Sharon Haver - FocusOnStyle.com handbags posts

Yup, there’s a museum for IT bags in Amsterdam!

I honestly don't remember the Hendrikje Museum for Bags and Purses when I was in Amsterdam because I would have made a bee line towards it right after the Rijksmuseum. Lucky for us, Richard Nahem paid the handbag museum a visit and brought back plenty of photos to share. What I do remember is a visit up to the Judith Leiber showroom to repair a bag of mine way back when. It was a black circle suede shoulder bag with passimenterie and the grommet that held the strap on broke. Ms. Leiber walked by as I was waiting for my turn and paused to look at my bag, "Such a young girl, such an old bag," she announced in her Hungarian accent and

While its double-digit price tag may stop you at hello, there's no denying the simple sophistication and beauty that this luxury timeless classic bag from Balenciaga boasts, making it the kind of bag to keep your eye out for this season. Why? Besides its irresistible bordeaux hue, its equestrian inspired details and restrained use of hardware, its signature zipper pulls and tricks lend it a chic yet subtle strength. Not too large, not trendy and age-appropriate for any age, imagine it with just about anything, anytime. >>A selection of Best Bags to consider in our Online Shopping Guide Section So when on the hunt for a purse update, consider this find as your first reference as its smart design will guarantee to never go out of style. >>More:

Over the past few years London based designer Mary Katrantzou has made quite a name for herself with collections that boast signature out-of-this-world collaged prints and could be considered a harbinger of the digital print craze that has had designers of all types trying to out-do each other with the never-before-seen. Starting Jan. 23rd fans of Katrantzou's namesake collection and her witty use of vivid prints will now be able to get their hands on something a bit more practical than a peplum floral printed dress from Katrantzou's collection of covetable totes for Longchamp. Featuring festive Chinese interiors and an "East meets West" theme, they are certain to be quite the conversation starter for seasons to come and are destined to

Ohhh, how we quiver with gorgeous anticipation whenever we open correspondence from the House of Dior. When it includes the fantastic melding of art meets glam, our pointy toe pumps click to attention. German artist Anselm Reyle collaborated with the iconic French fashion house on a new capsule collection of bags, shoes, costume jewelry, sunglasses, small leather goods, scarves, and beauty products for the Anselm Reyle for Dior collection. All feature bright, color saturated & fluorescent camo prints based on the artist's freestyle interpretation to shake up "the codes of the mythical Avenue Montaigne Couture House, which offered all its savoir-faire to serve his imagination." Anselm Reyle reinterpreted the Lady Dior and Miss Dior handbags with a wild and chic dose of street chic that has a sense of graphic

From Celine comes our latest obsession, this ultra-sleek minimal black leather bucket bag that's destined to make its way to the top of our wish lists. While bucket bag styles come & go in & out of vogue every so often, they have always remained a perennial favorite of ours when it comes to an unexpected however practical shaped and sized purse. SHOP: Best Bags We're certain that its lustrous sheen and lack of hardware and design flourishes are sure to make it last for years to come. -Naveed Hussain Looking for a bucket bag with a little more personality? Consult our edited guide to nab that perfect bag: More Pour La Victoire...

Judith Leiber Veronika Leopard printed haircalf envelope clutch

Funny Story: Once upon a time I purchased a vintage Judith Leiber round suede bag with fantastic passementerie detail. The bag was a unique style and exuded absolute timeless chic. The little finding that held the shoulder strap popped off so I took it up to the Judith Leiber showroom for repair. As I sat in the waiting area, Ms. Leiber walked by. She looked at my bag and in her deep Hungarian accent declared, "Such a young girl, such an old bag," I was speechless. And also quite flattered to be called a young girl. I can never look at a Judith Leiber again without giggling at the thought of this anecdote. MORE: Animal Prints Judith Leiber Veronika Leopard printed haircalf

