Fashion is a vicious world of the wild, and it too follows the laws of the circle of life.

Or … perhaps the IT’s still got IT. I mean, handbag always trumps shoes as the iconic symbol of women’s true sinful desires .. doesn’t it?

I waited & waited for the miroir collection LV bags to go online in some form, eLUXURY or just LouisVuitton.com, but the bags are just that limited that they didn’t. Really wanting to feature them at least as history on the blog, I finally turned to Google, and I found photos from Twiggers on the Purse Blog. So thanks.

But no, the Miroir Speedy will not be on my arm. I don’t even particularly want it there. Not the fairest bags of them all, featuring metallic … PVC? It’s not only gaudy, but … cheap? at only $1380 for the Speedy I could easily save and afford (well, by now it’s too late anyway, but perhaps eBay) to buy it, but I’d rather not.

In silver or gold Monogram and offered in the Speedy, Alma GM, Papillon, Keepall and a couple accessories in non-monogram, the Miroir collection is both famous among divas and history for the great fashion house.

But why PVC? Why not metallic monogram patent leather? I’ve been thinking about that lately, and it seems like a rockin’ idea. *Shrug*

Search through eBoutique on eBay for authentic Miroir items.

So where are my beautiful princes of LV bags? Not here, but we’ll see.

That. My dear friends is the new Limited Edition Louis Vuitton tote. Made up of actual pieces of bags from current styles and maybe a few classic IT LVs, this Tribute Patchwork shoulder bag is available this month. Another picture to follow.

Its two sides feature different iconic pieces from yesterday and today, complete with straps, buckles, flaps, locks, hooks and plaques - even fur. Each bag its made up of is practically complete. (Oh, this is nearly enough to make me vomit as well.)

Loved by crazed fans, hated by most, the worst part - possibly - is its price: $42,000.

I’d rather have just three or so of the styles, plus other Vuittons for just a few thousand, and save the rest. Well, save most of the rest … some will be for Chloe, Marc Jacobs, Chanel, Balenciaga … ooh, and to pay off my AMEX.

Photo credit: Nitro:licious

#5 - Bluemarine Lace and Jewels Evening Bag

That sure is glitzy. In fact, I’d name it Cher after her Vegas-style shows: The Cher Satchel.

#4 - B. Fendi Metallic Leather Shoulder Bag

Wow, look at that thing. It is one site to behold. Love it or hate it, I think it is 100% di-vinnnne!!

#3 - Fendi gold Spy Hobo

This was one of the first Spys I recognized as a bag I liked. Before then, I actually hadn’t posted any. Bad me. Love those Spys now!

#2 - Louis Vuitton Monogram Satin Aumônière

This could easily pass for a high spot on our top 5 party bags list, as well. This bag is gorge!

#1 - Chloe Python Silverado

Silver Metallic Python skin in a fabu IT bag with detailed accents. Um, yes, it’s number 1!

Happy New Year!! See you all this week for the top 5 bags of 2006!

The #1 ugly bag in our Top 5 Ugly Bags list is … Louis Vuitton Monogram Mink “Bum” Bag.

It’s not just ugly for bright colored monogram on the wrong “canvas”, it’s not just ugly being “immoral” for using fur, but no, it’s both: it’s also ugly for defacing beautiful mink with large, colorful monogram.

I thought fur was to be appreciated as beautiful and natural from the animal? I mean this is coming from an anti-fur person, but I thought that fur-lovers liked the look of real animal fur (and feel, but it’s “just a bag”).

I wish this were fake fur, but it wouldn’t be Vuitton, it wouldn’t be luxury, and then the other half of fashionistas would think it were ugly. Le sigh!

Besides, it’s also ugly because one way to wear it is around the waist - agh!