Madonna's High-Fashion Fundraiser

by Sarah Hall

When one thinks "impoverished nation," pop stars and designer handbags aren't generally the first things to come to mind.

Leave it to Madonna to change all that.

The Material Mom is partnering with Gucci to host a fundraiser to benefit UNICEF and her Raising Malawi foundation, which she created in 2006 to aid the southern African nation's 1 million orphans. Madonna aims to raise in the neighborhood of $2 million at the Feb. 6 event, which will feature a dinner, musical performance and a party to mark the opening of the luxury goods purveyor's new Fifth Avenue outpost.

"I am grateful that Gucci is joining forces with me to bring attention to a country with millions of children in desperate need of our help," Madonna said in a statement. "Raising Malawi has already done tremendous work in helping these children. But we have much more to do, and this event will surely bring us closer to our goal."

Madonna will be joined at the event by a panel of celebrity cohosts, including Adrien Brody, Arpad Busson, Salma Hayek and Francois-Henri Pinault, Téa Leoni, Lucy Liu, Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher and Gwyneth Paltrow. The pop star and her husband, Guy Ritchie, have been in the process of adopting two-year-old David Banda from Malawi since taking him out of an orphanage in October 2006.

In September, the Ritchies were visited by a Malawian social worker, whose role was to observe the boy in his familial setting and evaluate how he has been fitting into his new home. Madonna has repeatedly denied accusations that she used her celebrity to skirt red tape during the adoption process. In September, the singer's spokeswoman said the adoption was "proceeding as outlined almost a year ago." Assuming all goes according to plan, David's adoption is expected to be finalized sometime in February 2008

Louis Vuitton Handbags: Very Popular Designer Handbags

by brandsofhandbag

As the name implies Louis Vuitton originated in Paris. The name is known for luxurious products including handbags and luggage. The handbags are artistic statements in and of themselves and are made of high quality leather.

Louis Vuitton invented an air tight piece of luggage in the 1800’s. In the 1850’s, Mr. Vuitton started designing unusual handcrafted items and then opened his first design house. In the 1860’s Louis was honored at the Worlds fair for his designs and high quality craftsmanship. His first handbag was introduced in the late 1800’s. The company grew into a leather empire.

The company is very prestigious and is known for its high quality well made handbags and luggage. The company has a monogrammed canvas design on all of its products.

The company can boast of the famous models and actresses they have used over the years to promote their products. Names such as Uma Thurman, Jennifer Lopez, Kate Moss and Scarlett Johansson.

In 1896, Louis’s son Georges took over the company and it has become a multi million dollar company that is world reknown. It is the brand that is most counterfeited as the products are very desirable across the country and the world.

The first handbag was made out of canvas and it was designed to be durable and long lasting. In the 1900’s a small bag known as the steamer bag, named after trains which were the primary source of transportation back then. The handbag was designed to compliment the luggage.

In the 1900’s the Louis Vuitton bag was known for it’s classic lines and style. Darker, richer leathers were used to make a simple, elegant statement.

The products can be found in specialty shops, larger department stores and on line. The company has very strict counterfeiting rules and has struggled to maintain control of its product line and to fend off counterfeiters. The company has sued Ebay and Google for trademark violations.

Several designers came on board with the company to assist in the design of a limited edition line of handbags in over 30 different colors. The cherry blossom pattern originated in 2004 and is still very popular today.

The Louis Vuitton Epi line features small, compact, durable purses that are easy to maintain and they look chic and luxurious! The line has an extra long wrist strap that makes it very easy to carry and keep track of. It has a zip closure and is elegantly lined.

Another stunning limited edition handbag is the Vuitton Aumoniere. It is made of silk and satin and is the perfect evening purse for any gala or formal event. The handle is made of snakeskin and the purse is lined with lamb skin.

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Pretty, practical, timeless: 100 years of handbags

By From Staff Reports - The State News

Dangle, clutch or shoulder them, purses have long been the female’s accessory of choice.

“The Purse and The Person: A Century of Women’s Purses,” an exhibit at the State Museum, celebrates 100 years of it bags from the Edwardian Era through the 1990s.

The collection isn’t just for looks, according to curator Elaine Nichols.

“By examining purses collected and used by women, we get a glimpse into the lives, personality and concerns of women over the past 100 years,” said Nichols.

Grab your bag and your friends, and see some beautiful history before the exhibit ends Dec. 30.

The State Museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday; 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults; $4 for seniors and military; and $3 for children ages 3 to 12.

