Surreal: Accessories that are "an elegant joke"

BALENCIAGA designer handbags gray wool and brown leather designer purses

By Robb Young
International Herald Tribune

There is a breed of designer that relishes the idea of biting the hand that feeds him. Determined to parody fashion and all its paraphernalia, greats like Franco Moschino and Elsa Schiaparelli teased the establishment with hats made out of model fighter jets or shaped like lamb chops.

But then eccentric accessories have long been a favorite means to mock the glamour of the fashion world or to put a surrealistic mirror up against its iconography. Today, young designers are continuing the tradition by dissecting accessory classics and patching them together again in extraordinary hybrids and ironic caricatures.

"We like an elegant joke, not a cheap disposable gimmick," said David Percival, one half of the London label A'N'D, whose most recognizable item is the "shoebag," a handbag that sprouts from the sole of a ladies pump and is perfectly engineered to sit atop a single delicate heel.

The duo is infatuated with creating such mutant accessories , although more the sleek laboratory kind than an ode to Frankenstein. Satchel purses are molded from the upper of a loafer; wallets decorated with the ribbing of a brogue; eyeglasses without lenses that have been split in half and are dangling from earrings; and leather gloves elongated into a buckled belt.

"It's important to not take things too seriously, but it's also amusing to create things that require the viewer to double take on what's seen, to rattle their comfortable perceptions of everyday life, things that at first glance look somewhat 'normal,' " adds Percival's partner, Azumi Yamashita.

Subverting the ordinary is an extension of the deconstructivist movement of the 1990s, when designers like Martin Margiela turned jackets inside out and reassembled classic garments into unexpected new shapes. Only now it is less of a sober conceptual exercise and more tongue-in-cheek.

"Designers have always been inspired by using everyday objects. However, we become less aware of it as they become part of the design lexicon," said Nathalie Kabiri, owner of the jewelry boutique Kabiri in the bohemian Marylebone district in London.

Harriet Vine and Rosie Wolfenden, the pair behind the cheeky costume jewelry line Tatty Devine, have made a career out of defying the conventional idea that accessories are status symbols or a decorative flourish.

"For some, decorative means tiny diamond earrings. For me, a giant paperweight clothes pin is decorative," said Wolfenden, who admits that their hand-painted series of hyper-real popcorn and potato chip pendants molded from glossy resin could be dismissed as simply ridiculous by casual observers.

"Cuckoo clocks, giant Swatch wall clocks, macrame hanging owls - they all have a voice, an internal story. Sometimes the items we choose make no sense, but they are never random," she said. Fine jewelry too has become a playground for surrealist parody. In the hands of young independent labels like Belmacz by Julia Muggenburg, opal and onyx earrings in the shape of human eyes with tear drops suspended from gold chains pay homage to Luis Buñuel's period films.

Harking back to two surrealist masterpieces, Salvador Dali's melting pocket watches in "The Persistence of Memory" and Meret Oppenheim's fur-covered bracelets, the Belgian designer Natalia Brilli has stretched metallic leather veneer over a Rolex-style watch, transforming it into an embossed bracelet.

It's little wonder that the watch is a recurring theme for this new generation, who find themselves surrounded by fashion's vortex of accelerated time. A'N'D also renders its watch parodies timeless - either as plastic reincarnations, mirrored so that the wearer sees himself in the watch face, or as watch-shaped cutouts in leather cuffs. Desiree Heiss and Ines Kaag of the Paris label Bless have carved rosewood bangles in the shape of an analog watch, and Husam El Odeh of London has used the silhouette of an early digital watch to create a transparent Perspex cuff with two real gears suspended within.

"This came from the imagery surrounding airport X-ray security equipment. I found myself mesmerized by the intimate objects that can sometimes be revealed in public," said El Odeh, who has also used a watch motif in his recent collection, which includes a cast metal pendant and suspenders made of linking wristwatches. "I am a firm believer that fashion needs to question itself. I like the way fashion can on the surface pretend to be important but retains a certain irony about its own function," he said, pointing to his personal favorite, a necklace with an engagement ring trapped in a plastic ID-tag pendant.

And what accessory better marks a member of the all-important fashion pack than the requisite pair of sunglasses? El Odeh has embedded them in a sun visor cap, and the Danish designer Vibe Harslof of the brand Fafafa has curved sunglass lenses into bracelets and cast them in silver miniatures for earrings and necklaces. Whether extremely intellectual or absurdly extreme, designers making a pastiche out of how we wear our finery and trimmings don't always have to stoop to the fashion equivalent of slapstick comedy. But a self-deprecating punch line delivered with the right amount of craftsmanship can be a mighty potent message.

New York Fashion Week: Coming this fall: a season of versatility

DESIGNERS OFFER LESS-OSTENTATIOUS, ACCESSIBLE CLOTHING FOR SOPHISTICATED WOMEN

By Donna Kato, Mercury News

Peter Som Canary Chantilly lace T-shirt, plum ombre plaid satin swag skirt.
(Richard Drew / Associated Press)

Carolina Herrera Corduroy double-breasted vest, embroidered blouse, suede riding pants and corduroy fedora. (Bebeto Matthews / AP)

Marc by Marc Jacobs Yellow track dress with pin worn with gray painted beret, black jeweled sunglasses, smoke wristlet purse and cubist bracelet. (Seth Wenig / AP)

Zac Posen Red and black embroidered dress. (Kathy Willens / AP)

Vera Wang felt jacket with felt jabot over short-sleeve coat with bias stone silk chiffon drape-neck top and silk gauze skirt. (Richard Drew/ AP)

NEW YORK - Early on during Fashion Week, mass retailer Gap presented its fall collection by new designer Patrick Robinson on models posed on a raised platform. The press, buyers and stylists walked around the staged area to get a close look at the anorak jackets, slim-fit cargo pants, chunky sweaters and henleys the Bay Area-based company plans to offer six months from now.

