Suffering succatash!!! OK enough with the S alliteration, but my tongue is practically hanging out of my mouth anyway. Or it’s closer to my eyes bugging out. After I saw this new bag from Marc Jacobs my mind went into a tizzy.

Buy the Marc Jacobs Cecilia

I think I like it better than the beloved Stam! It’s such a refreshing re-take, which is confoundedly rare in the bag design world, actually. First of all, doesn’t that strap give hope that it can rest on one’s shoulder?? The gathers are made even better, and you know what, that straight horizontal zipper on the Stam always looked too much like a grumpy mouth anyway. This is a bit less edgy, aside from the lack of the frame closure with HUGE kiss lock - and I really like the classicism of the Stam look. (And finally, I hate to say it but the Stam also has an odd look, sure its uniqueness is amazing, but um hmmm…. me lovey this more!!)

The good news for all is that unlike many designers, this new and later version does not come complete with price hike. This Quilted Cecilia sells for the same as the standard Stam - well just a few dollars, literally, more - at $1375.

The bad news for me is that I now have rent to pay and have less to spend on fashion, since my money goes mostly to purse making and fibre art supplies (oh yes, after bills ;-)). I did just get a new job that starts in a month, but … mmmmmmm. That’s supposed to go toward me *not* “borrowing” rent money from my mother, actually. Te he. (Hey I’m still weak, weak Designer Ella, even with my new making the bags things!)

Now I’d love to sell off a bag to get this, I would really looove to buy this bag, but I sure don’t actually want to sell my Stam. Someday though, I hope hope for someday.

Until now I plan on making a details-altered inspired bag. More inspired, less knock off, trust me. I’m going to chronicle this journey here on the blog, too! Stay tuned, and please, if you love, see in person, find more colors or buy the bag (affiliate, but not subliminal), comment and let’s chat!

Oh, my! This color! I had just started preparation for a “what trends I’m into for Spring” post, and pastels top that list, my friends. And then I come across this, this pale plum Stam! It’s gohhhhgeous!!

I don’t know if the photography is off or the copy writer for Neiman Marcus handbags is blind, but there’s no mention of how this Stam just look so different! The handles, the width, what is it? If I find out, I’ll let you know! (Oh, won’t you do the same for moi?)

The purse sells for the usual Stam price of $1,350. *Shrug*

Well I *drooooooooooool* over the colour, it’s my new fave!!

Woah! *Marc.Jacobs.overload* (in a robot voice of course!) can be found on Bergdorf Goodman .com. To start, I’ll go to the first bag I noticed of the season. His Mina bag. A new addition to the framed bags in the Stam-esque family, the Mina has a hobo-like tapered shape and sqooshy bottom, with lots o’ ruching below its kiss-lock closure. The one strap on the bag is a long (heavy) chain, and yes it’s the only strap. The Mina is quilted like similar MJ bags, but comes in a gohgeous plum tone. Selling for the on-point $1,395 - is it my new favorite? Well, nah, I still love my Stam!

It looks like Marc Jacobs took a trip to Vegas when inspired by new Spring 2007 Python Patchwork Stams, and unfortunately what happened in Marc’s imagination there, did not stay in Vegas. No the Python Patchwork Stam is now available for purchase via Saks Fifth Avenue (in blue, the tamest colour).

I should have warned you, this post’s images are not for the faint of heart. The bags themselves are not for the faint of loyal Marc Jacobs heart, either—for this burst of tie-dyed snake skin costs $4,000.

More colours below, if you dare click on what look more like digital art images than photographs of real objects.

�A new great style from Marc Jacobs is this Deborah Bag, a shoulder tote with zipper details. Selling now in white, the bag also features a signature push lock (on�the zipped attachment closing the large front pocket) and classic square strap buckles, in addition to the double zipper feature toward the top of the bag.

The Deborah measures 15″ x 10″ x 2.5″ and costs $975.

I’m hoping this purse at some point, or in another store, is released in other colours. Yes, white is trendy and attractive, but practical alternatives need to be offered. I like this bag, and it has a little bit of everything Marc (aside from quilting, a chain strap, or anything Stam-y) but I don’t desire it nor see IT in it. Still it’s a very pretty purse, with a great price especially for its size and amount of style. If this is your dream bag, grab her!

�

The new style of Marc Jacobs’ Venetia, with patchwork leather and zippered pockets—called the “Met Patchwork” Venetia—is available for pre-order on Neiman Marcus now and shipping by April 6th.

The bag is certainly the classic Venetia, a satchel sized 15″ x 8″ x 4″ with double handles and a real strap closure, but all new with bronze metallic “patchworked” leather and changed front pockets.

Priced $1,475, currently offered in bronze, is this the next covetable bag by MJ?

Kelly Ripa here proves that with a simple & chic ensemble, black and grey look smashing with a brown bag.

What’s that bag she’s carrying? Find out after the fold. Click for more (photos: angles, colors, etc.) »

I suppose all Marc Jacobs’ bags that we love, he thinks we’ve seen too much of. For Fall 2007, he’s showing us all new styles, well only 2 of them. One is an old-fashioned (imho) flap shoulder bag with luxe skins, the other is actually a really cool oversized clutch (also with skins [ostrich pictured], also with flap).

The first is so blah - Marcy, don’t expect that to go IT. Public/mag eds, don’t let that go IT!

But that clutch is pretty neat. I imagine it’s perfect to hold papers in the business world, and will be tucked inside a Birkin business bag! Ah, the dream.

A handbag though? Well, I think it’d be too clumsy to carry around. Not the dream.

Surprise, surprise! Or not really. I stand by my favorite new bag of the year, overall, being many others’ as well - it’s the Marc Jacobs Stam bag. From what I’ve seen, it’s been the number one copied bag of the year also, which of course gives the style votes.

It’s classic, it’s big (that has helped a lot lately), it’s unique (and recognizable), and it’s just a luxe, luxe looking bag. It has similarities to the top bag of 2005 - Fendi’s Spy - even, but this one’s all new and all Marc Jacobs.

It features a mixing of the top trends of the year with some of the most signature aspects of Marc Jacobs design, so no wonder it’s a winner. We’ve already previewed what’s on the horizon for Stams and I’m so excited!

And the number one bag in our Top 5 Party Bags series is the Little Stam by Marc Jacobs.

The Stam has a very formal silhouette, but making it smaller makes all the difference to be an evening bag. It’s perhaps the perfect form for a bag such as the Stam. With a little less of the IT Factor, but perhaps a little more practicality (aside from wearing it less often), the Little Stam is still a true competitor.

See more Little Stams coming soon in new Resort colors!