Category Archives: Bergdorf Goodman

If you’re going to overspend on a canvas tote, at least make it a Givenchy canvas tote

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If youre going to overspend on a canvas tote, at least make it a Givenchy canvas tote Givenchy Birds of Paradise Tote

I’ve made my feelings on spendy canvas totes known before – they’re not worth it, almost universally. They’re definitely not worth it when they reach into the four figures, even when the tote in question is as pretty as the Givenchy Birds of Paradise Tote. It sure has a pretty print, though, doesn’t it?

Before glancing down to find the price for this bag, I said a brief, silent prayer that it would be somewhere in the $500-$600 range. That’s still more than I really want to pay for this type of design, but it’s still within the range where I could tell myself that maybe if it went on sale or if I suddenly had an extra $600 sitting around, I’d buy it. Over $1100 for a canvas tote, on the other hand, makes me do some combination of head-shaking and eye-rolling that, were you to see it in person, would certainly signify my displeasure.

And still the pattern, reminiscent of a scarf print, has totally drawn me in. The tote even comes with a matching pouch, but sadly that’s not enough to convince me to buy canvas when the same bag in solid leather only costs $160 more. And here I find myself lamenting the same problem – why can’t a fantastically creative company like Givenchy give us printed leather? Buy through Bergdorf Goodman for $1120.

Givenchy makes me think that Pantone was right about tangerine

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As we all know by now, Pantone announced last month that 2012′s Color of the Year would be “Tangerine Tango” – a vibrant, saturated, deep orange that looks almost hot to the touch. With so many blazing bright colors dotting the runways as of late, the declaration seemed like Pantone’s most accurate in a long time. When I clicked over to Bergdorf Goodman today and saw the beautiful, sunny Givenchy Antigona Tote daring me to get out my credit card, I knew in my heart that Pantone was indeed on to something big.

We’ve discussed this topic before, but why can’t stock photos look like this? THESE are the types of pictures that make people open their online banking info in a separate tab and start doing desperate handbag math. In this specific instance, the bag itself is pretty simple – with its east-west shape and slim straps, the Antigona tote looks like an all-leather cousin of the Louis Vuitton Neverfull. I’ll take this variation on the theme any day, though; ditching logo cavas for beautiful brightly colored leather is always an upgrade.

Actually, I take back what I said before. I’m thankful that more handbags aren’t photographed this way for retail sites. If they were, they’d have to reopen debtors’ prison just for me. Buy through Bergdorf Goodman for $1280.

Introducing the Lanvin JL Bowling Bag

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Lanvin isn’t a company that messes with its stable of handbags often. Sure, seasonal styles come and go, but rarely does the French house launch a new design that will be added to the small group of bags that it produces season after season. Staring with Summer 2011, the Lanvin JL Bowling Bag will be the newest piece on that very short list.

The bag, named for Jeanne Lanvin, comes in several sizes and a variety of leathers and colors right off the bat. The photo above and those after the jump all feature the medium size, but Lanvin indicates that a smaller version, shoulder bag and clutch will also be available. The smaller bowler in black or chestnut leather is already available via Bergdorf Goodman for $2545, and the medium python iteration can be found at Luisa Via Roma for $5950. The rest of the prices for the range have yet to be announced. Check out some more pictures after the jump and let us know how you feel about these new bags in the comments!








Are you ready for the return of the Fendi Baguette?

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Fendi Cracked Suede Baguette, $990 in blue or silver via Bergdorf Goodman

For an entire generation of women (of which I’m a part), the Fendi Baguette was the first It Bag to penetrate our collective consciousness. Indeed, many fashion people count its popularity as the dawn of the entire It Bag concept, and I probably have its existence to credit, at least in small part, to my current employment. In handbag history, the role of this little Fendi bag can’t be overstated.

