Aztec prints are a trend of Spring/Summer 2008 and will make a place for themselves next to the floral print trend. We recently introduced you to Bird Handbags and the designer behind the bags, Liz Carey. One of the biggest hits from this line is the over sized One Night Stand clutch. While the clutch is already available in leather, ostrich, and python, Liz Carey released the Bird Handbags One Night Stand in Aztec Fabric for Spring/Summer 2008. While this bag may not meet your fancy, it is a stunning piece and perfect for the over-sized clutch trend. For those that yearn for a hippie-chic bag or a fabric print, this is a great option. Bergdorf Goodman will be carrying this exact bag starting February 1st. This fabric clutch retails for $995. Find more of Liz’s bags at Bird Handbags online and some of her bags for sale at Lux Couture.

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Eva Longoria Parker is living the dream. She plays on the hit TV show Desperate Housewives, is now on the big screen, and recently married San Antonio Spur basketball player, Tony Parker. Eva is all smiles nearly every time she is photographed. After leaving a photo shoot, Eva Longoria was seen wearing a hot blue number paired with her Coach Python Miranda. As prices in handbags skyrocket and buyers continue to look for more luxurious options, design houses like Coach, who are known for their more affordable bags in the realm of the handbag world, continue to raise their prices and bring in new option. In the past couple years, Coach began to release alligator and python bags to compete with the exotic push in the luxury market. Many shoppers say they would not splurge on an exotic bag from Coach, but Eva seems to love this bag! The python version of the Coach Miranda costs $1200 while the leather costs $798 via Coach. This bag is no longer available online, so inquire through Coach stores.

Coach Python Miranda

More on Eva and her Coach Bag…

Chloe Bay Bag

Chloe bags have created a large following because of their casual style and sturdy leathers. After the Chloe Paddington created a huge buzz; amassing long wait lists, high eBay prices, and exorbitant knock-offs, Chloe realized they hand landed in the handbag world. Chloe continues to produce new bags each season that wow their followers, though none other have become as large of hits as the Paddington. The Chloe Bay Bag has garnered attention as being a modern classic, attracting celebrity exposure such as Britney Spears. Net-A-Porter is now carrying both a bronze metallic and rich purple version of the larger Bay tote. The leather is heavy, yet the style is simple and classic. Buy the purple at Net A Porter for $1780 and the bronze at Net A Porter for $2185.

When most of us think of Balenciaga Bags, we think of the B-bag craze surrounding the leathers, colors, and celebrity following. Little do many know that Balenciaga does make exotic bags for our enjoyment. A member of our forum, Purse-Oooh, was lucky enough to snag a Balenciaga Crocodile Work Bag which sports a black crocodile body on the coveted Balenciaga Work’s style. Price is around $18,000, which is very steep but great for those that are die-hard Balenciaga fans.

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Right off the bat I will tell you that this article may get many of you really worked up. The fact of the matter is that a writer from the Miami Herald took a trip to Chinatown while visiting NYC on a hunt for an array of fake bags for herself, family, and friends. Her writing style is witty and fun, but the message behind her article really is bothersome. Elaine Pasekoff, the author, gives a play by play of how she went about getting the fake handbags. What I find most disturbing is the blurb under the seemingly pointless “Illegal Business” titled “Homework”. The homework section entails a list of how-to’s for getting ready to buy a fake bag. The list is intense and ultimately, leads people to find better ways to support the illegal manufacturing and distributing of counterfeit handbags.

While buying a counterfeit handbag will not get your handcuffed, manufactures and distributors are in fact criminally liable for trafficking knock-off purses. This includes those who host the ‘popular’ (though I have never been invited to one) purse parties; who are liable for their involvement in their selling of counterfeit products. And what can happen to these manufacturers and distributors of knock off handbags? They can in fact be prosecuted for violating trademark and copyright laws. Wal Mart settled with Fendi after selling 12 fake Fendi bags at Sam’s Stores.

Ultimately, many wonder why the Miami Herald, a widely-read and reliable newspaper, would allow a story like this to publish. After all, fake handbags are illegal and violate trademark laws, copyright laws, and trademark infringement.