Photo - State Museum Courtesy of Smith Kramer Traveling Exhibits.

Ladies in the 1950s worked to pull it all together for a poised and polished look - purse and all.

Mark your calendar for Purse Day

WHAT:
Fun and informative sessions, including “Make Your Own Purse,” “Protect Yourself from Identity Theft” and “Develop Your Creative Designs Into A Small Business.”

WHEN:

10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday Nov. 10

WHERE:
State Museum, 301 Gervais St. COST: $30 for “Make Your Own Purse” session RESERVATIONS: (803) 898-4952 or http://www.southcarolinastatemuseum.org/

eFashionHouse.com supports the South Carolina State Museum Purse Event and hopes it has a great response! Purse collecting is good for the soul!

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Purses? We don’t need no stinking purses.

Posted by onthecurb under trappings

Enter Father Blog Reader. Pull the curtain. I have a confession to make. And, please, keep your robe closed at all times.

I do not carry a purse. I know, rattles the brain, doesn’t it? I am lacking in some basic ‘girls who wear pink’ gene. (I don’t own a single article of clothing in the color baby pink, so I equate purses with pink)

I remember owning a small basket-weave type purse when I was a wee lassie. But, I only used it for toting around rocks, crayons, and spare change. My mom had a slew of enormous 70s purses each with that special Mom-purse smell. You know it…a combination of dirty change and chewing gum. Sifting through her purse treasures could kill away an entire afternoon.

So, where did I inherit my disdain for the functional feminine accessory? Not from dear ole Mom, obviously.

All of those years of “Be Cool…Stay in School” and working in labs allowed me to bypass the purse route for the much hipper backpack. And, I could pack a backpack. Mostly pens and mechanical pencils…I have a disorder wherein I collect these items and prefer to have one at arm’s reach wherever I am in the house and/or car…if my eyes are ever poked out by a band of eyeball lovin’ woodpeckers, I’ll always have the steady reassurance of knowing where a pen is.

Now, with Gab and the upcoming twins, I have the diaper bag excuse. I have been much less selfish with the diaper bag space only allowing myself a pen or two. Lordy knows the unpredictable youth require multiples of every baby item known to mankind to ward off or stop tantrums mid-stream. Or, when all else fails, even surrender the entire diaper bag to Lord Voldemort in the back seat, “Here, here, here, just take the whole dang thing. Knock yourself out.” And, you know what she’ll eventually unearth amid the sea of squeaky, squishy, jingly, jangly toys…she achieves her personal zen state with my pens. Like mother like daughter.

Backpacks, diaper bags. Those are great if I’m walking around a college campus or have the token baby on my person. I guess I could even carry both around at the same time while alone in a convenience store if I wanted to appear deranged. (which is not a far cry for me these days…if one more person tells me how SKINNY I used to be and how different I look now, we’re talking spontaneous human combustion) But, I’m not going for crazy. I like to give off a slight air of sanity.

Which brings me to last Wednesday’s OB appointment where I was subjected to a rousing game of musical waiting/patient rooms. Each time a nurse popped her head in the door, “dee, follow me, please,” I looked at my pile of:

8 quarters for parking, book, *iPod, keys, pad of paper, pen (see, I told you, it’s a sickness), chapstickand thought, “Geez, I need a purse.”

*iPod update: Gab had corrupted my pleasure listening device a while back when, without a diaper bag in the car, I surrendered the iPod in an act of desperation for world peace. Through my superior knowledge in electronic gadgetry, I was able to resurrect the dead. Ok, I simply reset it to the factory settings and reloaded my tunes. But, I do hear a handful of rattlesnake tails anytime I turn it on or press a button.

ADDENDUM: Because I have a rusty hamster wheel for a brain these days, I just remembered there are folks around the ‘net posting about environmental issues today. And, here and I went a blogging about purses. Don’t fret. I’ll tie these puppies together (but won’t put them in a bag of rocks to drop off a bridge…ouch).

Ladies, stop filling our landfills with purses! Start shoving your sundries into your pockets. And, men, that includes you and your man-purses, too.

Jokes aside, I do look out for Mother Earth where I can. We recycle plastics, cardboard/paper, aluminum…they’re picked up once a week curbside here in my neighborhood which is very handy. I’ve got a buttload of glass to carry downtown to a recycling center (but, I have to remove the labels first…any tips on an easy way to do that?). I also carry my many, many Wal-Mart (oooh, there’s that nasty word again) plastic bags and egg cartons to the local Publix grocery store to recycle. (there are a few Publix bags and other chains mixed in there, so they’re not all bags from the devil’s lair…I get around like that) What else? I noticed we were going through far too many cases of bottled water, so we filter water in a dandy little pitcher in the fridge. Lastly, I do the freecycle thing when I’m ready to part with any belongings.

