Traveling Totes

One of the trickiest parts of traveling is finding a bag big and functional (not to mention stylish) enough to store all your trip essentials.  I find that practicality is important when seeking out a good travel tote, it has to go with all the outfits you packed and be easy to lug around on different types of transport. It should also be versatile, comfortable and lightweight, so it doesn't feel like you're carrying a bag of bricks on your shoulders. I have rounded up my favourite designer bags that would each ideally work as an airport friendly travel companion. 

Each of these swanky carry bags are available on FarFetch.com

Backpacks

Pastel Pouches

Neutral Territory

Colour Blocked

Burgundy Bound

Metallic Mix

Black & Gold

Which of these luxury bags would be your perfect traveling companion?

Charlotte Olympia's Nautical Spring 2014 Collection

Charlotte Olympia
Spring/Summer 2014
Bags and Shoes

Creativity overflows at the offices of British shoe designer Charlotte Olympia Dellal this Spring, where we are taken on a thrilling adventure across the high seas in true nautical style. Her treasure map of imaginative bags and shoes is inked in red, navy and and white, dotted with palm tree green and crustacean coral. Silver and gold metallic pairs take us on a voyage of sun glazed beaches with shimmering waves of aquamarine.

Charlotte doesn't hold back on the quirk factor, with whimsical lobster emblems, mystical mermaids and starfish motifs, not to mention a few fish-frenzied leather and suede pairs. Her signature Kitty Flats are given a summertime makeover, imprinted with cute sunglasses. Anchors, ropes and canvas contribute to the maritime theme, with fun elements like message in a bottle heels (the S.O.S sandals) and pumps decked with opened oyster shells.

Charlotte's fantasy seaside vacation is complete with winsome tourist essentials like compass and camera box bags, a miniature suitcase clutch, sunshade shaped pouches and postcard and sailor printed purses. Whilst you may look like fish out of water carrying around a treasure chest or coconut clutch, these beachy pieces will certainly attract attention.

It may not be entirely practical but I like the light-heartedness Charlotte brings to her collections. This is part of the Charlotte Olympia Spring/Summer 2014 range.

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Would you take a dive into Charlotte Olympia's Seaside Spring Range?

All images found via www.charlotteolympia.com

See Right Through It

Trendspotting
Transparent Bags

In reality, if you had to carry around a see-through plastic bag with all the contents of your handbag, people may assume your actual bag has suffered some sort of drink spill somewhere or, that you're homeless. However, put a designer name onto that plastic bag and voila, you're an instant trendsetter! Transparent bags have become quite the style statement over the past year. Let's delve further into this translucent trend.

On The Runway

It all began where most trends do - on the runways of top notch designers during fashion week. For Spring/Summer 2013, Valentino and Jenny Packham presented clear coloured bags decked with studs and jewels. Stella McCartney sent down jewel toned box bags while Chanel ensured their version displayed their world famous insignia. Fendi introduced transparent panels to their tri-coloured totes. Simone Rocha, Marc Jacobs and Burberry saturated their see-through bags with vivid colour for a fun, youthful effect. As good as this trend looks on the catwalk, I have to assume it's because all the bags are completely empty.

See-Through Street Style Inspiration

The trend then spread like wildfire across the world's fashion capitals and beyond, seen on the arms of socialites, models, fashion week groupies, bloggers, editors and stylists. Each of them allowing photographers and the general public a glimpse into their clear clutches. A pair of sunglasses, an iPhone, all important press passes and some form of Chanel makeup is always seen peeking through these plastic purses. I assume that one has to carefully and fashion-consciously edit the content of their bags when opting for transparency. 

This is how the see-through trend has been worn in true street style...

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 *All street style images found via Tumblr, Vogue.com, Harpers Bazaar.com, Fashion Telegraph.co.uk and Style.com

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Celebrity Translucent Trendsetters

The see-through bag trend hasn't caught on to Hollywood as much as it has the rest of world, with just a handful of celebrities seen carrying their plastic hopes and dreams around. I am guessing this is to avert crazy stalkers and maintain their privacy. And also to avoid the inquisitive masses with a cover of their bag's contents on People magazine.