Like anything, though, the heady days of Sex and the City passed and the Baguette fell out of favor to make way for the Chloe Paddington, the Fendi Spy and all the other must-have, “ungettable get” bags that followed. The fashion industry is endlessly cyclical, though, and eventually everything old is new again. Nearly 15 years after its launch, is it time for the Fendi Baguette’s second act?

As far as I know, Fendi never stopped manufacturing various versions of the Baguette but instead shuffled it to the back burner while the Spy, BBag and Peekaboo took their turns in the sun. It didn’t make an appearance on the Spring 2012 runway, but seeing this version of the bag in Bergdorf Goodman’s Resort 2012 arrivals section got me to thinking; Fendi’s spring bags look like they’re going to be a bit of a bust. Favor seems ready to swing back to shoulder bags, but smaller designs still rule the day, perhaps because we’re still all paying our chiropractors to fix our backs and shoulders from the last time that enormous bags were en vogue.

The Baguette, with its simple, familiar design, has already proved itself as a perfect canvas for bold color combinations and any manner of embellishment, both of which are important trends in accessory design at the moment (and neither seems to be going anywhere in the near future). I hated Fendi’s Spring 2012 runway bags and so did most of you, and I’m starting to think that a return to tradition might be in order for Fall. Would you be interested in seeing the return of the original It Bag? Buy through Bergdorfs for $990 in blue or silver.

Lanvin makes its own version of the Celine Luggage Tote

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Lanvin Gypsie Straw and Snakeskin Tote, $2190 via Bergdorf Goodman

When a bag is as popular as the Celine Luggage Tote, it’s only logical that other brands will try to stand in the reflected glow of the design’s success by debuting bags that share certain characteristics with the one that everyone wants. This practice is as old as time, and it’s how trends in size, shape and color start. As long as the reinterpretation is reasonably original, it generally doesn’t bother me as a consumer.

Even with that in mind, though, I was surprised to see the Lanvin Gypsie Straw and Snakeskin Tote in the Resort 2012 pre-orders at Bergdorf Goodman. Lanvin tends to be a brand that shirks most trends in favor of its own brand of Parisian chic, so even though I don’t have a philosophical problem with the existence of this bag, I didn’t think I’d ever see it.

By now, the identifying details of the Luggage Tote are familiar – the gaping gussets, the north-south shape, the twin top handles, the front pocket. This bag is a more stripped-down and casual version of the Celine aesthetic, and as far as I know, the Luggage Tote has never been done in woven straw. There’s no curvy piped trim, of course, and the structure of the zipper pocket and gussets is different than on the Celine bag. It feels like this bag is different enough to exist, for sure, but not different enough for me to consider buying it. Buy through Bergdorf Goodman for $2190.

Marc Jacobs Resort 2012 now available for pre-order via Bergdorfs

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Marc Jacobs Python Contrast Tote, $3795 via Bergdorf Goodman

Although I wasn’t a huge fan of Marc Jacobs’ Spring 2012 runway bags, his Resort 2012 collection has been on my radar for months. The mid-season line has some of Jacobs’ chicest designs in quite a while, mostly because the bags are without gimmicks. Instead, what you’ll find is clean lines and supple leather in the kinds of color combinations that feel very current.

The other notable thing about these bags is the return of the Marc Jacobs Venetia, but in an altered state. Back in the mid-2000s, the Venetia and its iconic buckled pockets were a staple of Marc’s in-demand accessories line, and now the shape is back, without its pockets, for a second tour of duty through the handbag wars. Check out more of the bags after the jump and let us know if any of them tickle your fancy.


Marc Jacobs Colorblock Tote, $1795 via Bergdorf Goodman


Marc Jacobs Thompson Satchel, $1250 via Bergdorf Goodman


Marc Jacobs Venetia Satchel, $2095 via Bergdorf Goodman

Miu Miu always knows how to hit me where it hurts

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Miu Miu Lady Pushlock Bag, $1350 via Bergdorf Goodman

Right in the wallet.