So, there…easy on the purses and protect our Big Ole Mama Earth!

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Marc Jacobs Trendy And Unique Designer Handbags

There are a multitude of designers out there. From Gucci to Guess to Kate Spade to Prada. Have you noticed that many of the handbags look alike in style and color? Marc Jacobs stands alone as an independent designer who has developed and promoted trendy handbags that are like none other.

Marc Jacobs has a unique style of casual vintage grunge with sophistication. He is a young designer who prides himself on being unique and bold with his use of colors and designs. He is adored and respected across the board from rock stars to Hollywood starlettes. He has a diverse crowd of followers who are looking for something different that is not mainstream.

Marc Jacobs was born in New York City and studied at the Parsons School of Design. He originally designed hand knit sweaters. While he was still in college, he has won numerous awards including the Perry Ellis Gold Thimble and other prestigious awards. His first collection was ?sketchbook? and he was a partner with Robert Duffy. After working with him for several years, Marc Jacobs went out on his own.

He designs clothing and handbags for both men and women. He introduced his handbag collection in 2000. One of the most popular is the satchel which has a zipper closure with a belt like strap. The strap doubles as a shoulder strap or it can be carried by hand. Typically, the purses are lined in suede. The purses retail for $1,000 however, if you shop on line you make be able to find an authentic Marc Jacobs handbag for around $500-$600.00.

The Hobo handbag is made of soft leather with two front flaps. It has a front pocket with a buckle and a double shoulder strap. Other popular handbags include the lambskin quilted Stam bag, Ursula Bowler, Luxury Leather Marisa and Ventia Bronze.

The Spring line of Marc Jacobs handbags include a white calf leather and is named Karolina White. The Elise is quilted with a vintage look. The leather straps are rolled and it has a roomy interior. Also a pocket for a cell phone and many small functional compartments which makes this handbag very practical.

Womens Daily magazine named him the ?Guru of Grunge?. The line includes bright colors, many layers, stripes and large prints. Marc Jacobs is known for going against the grain and he is not afraid to take chances and risks. In 2002, Marc Jacobs designed a yoga bag to benefit Cancer research. He is also working on an accessory line to compliment his handbags. His style has been desribed as edgey and he is described as an enlightened designer who is forward thinking. If you are looking for a unique handbag pay attention to the Marc Jacobs line and see what is next on the horizon. You will most likely be pleasantly surprised.

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Fab Bag of the Day - Pietro Alessandro Pewter Satchel

We love the shape of this bag. Seen all over the streets of Manhattan, today's featured designer handbag from PIETRO ALESSANDRO features the handbag style that has taken NYC by storm. And we can see why, this unique satchel is both comfortable and goes with everything.

Item Description: PIETRO ALESSANDRO designer purses pewter metallic leather satchel. New this season. All leather construction. High end designer details throughout the construction. Secure top closure. Fully lined. Extra pockets. Guaranteed authentic. Comes with sleeper bag. Measures about 18 x 17 x 3 with a 28 inch strap.

Click here to shop PIETRO ALESSANDRO designer handbags now!

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'It' bags all about exclusivity

Sep 01, 2007

Rita Zekas, Living reporter

With apologies to the late James Brown, Papa doesn't have a brand new bag. It's Mama – and if she's Beyoncé, it is worth $52,500.

Fourteen Louis Vuitton bags were cut up and cobbled together by hand for this bag, the Tribute Patchwork. To ensure that you will be the only kid on the block carrying this summer's ultimate "It" bag, there are only five for sale in North America and 24 worldwide. None is available in Toronto and representatives from Vuitton were unavailable for comment.

Beyoncé has scored one, as has one woman in Washington, presumably not Laura Bush.

In December, Chanel is reportedly launching an "It" bag made of white alligator skin and diamonds. Only 13 will be available worldwide and they go for $260,150.

Why are bags costing as much as luxury cars or a down payment on a house? Even Coach, whose bags average $300, introduced a collection of limited-edition $10,000 crocodile bags. Neiman Marcus is celebrating its centennial with exclusive online offers like the Prada $8,990 croc clutch – making it a good time to be in the accessories biz but a bad time to be a crocodile.

