As we head into the new year (and the second decade of the 21^st century), we also enter into a new era of fashion.  Before we know it, spring and summer looks will hit the runways, fashion magazines and department stores.  What will be the hot colour?  Will it be skirts, dresses or shorts?  What will stay around from last season, what will make a comeback, and what should we finally throw away?

And when we talk about clothing, it is only appropriate that we mention accessories as well.    At the top of that accessories pile?  Handbags.  The ultimate accessory in utility and style, bags, purses, clutches and backpacks are items without which any woman should ever want to live her daily life.

Want to know what’s hot in handbags in 2010?  Take some cues here.

1.  Clutches

These festive bags are the perfect accessory for a night out on the town or a special occasion.  Though they’re not necessary the most spacious bags, they are roomy enough to allow for the packing of the basic essentials such as lipstick, mobile phone and keys.  There are a variety of styles and designs available, all of which are quite stylish.  Pretty embellishments such as sparkles, pearls and embroidery are great ways to spice up a simpler outfit, while solid coloured clutches are a great way to add a pop of color.

2.  Slouch Handbags

Slouch handbags are great for those who are on the go.  Comfortable and easy to wear, they are unstructured bags ideal for everyday use.  They come in a variety of fun colors and designs and are great for weekends of shopping or travelling.

3.  Gladstone Handbags

These bags are roomier than most – great not only for daily use, but also for overnight trips (for light packers).  More structured than the slouch handbag, their form indicates a certain level of class and elegance that many will enjoy.  They come in a variety of colours, such as sleek black or clean white.

4.  Grab Handbags

These classic handbags literally stand on their own – their usual smart and sleek structure giving them strong forms and pretty shapes.  Held in the hand or slung over the arm, they are probably your best bet for a daily handbag this year.  They come in a wide variety of styles and designs.  Straps can be leather or metal, long or short, wide or thin.  These bags vary in size depending upon the taste of the user.  With lots of compartments inside and sometimes a few on the outside, they are great to help a girl to stay organized as well.  The options are really endless when it comes to these grab handbags.  A wide variety of colors are available, ranging from basic black to popping red.  Styles and designs of leather should also be checked out.

The new year promises to be a good one when it comes to fashion and accessories.  Start checking out fashion magazines and grazing the aisles at local department stores to stake out the perfect bag for you!

The country of Italy is known for a number of things – its food, its history and its culture, just to name a few.  It is also known as one of the fashion capitals of the world, with centres of style in many of its major cities including Rome and Milan.  The home of Gucci and Dolce Gabbana, the country is the centre of the highest fashion in the world.

Considering the exclusivity and elegance of the Italian world of fashion, it should come as no surprise that the materials used are of the highest quality.  This is especially true when it comes to leather.  Italian leather is known worldwide for its value and quality.  It is used for a multitude of products and items, including shoes, car upholstery, handbags and more.

What makes Italian leather so special?  There is no specific answer.  The treatment process used by Italian leather producers is tried and true, dating back hundreds of years.  The hide produced is impeccable and lacking in the flaws often found in leather produced in other parts of the world.

Producers use a variety of labour sources in the process, meaning that the hide passes through several sets of hands.  They are carefully and closely inspected before treatment, and only the best are accepted.  There are several quality checks carried out during the process to ensure that no low-quality leathers slip through.

Once the leather has been treated, it is dyed and finished so that it will be both durable and long lasting, withstanding the test of use and time.  Italian leather producers pride themselves on the consistency and value of their work.

Florence, Italy is specifically known for its leather productions, and visitors to the historic city are sure to be met with a wide array of products.  Over the years, Milan has also become an important producer of leather.  Milan-based leather is used primarily by exclusive fashion houses.  Leather goods produced in Milan go hand-in-hand with fashion and taste.

Considering all of this information, it is no wonder that Italian leather handbags are as popular, exclusive and often expensive as they are.  Purses, clutches and bags made of Italian leather are among the most sought-out products in the world.  Representing more than fashion trends or expensive accessories, they are long-term investments that will endure for years.

