Forget Diamonds, Handbags are a Girl's Best Friend

By: Emily Cheetham

DesignersLA.com: Choose Handbags from wide Range - eFashionHouse.com

The value of your handbag, as every self-respecting girl knows, is more than just monetary. They hold our lives within their buttery soft, leathery confines. They're our trusted companions and by no means least, style statements; the little bit of magic that transforms an outfit from ok to wayhey! And, let's face it, since we've all got 'stuff' to transport; beauty potions, organizer gizmo's and baby wipes we couldn't live without, we deserve to do it in style.

Fashion waits for no woman and collections for spring/summer 2009 are already tottering along catwalks in London, Paris and New York. But with credit crunching the way it is, diamonds are off of most people's shopping lists. In 2009, we can look to the not-so-humble handbag to bring us a refreshing burst of glamour that will keep us looking (and feeling) like we're living the life, even if we're not. With a price tag to suit.

Cheet's 'Monroe' collection epitomizes heyday glamour and opulence. Each bag is named after film characters played by inimitable style icon, Marilyn; a woman who's appeal continues unabated nearly 50 years after her mysterious death. Cheet's up and coming designer, Emily Cheetham, wanted to pay homage to a star who remains a source of constant enchantment to her and thousands of others.

Lift your spirits with some Hollywood magic With Monroe's hold on the collective imagination as strong as ever, the style she came to represent is the perfect antidote to the doom and gloom of the financial markets if ever there was one. Hell, even during her well documented bleak periods, she was always glowing, immaculately turned out and cheerful. We could all do with a bit of that spirit right now.

Winner of the London Fashion Forum's accessories designer of the year award in 2006, Emily chose a season of discreet luxury to remember a woman who favoured understatement and embodied femininity. Handbags, totes and clutches in supple leathers and a sophisticated palette, all finished with the distinctive details with which Cheet has become associated. Versatile yet distinctive, 2009 blends modern metropolitan living and casual, timeless pieces, with worldwide and lasting appeal.

"Creating textural interest was my focus" says Emily. "The beauty lies in offsetting simple shapes with intricate details and supple, luxurious 'naked' goat and calf leather. And the muted palette of mushroom, graffiti, putty and iris works perfectly with the woven jute fabric in glitzy silver and gold."

Spring/Summer 2009 collection highlights include Sugar Frame (inspired by Sugar Kane in 'Some Like It Hot') is a neat, frame bag with stunning piped and plaited fitting on the front flap which is available in graffiti, cement, iris, and mushroom. The Nell Shoulder/clutch (inspired by Nell Forbes in 'Don't Bother to Knock') echoes the style of the Sugar bag. Its removable strap transforms it into a long or short versatile shoulder bag; available in graffiti, cement, iris, mushroom. Finally, the Rose Slouchy Bag (inspired by Rose Loomis in 'Niagra') is a wonderfully soft leather slouchy flap bag with plaited leather details and macramé handles, in graffiti, cement, iris or mushroom.

Discover your softer side The best part is that even when you're feeling the pinch you can treat yourself to a spot of Cheet luxury. So, if you want my advice, and you might not, ditch the diamonds and look forward to getting to know your softer side again. Tactile and built for life, there's a 'Monroe' for us all. Experience an enduring love affair between woman and bag that makes us feel great, look stunning and transport life's essentials; phone numbers, tissues and make-up, and, if only for a while, forget those dreary crunch-time blues.

Source Taken: goarticles.com