For some reason, Miu Miu’s bags often don’t tempt me quite as much as everything (and I do mean everything) else that the brand makes, particularly its shoes. Still, if Miuccia were to personally deduct money from my bank account every month and send me a random Miu Miu piece of her choosing, I bet I’d be thrilled at least 11 months out of the year.

If it were the Miu Miu Pushlock Lady Bag that showed up on my doorstep, I know I would be. As a satchel or a shoulder bag (maybe even a crossbody – Bergdorfs doesn’t list the strap drop), this just-big-enough retro throwback is everything I want in a fall handbag.

This straight-laced, structured look has been in favor since Celine made us all dizzy with the Classic Box a few seasons ago, and perhaps because of its grown-up, retro-modern appeal, the trend doesn’t apear to be waning anytime soon. At $1350, not only is this bag a bit less pricey than most similar designs from similar brands, but it also seems like a deal relative to Miu Miu’s rising prices. Does anyone still remember when Miu Miu was a Prada diffusion brand? Aren’t diffusion brands typically…less? And really, that’s the only complaint that I have. Buy through Bergdorf Goodman for $1350.

Celebrate the Royal Wedding with Spring 2011′s best bridal bags!

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Judith Leiber Blue Bows Crystal Minaudiere, $6995 via Judith Leiber

Do you know what day it is? Of course you do, it’s Royal Wedding day! The ceremony started at 6 a.m. but your mimosa hangover will surely last into the afternoon, so while you contemplate why you got up before dawn to watch two strangers get married in another country (Go ahead, guess who among us doesn’t have Royal Wedding fever! But that’s ok, Megs has enough for both of us.), we thought you might also like to contemplate some pretty, sparkly, too-small-to-be-functional wedding handbags.

Wedding bags don’t have the rarified spot in bridal lore that wedding shoes enjoy (and for a rundown of those, check out yesterday’s feature from TalkShoes), but that doesn’t mean that they’re any less important for those of us who love purses above all other things in fashion. Plus, bags have the special distinction of being able to be worn by the bride or the guests, so long as those attending don’t choose all-white ensembles to go with their special little clutches. Our picks for the best, after the jump.

Alexander McQueen Knuckle Duster Lace Clutch, $2295 via Net-a-Porter

Christian Louboutin Eden Peony Satin Clutch, $1325 via Net-a-Porter

Clara Kasavina Fringed Leather Clutch, $500 via BHLDN

Emilio Pucci Box Clutch, $1097 via Colette

Judith Leiber Blue Bows Crystal Minaudiere, $6995 via JudithLeiber.com

Kate Spade Lemondrop Small Frame Lella Clutch, $225 via Bloomingdale’s

Kotur Barnes Tassel Clutch, $450 via Neiman Marcus

Oscar de la Renta Silk Embroidered Clutch, $1050 via Net-a-Porter

Valentino Floral Applique Satin Clutch, $2495 via Net-a-Porter

VBH Manila Sparkle Stretch Clutch, $1100 via Bergdorf Goodman

Whiting & Davis Crystal Classic Minaudiere, $165 via ShopBop

Elie Tahari continues to impress

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The Elie Tahari Rebecca Tote, $598 via Bergdorf Goodman.

Yesterday, we talked about how hard it is to find a good upstart contemporary bag line and cited Diane von Furstenberg as a prime example of a brand who has found its handbag stride without much problem, and I’d like to offer Elie Tahari as another clothing brand done good. Tahari’s bag line is only a couple of seasons old, but every time I see one of his bags at a store, I find myself nothing less than impressed by the designs and materials, particularly when you consider the price point. I saw the Elie Tahari Rebecca Tote at Neiman Marcus lately, and let’s just say that my affection for the brand continues apace.

Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to introduce you to what I like to call “elbow clearance.” It refers to being able to swing a bag onto your shoulder without having to do that weird maneuver where you quickly shoot your arm through and then wriggle it up to its final resting spot. Nope, you can bend your arm fully when you have elbow clearance. It’s a beautiful thing but particularly hard to find in a tote, and this bag has it.