Italian leather handbags are timeless purchases, and many are designed as to never go out of style.  Coming in a variety of different colors with a number of embellishment options, they are sure to please any woman, anywhere in the world.

When it comes to quality, beauty and elegance, Italian leather is difficult to beat.  Centuries of practice and perfection have rendered the leather preparation process in Italy impeccable, rendering this fashion capital even more stylish and fashionable with its top-quality leather productions.

The benefits of purchasing a handbag online are varied; some may choose this option for its speed and efficiency, while others appreciate being able to shop in their pyjamas, at any time of the day or night.  Still others opt for online shopping for the excellent  myriad of choices that are available in the vast realm of cyberspace, with many websites permitting savvy shoppers to individually select down to every last detail, including the make, the color, the style, and the brand of handbag they desire.   Shopping in stores these days can be quite a hassle, between driving time, finding a parking space, braving the crowds of other shoppers, sifting through a hit-or-miss selection of bags, dealing with rude sales people-why bother with all that, when all these great choices (and many more!) can be found in the comfort and privacy of one’s own home at the click of a button, no less?!

Picture this; a typical Saturday morning can be spent in one of two ways.  In the first scenario, a woman gets up at the sound of her alarm, and hurriedly scoffs down breakfast so that she can drive for the next 45 minutes to the nearest mall, in order to arrive when it opens, before it becomes overrun with zealous shoppers.  Upon entering the store of her choice, she is greeted by a lacklustre sales assistant who’d rather spend her time chatting with Lisa from the shoe department than kindly assist and answer the questions of our protagonist.  She is then, consequently, left alone to sift through the already picked-over selection of last-season’s handbags.  And when a carefully selected purchase is finally made, brought home, unwrapped, and tried on with a favorite outfit or preferred wardrobe color, only to be deemed “too 80′s” or “too unstructured”; what is the heroine to do, then?  That’s right; make the same treck she just made two hours earlier back to the shopping centre where she got the handbag, and hope that Lisa and what’s-her-name from earlier are on their break and that the new salesgirl has a sunnier disposition and a favorable return policy.  In scenario two, however, the time-consuming salesperson or middleman is left out of the equation altogether-instead, the eager shopper deals directly with handbag companies and online retailers. 

Friendly customer service representatives are always on hand to lend a helpful ear on colour and size advice, but  often buyers can shop independently and at their leisure.  In this case, the protagonist can sleep in, wake up at an appropriate Saturday time of 10 or 11, enjoy the newspaper and a cup of coffee, and peruse the latest selection of top-quality handbags online.  Once a purchase is decided upon, colour comparisons are done between outfits already in the closet, and the the potential new accessory, friends are emailed the link to the website for advice, and all that’s left to be done is sit back and wait.   Credit card information is kept safe through online site encryption software, and one can choose the shipping method and speed of delivery according to her individual time specifications and schedule.  In a few short days (anywhere from 1, to perhaps, 7 more specifically) her new prized acquisition will be in her arms (and on her arm if all goes according to plan).  In the unfortunate event that the bag is not quite as it was anticipated or depicted online, many online retailers have very customer-friendly and hassle-free return policies.  In this case, the shopper has the option to print out a shipping return label, paste it on the box with the item, and send it back via courier without going any further than one’s own front door.  Yes, gone  are the days indeed when fashionistas had to worry about unfavorable return policies, shipment methods, or delays: modern online retailers have evolved to suit the needs of the modern customer, which is why more and more discerning  consumers are turning to them for their varied shopping needs. Online shopping is particularly convenient for handbag lovers because of how easily it allows for the comparison of multiple bags simultaneously.  While it used to be necessary to aimlessly run back and forth between the three or four stores which carried the various bags one was considering, with online shopping it is quick and easy to view bags from different sources at once.  The final purchase is then almost guaranteed to be a better choice because it reflects a more thorough and thoughtful decision making process. One can see two different types of leather next to one another, compare handles and detailing, and even view different styles and sizes. 

