Iiiii’m siiiiick! I come home from vacation for this to set in on me. I never get sick, and this is sick like I’ve never been (not the worst though, but certainly different). What a good day to start this feature up again, because I’m not sure how much original brain power I have in me. Oiiii.

Pictured is the “Get Your Own Bag” message canvas tote. It’s simple, filled with attitude and I also see loads of irony in it. A shapeless cartooned tote bag conveying envy and pride over a bag—what bag?—even the mini bag pictured is not “cute”. I believe it must be made with rightful intention, making fun of bag lovers. Still, it’s notable. Find purchase info (for the uncensored version too) at The Purse Blog.

Introduce yourselves to Eco-Bag, an online shop for bags designed by indies that are all recycled materials. The once soda bottle, once seat belt buckle, and once … boat sail? Yep, all hand made and all environmentally friendly. Shop via In My Bag.

Love that luxury trash bag style of the Coco Cabas, but for a well, still more expensive than trash pricetag? The Chapman Large Slouch Hobo by Charles David is a brandy copycat of Chanel’s bag. For less the money, but it’s not like you like the Chanel aside from its logo anyway! Via Señora Cartera (Mrs. Handbag).

Model Lily Cole designed a line of bags for Monsoon Accessories, EBelle5 featured a rainbow striped small purse.

Ooh, an umbrella case! What a nice change of pace. In cute rainbowed stars, the umbrella with case from Top Shop costs 12 pounds, and is only available in stores in the UK. Boo hoo, this sick girl is crying! Via The Bag Lady.

And finally, this doesn’t have to do with bags, but when I saw this billboard last week, I thought it would be perfect about for Counterfeit Chic to write. It’s Coke’s new billboards for Coca Cola Zero, like, “tastes so much like Coke, we should sue ourselves”. Funny?

Visit these great blogs, and we’ll see you around.

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I remember when Hayden-Harnett was just starting to spread their name (while contacting bag blogs). Now, they don’t even need that publicity as new but already devoted fans cheer their style and quality (and colors) in places such as handbag message boards.

The designers have forged creative signature styles that have already made their way into fashionista’s memories and copier’s store shelves. Medium-range pricetags give all the exclusivity an indie company needs - this brand will continue to grow as seasons change.

Will they be the next Cole Haan, Elliot Lucca - or Kooba or Bottega Veneta? My vote’s for the latter - Hayden-Harnett will be huge. Perhaps they’re destined for eventual fame now reserved for Chloé and Balenciaga! Let’s keep an eye on this company!

Check out their styles of handbags (and more) such as the Boca Rattan (love that name), the signature Havana Hobo and the unique Mercer Clutch (want it).

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I discovered a cute little online shop for handmade handbags and more, called Handbag Addict.

The best thing about this site is that they have a little theme of being for bagaholics. Their “12 Step Program” reads as follows…

STEP 1: Admit to yourself that you are a handbag addict. Repeat after me…hello, my name is ____ and I am a handbag addict.
STEP 2: Acknowledge and appreciate that you are a handbag addict.
STEP 3: Admit that you are powerless to this addiction, but don’t really care.

Etc.

I always get the strong feeling that bag ladies are everywhere and are a passionate bunch, but I love new signs of throngs popping up!

Check out this shop for unique bags, cosmetic cases, and more.

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Here is a larger version of my tree/bag sketch from last week’s post on growing your bag fund. It’s fun and cute, isn’t it?

So which famous bags do you spot?

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There is an Internet project for crafters now, called the Counterfeit Crochet Project, for copying big brand designs, but crocheting the new products. Read about it at the project’s website, linked above.

The designs by the starter, Stephanie Syjuco, are so good, they’re shocking. Take a look at this Gucci bag, in progress.

You may be appalled by this news, or enjoy the project idea for various reasons, but there are a few crucial problems at this website’s root.

1. Right off the bat, the project’s referred to as “counterfeit.” That immediately puts the word “illegal” into our minds, doesn’t it? If Stephanie, the manager, instead used another, perhaps creative, word, like “inspired”, it would be widely more friendly to bag lovers and legal aficionados.
2. Participants are allowed to use, and the owner has already used, exact logos copyrighted by the big companies. That is illegal, right? I would love this idea, and it could be a beautiful project that I might even participate in in some way (perhaps by buying?)—if only the crocheters copied styles, and never a logo. I think this is wrong.
3. It’s made pretty clear that the intention of the whole thing is not to admire the beauty of these designs, and make a legal piece of them available to more people—especially people who love knit things, etc. (as I do!). No—here is the subtitle on their website: “debasing designer handbags one step at a time…” Debase’s definition (from Answers.com) being:
   

   de·base (dĭ-bās’) pronunciation
   tr.v., -based, -bas·ing, -bas·es.

