As always, the Oscars last night were all about glamour.  Echoed in the gowns and the bags, Oscar fashion was at its best… and the bags were a big part!

My favorite handbag choice of the night had to be Taraji P. Henson’s Mary Norton Roseanna clutch.  The style and shine of the bag made it perfectly elegant for the occasion and a fitting complement to her stunning Fred Leighton necklace.  The deep red of the bag really popped against the ivory of her Roberto Cavalli gown, and the addition of a bold color really reflected a fun and outgoing personality.  Great choice all around for the Best Supporting Actress Nominee!

Henson wasn’t the only star who chose a red clutch for the evening.  Amy Adams paired her beautiful red Carolina Herrera gown with a simple VBH clutch in the same red tone.  Amy is quickly becoming a favorite on the red carpet, and I applaud her choice of an understated style with her bag to not compete with her dress or her bold Fred Leighton necklace.

Heidi Klum followed suit by pairing a red clutch of the same shade with her origami-inspired Roland Mouret gown.  She chose a red dress again this year as her Oscar fashion in support of awareness of women’s heart health, and I think only Heidi could have pulled off this asymmetrical gown with such ease.

But all the clutches didn’t match the red carpet.  Gold was also a favorite of many of the stars, no matter what color gown they had chosen.  Anne Hathaway paired a gold Roger Vivier clutch (with his signature buckle) with her creamy paillette-covered Armani Prive gown.  I love how the slim shape of her bag reflected the slim silhouette of her gown.

Another celebrity who chose to pair a gold clutch with a cream-colored dress was Miley Cyrus, who (like Taraji P. Henson) chose a Mary Norton Roseanna clutch to complement her dramatic tiered Zuhair Murad gown.

Jennifer Aniston also chose a similar color palette, choosing a gold clutch to go with her slim Valentino Couture gown.  Aniston’s less structured clutch reflected her usual style of being a bit more casual and laid back on the red carpet than most.

Not all the gold clutches were paired with light-colored gowns though.  Alicia Keys chose a gold and silver Zufi Alexander clutch to set off her gorgeous pink Armani Prive gown.  I loved the detail of the gathering on the bodice of her dress, but since the Oscars tend to be dramatic, her choice to add some sparkle with her clutch was a great one.

Amanda Seyfried paired a gold Kotur clutch with her fiery orange-red Valentino Couture gown.  With the detailing on her gown, in this case a large bow, she didn’t need too much detail in the bag area.  Even though this wasn’t one of my favorite looks of the evening, I applaud her as a newcomer for showing some style drama on the red carpet.

And Halle Berry accented the gold detailing on her Marchesa gown with a bright gold Jimmy Choo clutch.  I really like her choice because I really think it helped to accentuate her gown.  I don’t think choosing a black clutch would have had the same effect.

And, of course, classic black clutches were a staple as they always are on the red carpet.  Angelina Jolie matched her black Lana Marks Cleopatra clutch to her Elie Saab gown.  Though I usually enjoy when Angelina wears a color since she’s so known for being in black, this time I really loved how her black gown and clutch were a perfect backdrop to her dramatic emerald Lorraine Schwartz earrings and ring.

Diane Lane took a page out of the same Oscar fashion book, pairing her black Lauren Merkin clutch with a black Dolce & Gabbana gown.  Though Diane has also worn some fabulous colors in the past, her understated choice kept the focus more on her Best Supporting Actor Nominee husband, Josh Brolin, making it perfect for this year’s show.

Jessica Biel also chose a black clutch (by Prada), but she took a different route, pairing it with her draped off-white Prada gown.  Though I wasn’t the biggest fan of the gown (looked like a bit too much material all around for her beautiful figure), since it had such a grand detail, she made a great choice going simple with the clutch.

And, of course, it wouldn’t be a red carpet without some bags from Judith Leiber!  Penelope Cruz carried a gold clutch (yes, another gold clutch) by the handbag giant that added a pop of color and sparkle to her Balmain Couture gown with ornate lace detailing.  I think her bag choice made the ensemble a bit for modern, as her gown was vintage.

Freida Pinto, of the night’s big winner, Slumdog Millionaire, paired a sparkling silver Judith Leiber clutch with her very detailed John Galliano gown in a bold blue.  A great choice in my opinion, as the silver picked up the detailing in the dress, and they complemented each other very nicely.

Not one to fade into the crowd, Viola Davis choose another silver Judith Leiber to contrast with her striking gold Reem Akra gown.  With her jewelry in silver, the clutch fit right into her ensemble.

What was your favorite Oscar fashion on the red carpet?  What bag-gown pairings did you love?  Were there any where you think the star got it wrong?