Online shopping is now the number one go-to option for women on the go.  More and more women are entering the modern workforce and at higher, more prestigious job levels, as well.  Trying to balance a stressful job and a family, friends, and hobbies does not leave much time for superfluous pastimes. One still needs to look good, though; online shopping reduces the time spent on personal maintenance, so that those few precious moments women get for themselves each day are not squandered on last-minute trips to the shop for the right outfit to wear to the next day’s business meeting.  Today’s women know what they want and typing in a few simple key words takes them there in mere seconds.

Putting all of one eggs in a particular store’s basket, so to speak, is not always the most prudent of choices.  Regardless of the myriad options available at a preferred local store, there are always more on the internet.  Entering a handful of words like “red”, “crocodile-embossed”, “leather,” and “tote” will turn up a host of options to fit your individual specifications within seconds.  So when debating about making that next shopping trip an all day affair, remember that many modern women are choosing a simple, more reliable option of ordering online, because who has the time to waste precious hours standing in line at the department store?

Hermes is a brand well known to anyone with an eye for labels and even the more fashionably apathetic people of the world have most likely heard the name once or twice. Any fan of “Sex and the City” will remember the bitter fight between Samantha and Lucy Liu over who had rightful claim to the highly coveted red Hermes Birkin handbag. As that episode so astutely pointed out there is at least a two year waiting list for someone to get their pretty little hands on a Birkin handbag. As the episode also demonstrates, if you know the right people your name can “magically” move its way up.

The Hermes Birkin handbag can be regarded as somewhat of a mythical creature due to its rarity and difficulty to obtain. In addition to the lengthy waiting list, the price, supply, and delivery dates of these delicate beauties intentionally keep them elusive and enticing. The average price of a Birkin handbag runs at the pretty penny of $7,500. This price tag is the general going rate, not including specially ordered handbags or those constructed of more rare, fine materials. While some people might scoff at the price, there are plenty of people out there with fancy sports cars that cost a tremendous amount more and rarely make it out of the driveway.

These beautifully crafted handbags are a way of celebrating personal success as well as applauding the fine designing ability of the Hermes experts. Each handbag is hand made, with at least forty-eight actual work hours going into each purse. The typical Birkin handbag is composed of beautiful leather and is lined with goat skin that is the same color as the exterior. The metallic decorations that adore these bags come in the form of buckle hardware, lock, keys, and feet studs made of precious metals such as gold and palladium. Once a special relationship has been formed between Hermes and a particular individual they can place special orders for more rare materials and décor for their handbag.

The most expensive material to use for a Hermes Birkin handbag is saltwater crocodile skin, with the price growing larger as the scales get smaller. The handbag can be further upgraded by adding precious stones such as diamonds to the outer hardware of the purse. With totally done up, special order Birkin handbags the price range is going to be more in the tens of thousands of dollars. For a true handbag aficionado this can be considered tantamount to a fine piece of artwork.

This particular style of handbag is named after the British singer and actress Jane Birkin who served as inspiration for the creation of this elaborately stylish purse. The actress has even admitted herself that the fame of the Birkin handbag greatly exceeds her own. Maintaining the status of this kind of handbag as very difficult to attain is where a large part of its appeal resides. They are only sold in Hermes boutiques around the world and the supply of handbags in each of these little stores is very limited. The massive waiting list is a pretty good indicator to the availability of these handbags, making the owner of one a heavily envied figure.

The elusiveness and elevated status of the bag translates to the status of the individual who possesses it. The association Hermes Birkin bags carry with them is that only the wealthy and important individuals in society can possess them. This appealing aspect of the handbag has lead to numerous attempts and recreating knock off imitations of the Birkin handbag, but there are telltale qualities that distinguish a true Birkin from an imposter. The bag must be carefully examined but a true Birkin should have even stitching, an interior leather zipper tag that is parallel to the zipper hardware, the crafstman’s initials and the year it was manufactured stamped in a square located under the right of the belt, and a stamp in the front that says “Hermes Paris, Made in France”.