It wasn't high fashion, and the prices are sure to be far, far less than the average cost of a skirt offered by most of the 100-plus designers who showed this season. But after a week's worth of ready-to-wear collections, the significance of the Gap's presentation became apparent: It underscored the intersection of fashion and economic reality, reflecting the current mood among most of us wondering if a recession is about to hit and whether we should save instead of spend. It's also another example of the pairing of accessible fashion with established designers.

For the Gap, the show introduced Robinson, who was the designer behind Perry Ellis, Anne Klein and most recently, Paco Rabanne. His name alone will bring in style-savvy customers who now think of the Gap only for casual wear and basics. There wasn't a specific direction that emerged from the fall collections this season. The message was one of individuality for the woman who wants to look sleek. With jackets, vests, skirts and trousers overtaking the runways, next fall will mean versatility for those confident enough to mix up proportions and try new shapes. "There's definitely more of a sportswear than a couture influence this fall," says Tom Julian, longtime fashion analyst and director of trends for McCann Erickson, a global advertising agency. Women are less inclined to be ostentatious and more willing to buy if something looks like a good investment, has versatility and might do for more than a season or two.

While certain luxury goods are still selling well, according to retail analysts, the willy-nilly spending on It bags and high-end labels of the moment has slowed, adding pressure on designers to offer just the right items for fall. "Fashion has been increasingly dressing up for the past several seasons and is in the feminine frame of mind," says June Rau, Nordstrom's fashion director for the western region. "Women will take certain pieces they're familiar with and work it into their wardrobe." The overall aesthetic is "polished and precisely put together," she adds, and what will make a jacket or a skirt look fresh is a color choice, a winter floral print or a fuller, boxier shape.

American designers seem to have decided on a more practical approach for fall, what with all the basic black, bundled silhouettes and traditional, winter fabrics. Much of it was richly sophisticated, as if they realized that there was more substance to courting a woman rather than an ingenue. Rather than showy gold glitz, it was a warm, mustard-gold shade that prevailed on runways. Marc Jacobs, whose runway ensembles at first glance always appear odd and unwearable (cocoon-shaped coats with ballooning backs, belted below the hips? Long knicker-shorts with dropped crotches?), remains the most-watched American designer. For the first time, his slot was the last show of the week this season, and except for a color pallette that included winter pastels, his clothes were unlike anything seen all week.

The coats were at once long and lean, voluminous and complicated. The evening gowns were melancholy and slinky. And once you got past the tricorn hats and lust-inducing handbags, there were sweaters and pants and jackets that could be construed as . . . classics. While frivolity was scarce on most runways, there were still plenty of fanciful and luxe touches. Metallic jacquards showed up in the collections of Vera Wang and Angel Sanchez. Fringe swung from bags, boots, skirts and vests at Zac Posen, Anna Sui and Betsey Johnson. Fur and feathers were flying on the catwalks of Badgley Mischka, Monique Lhuillier, Naeem Khan and Behnaz Sarafpour.

Themes and designer inspirations were made apparent at many shows. Michael Kors, whose signature is luxury American sportswear, sent his models out in oversized specs and "Mad Men" fedoras, wearing coats and belted shifts that would look grand on Eva Marie Saint. A huntress theme at Carolina Herrera translated to autumnal colors of squash, pumpkin, China blue and brown along with tattersall plaid. Riding jackets, capes and feathered hats were aristocratic touches that made the point. Diane von Furstenberg related an entire story for her collection, starting with a muse who sews diamonds into the hem of her dress to flee from Berlin to Shanghai, then moves on to the art deco glam of New York. No era is specified in her program notes, but the clothes had a touches of the 1920s, '30s and '40s in the form of flapper dresses, belted jackets and loose-fitting trousers.

The Bay Area has reason to proudly proclaim designers Peter Som, Derek Lam and sisters Laura and Kate Mulleavy of Rodarte as its own. Their presentations each season have become must-attends by influential magazine and newspaper editors and top retailers. Som had one of the best shows of the week with a collection that was both dreamy and practical. A blue and black metalassé full skirt and fitted black washed patent leather jacket was fresh and edgy for a designer who usually sticks to pretty. Among his best pieces were side-draped dresses and skirts.

This is Som's debut collection for Bill Blass, and he captured the late designer's essence with a number of trouser suits, cocktail dresses, gala gowns and substantial ruffles. Also noted were a few Som-ish touches in the playful details, prints and color combinations. Lam took inspiration from Isak Dinesen, the pen name of Karen von Blixen-Finecke who wrote "Out of Africa" in 1937. His collection played with proportion, serving up elegant suits and layering that flowed from one garment into another. While the dark tones and tailoring could have been too heavy, the clothes were lively, with movement and drama. In just a few seasons, Rodarte has become one of the top draws during Fashion Week with meticulously constructed garments that come close to couture. The designers Mulleavy, who now live in Pasadena but grew up in Capitola, offered more of the stringy, webby knit separates and ethereal ballerina frocks that they did for this spring. While the dancer dresses were confections of froth, it was the gorgeous, airy knits that will be coveted for closets this fall.

Things about clothes that boys just don’t get

By HADLEY FREEMAN

Fashion should be about self-expression, not worrying about what pleases men – if they don't like it that's too damn bad, says style expert Hadley Freeman, left. Here she offers her wardrobe wisdom to help you feel more confident and look even better

BAGS and why we love them
Women love bags for the same reasons they love shoes: they don't make you feel fat, you don't have to get undressed to try them on, size is either a non-issue or simply not related to your stomach, and they don't necessarily suit Kate Moss any better than you. Get one with a strap just long enough to shove on to your shoulder or hold in your hand. Don't be an idiot and get one in suede, cotton, canvas or some other non-waterproof fabric that you have to worry about getting dirty. You can find perfectly decent bags on the high street but they tend either to look like they're made for 13- year-old girls or for Her Maj herself.

This is yet another reason, on top of the more obvious status symbol cachet, why more and more women are forking out for designer handbags. Plus you will probably give your bag more of a battering than you will a summer dress, so it is worth spending a little bit more on something that is well made and won't fall apart after three outings and one rainfall. A smidgen of practical justification – but just a smidgen, mind.