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angel on March 6th, 2009

We don’t talk a lot about Coach handbags on this blog, and maybe that’s an oversight on our part. What better way to start correcting it, then, than by talking about the line of bags named after yours truly (ok, well, they’re not necessarily named after me. But I came first. So there.)? The Amanda Satin Mini Satchel is, by my standards at least, kinda cute. There are disadvantages to using a material like satin (snagging!), but the advantage that Coach has realized is that it takes vivid color much better than almost any kind of leather. You get a sheen and brightness with satin that you don’t usually find in a handbag, and in small doses (this satchel is “mini,” after all) it can be a beautiful addition to an ensemble. I wouldn’t suggest buying a massive satin handbag, but something petite and bright could potentially be a lot of fun, methinks. Particularly at such a friendly price point.

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angel on March 6th, 2009

I’ve been on the look recently for a very tiny pouch or wristlet to use as a clutch. I want something small enough to fit easily in my hand that will hold only the very essentials - house key, car key, ID, cash, phone. But the phone is where I’m hitting an impasse, because I have an enormous Blackberry with an even more enormous clear plastic shell to keep it safe (gotta brag for a minute - it’s one of the new click-screen ones! I love it!). As such, the thing is approximately the size of a small computer, and even if I can find a wristlet into which it fits, nothing else will fit alongside it. So I’ve decided to get a bit creative in my current search, and this morning came across something that could potentially work very well - the Louis Vuitton Monogram Vernis Cosmetic Pouch MM. I realize that it’s meant to hold lipsticks and whatnot inside of a larger bag, but since it doesn’t have cosmetic pouch emblazoned on it anywhere, I doubt anyone would know the difference. Besides, I’m all for repurposing things (kinda of like the tv stand holding the microwave in my kitchen. Ahem). At any rate, it looks like it’s just small enough to fit in my hand while being just big enough to contain my giant brick of a phone, and it zips all the way across the top, lest I drop it or hit anyone in the head with it. Perfect! On top of all that, amarante is my favorite color of LV vernis ever and would go really well with all the black I tend to wear. Now if only LV ever went on sale.

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angel on March 6th, 2009

 
For every brand there are a few signature bags that everyone seemingly knows and loves. For some reason my brain is not working great right now so my example is beyond obvious: What bag to you associate with Hermes? For all the wise-guys who didn’t say Birkin, you should be ashamed of yourselves for not taking my game seriously  When it comes to Louis Vuitton there are a few signature bags that stick out in my head. The Speedy is one for sure, but so is the Alma. There are some beautiful Alma’s that can not go unnoticed right now.

The Louis Vuitton Damier Alma is an alluring shape with the chic Damier print and is accented with smooth ebony leather trim. This bag is the perfect size for work or fun measuring 12? L x 9? H x 7? W. The Alma opens wide with a double zip top closure to show off terracotta canvas lining and a cell-phone and patch pocket. 

But if you are looking for no print or pattern and only simply divine leather, give your attention to the Louis Vuitton Epi Leather Alma. Available in myrtille or black/silver this Alma shows off gorgeous textured Epi leather and is accented with smooth leather trim. While the myrtille is gorgeous, the black/silver makes me go ga-ga. There is a full double zipper closure with a padlock which opens to alcantara lining along with a small inside pocket and cell phone pocket. This Alma also measures 12? L x 9? H x 7? W, and looks like the perfect work bag to me.

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angel on March 6th, 2009
Louis Vuitton Epi Alma

Louis Vuitton Epi Alma

I have never denied or hidden the fact that I am a huge fan of Louis Vuitton. While the monogram line does not always tickle my fancy, I find Louis Vuitton to be one of the longstanding luxury brands left designing bags. Not every bag is a homerun, but there are plenty of great options every season. But if you do not want the glitz and glam, opt for the Louis Vuitton Epi Line. I have brought up the Epi line often, speaking of its ease of cleaning, lack of logos, and overall likability. The Alma comes in a classic shape, is light-weight, and available in an array of colors from the Epi line. Cassis, Ivoire, Black, Red, and Grenade are the colors available in the Louis Vuitton Epi Alma, the textured hand-held carryall which is a staple of the house. The bag is named after the Place de l’Alma, the grand Paris square at the end of Avenue Montaigne. The Alma features textured leather and is trimmed with smooth leather. The inside is lined with Alcantara lining (which is precisely what Vlad goes gaga over in his favorite luxury cars).

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angel on February 10th, 2009

The most recognized shape from Louis Vuitton is their Speedy, a very iconic bag to the brand. And following the Speedy in popularity is the classic Louis Vuitton Alma. The Alma is one of my favorite bags from Louis Vuitton. The shape is as distinctive as they come in the handbag world. It is a true handheld bag which is perfect for the working woman or the trendy gal. Per usual, the Alma has been recreated in every rendition possible, from tacky to stunning. While the Vernis line has not been a line from LV that I covet, it is a coveted line.
Just in for spring is a wide variety of eye-catching Louis Vuitton Vernis Alma colors, including Blue Galactic, Orange Sunset, Green Tonic, Violette, Pomme d Amour, and Amarante. The names of the colors are completely intriguing. In fact, they describe these bold colors beautifully. The Vernis is known for its liquid-like appearance, the embossed patent leather. There is shiny golden brass hardware to accent the bag along with a removable leather key bell and padlock keys. The Alma closes with double zips at the top. The interior is usable and the Alma keeps its shape beautifully, which makes it a great structured handbag choice. Dimensions are 15.2?x 11.2?x 7.3?. Of course there are other Alma options if the Vernis does not float your boat (as it does not for me).

angel on February 10th, 2009

When you are into designer bags, there are a lot of top brands to choose from. However, Hermes Birkin handbags are among the top selling designer handbags. The Kelly from the same brand is also famous, which makes Hermes one of the most coveted brands in the fashion market. The Birkin bags of Hermes are termed after a popular British singer and actress, Jane Birkin. The concept of a Birkin handbag started in the year 1981, when Jane Birkin dropped her bag and spilled all of its contents. This incident has happened while traveling on the plane.