The cab pulls over at the corner of Canal and Mott. It is 9:20 on a Friday morning in late November. Even before my feet are planted on the sidewalk, a petite Asian woman sidles up to me and whispers the words I had come to hear, “Coach, Coach!”

”Yes,” I flash a sunny smile.

The quest has begun.

Up from Miami, I am on vacation, taking a side trip to New York City’s Chinatown looking for faux high-end purses. I’m especially chasing Coach: a duffel bag for my college-age daughter; a patchwork tote for my girlfriend; the pouch for my office intern; the hobo for my sister; and a satchel for an unknown teenage girl I had picked in my office’s charity gift exchange.

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While you are missing our daily posts, make sure to spend some time on our forum and register for the Katherine Kwei January Giveaway!

What’s there to win?

Created by the up-and-coming designer Katherine Kwei comes this beautiful Teresa Hobo in Cream - tPF’s January Bag Giveaway!

Pauric Sweeney Overnight Bag

Many handbag lovers, including Lindsay Lohan, have been fans of the Pauric Sweeney Python Overnight Bag. Yes, I liked it, but I did not yearn for it. Something about it did not catch my attention and keep it for enough time for me to flip out my credit card and buy it. The metallic python was really too much, but the matte black python (as seen at Lux Couture) has really been growing on me. As I started to enjoy the Pauric Sweeney Python train, I ran into another overnight bag in leather. This one gets my vote! Typically I am not drawn to bags like the Pauric Sweeney Embossed Leather Overnight Bag, as it just seems a little bland. Simple is good, bland is not. But there is this part of me that keeps looking at this bag, and keeps liking it a little more each time. The leather features corn check embossing with silver hardware and brown adjustable leather shoulder straps. Brown is the perfect option, as black would have too much of a contrast and make the bag start to resemble a bumble bee. The inside is lined in suede and has a zip pocket. The shape is square, the bag is simple and sturdy. It is the hardware and shoulder straps that really seal the deal, giving this bag the extra oomph that it needs. Buy through Net A Porter for $1425.

Longchamp Large Tote

There has been speculation that the handbag bubble will burst; meaning the pricey bags will finally hit the top and the handbag world we live in will crumble apart. While I do believe people have their limits, I think true handbag lovers will continue to buy bags. But for those that only want a handbag to tote around, that really do not care for it to be all leather, the Longchamp Large Tote is an ideal signature tote from this French brand. Their signature tote sports lightweight nylon with a leather snap flap and shoulder straps. This bag truly is the ideal everyday bag, good for rain or snow, sun or shine. Even better is the fact that you can roll this bag up for storage, it will literally take about 6 cubic inches of storage space. For me, this handbag would work perfectly to take to the gym or beach. Dimensions are 19″W x 12½”H x 7″D. Available in beige, chocolate, and deep-red; buy through Saks for $135.

You all will see it first: here is a sneak peak at the Rebecca Minkoff Summer 2008 Campaign!!! Rebecca thought you all would like to get a glance at what they have coming for summer. These pictures are perfect for this campaign, matching the ‘Popsicle red’ Morning After Bag with the blue skies and ice cream truck. Rebecca has also informed me that the Morning After Bag and Morning After Mini’s have mesh lining and a removable cotton liner, again, perfect for summer. Enjoy the first glance here. Click on each image for a larger picture. Special thanks to Rebecca herself for leaking these pictures to us!

We reported on the Chanel Cruise 2008 Trunk Show in October; revealing the Chanel Ice Cubes Bags. The Ice Cubes bags have caused quite the stir, creating a huge separation between those that love the line and those who do not. The ice cubes are designed with clear vinyl and then placed on top of metallic lambskin leather which gives it the feel of the classic Chanel quilting. Chanel has released an Ice Cubes line, including a 2.55, a shopper, and pouchette (are there any others?). While some think these bags look cheap, it is evident that Kim Kardashian loves the Chanel Ice Cubes 2.55 Bag! She was spotted leaving Prive nightclub with fiance?/boyfriend?/friend? Reggie Bush over the weekend. Kim showed off her stunning curves in a hot turquoise number and paired it with her Chanel bag from the Cruise 2008 collection. On this girl with this outfit, the bag looks stunning.

$1,650 at your local Chanel boutique or call (800) 550-0005 to inquire further.