DRESSES: God's gift to women
There is no garment more liberating to women than a dress (except maybe a nice hotel bathrobe, but we're not allowed to go to work in those yet). A good dress will never make you feel fat, can be worn with flats or heels, and everybody can find a style that suits them. None of these statements can be applied to trousers, which squeeze round your waist and thighs, often make your bum look the size of Ecuador and slip down ever so immodestly when you sit – and yes, I am including jeans in these criticisms. With judicious layering you can wear a summer dress all year round, and the fact that you need to deal with only one garment in the morning is the sartorial icing on this fashion gâteau.

To the old rule "the higher the hemline, the lower the heel," one could add "the higher the hemline, the longer the sleeves", merely to compensate in terms of flesh coverage. The joy of most dresses lies in their kindness to most body types by sculpting them into a more flattering shape. (Warning: the wrap dress is, contrary to popular belief, kind only to the chosen few. If you have a curvy bust, narrow waist and flattish stomach, well done, you have found your uniform. If you fall short in any of these departments, its much praised jersey fabric manages to be both unflatteringly clingy and immodestly loose.)

JEWELLERY and when fashion just gets obnoxious
There is no point to real jewellery except to show off how rich you are. The only excuse would be if you were living in some soon-to-be-toppled economy where you had to convert your life savings into something that wouldn't be worthless tomorrow. All too often women think that if they're going to get the jewellery out they may as well go the whole hog – a statement piece. Think oversized clanging earrings, hideous brooches, whacking great necklace dangling down a cleavage. Accessories are the sprinkles on a cake – there to improve, not form the whole meal. They are not essential and, when done badly, definitely an over-sweetened detriment. But when employed with a sage and delicate hand they make the difference between generic blandness and decorative indulgence.

HEELS: The highs, the lows – and when fat is better than thin
The whole theory behind heels is that men, allegedly, find them sexy. A spindly spike creates the illusion that the woman is an airy Tinkerbell-like creature who can float through the air, carried only by toothpicks beneath her feet, such is her lightness. The brilliant thing about the thick heel is that it doesn't look like you're trying so hard to be sexy and this, in itself, is sexier. There is something undeniably tragic about seeing a woman teeter about on her spindly heels all in the name of male approval, whereas a woman who wears thick heels oozes confidence.


The stiletto is the oddest concept, and it would have been interesting to see how it was first pitched: "Hey, I know, guys! Let's make shoes that force women to walk on their tippy-toes all day. Crank up the machines!" And yet, here we are, hundreds of millions of women hoisting themselves daily on to the balls of their feet in the name of fashion, spending hundreds of pounds on shoes they literally cannot walk in. Stilettos make women: a) grumpy, b) lazy (due to immobility), and c) pathetically slow. This is not to deny that high heels can be fun.

Yes, they're glamorous and yes, they're quite fun to dance in for a few minutes. But there are so many pretty, dainty flats to wear to parties, and you'll dash about like a veritable dynamo, leaving men in your wake wondering who that fabulous creature was. Wear stilettos and you'll spend the evening slumped uncomfortably in the corner before you give it up, take off your shoes and show the world your cracked heels and hammer toes.

SIZING: The high-street myth
Billions of women bow down daily to the altar of size, basing their mood and general sense of self on whether or not they are able to fit into the size 10 trousers today. If it's a yes, you'll skip down the street to the bus stop, patting small children on the head and waving jauntily to the newsagent as if you were starring in a Judy Garland musical. Can't even get them over your thighs? A cloud as dark as pitch swamps your horizon, you're filled with self-loathing and disgust and cancel that lunch with your friend because you have decided never to eat again.

Yet sizes alter between shops and designers because there are no stipulations about what the measurements are – everyone knows that one store's size 10 is another's size 12. Many high-street stores need to bear in mind that a large majority of their customers are teenagers and therefore their sizes have to be a little smaller to avoid putting negative digits on some of their labels. But that does seem a bit tough on the adult shopper.

So although sizes should not be seen as a negative reflection on your personal appearance, they should, nonetheless, be taken pretty personally. A store whose sizes seem to be so angrily unwelcoming is a store that is saying it doesn't want you as a customer. Respond in kind with a spin on your heel and your purse remaining tucked inside your whatever-sized jeans.

VANITY: The joys thereof?
When people knock fashion the most common criticism is that it's a vain, self-obsessed pursuit. But the fact is that feeling pride in one's appearance instils happiness and self-confidence. I concede that at times this does cross over into extremes resulting in quite the opposite, with women labouring under a lifetime curse of self-hatred and physical contortion – and this is very wrong. But it seems similarly anti-female to insist that in order to be a true feminist, one is not allowed to have any vanity. This is just a breath away from the old anti-feminist stereotype about hairy armpits which has made a current generation of girls loath to describe themselves as feminists in case this makes them sound in favour of body hair as opposed to equal pay.

Patriarchal society or not, everyone likes to look good. Even Ann Widdecombe went blond, and, as this proves, this is not just about looking good for the boys – it's about looking in the mirror and having a little smile. DATES and why they are the one event for which you really needn't worry about what you wear. Of course you want to look nice, but you know what looks best of all? You feeling comfortable, relaxed and confident about your appearance. You could find the shortest, slinkiest, sexiest dress in the world, but if you spend the whole evening tugging at your cleavage and pulling down the hem you may as well have worn a sack for all the seductive signals you're giving out.

Don't wear stupid shoes you can't walk in, and don't wear anything that will give you hypothermia; just stick with an old favourite that always makes you feel good and has garnered you compliments in the past. A girl laughing and dancing and making sparkly conversation = attractive; a girl whingeing about being cold and insisting on getting a taxi for a 200-yard journey = a colossal pain.

Taken from The Meaning of Sunglasses: A Guide to Almost All Things Fashionable by Hadley Freeman (Penguin, £15).

Purse Christmas Shopping Online: Authentic Designer Handbag Gift Giving

It’s that time of the year again to start surfing the Net for the best authentic designer handbags and purses. Christmas is a perfect time to give the extra-special women in your life a gift with a special logo, label and price tag. Be careful not to fall prey to all the new websites popping up just-in-time for the Christmas rush. Make sure to make your purchase from a reputable ecommerce site you trust which responds to emails quickly.