Bella Thorne wears a youthful neon yellow Juicy Couture clutch with chain handle. Sienna Miller carries a peach lined Charlotte Olympia perspex purse. Solange Knowles vivifies her look with a tangerine CC Skye lucite box bag.

Elisabeth Moss holds on to a Charlotte Olympia 'Pandora' perspex clutch. British model Abbey Clancy carries a see-through monogrammed Louis Vuitton bag. Olivia Palermo represents the high street with an orange tinted Zara minaudiere.

Get With The Trend

Try on the transparency trend with these pellucid online picks. A bright hued clutch will add a vibrant dash of colour to your outfit, whilst slightly shading in your bag's constituents. If you're the fashion-forward type, go all out and wear a clear clutch, where you will be guaranteed to make a few curious heads turn as you walk by, all eager to see what's inside your trendy tote.

Do you Adore or Abhor the Transparent Bag Trend?
Would you be comfortable letting the rest of world see what you carry in your bag?

Kotur Clutches Spring/Summer 2013

When starlets need some place glamourous to store their smartphones on the red carpet, they usually turn to Kotur. The luxury handbag label cultivates their own creative garden this Spring, with a stunning range of surreal nature-inspired clutches and minaudieres. 

Classic box-cluches are invigorated by zesty neons in coral, citron, cerise and yellow. Florals flourish in a variety of interesting forms like jacquard prints, lace overlays and elaborate three-dimensional floral bouquets. Ethnic patterns are given an earthy feel in multi-hued raffia, feathers, West African wax batik fabric wraps and silk tassels.

Metallics are embossed with leather animal prints, carved in brass, and swirled with sequins. Each of the clutches are clasped with glass, crystal, rock or stone. For a modern touch, there is a transparent perspex minaudiere dotted with gold glitter. Or add a pop of colour with a hot pink perspex Aqua Globe© box clutch.

These are a few pieces from Kotur's Spring/Summer 2013 clutch bag collection.

I love the sequined neons and floral print fluorescents for an electric colour pop to any outfit. I hope the retail stores bring us more affordable versions of these designer box bags. 
Which are your Kotur favourites?


*All images found via www.koturltd.com.

Spring's Supreme Clutch Bags 2013

The clutch bag has become so much more than just a mobile-and-lipstick carrying commodity on the red carpet. Accessible to a wider style-loving audience, a clutch polishes off any outfit, whether it's daytime casual or ritzy evening wear. This season, playing along to Spring 2013's fashion trends, clutch bags can be seen in monochromes, animal prints, glossy metallics, tri-tones and neon hues. 

Geometric bags take centre stage, with rectangular and boxy shapes, illustrating modernism and chic functionality. Get yours embellished with gold and silver hardware - if it has zips, spikes, studs and chains...you're an instant trendsetter. Exotic leather and sparkling beadwork add texture, while bold prints yield a sense of fun and whimsicality. Spring 2013 also sees a series of sugary pastels, fold-over pouches and see-through perspex bags. Here are some of my favourite picks for the upcoming season.

Black & White

Fluoro Pop

Dressed Up Metallics

Sugar Candy

Everyday Neutrals

Tropical Tones

Which would your ideal Spring/Summer 2013 clutch be?

Iconic Bags Named After Iconic Stars

The style makers, the trendsetters, the game changers, the icons of our time. You have to make a glittering splash on the fashion radar in order to have a designer brand name a bag after you. I thought it would be interesting to compare the very stylishly accomplished and modish ladies that each have a famous bag named after them.

Arguably the most famous of all namesake bags, The Hermés Birkin bag is also the most expensive, ranging anywhere from $10 000 to $150 000. The famous leather tote was named after French singer-actress Jane Birkin in 1984.

Lancel designed this bohemian suede and tassel 'Bardot' shoulder bag for 60's French actress Brigitte Bardot. It is said that the design was meant to mimic the curvaceous star.

Jason Wu was inspired by the 'classic-with-a-twist' Dutch model Daphne Groeneveld, and constructed a chic and modern crossbody bag after her. Forming part of his Fall 2012 collection, the leather framed bag retails at $1495.