While these may not be the most obvious of distinguishing marks, it is important that any handbag claiming to be a Birkin has all of them. The fine leather craftsmanship is not easy to replicate and this unique, highly skilled handiwork is exactly what makes Hermes Birkin handbags such desirable and cherished items. Vintage Birkin bags are passed down in families fortunate enough to have them, going from generation to generation.

The Hermes Birkin handbag has achieved a state of permanence at the top of the fashion world that all designers hope to achieve. The timelessness of the purses make them all the more desirable because they are not simply a flash in the pan trend, they are a concrete status symbol. Owning a Hermes Birkin bad sends the clear message that an individual has money as well as taste.  A hot young starlet can sport her beautiful crocodile skin Birkin handbag well into her twilight years and while her movies might fall out of style, her purse never will.

A bit more tangible than the Loch Ness Monster, and much more attractive, the Hermes Birkin handbag has an infamy all its own that will greatly outlast the fame and fortune of many of its owners, the few that there are. The scarcity in supply, fine craftsmanship, high price tag, and long waiting list are all elements in what keeps the Birkin bag so tempting and sought after. Along with a long list of musicians, actresses, and socialites, even politicians like Argentine president Cristina Kirchner are the proud owners of multiple Hermes Birkin handbags.

While they are still very difficult to attain and are pricey, Hermes needs to be careful that the Birkin bag retains its elusive appeal if it wants to stay at the top. With imitations getting better and better and with the young and fashionable getting richer and richer it seems that Birkin bags are becoming easier and easier to spot on the skinny little arms of the world’s popular culture elite. Hopefully this is just because the paparazzi are becoming more and more of a nuisance, whatever the cause, the Birkin handbag’s place at the top appears quite secure for the time being.

Doesn’t time fly? Now it’s time to prepare ourselves for what we’ll be buying, wearing and craving in Autumn & Winter 2009. Here’s what to expect:

Handheld

Clutch handbags are a key item for AW, which will take you smoothly into the Christmas party season. Chain handles are still an important look, although they will be wrapped around the hand rather than over the shoulder.

Don’t worry, for the hoarders among us, the oversized slouch is still very much about, but shorter, chunkier handles have evolved it into a handy grab – think doctors’ satchel look meets Mary Poppins’ capacity.

Tactile

It’s all about the look and feel, from butter soft slouch leathers, to squidgy quilting and studded hardware – you won’t be able to keep your hands off next season’s handbags.

Exotic Leathers

Whether it’s ostrich, snake or crocodile leather, expected to go safari next season with a range of exotic materials pioneered this season by Michael Kors. However, if you ask me, I’d much rather keep it mock-croc – blegh.

Vintage

Yester-year looks are still a big part of catwalk trends, although we’ll be travelling further back from the 70s & 80s inspired looks of S/S to the most sophisticated and classy styles of the first half of the 20^th century. Lanvin showed a beautiful collection of vintage box-shapes, while Hermes kept to what they knew best with a sumptuous Kelly & Birkin inspired range.

Quirky

Lagerfield at Chanel created a wonderful range of handbags complete with must-have contents (Ipod, headphones, perfume, lipstick, mirror & sunglasses) laminated into Perspex. Although, not the most practical thing to have graced the catwalk, I can’t wait to see how the clever people at Topshop translate the look into a wearable style for the High Street.

For the one lady we can always rely on for quirkiness, LuLu Guiness has released a new range to celebrate her 20^th anniversary, but for those of us who can’t afford the price tag, Accessorize at Monsoon do this cute alternative.

