It looks like Marc Jacobs took a trip to Vegas when inspired by new Spring 2007 Python Patchwork Stams, and unfortunately what happened in Marc’s imagination there, did not stay in Vegas. No the Python Patchwork Stam is now available for purchase via Saks Fifth Avenue (in blue, the tamest colour).

I should have warned you, this post’s images are not for the faint of heart. The bags themselves are not for the faint of loyal Marc Jacobs heart, either—for this burst of tie-dyed snake skin costs $4,000.

More colours below, if you dare click on what look more like digital art images than photographs of real objects.

Popularity: 65% [?]

Gucci art, is this bag, this “Indy” bag with ethnically-flared floral embroidery on white canvas. It’s a hobo shape with a single, rigid hand strap (plus detachable shoulder strap) sized quite large indeed, at 19″ l x 13″ h.

Also adorned in large leather tassels and trimmed in a gorgeous burgundy, this amazing bag costs $3,695. Pre-orders are being taken now for shipment by April 15th.

Even though this is a brand I often find overpriced for its quality and usually find over-rated, I bow down to this beautiful piece. Their Spring collection is striking and different. I just want more!

Popularity: 23% [?]

I love the look (and feel) of python. I love it for Spring and I love it on a classy satchel. So naturally I love this python frame bag by Prada. (Pitone is Italian for python, natch.)

In tan tonal python with braided handles and a framed top, this piece of high luxury is sized 17″ l x 13″ h and more than squeezes past my budget at $2,620. This fine bag is available for pre-order now through Neiman Marcus, though not in California.

Don’t hiss and moan about the price, you have plenty of time to save up. And Californians, think about moving to Florida now - where python is plentiful and you don’t have to smuggle the goods.

Popularity: 9% [?]

B. Fendis! B. Fendis! These bags were so prevalent in stores and on people’s wish lists this year. One of the bags of 2006, for sure. The style debuted in the year, and one of the very first to come out, and the first to make most magazines, was the B. Fendi Lace & Embroidery Shoulder Bag. It’s still being sold now - plus it’s on sale! $3,633 from $5,190! Sure, the bag is a busy B., and there might be others you prefer (I actually do) but one has to admit, this bag buzzes luxury.

For sure, the B. Fendi line will be huge in 2007, but what’s next for designs? Check back to Pursed Lips soon for the very next style out!

Popularity: 9% [?]

There’s a new Gaucho in town, and it’s more attractive to me. I still wouldn’t fawn over the design, no, only the IT. Sorry, I do that.

The body of the bags looks .. less ugly—being subtler yet letting that Dior-saddle shine. But the leather is actually beautiful; it has embroidered patches made to look like croc skin. Why not the real thing? Why not the real thing, yet it’s $3,590? Bah.

Still, it’s quite ugly when worn, with that loong shoulder strap on the huge bag. Ick.

How’d the original even get tagged IT? (Oh, silly editors!)

Shop this Croc-Embroidered Gaucho on eLUXURY.

Popularity: 7% [?]

So there’s a new collection from Louis Vuitton for Fall. The “Lockit.” In Monogram, it’s classic, nice; sure, but simple. It’s not meant to be a timeless classic like many LV styles.

Yet it’s pricier than say the Alma. Humph. Perhaps they’re cashing in on the popularity of locks, not just by using them on their bags, as they do, or using them more prominently on these designs, which they don’t—but sheerly by name?

Yet when we check out the Suhali Lockit, we see something different. Instant classic. There’s more detail and a hanging key “clochette.” And the leather, oh that is of the highest quality, hand-selected goat skin with no chemical treatment. It’s a natural grain for the best balance between suppleness and durability.

The pictured Louis Vuitton Suhali Lockit GM comes in brown or “Sienne” and is 19″ x 14.3″ x 8″ large and rings loudly at $3,000 even.

Don’t worry, there’s also a Suhali Lockit PM at $2,100 (in black or white) and Monogram Lockits for under $1,000.

Shop Louis Vuitton at eLUXURY.

Popularity: 8% [?]

Leopard print bags are hot for Fall, but personally I don’t like leopard to be that large. Perhaps in a little wristlet, yes that would be nice. And I do always love leopard on fabulous shoes. Overall, though, I’m not the leopard girl I used to be. (Oh, boy, did I love a little leopard touch in the past.)

But this Leopard-Print Satchel by Valentino seems to be the best of the coming crop. The $2,150 pricetag seems to scream that as well.

Neiman Marcus has no note on how large this bag is, but being made of leopard-print hair calf, dark brown buffalo leather, plus that logo closure, this bag is all luxe.

What do I like best? The low ratio of leopard to leather. It’s nice and subtly leopard, while not exactly being a subtle bag overall.

Popularity: 4% [?]

It’s IT Bag Monday!

Big and beautiful is the limited edition anniversary “85th” Gucci hobo bag in the new issue of Allure Magazine. The photo takes up one whole page and looks gorgeous zoomed that large (eShops take note, it sells!). The details inspire awe like Gucci.com can’t. I’d recommend seeing this for yourself.

As nice, expensive, very IT, and probably destined for higher popularity the large hobo is, I prefer the cuter, medium-sized 85th hobo (pictured). Its proportions and shape are more suited to me, but the size is hardly small at 15″ wide, which brings the larger and taller bag to 17″ wide, and the price—hardly lower, too.

They’re both made of a luxe-fabric signature with patchwork—almost plaid—strips of velvet on the sides, trimmed with ostrich skin and subtle Gucci horse-bit hardware.

All that detail, girth, Gucci name and IT factor bring these two huge hobos up to around/over $4.5 thousand!

I oohed, ahhed and swooned over this bag. Boy, I love Gucci. I’m so ready for a season of Gucci IT!

Popularity: 13% [?]

Please, say it isn’t so—the Fall Previews have begun popping up on web sites and as much as I love looking at new handbags, shoes and clothing, I’m just not ready to start thinking of colder months when we’ve barely entered the beginning of summer! Regardless, I took a look at the Fall Preview on Bergdorf Goodman’s web site and the first handbag that caught my interest is the Struzzo Mini Globe Ostrich Bag from Loro Piana. Unfortunately, the size information wasn’t given, so I don’t actually know if this bag is Mini or maybe more Medium.

Granted, I don’t like all the details on this purse, including the extended tab on the front flap pocket and the length of the handles, but the interesting shape of the bag and the slight shimmer of the gray ostrich caught my attention. Of course, at $5,470, I don’t have to worry that I don’t like all the details because I certainly won’t be buying it—but, someone somewhere will be.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Wow, it’s also Fendi day, today!

I have Wisteria Hysteria, for certain. I love the flowers appliquéd to this line of Fendi Spys. And I know many are desperate for these IT bags.

This version is made of plush velvet, and I love the extra contrast stitching on one of the flowers.

The velvet lovely and luxe, but I still prefer the tan leather one from a few months back.

This rendition of the coveted range is available for $2,990 from Saks Fifth Avenue.

Popularity: 6% [?]