I’ve got to admit it – I’m a sucker for a designer who doesn’t take their accessories too seriously!
After all, what are accessories for if not to put a smile on your face when you wear them?
We’ve got to start with Karl Lagerfeld’s Spring & Summer 2010 collection for Chanel:

Interesting carved heels, bright colors and check out the flowers on the handbag.  If that doesn’t brighten your day, I’m not quite sure what else would…
Stella McCartney showed a more subdued collection, but check out the detail on this handbag:

I don’t know how practical that folding wooden purse is going to …read more

The Spring & Summer 2010 runway shows have wrapped up in Milan, but I just couldn’t resist choosing a few more great accessory picks from fashion week!
If you need a little more luck in your life, you might consider Frankie Morello’s generously-sized horse-shoe belt:

Of course, carrying that cute little purse might do the trick too…  Or maybe it’s the shoes that are lucky?
Anteprima also created some large versions of their teensy little glittering clutch purses:

They showed several colors, but I love this soft, minty green in particular.
Lublu Plastinina sent their models down the runway sporting some seriously chunky necklaces:

It looks …read more

Fashion Week has moved on to Milan for the Spring & Summer 2010 collections!
There’s been an interesting mix of clothing and accessories so far.  Some designers are going with the bright colors, bold femininity and tribal accents we’ve seen elsewhere.  Some designers have taken a very different approach, with their entire spring and summer collections done in shades of beige, brown and black.
I’ve pulled a few of my early handbag favorites – and yes, they’re all from the bold and bright camp
Enrico Coveri mixed shades of green and some lovely prints for his distinctive accessories and handbags.

He also …read more

Big, bold and bright seems to be the order of the day for accessories at London Fashion Week.
For Spring and Summer 2010, British designers have been rolling out handbags with some serious attitude – and size!
Vivienne Westwood went for a rich burnt orange color for her logo satchel, accented with darker brown leather handles:

Eley Kishimoto showed graphic handbags with big, flat color blocks, accented with matching fringe:

Also from Eley Kishimoto, this oversize tote reminds me of vintage woven picnic baskets:

I’d love to see this one in a smaller hobo or even clutch purse as well…
This purse from Jaeger London is …read more

Are you looking for a high-impact bag?
You might want to check out these bold and funky totes and purses from Tokyo Made!
They’re made in Tokyo, by designers MACBAG and Colorcult – with an interesting twist.  The body of the purses are made from handmade African fabric.  You can’t get much more multi-cultural than that…

This is the “Lattice Tote” by Colorcult.  It’s made using handmade Nigerian wax printed fabric (the design is made by layering different colors of dye over top of the fabric – the dye can’t penetrate the wax, which allows for intricate designs to be created).  It’s finished …read more

If you’ve been lusting after a new Furla handbag, now is the time to get one and save big!
ideeli is holding a limited-time sale on some select Furla purses.  How limited-time?  Well, the event runs until tomorrow morning, but I don’t think they’re going to last until then.  Especially when you can save as much as 59% on some bags.
ideeli is an invitation-only shopping community, with deep discounts on designers names – but the sales are all very short, so if you want something – you  need to jump on it.
Don’t have an ideeli membership?  Just enter the code “gleam” …read more

I always love seeing how indie designers interpret trends.  You can find some really unique takes on today’s hot accessory trends by checking out the “little guys”.
Take a stroll through Etsy and see how many interesting designs these talented folks have come up with!

I am coveting this chiffon flower bag!  The listing is actually for a custom-made purse from Chicago designer, Mojo Spa Style.  You choose the color of the purse, the color of the chiffon flower and whether you want a gold or silver vintage flower at the center of the bag.  The bag is custom-made for you in …read more

I must admit that I am obsessed with being organized.  Everything I own has its special little place and after I use it I promptly return it so everything is nice and clean and easy to find.
I have tried every accessories organization technique available because dealing with lots of little pieces can quickly become a nightmare.  I have accumulated a lot of jewelry over the years, ranging from $1 costume jewelry pieces to priceless family jewels and somehow I can never find the exact piece that I’m looking for when I’m rushing out the door.  I have hats and scarves …read more

Imagine taking off for a journey across the globe with no set agenda or schedule. Now imagine having a life partner – husband, wife, whomever – who is more than happy to join you on a trek that involves little else but meditation and surfing.

Purse designers are always on the lookout for ways to make their purses more interesting, trendier and of course, the new hot thing!
Pleats are showing up as an interesting detail in quite a few different accessory collections.  They can be formed by sewing them into the leather or fabric, or just when the bag straps are adjusted a certain way.  Some designers are putting little pleats all over the purse, or just a couple of big ones to make a statement.
And some purses have pleats that really, seriously should have been reconsidered (link may be somewhat NSFW).
Luckily, the good pleats …read more