Embellishments & Detailing

I am overjoyed that those feminine touches that I’ve fallen in love with this season are here to stay for the rest of the year. All of you who invested in beads, buckles, pleats and bows have chosen wisely & if not, here’s the go-ahead to treat yourself to something pretty & girly.

80s Inspired Rock Chic

In contrast to above, faded denim, aged leather, buckles, studs and metal will all be red hot in Autumn & Winter. If you want to keep bang on-trend, inject your whole outfit with a laid-back Sienne Miller inspired vintage T-shirt & baggy jeans.

A graduation is a special occasion which warrants a special gift. Whether your daughter is into books, yoga, fashion, or movies, nothing says congratulations with style like a designer handbag. A designer handbag is classy, it’s elegant and it’s practical and your daughter will cherish it forever. Now that she is all grown up, give her a gift that expresses how proud you are. A nice bag is a great way to celebrate a new chapter in her life.

Giving the gift of a handbag also allows mother and daughter to share in a mutual appreciation of luxury and fashionable goods. It is a standard which the daughter can look up to later in life. You buy your daughter her first designer handbag, and then eventually she will be able to buy her own and start her collection. Many women long for their very own designer handbag collection which they will then pass on to their daughters, who will pass on to their daughters and so on. A handbag collection is a family treasure, it’s something to be passed down through the generations to cherish and to love. Designer handbags preserve their value throughout time. They are simply eternal.

Think about it, after all the work of university, the long hours, the tiresome burdens, your child is now ready to step out into the real world. Nothing shows your appreciation and sentiment better than a really nice handbag. This is a big transition in her life, so you want to make it special. A designer handbag never goes out of style. It lasts. It really is a gift that keeps on giving. You cannot go wrong with a stylish handbag.

Before, the typical graduation gift used to be a leather briefcase, with perhaps a monetary surprise tucked inside along with some graduation cards and other such things. Nowadays, however, graduates often crave something more luxurious, something more ostentatious and significant; they want something they won’t be able to afford all on their own—a briefcase doesn’t cut it anymore. It’s old school and it doesn’t convey the gravity of the situation. So when it comes to a girl’s graduation gift, a designer handbag goes a long way.

Luxury, high end handbags are available at consignment stores. These cost significantly less than say a Birkin, which may be a little extravagant for a first time graduate especially during a recession. Vintage designer purses, say a vintage Gucci or Chanel can cost half the price than a brand new version, making them very affordable and yet still very chic and classic. Or if you already have a collection of handbags, passing one of your own to your daughter when the time comes can be a very significant gesture. It makes the occasion even more personal and special. Also, you can find some really beautiful brand-new Italian designer leather handbags in the Birkin style on our website.

If you do decide to buy a used handbag, it should be something that expresses timelessness; designer vintages, classics usually never really go out of style. Think the Chanel 2.55, designed by Coco Chanel herself, this bag, which has gone through a few reincarnations is really a great staple; it is a classic. Another great vintage model is a Hermes Kelly, named after the princess Grace Kelly, who famously used the bag to hide her pregnant belly. There are quite a few online sites that specialize in vintage designer fashion bags. Here you can usually get great deals; however, you do want to exercise caution when you’re shopping online as fakes are prolific. Many people hawk fakes of very high quality and it is quite difficult to tell the difference between a real high end designer handbag and a fake.

Bigger bags, hobo type bags for instance or bags that can be carried in different style are also great buys because they are versatile; this can be used for carrying books and other school materials—they also are great for going to work. A Balenciaga weekender bag fits the bill perfectly—it’s large enough to fit books and it works for traveling back and forth from home to school.

Even guys can get into the handbag craze with elegant messenger bags or briefcases. These are perfect for carrying into a job interview and are popular for male graduates.

A graduation is a special occasion. Don’t be afraid to splurge a little. A designer handbag is timeless. It’s a gift your child will really love & the graduation photographs with gown, moratr boar & designer handbag over the shoulder will be a lasting reminder of the special day.