It was only a matter of time before the world's highest paid supermodel was given her own handbag. Luella conceptualized the pretty and feminine 'Gisele' bag in 2002, along with leather heart motifs, an ode to the stunning Brazilian model.

Another Hermés favourite is the regal 'Kelly' bag, named after exquisite Hollywood actress turned royal princess, Grace Kelly. The design was incepted in 1935, and since then it still remains one of the most eminent bags of all time.

Leaving the last millennium of famous bags behind, there was a new It-Bag named after a new It-Girl. Alexa Chung was honoured with a luxurious leather satchel bag by British brand Mulberry in 2010, which became an instant bestseller at £750 each.

Although the Hermés Constance Bag was not initially named after Jackie O' Kennedy, as soon as she was spotted wearing it in 1969, it was given the nickname, the 'O Bag'. Gucci also designed a bag for the famous 60's fashion icon called the 'Jackie' bag.

A favourite of Lady Diana, the 'Lady Dior' bag by Christian Dior embodies class and refinement with a quilted leather design and metallic charms. Created in 1995, this illustrious top-handle case is still coveted by millions of fashion lovers around the world.

Most recent to join the list is songbird Lana Del Rey. This year Mulberry named a bag after 'Del Rey' with a classic inflated design that will never date. This one will set you back $1250.

Marc Jacobs encapsulated the charm & beauty of Canadian model Jessica Stam with a quilted leather creation in 2006. The 'Stam' bag, which features a brass chain handle strap & quaint vintage design, has been seen under the arms of many a celebrity and retails for about $1275.

Salvatore Ferragamo created the 'Sophia' bag in tribute to the enchanting Italian actress. Its elegant and simple design has become a favourite with many celebrities and Sophia herself. The approximate cost of the medium sized bag is $1690.

Which of these legendary leather keepsakes is on your wish list?
And who do you think the next It-Bag should be named after? 
I'd love to hear your insight...

*All collages by me with pictures via Google Images

Bag It Up With Giorgio Armani

Giorgio Armani
Handbag Collection
Fall/Winter 2012-2013

Brightening up dull winter days, Giorgio Armani encases some of his best ideas in an exclusive handbag collection for Fall/Winter 2012. Sharp geometrics converge with luxurious leathers and fine design in a vivid palette of tangerine, fuchsia, slate grey, cobalt blue and black. Elements of glamour are expanded on by judicious use of glittering rhinestones, gold chains, large token gems, velvety suedes and varnished satins. 

Reptilian and zebra prints were also dispersed amongst the set of structured clutches, totes and top-handle bags. Armani further instilled the linear theme with contrast detailing, colour-blocking and by placing sequential strips of neon and metallic leather on rectangular and box shaped bags. Here is a look into one of my favourite Armani accessory ranges to date.

Colourful Clutches

Cobalt

Pink

Tangerine

Black & Gold

Ranging from around €600 - €1200 this high fashion handbag collection is available from Giorgio Armani stores and online from armani.com. 
Is there any piece that you think is worth the price?

Literary Accessorizing

Olympia Le-Tan Clutch Bags
Spring 2012

It's true, you can't judge a book by it's cover, because it may reveal far more than the eyes can see. That's the thought behind the wonderful and whimsical book-clutch collection by Olympia Le-Tan. The creative French designer has blurred the line between fashion and literature by transforming some of the world's most notable and classic novels into stylish pieces of art. 

These imaginative book covers were inspired by Olympia's father's vast collection of antique books. The handmade clutch bags, which are already a celebrity favourite, entice with their exuberant colours and quirky designs. The boxy minaudieres are based on a brass structure, featuring a canvas of felt embroidery and an inner Liberty print floral lining. Accessorizing your outfit with one of these splendid pieces gives new meaning to the word 'Book Smart'. An Olympia Le-Tan book-clutch will set you back about Euros 1 140.

I would love to see some of my personal favourite classic novels churned into a high-fashion accessory. It would be anything by Jane Austin or Charles Dickens. Which one of your favourite books would you like to wear?