Women of all ages enjoy receiving a new purse any time of the year, and Christmas is as good a time as any! So, if you are wondering what to give this Christmas to the women in your life, give a new authentic designer handbag or purse. The designers are creating some of the most fabulous styles you’ve ever seen. This year, you can select from a variety of bright colors, patterns, fabrications, prices and sizes. There are hand-held, shoulder strap and backpack styles. The inside is important, too. Are there extra pockets for a cell phone? Is the bag lined? There are a number of handbag characteristics you’ll be thinking about in your search for the right handbag gift.

Please don’t buy from the websites showing you the same designer handbag in every color under the sun. Designers don’t manufacture those bags. They are made by factory owners in third-world countries who produce them fast and cheap. Then, they turn-around and unload them by the truck load to street vendors and jobbers in the USA. One of the hottest counterfeit styles this year is the Celine Boogie Bag. Another hot counterfeit is the Balenciaga Motorcycle Bag. Just be careful! Ask questions, and purchase from a website who replies to your questions and emails.

Some women like a big slouchy leather bag, and others like a small rigid constructed purse to carry. So, there are many questions you should answer before making the purchase. Because of the wide selection of purses available online and the same or more available styles of the way women dress, be certain to select a designer handbag you know she’ll like and keep for a very long time.

It’s important to select the right purse because you want her to smile when she opens your gift. However, you may be making a very big investment financially, too. Designer handbags are not a cheap item. Handbags have become the staple in most fashionable women’s closets. So, the investment you make may as well be for something she’ll adore for many years to come.
The most difficult part of giving a new purse for a gift is making the purchase decision based on what you think the receiver will like, and not buying something just because you would like it for yourself. Here’s some information to use whenever selecting a purse as a gift. First, visualize the woman in her everyday clothing. Is she a jeans and T-shirt person? Does she wear a suit to work everyday? Does she dress conservatively or funky? If you can, look inside her closet. What are her favorite colors? What style shoe does she wear? What style of purse does she carry now? Is it a shoulder bag, a satchel, a tote or a backpack?

Shop around, and then visualize the woman carrying the bag you want to purchase. How does she look? If you start laughing, then it’s time to keep looking. But, if you can actually see her carrying that bag, then grab it because online, what you see today may be gone tomorrow! Don’t pass up the perfect gift. Online merchants do not stock pile inventory. They obtain enough stock to get them through each season and move the stock as quickly as possible. So, when you find the right item, buy it quickly. Most of the time online shoppers find the item they had been eyeing is regretfully sold. It’s happened to me, and it can happen to you as well. Don’t let it happen this Christmas!

Once you have a good idea of the color, size, style and price-point, you can purchase the purse of her dreams! Look for something stylish and yet something basic enough with a classic flare. Don’t invest too much money in a fly-by-night fad. Funky styles are better selected by the woman herself. Most women buy the funky styles based on their mood or style of the moment. So, if you want to make a lasting impression, select a classic style in a basic color. My favorite recommendations include the basic colors in shades of brown or black leather or cloth bags by Ferragamo, Prada, Tods and Chanel. You can’t go wrong with these Designers. Classic Ferragamo have enough style to sail into the next millinium. Yet, they are fashioned for everyday and transition easily into evening wear. You can’t go wrong with a classic Ferragamo.
The Prada handbags are phenomenal and come in every size, shape, color and fabrication. Women of all sizes, ages, and styles adore the thought of owning an authentic Prada purse. The important thing to look for in a Prada is the triangle logo positioned on the exterior of the handbag. It can be strategically placed front center, back center or either side of the handbag. Just make sure the triangle logo is there! Fashion-conscious women of all ages want to see the Prada Logo, and they want everyone else to see them carrying it, too!

As stated earlier, be careful not to fall prey to a website selling fake or counterfeit handbags. I can’t mention names of websites here because it’s just not proper, but believe me, they are out there, and their prices are not cheap! The sites selling fakes keep their prices right up there comparable to the authentic bags. And, many of the bags look real in the photos and may not be when you receive them at home. I’m certainly not trying to instill fear about online shopping. My intention is to educate consumers so they learn to make the right choices. I own and operate an ecommerce website. I want people to feel safe and comfortable doing any type of shopping online.

Merry Christmas and happy handbag hunting! I find the best prices online and do almost all my shopping online nowadays. Don’t be afraid to buy online, just be smart. Your email can be your best friend when you shop online. Write, ask questions, and make your purchase from someone who replies with the right answers. You’ll be happy you did, and so will she.
About the author.

Anna Miller is the President of i-GlobalMall.com, Inc. She has been buying and selling Designer Handbags and purses of all price ranges online for over ten years. She’s been around the handbag block, and she’s heard and seen it all! Anna operates an ecommerce site at http://www.efashionhouse.com/designerhandbag.html Guaranteed authentic or your money back Designer Handbags and Accessories.

http://www.efashionhouse.com/ should not be confused with any other website selling purses. This site is the home of five stores: BrandsBoutique, ValueBags, ItalysOutlet, DesignersLA and LuxuryVintage. The prices found at eFashionHouse.com are the best online for authentic designer purses and accessories. EfashionHouse.com keeps their operating overhead low so they can pass the savings onto their customers.

Designer Handbags Reach Record High Average $2,000 Fall 2005

Shopping in Beverly Hills last week I strolled Wilshire Boulevard popping in and out of fancy stores sizing up all the new designer handbags. There are a number of new looks for Fall 2005, and prices have a new look, too. Did you know designer handbags have become the staple in most wardrobes? It doesn't take a genius to buy a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, but to purchase the correct designer handbag to pull it all together has become quite an art.