   To lower in character, quality, or value; degrade. See synonyms at adulterate, corrupt, degrade.

Well, now I don’t like this at all. What do you think? Would do you think the design companies would/should do?

*Via* Crochet & Other Stuff

Popularity: 12% [?]

Click to view larger

Yes, on the left is a Coach bag, sort of. It doesn’t look like any Coach bag I’ve seen (hideous straps), but the tote will still be much desired, for only 100 were made for sale. Artist Kiki Smith collaborated with Coach’s head, Reed Krakoff, to create this bird, flower, butterfly and star sketched piece of art. I wouldn’t carry it—I say this is for serious collectors to display (and oh yeah, the eBay hawkers). The “unprimed” artist canvas (wow, that’s serious stuff) and snakeskin-trimmed (looks like skin-doodles to me) totes are being sold at Smith’s exhibit at the Whitney Museum of American Art for $1,300. The exhibit started Sunday and runs through February 11th 2007, but the bags are sure to sell fast, so get your little bag lady self to NYC, stat!

And remember, keep a watch on eBay for the Kiki tote as well, for raised prices of course.

Via The Runway Scoop, source: Fashion Week Daily.

*Update* There was some confusion when I wrote this, it’s all clear now.

Popularity: 7% [?]

The latest issue of domino magazine (one of my favorites!) features Jessie Randall, who along with her husband, Brian Murphy, formed Loeffler Randall, a shoe-and-bag label. This Leather Satchel, also known as the “Hattie” bag, after Randall’s grandmother’s nickname, was mentioned in the article and it caught my eye. The version in the magazine was a gorgeous deep blue, but of course, I couldn’t find that color being sold anywhere!

It is being sold though at Bergdorf Goodman’s web site in black or tan (which looks quite orange to me) and sells for $655. The pleated body, framed top and looped double handles certainly give this bag lots of personality and character—perfect for the girl who likes bags with individuality.

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I love looking at sites like Shopbop.com because I always find bags there that you don’t see at a ton of other sites, especially when it’s a Shopbop exclusive such as the Crete Bag by Emily by Emily. As an added plus, this bag is on sale for $236, down from its original $472.

This is a really beautiful-looking suede bag that comes in three lovely colors perfect for fall (Solid Sand, Solid Charcoal and Solid Oak)—love the Solid Charcoal! It measures 18″ l x 12″ h, so it’s a big bag, good for when you need to carry a lot. The braided handle is also a nice detail.

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It’s a rainy, muggy, gray day here in the midwest and I need a pick-me-up, something to brighten my day. Hmmm, maybe a new purse!? Well, I don’t know if I’ll buy anything, but I am having fun looking at Susannah Hunter’s bags which are featured in the “Fashion Incubator” on Saks.com, which is spotlighting emerging designers.

Hunter’s handbags are designed with gorgeous floral appliqués, which are very tastefully done, and made from beautiful-colored leathers. Each piece is an individual handmade work of art, meaning the floral designs will vary slightly from bag to bag, which makes each piece more collectible.

I absolutely love the Rose Coin Purse (5″ l x 4.5″ h x 1″ d)—it’s simple and sweet and will never go out of style. Prices range from $255 for the Rose Coin Purse to $2,275 for the Daisy Garden Travel Bag.

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I’ve never visited Hawaii, but I know a few people who have and I really should have had them buy me one of these pretty Meleana Bags. Luckily for me and you, these bags, which are designed by Meleana, a native of Hawaii, are conveniently available from her web site at very reasonable prices ($135–$145).

The bags, which are available in several different styles, are all created from vintage fabrics that Meleana finds through her travels and in her family’s collections. All of the fabrics, of which there are many, are full of color, bright and beautiful—perfect for this time of year. Plus, they just have a really pretty feel to them, which is only accented with the tortoise and bamboo handles Meleana uses.

Also, according to the web site, your bag will be custom made—choose your desired style and then choose your favorite fabric! Plus, as another bonus, all of Meleana’s bags are either one-of-a-kind or made in limited quantities, so you definitely won’t see your bag coming and going!

Popularity: 4% [?]