The trend is all about exclusivity. If everyone has the standard-issue Vuitton priced at a mere several thousand bucks, then what's in it for the high rollers or the real cool kids?

"I sat in on a panel last year about luxury brands and what it means to the high luxe client," says Christina McDowell, image consultant and national spokesperson for Holt Renfrew, which stocks all the must-have brands from Bottega Veneta to YSL. "Is the client bothered by how everyone can access that brand? That's why that client demands more embellishment and variety."

Blame the knock-offs, says John Maloney, executive vice-president of design at Design News, an accessories wholesaler based in Dallas.

"The average retail price point for a designer bag at Neiman Marcus, Saks, Bergdorfs and Holt Renfrew is $1,000," Maloney says. "The new buzz is exclusivity. The major design houses have to come up with ultra novelty fabrications, special treatments and sewing techniques to try and make their product less easy to spot on the cart in Chinatown. How demoralizing is it to see your assistant carrying a great knock-off of the bag you paid a house payment for?"

These "It" bags are carried by celebs and have become celebs themselves with their own names: the Hermès Kelly; the Fendi Spy bag; the Dior saddle bag; the Chloe Paddington bag. There is even more cachet if the bag has its own waiting list, à la the Hermès Birkin, costing anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 (U.S.)

There is no "It" bag this season, according to Rebecca Stern, former head of global merchandising at Gucci and currently a freelance fashion consultant based in Italy.

"Now it is multiple `It' bags," Stern says. "The crazy pricing is to create a difference between the wannabes who are now wearing Gucci, Prada and Marc Jacobs, and the true VIPs who can afford the Birkin or more expensive status symbols. Gucci, Prada, etc., are now `mass' market."

The high euro drives up prices of luxury goods – where a few years ago, the must-have bag was $500, they now go for well over $1,000. Prices have gone wild – from $895 for a Marc Jacobs shirt to $3,900 dressing gowns at Tom Ford's new bespoke store in Manhattan.

Ford says he wanted to create a place "where Cary Grant would shop if he were alive today." (In fact, Grant was outrageously cheap, according to photographer Maureen Donaldson, his live-in during the '70s. Donaldson contends that Grant used to buy dented cans of food and stockpile them.)

Inflated prices just play into the snob appeal: luxury sales worldwide topped $150 billion (U.S.) last year, of which 30 per cent came from the United States, according to statistics from Telsey Advisory Group. StatsCan doesn't track luxury goods.

And there is gilt by association.

Anya Hindmarch's environmentally correct canvas "I'm Not a Plastic Bag," priced at $15, caused a feeding frenzy from Asia to Manhattan and then was sold on eBay for hundreds of dollars. You can bet nobody is carrying green onions in them.

But there will be no bag-lash. Women will always be bag hags because purses are so forgiving – you don't have to be 20 years old or weigh 20 pounds to be able to carry one off.

One woman collected designer bags because she said she was too big to fit into designer clothes. She dropped the weight and she still collects bags, but they got smaller.

"Women no longer buy two and a half bags a year," explains Ellen Goldstein, chair of the accessories design department at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology. "Now they buy from four to 12. Women look at bags as luxury items which are integral parts of their wardrobe, something that is part of their personality and image."

"Why do women spend what they do on bags? Men don't quite get it," McDowell asks. "It's immediate gratification, relatively affordable, a status symbol and an investment piece. And it can make your outfit. You put on a plain T-shirt, black pants, then throw on a fabulous bag and shoe and you're pretty cool."

The designer bag demographic ranges "from the little tweens all the way up," says Goldstein. "Young girls convince their moms they need the Coach bag, the Prada, the Gucci – any of the brands. They know brands."

They'd been watching The O.C. to see what bag Mischa Barton would be sporting each week.
The Holt bag customer crosses the boundaries of age, culture and style sense, says McDowell – "from students who use their summer job money to buy a Gucci or Coach bag to trendy hipsters and their Marc Jacobs and YSL Downtown bags ($1,595) to the more traditional Burberry."

Bag blogs like The Bag Lady, Pursed Lips, bagsnob, ValueBags have sprung up on the Internet faster than pop tartlets with DUIs.

With their hefty price tags, designer bags are touted as investment pieces and do help save landfill space.

"The winner is the Hermès bag," says Maloney. "It is handmade and not trendy. Pass it down to your daughter – she'll pass it down to hers because it's always chic. Have you seen anyone carrying around a Fendi baguette lately?"

You can purchase authentic discount designer handbags at eFashionHouse.com.

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