In conversations with many handbag salespeople, it was obvious the upcoming season will offer a variety of wild colors, exotic leathers, and metallic finished leathers. They will appear in shoulder styles, clutches, slings and large totes. Most designer bags remain consistent in size and function. The variations from season to season come to color, hardware, texture and price.
Prices are a difficult topic for handbag lovers to discuss, it became the purpose of the Beverly Hills shopping trip. Which designers will rise to the top? Which handbags will have the highest price tags? These thoughts offered astonishing observations wondering through the high-end boutiques and department stores.

Doing a bit of mental gymnastics with a few designer handbag price tags, it became obvious a calculator was needed! Prices are competing with Los Angeles mortgage payments! One designer bag, constructed of scratch resistant, pebble grain calf leather, had a hefty $3500.00 price tag. Durability to last a life time is a major characteristic of a quality handbag, but let's get real here, women change handbags as often as they change their nail polish. Paying hefty prices for a designer handbag a few times each month is fashionable, but not healthy or wise.
Not mentioning any names, a lengthy conversation with a handbag specialist in a very well-known department store shed light on the day's mission. We strolled the designer handbag department with calculator in hand. Punching in numbers of our favorite high-end designer, we came up with a hefty five-figure total for 10 handbags. Then, with jaws dropped open, the average price was uncovered! As expected, little was left to shock and surprise. Based on a sampling of the designer handbag prices, the price for a brand new, high-end designer handbag this season averages an all-time high of $2000.00 USD.

Oh my! What a price we pay to pull it all together with that pair of denim jeans and T-shirt! We have become the hunters in search of the best designer handbag we can find. And, when we know it will coordinate with a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, then we know we've selected the best bag. We want to look good, and we want to feel good, too. It would be nice to know we can purchase a bag from a new designer and still make a mortgage payment this same month.
Here's a solution. For those of us who know style and don't want to compromise quality, find a designer handbag expert to coach and guide your investments. Lacking modesty, I'll volunteer recommendations on a variety of designer handbags available at a fraction of what you'd expect to pay in a retail store.

You can actually purchase several handbags for the average cost of one designer handbag if you shop wisely. If you are a true designer handbag addict, and you purchase a new handbag whenever you get the urge, then you need a reliable source. Shop carefully at sites specializing in designer handbags, and you'll find your favorite designers at as much as 50% less than the average cost on Rodeo Drive!

Copyright © September, 2005 http://eFashionHouse.com

Check out all the authentic, new designer handbags today at http://www.eFashionHouse.com. You can purchase all three, a Marc Jacobs, a Fendi and a Prada bag for about $1000.00. Yes, three new, authentic, designer handbags for about half the price of one in a retail store. Shop eFashionHouse.com for your next designer handbag, two designer handbags, three designer handbags or more! You?ll be very glad you did, and so will your favorite jeans and T-shirt.

Designer Handbags Authentic or Counterfeit? Designer Purses Should ALWAYS Have Money Back Guarantee

Don’t waste your hard earned money on a fake counterfeit designer handbag or purse! That hefty investment you make $200-$800 in a fake designer handbag or purse can end up being worthless. If you are going to buy a new purse, invest in something of value, not cheap imitations. ALWAYS insist on a money back guarantee!

Why in the world would anyone want to buy a fake designer handbag or poor quality? I just can’t comprehend spending good money purchasing a fake designer purse. It doesn't even begin to make sense to me, even if the purse looks like the real thing. When you know it’s not authentic - why bother?

Above all else, be aware that buying a counterfeit item is illegal, period.

Counterfeit designer merchandise has a sub-culture all its own. I’m not sure if people enjoy the fact they are getting something resembling the real thing at lower cost, or if they just don’t understand the quality, durability and value of authentic designer handbags in the first place.
I find humor in it now, but pre-internet, the counterfeit handbag purchasing process seemed mysterious and intriguing. It felt as though you were somehow privileged to know how to buy these uncommon goods. Pre-internet, the only way to locate a fake bag was through word of mouth. Wholesalers of counterfeit bags still make sales by appointment only. There are signs throughout the store reminding you “ALL SALES FINAL.”

It involved a sort of cloak and dagger approach when walking into wholesale stores, asking to talk to the manager and introducing yourself as a friend of a friend. Introductions were all made through word of mouth referrals. There’s no advertising at all. Unlike online purchases, where everyone boldly claims their goods are authentic.

The counterfeit shopping experience is intriguing. You can almost feel the illicit connection made with the handbag underground. All you want is a new purse, a designer copycat, something that looks like the real thing without the hefty price tag. The irony in all of this is the reality of the experience. They are NOT inexpensive.

In reality, you pay a lot of money for junk. Maybe the leather is good, and maybe it is not. How would you know? Have you seen the real thing to compare? If you did, you certainly wouldn’t be investing in a fake after handling the real thing! Solid metal hardware, rich sumptuous leather and finely crafted details trump the plastic & vinyl attachments, poorly stitched linings and knock-off logo's cheaply glued to counterfeit designer purses and handbags.

We know the best designer handbags and leather goods are made in Italy and France. No need to drop names here, we all know the top sellers. Fakes might be made in Italy or France, and they may not. You never know. Most of the people you are dealing with are hustling you to make a big profit on something of little worth and definitely of no real value.

The evolution of designer handbags has made its mark world wide. Every woman with fashion sense wants to carry a new, hot, high-end designer handbag, and the price is not cheap. On an average, the retail boutique price for a new designer purse starts at about $1000. That’s a hefty price to pay to feel good when you leave the house. I know some women who carry bags costing more than their cars! The Hermes handbag collection of some of my clients' totals more than the initial cost of my first home!

The Internet has opened a flood gate of ecommerce sites for handbags. There are more than enough websites selling purses these days. And, the best stores sell authentic designer merchandise, not fakes. The difficulty comes in trying to determine the real from the fake and make the distinction clear.

Here are a few tips for identifying a website selling fake counterfeit designer handbags and purses:

A new store comes online just in time for holiday shopping.
The new website’s contact information is missing or obscure.
The new website’s registration information (Whois.com) is “private.”
You can’t locate the owners.
The same style or design of a bag is available in many colors.
The website sells only three or four designer brands.
The handbags look like items you’ve seen on many other websites,
Prices are too good to be true less than half of retail.
There are page after page of similar items.