A big name from Hermes, who has seen the incident, offered to produce a handbag that is named after Jane Birkin. The celebrity is happy to sketch her ideal bag design. This is ultimately the birth of Hermes Birkin handbags. Although the whole concept of the Birkin is taken after the actress, it is interesting to note that she has been charged for the brand-new line of bags. You can also be like this celebrity and obtain your own line of Birkin bags. The only problem is that you are not working just to spend all of your salary on a handbag. It might seem like a tempting idea, but you are responsible enough to know your priorities.

There are a lot of women who love to buy designer handbags. However, not all of these women are capable of buying a bag that is worth thousands. Because of this fact, there are a lot of retailers offering replicas of the real thing. If you are crazy over the bags from Hermes but your budget is limited, you can opt for replica Hermes bags. Replica bags are completely different from fake designer bags. Fake bags are imitations of how expensive handbags look like. However, these bogus handbags will never be able to imitate the good quality that authentic designer bags come with.

If fake bags are poor imitations of the real thing, replicas are the opposite. Replica Hermes bags are not bogus copies of genuine handbags from the designer. On the contrary, these are modified bags for customers that cannot buy expensive designer handbags. When you have desired to own one of the classic designs of Hermes Birkin handbags, opt for its replica. There are a lot of retailers that sell replicas. But if you want to make sure of the bag that you are going to buy, check out the offers from online handbag retailers. One of these sellers is angelsoffer.

angelsoffer is an online site that sells custom-made replicas of Hermes Birkin handbags and other bags from popular designers. You have no reason to worry about the quality of the handbags that are sold at the site. This is because angelsoffer sells wallets, purses, and bags that are made from good-quality leather materials. These leather varieties include box calf, togo, snake skin, ostrich skin, lizard skin, and crocodile skin. If you want a specific design for your designer handbag, you can send your specifications to the site.

The color of replica Hermes bags can also be modified. Not only are you entitled to choose from different leather materials, you can also take a pick from several colors. Examples of these colors are pink, red, white, brown, black, and orange. Aside from handbags, you can also shop for purses and wallets at angelsoffer.

angelsoffer is a best provider for the various ladies handbags. Varities of brands like lv bags, gucci bags, hermes bags, birkin bags, coach bags, Balenciaga handbag, etc.

angel on February 10th, 2009

The Speedy is undoubtedly the quintessential Louis Vuitton bag. I doubt that many LV lovers never owned one to begin their obsession with the fine brand. One downside of it to many is that is lacks structure. No matter how much you load in the Speedy, it sags to the ground, unwilling to hold its fine form. To friends of the Speedy, there is now a slightly flashier sibling called the Louis Vuitton Damier Berkeley. Its name is derived from a chic London neighborhood, the Berkeley Square. The materials are common to other Damier canvas bags, smooth leather trim, a red micro suede lining and a golden “Louis Vuitton Inventeur” plaque on the front complete the picture. Its handles are adjustable in length, two side outside pockets offer additional storage room for cellphone or keys. With 12.4? in width, it is only .4 inches wider than the Speedy and .7 inches taller. Granted, at $1,420 it is twice as expensive as the Damier Speedy, I still think that this bag will capture a large following among LV enthusiasts. Available in Damier or Damier Azure.

angel on December 14th, 2008

Is it just me or is Hayden Panettiere starting to send off a young Katherine Heigl vibe? She’s totally gorgeous, has a great figure, and always dresses cute but in a relaxed, every woman hence (hence the flip flops and shopping tote). Her latest handbag fine is this pretty fetching bisque-hued Coach Patent Sabrina Purse. It’s a beautiful bag, one that’s trendy (thanks to its patent finish) yet still tasteful and polished, which is appropriate for a rising star of Hayden’s age. Good pick, girl!

Photo from UsMagazine.com.

The Coach Sabrina handbag available at Coach for $700

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angel on December 14th, 2008

There’s nothing like looking at a dolled-up Claudia Schiffer to make you scoff at today’s batch of not-so-super-models. Thankfully, our favorite German (sorry, Heidi) has been venturing into the modeling waters again. But enough about Claudia’s career - let’s talk about her adorable white Louis Vuitton Monogram Vernis Clutch. I like the unexpected color choice, which pops against her dark flowing gown. Want to get in on the action? Try this similar Monogram Vernis Rodeo Drive Clutch……

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