Most of you have heard the crazy frenzy involving Anya Hindmarch’s “I’m Not a Plastic Bag”, which is indeed made of cotton. The 5 pound bag (currency, not weight) sold out in the UK within one hour of being released. Then resellers reaped hundreds of dollars of profit via eBay.

Now a U.S. version is coming stateside (pictured). And the wait-listing is set to begin.

So why do I make the bold claim that Anya is an eco-poser? The bags are limited edition, with a 2 tote-per-customer limit. But to use these at groceries, one would need oh say five. When they sold out, what happened? Well, they didn’t immediately continue production, just lived it up from the buzz. When limited edition colours hit stores in outside countries, UK will be stocking more at Sainsburys stores. (So hopefully the correct steps will be set in motion.)

I understand that buzz is very good to make people want to follow this earth-friendly trend, but Hindmarch is 1: just hawking a fashion for fellow faux environmentalists, girls who will do it because it’s trendy, and 2: it’s just plain ironically twisted that these bags can’t serve their intended function, and most people who want one for that function can’t get one. The eBay buyers, by the way, in no way intend their main desire to be to help the Earth. They want a piece of IT, ’cause hey, even at $400 it’s not too-too bad a price to catch a HOT celebrity-toted designer bag. And the ones who sell, are they anti-green and pro the greens (if you know what I mean)? Yes, but who can blame them, when I’m sure 90% of you reading this would sell one if you had two. Continue to read more bag love »

Popularity: 83% [?]

Chloé Debbie bags‘ main feature is a large zipper, much like the Bay, but the actual zipper pull closely resembles that from the Edith (last year’s IT bag). An equally large feature, yet less prominently unique, is its clip flap closure. (That’s also similar to the Edith’s buckle flap closure.) The bags all also boast a contrast-colored stripe on the flaps.

Styles on Neiman Marcus .com consist of (1) a shoulder flap satchel with double front zipper pockets, (2) an east/west shoulder tote sans pockets and (3) a divine looking north south hobo with double front pockets (best of them ALL in cream).

Colors are brown, tan, cream and yellow. Prices from $1,120 to $1,130; not bad.

Shop Chloé Debbies on Neiman Marcus .com.

All photos below:

Popularity: 97% [?]

 A new great style from Marc Jacobs is this Deborah Bag, a shoulder tote with zipper details. Selling now in white, the bag also features a signature push lock (on the zipped attachment closing the large front pocket) and classic square strap buckles, in addition to the double zipper feature toward the top of the bag.

The Deborah measures 15″ x 10″ x 2.5″ and costs $975.

I’m hoping this purse at some point, or in another store, is released in other colours. Yes, white is trendy and attractive, but practical alternatives need to be offered. I like this bag, and it has a little bit of everything Marc (aside from quilting, a chain strap, or anything Stam-y) but I don’t desire it nor see IT in it. Still it’s a very pretty purse, with a great price especially for its size and amount of style. If this is your dream bag, grab her!

Popularity: 39% [?]

I’ve hated the Gaucho by Dior. There wasn’t one aspect to pinpoint, or so I thought, but with the arrival of a new Gaucho style, I suddenly know.

The bag is 1,000 times better with short double handles instead of a long shoulder (or cross body - bleck!) strap.

Unfortunately I’ve only seen this style in a yellow-creme white, but hey that’s in right?

The new Gaucho is sized 18″ x 12″ and through Diabro.net costs roughly $1,277.

Popularity: 29% [?]

I don’t often like Juicy Couture bags enough to think of them as blog-worthy, but this ‘It Girl’ framed satchel is pretty attractive, and Juicy’s signature crown is really working here!

The large-sized bag has a shoulder strap, gathered body, and crown-shaped oversized kiss-lock frame closure. is 14″ w x 8″ h x 6″ diam, comes in white or black leather, with silver-tone hardware and sells for $625.

Now Juicy just needs to shed their ‘Teen Girl’ image, and more fashionistas will drool over nice bags as this!

Popularity: 15% [?]

Zac Posen, a hot and popular ready-to-wear designer with celebrities and in-the-knows, has now put out a line of handbags. The bags are on the simple and sophisticated side and quite well designed.

My favorite is this Aurora bag, a tall satchel with kiss-lock closed straps over its framed closure. In creme at 12″ x 9″ x 6″, it costs $1,400. What a way to make an entrance!

Purchase Posen’s bags at eLUXURY and Neiman Marcus.

Popularity: 16% [?]

Continuing with their style of a very geometric logo print, is the design on Fendi’s Crossword Clutch. In a word: “smart”. With cleverly laid out “tiles” or strips of silver letters on white leather, which spell Fendi in a perfect rectangular “U”, this bag has name appeal and is attractive “to bag”. Complete with a silver metallic handle with “Fs”on each side, appearing similar to their Zucca logo, the clutch is sized 12″ across x 6″ down. This pieced together bag doesn’t have too steep an expense, yet it’s not being given away in a game! It’s $920 at Neiman Marcus.

Popularity: 20% [?]

Chanel offers lots of fantastic and luxe bags each season, but since they’re a classics maker, there isn’t always much too unique to shout about. Still, the bags are fabu, and I vow now to blog more about this brand favored among many. (Including myself, oh my first Chanel, come to me!)

For Spring, there are a lot of bright whites and luxe skins, but what catches my fancy most is something I think is actually a bit new and different. It’s a calfskin flap bag - standard enough, but it’s the logo I love (well, for a different reason from usual). The Chanel inverted Cs continue on from flap to bag body … and of course, because it is Chanel after all, they flow seamlessly and align perfectly. Super swoon!

Wow, I really need my first Chanel soon … or two.

Popularity: 40% [?]

One of the spanking-new Coach silhouettes for 2007 (since the Fall, this has been a big growing time for Coach) is the Andrea Satchel in the Hamptons collection.

It’s medium-sized with a rectangular shape, contrast stitching and totally modern details. Studs, lots of stitching and great side decoration make up the style’s individual look, with tassels on one gusset and a dog-leash clip attaching the top zip closure to the bag (genius idea!).

In brass hardware, also with a brass lozenge hangtag, the Andrea comes in black, white, cognac brown and a dark olive. At 13.25″ l x 8.25″ h x 7″ w, the new favorite from Coach comes in at $598.

Popularity: 34% [?]