There’s one page of authentic-looking bags, but the rest of the website contains the same bag in every color under the sun!I’ve seen websites come and go over the past ten years online. First, the sites selling fakes offered Gucci, Fendi and Prada. Then, there were the ones selling strictly Louis Vuitton and Chanel. The Hermes Birkin and Kelly bag are still prolific in the counterfeit world, but they are not as commonly seen online as the other Designers.

The most commonly counterfeited handbags today are: BALENCIAGA, TODS, CELINE, and CHLOE. Plus, the old-time favorites are still hotter than ever in the counterfeit market: GUCCI, LOUIS VUITTON, HERMES, FENDI and PRADA. I recently saw even LAMBERTSON TRUEX smooth calf leather fake bags, too.

With all the choices out there, how can you tell if you are buying a genuine product? Well, in reality you just don’t know unless you really know the product well. I am a purse expert, but sometimes I've been fooled, too. Most of the time, I know what I’m doing, and I buy the right thing.

Three rules I use to make a handbag purchases online:
Ask before you buy.
Talk with the owner of the site ONLY!
Obtain a full money-back guarantee for authenticity.

I asked a wholesaler if his bags were guaranteed authentic, and I was told, “Yes, they are gauranteed to be 100% made in Italy.” Another wholesaler told me, “Our bags are the best quality.” Yes, but are they authentic designer goods? I’ve also heard, “The man who made this bag worked for the Design House for over 20 years. Of course, it’s authentic!” Wrong. If you don’t get a straight answer, pass on the purchase.

Please don't blindly believe everything you see and especially not what you are told. I arranged a meeting with a wholesaler at a well-known annual conference. The bags I pre-ordered were authentic items, yet when the order arrived, they were obviously not exactly like those styles shown at the pre-order sale. Be careful. Buy from a website or seller who has been online for a very long time. Over the past ten years selling online, I can honestly say that the best lessons I’ve learned were from customers who did their homework. Talk to people, share your insights, and please ... let’s all stamp out fakes online!

About the Author.
Anna Miller is the President of i-GlobalMall.com, Inc. She has been buying and selling Designer Handbags and purses of all price ranges online for over ten years. She’s been around the handbag block, and she’s heard and seen it all! Anna operates an ecommerce site at http://www.efashionhouse.com/designerhandbag.html Guaranteed authentic or your money back Designer Handbags and Accessories.

http://www.efashionhouse.com/%20Designer_Handbags.html should not be confused with any other website selling purses. This site is the home of five stores: BrandsBoutique, ValueBags, ItalysOutlet, DesignersLA and LuxuryVintage. The prices found at eFashionHouse.com are the best online for authentic designer purses and accessories. EfashionHouse.com keeps their operating overhead low so they can pass the savings onto their customers.

Made In China - Designer Handbag Fashion Totally Misunderstood

Wow! What's all this garble about "everything" made in China being counterfeit or fake? Do people understand the design and manufacturing process? Or, are they just determined to squabble about one of the manufacturing industry's greatest resources?

True, there's been a lot of media about children's toys being manufactured poorly. Shame on China for the mess they've created. They'll fix the problem, or they'll lose business. We all learn from our mistakes, right? Or, at least the smart folks learn. And, let's face it, China is no dummy!

China has been manufacturing most of the clothing, shoes, handbags, and accessories stocked in all the major department stores throughout the world for many, many years. And, this is not going to fade or go away. China offers low-cost labor for low-end to high-end designer handbags, clothing and just about anything around the house.

Most people don't understand the truth about the Made in China label. China has been producing most of the Designer Merchandise sold in the USA for very long time. Why? Because the price to manufacture in China keeps prices as low as possible for consumers. People complain about the high price tags on designer handbags, clothing, shoes, and accessories. If the same item made in China was made in the USA or Europe the prices would be doubled or tripled.

If the Hermes Birkin bag was assembled by hand in China instead of France, the price would not be $7,000.00 each. If Italian leather was sent to China for the assembly of Prada handbags, the prices would not be $3,000.00 each. Please put things into perspective.

Burberry's new management decided to use China for some of its assembled manufacturing needs and people went crazy. The thought of using a designer handbag made in China is misunderstood, misinterpreted, and misguided. The product made in China consists of the same quality of fabric as if it were made in the USA, France, England or Italy. The only difference is the designer item was assembled in China, or any other country offering a cheaper assembly manufacturing process.

Most of the high-end Designers buy fabrics, leathers, and materials from the USA or Europe, pay a premium price for the high-quality fabrication, and then negotiate manufacturing in China. The materials and specifications are sent to China and made. Representatives from each of the Design Houses travel to China or other manufacturing countries to supervise the process. The finished products are shipped to the USA and other parts of the world for sale. It's a process kept sweet and as simple as possible. It creates jobs and produces a global economy.

Most consumers don't know the designer manufacturing process or understand the details. They see a Made in China label and assume it's a counterfeit item or fake. In reality, it's not. It's a moderately priced item made in a country which has been stereo-typed. And, we can't blame the consumer because most of the junk, counterfeit and fake merchandise bearing the trademarks of others are made in China. Hopefully, the USA Customs Department working closely with the fashion industry will help end importing counterfeit goods.

There are many countries available the fashion designers use to outsource labor. The high-end leather designer handbags with high-ticket price tags are made in the USA, Italy, London and France. The lower cost designer products are made elsewhere. Most designers offer collections every season which provide both high-end and lower priced products. For example, Ralph Lauren has five price and fabrication determined collections: RL Classics, Collection, Black Label, Blue Label and Lauren. Plus, many of the designers produce a separate collection for outlet stores and discount stores like Marshalls, TJ Max, Target, Walmart, etc.

Some of the countries are more commonly used than others, and nonetheless they are countries with capabilities and low-cost labor. Some of these countries include, and are not limited to China, Turkey, Mexico, Romania, India and Portugal.