The bag also has a few other nice attributes worth mentioning, most notably the color. We’ve already had the brights conversation a million times, we don’t need to have it again. And at 18 inches wide, this tote is easily large enough for your everyday essentials. If you’re more conservative when it comes to color, it also comes in black. Buy through Bergdorf Goodman for $598.

Diane von Furstenberg hits her handbag stride

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It takes any handbag line a couple of seasons after launch to find its true voice, but being the industry veteran that she is, Diane von Furstenberg’s accessories collection seems to have found its niche in record time. The brand had a breakout hit with the Stephanie in its first season and has continued to produce well-priced favorites since then, but of all the choices, DVF’s Harper bags have always been my favorites. The addition of a tote to the line only further cements that feeling.

The Diane von Furstenberg Harper Leather Satchel is the kind of bag that we routinely praise around here: Functional, neutral, but with enough interesting details so that it doesn’t fade into that background as another purse that sacrificed aesthetics for utility. This is a Fall 2011 bag, so you’ll have to wait until July for delivery, but take it from someone who knows about waiting for a pre-order all too well: When your perfect new bag arrives one day, it’ll all be worth it.

If you’ve been considering one of DVF’s bags, now’s a good time to buy in. Fall 2011 is her best accessories collection to date, with covetable bags in multiple sizes and textures, but this one might be the most long-term functional of them all. The big hardware and tassel are important, current design elements, but in a couple of seasons, they won’t make the bag look old because they’re not part of an obvious seasonal trend. Choosing a bag for the long haul can be hard, but this tote is a pretty safe bet. But don’t worry, it’s not safe in a bad way. Buy through Bergdorf Goodman for $675.

Miss Wu, you had me at “hello.”

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New handbag lines launch all the time, but it’s relatively rare that one comes about that’s truly worth a look, let alone worth the money. After watching his accessories collection evolve for several seasons now, I can confidently say that Jason Wu’s bags are the real deal in every sense.

Fall might be a long time coming, but for a bag as good as the Jason Wu Miss Wu Tote in a seasonless shade of garnet, I’d suggest you start planning now. In a lot of ways, this bag reminds me of the Prada Limited Edition Runway to Green Tote that the brand produced for Net-a-Porter, except with just a bit more polish. The leather is shiny and smooth instead of matte and grained, and the enamel-laden hardware provides a subtle reminder of just who it was that designed the bag. I can’t help but love the whimsy of Wu’s little owl logo.

I know that it can be a little hard to get excited over a good everyday bag, but these are the kinds of designs that pay dividends when you own them. Sure, elaborately adorned minibags and clutches made out of delicate or exotic materials may be more interesting eye candy, but this is the kind of tote that will be both chic and functional for years to come. Wu’s bags aren’t one-season wonders, which is not something I can say for some of his design contemporaries. Pre-order through Bergdorf Goodman for $2495.

Judith Leiber Fall 2011 Preview: Pretty Little Things

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Judith Leiber Houston Semiprecious Beaded Clutch, $4995 via Bergdorf Goodman

Even if most women don’t have many occasions on which they might use a Judith Leiber clutch, looking at the tiny, sparkly, intricately beaded evening bags is a pastime in which we can all participate. Bergdorf Goodman has recently added a six-bag Judith Leiber Fall 2011 preview to its website, which not only gives us a closer look at what Leiber is doing for the season, but also lets you pre-order from the selection for delivery at the end of July, if you’re so inclined. Pictures and prices, after the jump.

Judith Leiber Houston Semiprecious Beaded Clutch, $4995 via Bergdorf Goodman

Judith Leiber Genie Lamp Minaudiere, $5995 via Bergdorf Goodman

Judith Leiber Ladybug Minaudiere, $4495 via Bergdorf Goodman

Judith Leiber Fizzy Studded Envelope Clutch, $1595 via Bergdorf Goodman

Judith Leiber Fizzy Envelope Clutch, $1995 via Bergdorf Goodman