Fashion designers who make designer handbags, designer wallets, designer scarves, designer clothing, hats, shoes, etc. use these countries because they can sell their products at affordable prices. Some of the fashion designers include, and are not limited to Coach, Burberry, Liz Claiborne, Robert Rodriquez, Max Studio, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Dooney & Bourke, Juicy Couture, Donna Karan, Anne Klein, Brighton, and many, many others.

Just because an item is Made in China, it does not constitute fake or counterfeit. Let's get this straight and communicated clearly. The reason the item was made in China is because at that point in time, the designer's manufacturing team decided it was the best business decision to make for a cost-effective distribution of its product and collection.

The next time you see a Made in China label on a designer handbag or accessory, and you purchased it from a reputable source, thank your lucky stars for the bargain price you paid. If you have any doubt, take the item to the designer's boutique for authentication and peace of mind. Don't assume just because it's Made in China it's a fake. You know what assuming does, right?

About the author:

Anna Miller is the President of i-GlobalMall.com, Inc. She owns and operates the internet website http://www.efashionhouse.com/ . EfashionHouse was named Best of the Web by People StyleWatch Magazine and recently About.com recognized eFashionHouse as the top of three sources for authentic Chanel at below retail prices. Anna is considered an Internet Pioneer and Ecommerce Entrepreneur. Anna has been buying and reselling authentic designer fashion accessories online since the early 1990's. The Corporation's vision and mission is "to offer authentic designer handbags, purses and accessories below the cost of retail." You can visit the i-GlobalMall.com, Inc. fashion blogs at the following dot com locations: i-GlobalMall, ValueBags, BrandsBoutique, DesignersLA, LuxuryVintage and ShoppingBrokers.

Decked Out in a New Designer Purse for the Holidays: New Designer Handbag is Good for Your Health

Want to make a difference in this year’s gift-giving? Make a smart investment. Use the information in this article to begin Google research for all your 2006 discount designer handbags and purses gift-giving needs. The search terms found in “ITALICS” will locate the perfect resources to fulfill all your shopping requirements without leaving the comfort of home. Copy and past the italicized search terms into the Google search box and voila! Let your fingers do the shopping to save wear and tear on your feet!

Here are some trusted tips, research, and websites for your holiday discount designer handbags purchase. Whenever in doubt, go to Google.com, copy & paste the italicized words in the search box, and hit the Enter key.

Nowadays, we pay a few hundred dollars for a new pair of designer jeans, and our designer jacket or designer cashmere sweater costs a bit more. Our Manolo stilettos top the charts at several hundred dollars. Then we explode with a fabulous designer purse or handbag with a much higher price tag. Why? Why not!

If it feels good, do it. Carry a designer handbag to make the designer outfit you painstakingly put together look great! And, pick a classic. Select a designer purse you’ll want to keep around for awhile. Don’t be boring. Pick your new purse with style, pizazz, texture, pattern, embossed leather and color. This season’s designer purses are adorned with logos, chains, charms, colorful trims and bold large sizes.

The list of hot designers seems endless. To name a few, some of the top handbag designers include: Juicy Couture, Marc Jacobs, Fendi, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci, Burberry and Coach. Don’t be surprised when you go handbag shopping. The prices range from hundreds of dollars to several thousand each.

Remember George Karlin’s stand-up routine about “stuff?” Well, now we have surrendered our stuff to be contained in fabulously designed expensive purses and handbags! Plus, remember the famous Loreal` cosmetics TV commercial proclaiming “I’m worth it.” Owning a new expensive designer bag is now part of the psychology of fashion. We are worth it. We work hard for our look, and it feels great to carry a famous designer bag! Our stuff is carried in style because we are worth it.

When you find yourself people watching at the airport or shopping mall, focus on the purses women (and men) are carrying these days. The designer handbag craze is not isolated to one sex. There are almost as many fancy manbags for the guys as there are fabulous styles for the women. So, if you are thinking about upgrading your man’s appearance, pick a standard basic to begin his new adventure. A suggestion is a LATICO designer handbags black leather messenger bag. It’s a standard, basic, clean style for any man on your list.

Famous designer labels are the standard -- the norm today vs. days gone by. For the most part, you’ll see Gucci designer handbags recognizable by their traditional stripe or horsebit motif in leather, GG monogram canvas and/or mixed with leather and canvas designs. Gucci designer purses are for all age groups. Personally, I’d save the Gucci gifts for Mom, Auntie and the more mature women on your holiday shopping list.

Juicy Couture offers metallic leathers and adorns the bags with pom-poms, chains, charms and the signature “J” logo on zipper pulls and hang-tags. Juicy leather bags are made of soft and supple Italian napa. The bags are comfortable to carry and cater to all age groups. A Juicy Couture designer purse is the perfect gift for any female aged 13 or older. Most of the purses are lined in a signature Juicy Couture lining. If you want to see the teen on your holiday shopping list grin ear-to-ear hand her a Juicy Couture designer handbag. Any size, shape, style or color will do the trick!

Marc Jacobs designer handbag styles are timeless and seasonless. They can be carried all year long and never go out of style. The signature push locks and pockets decorate Marc Jacobs purses. They use durable, scratch resistant leather in smooth, pebble grain or quilted styles. Engraved hardware on zipper pulls is standard. The bags are usually quite roomy and come in a variety of colors. Marc Jacobs is a little pricier than the Juicy bags and will make her not only smile, but probably give you a big smooch! If you are looking for stocking stuffers fill ‘em to the brim with MARC JACOBS designer accessories monogram animal shape pencil sharpeners. Anything with the MJ monogram will bring a smile to the face of your young fashionista’s face!
Coach designer purses are an all-time favorite. Every closet should have at least a few to pull out when all else fails. Coach accessories are great for everyday use and available in a variety of styles, colors, sizes and designs. Coach makes a signature CC logo pattern in monogram canvas. There’s also smooth and pebble grain Italian leather styles. Colors range from patchwork to solid basics. You can’t go wrong with a Coach purchase for the holidays. One of our favorites is the COACH designer handbag 3574 signature duffle monogram shoulder bag. Coach also has small leather goods in wristlet styles, wallets, key cases and picture keepsakes. Small evening bag styles are also available for the person who does not like carrying a large bag. The COACH designer purses white canvas bronze leather is ideal for gift-giving.

Louis Vuitton designer purses are seen everywhere. The LV monogram canvas when purchased brand new is very expensive. Yet, often found at resale shops when a woman wants to upgrade to a new bag. Resellers like LuxuryVintage.com offer a deep discount on pre-owned Louis Vuitton designer handbags. Be careful when shopping online for Louis Vuitton. There are tons of knockoffs being sold as authentic items. When making an online purchase, it’s always smart to confirm the authenticity with the site owner prior to submitting an order.

Prada is easy to spot. The Prada triangle logo is an icon in the fashion industry. Prada designer handbags are made of leather or durable vela nylon trimmed in leather. With the release of this year’s box-office hit “The Devil Wears Prada” sales have increased for this famous designer label. Please remember, angels wear prada too – especially your little angel! There are several styles to choose with large embossed leather PRADA logos and embroidered PRADA enscribed on the font of many 2006 designs. One of our favorites is the PRADA designer purses BR3464.
Fendi designer purses are adorned with the famous FF logo pattern. The F’s are available in a large FF pattern or a smaller ff motif. Both jacquard prints are fashion icons and available in a variety of colors with matching small accessories available, too. A classic Fendi is always a good choice for a gift, especially for someone special. The classic FENDI designer handbag baguette designer purse - 8BR000 is at our top of the shopping list for all ages. Yet, if you are looking for a monogram key case under $100, select a FENDI accessories 8AP002.

The Burberry Check pattern is very easy to recognize when you find yourself spotting designer handbags. The traditional tan is also available in a lighter color called Nova Check. Most are constructed of a vinyl treated canvas with leather trim. The moderately priced BURBERRY handbag sling pochette or the BURBERRY nova check flower pot shopper are favorite Burberry check picks.

Chanel is famous for its quitled lamb leather and chain straps. The CC logo is what women go for the most. The CC logo is found on Chanel designer handbags, Chanel designer jewelry and Chanel designer sunglasses. If you want to make a hit with a lady, give a Chanel gift. It’s a classic item and literally never goes out of style. A favorite in line with the holidays is the CHANEL designer purse shades of red leather monogram hobo bag. You may even find it at more than 20% off retail online!

Hermes probably tops the charts for prices, and there aren’t enough words to express the respect for Hermes designer handbags. The Hermes leather items are hand made and each are given its own serial number to identify the artisan’s hand work. Hermes shops are only found in major cities. But, now with Internet Shopping available, a few reputable sites offer Hermes. Again, be careful not to make a purchase for a fake Hermes. They are horrible imitations and an insult to the House of Hermes. Select a reputable online store and don’t be sorry later. Auction sites are a risk for making a Hermes purchase. So, unless you know the seller, you may want to stay away from auction sites like eBay for Hermes. Hermes.com offers small accessories, but their shipping and tax is outrageous. Bluefly also sells Hermes but again, the discount is not that great. There’s also BrandBoutique.com for new deeply discounted Hermes, and if you don’t mind pre-owned, LuxuryVintage offers even deeper discounts plus shipping discounts and not sales tax. Whenever there’s a question, send an email to the site and don’t purchase until you get all your questions answered.

Designer purses top the charts ranging from the mid-hundreds to thousands of dollars each. Most women plan to purchase several each year. I truly believe the designer handbag has become as popular to the fashion addict as buying a new pair of shoes. Don’t let the high cost scare you off. These bags last a long time when cared for properly. Store them in a sleeper bag neatly in your closet. Take your favorite leather goods to a good shoe cobbler for cleaning and repairs. An expensive designer handbag will last a long time, even longer than your favorite pair of boots or stilettos when cared for properly.

With the onset of the holidays, thoughts of giving and receiving can pose a dilemna. Skip the chocolates and flowers this year. Give something that lasts forever! There are certain folks (ourselves included) who are very difficult to buy for. So, what do we do? We ponder and wait until the last minute to make our selection. Think twice about this year’s purchases. Almost all women carry a purse. So, it’s a no-brainer any woman would love a new designer handbag. Most men use a wallet, some use manbags, and many use a briefcase or messenger style laptop bag. Make your shopping easy, memorable and practical. Invest your gift-giving dollars in an item the receiver will love and adore.

Here’s a tip to the wise, and why you should own vs. rent a designer handbag. The following excerpt from an article was found posted on Snopes.com titled Bag-Teria. In summary the article states, “Bacteria on Purses. A study was performed on women's purses. A health team went to a local mall and took samples from the bottom of 50 women's purses. The purses were swabbed with cotton swabs along the entire bottom of the purses and placed into special containers. The swabs were then processed at a local laboratory. The Health Report also showed where women place their purses: public rest-rooms (on the floor beside the toilet), kitchen counters & kitchen tables, on tables & chairs in restaurants, etc. The results of the laboratory tests contained the following most serious result: 1 out of 4 purses — E COLI. Other extremely serious bacteria also were listed, including Hepatitis.”

Just the thought of using a purse previously borrowed by a stranger is revolting. Many women carry their puppy in their tote. Should you risk using that same handbag for the market? Not a good idea - even if it gives you a sense of status. You certainly don’t want to spread an unwanted illness from a rented purse!

All decked out in a new designer purse for the holidays and beyond is the goal. The investment made for a new leather or monogram tote bag must become a lasting treasure. So, do your homework, and shop online for discount designer handbags and purses at a reputable ecommerce fashion site. And, whenever in doubt, send an email to the website’s owner for help, guidance and assistance. Many websites offer personal shopping tips to put a smile on both the gift-giver and receiver for high-end designer purchases.

Anna Miller is the President of i-GlobalMall.com, Inc. (IGM) and has been selling authentic designer fashion online for over ten years. IGM’s main website is http://www.eFashionHouse.com EFashionHouse.com was named BEST OF THE WEB by People Magazine Fall 2006 StyleWatch for discount designer handbags and accessories. Questions can be sent to Anna at eFashionHouse dot com.