Surveying Marc by Marc Jacobs and his mainline collection together we've culled a covetable, colorful assortment of goods that are certain to add a boast of riotous cheer for you and your loved ones just in time for the holidays. Above, a bright metallic contrast tote from Marc Jacobs. Highlights from Marc by Marc Jacobs: An assortment of ultra-girly jewels is certain to dazzle those in your life for many a season to come thanks to their quirky takes on classic, irresistible shapes. SHOP: Marc by Marc Jacobs at Shopbop and MarcJacobs.com This bold contrasting bag from Marc by Marc Jacobs marries a classic top-handle frame with the ease of a carry-all shoulder purse while adding a much needed burst of techno-pop

While animal prints may be as banal and captive of the traditional feminine mystic as polka-dots or bows, there's no denying the subtle sexuality and graphic, ostentatious charge they can add to just about any outfit. >> SHOP: Animal Prints And this Yves Saint Laurent "Softy Chyc" animal-print calf hair shoulder bag brings home the point beautifully with its explosive print and lady-like, heritage minded shape and details. Use it to pump up just about any look from your average "Texas tuxedo" to your everyday trench coat, its destined to lift-up even the most mundane of pieces. -Naveed Hussain >> SHOP: Best Bags We've pulled together a few more options for you to consider: More Topshop...

Inside the atelier with Sally Perrin... Sally is glamorous, chic, and fun. She spends about 2/3 of her time in Los Angeles and the rest in Paris with her husband who is originally from Limoges and their two daughters. She recently started to design a line of sumptuous handbags and leather accessories and invited me to the atelier, where I went ga-ga over the gorgeous leather goods. Later that afternoon Sally kindly invited me to her apartment for tea and we chatted for hours about love, life, and of course, Paris. Sally and Michel Perrin A few years ago you launched a new luxury line of handbags and leather accessories, reviving a multi-generational family business of your husband Michel. Can

Fall Trend Accessories Report- The Oversized Clutch

The Top Seven Accessory Trends for Fall 2011 with StyleSight, Day 3 From Miu Miu to Margiela, this season the ubiquitous clutch goes from compact and evening appropriate to practical and ready for the girl-on-the-go in charmingly oversized proportions with a vaguely 40's inspired sensibility and glamorous ease. SHOP: Best Bags Large, like a statement making giant box discreetly folded in the crook of your arm, these beefed up pochettes boast soft, unstructured construction balanced with a minimal, professional direction and feature sophisticated logo placements or a lack there of. More Miu Miu...And with Prada's ingenious boxy handstrap clutches, the idea of a daytime clutch now comes with a little more security. Think about pairing the season's giant proportions with

In The Bag: Marc Jacob’s Must-Have Crosby Bowery Handbag

Most-Wanted/Must-Have: We love a bag that you will want to wear everyday! Channel the heritage mood that's been brewing over the past few season's with Marc Jacob's latest update on the classic tote, the Crosby “Bowery.” Styled with an unmistakable dome shape and boasting a rich fall color palette of black, espresso, slate and Bordeaux, it's contrasting details and sleek, unadorned surface is destined to make it quietly stand-out for seasons to come. Get It: Marc Jacobs Mercer, NYC and Saks.com More Marc Jacobs Bags for Fall/Winter 2011 available at the shop and click to buy at Saks: Marc Jacobs Grey Nubuck “Eddie” Marc Jacobs Beautiful People Metallic Patent “Olga” Marc Jacobs Beautiful People Metallic Patent “Sofia” >> SHOP: Best

Marni’s Glossed Canvas Printed Tote

Most-Wanted/Must-Have: A crazy cool pop art print to spice up your schlepping! A slice of pop! Add a giddy spark of riotous print to even the simplest of looks with Marni's cheeky canvas tote that features a myriad of vintage inspired mod wallpaper prints collaged together for a look that's bold, whimsical and delightfully teetering on the good taste/bad taste divide. Available at net-a-porter SHOP: More Bags

Schoolgirl Satchel Bag at Great Price In Fab Colors from Cambridge Satchel Company

Old school elegance with a twist It's about that time in the season when we can use a boost. A midseason replacement bag, if you will. Not quite ready for spring and a bit tired of what's left over from fall. Our hobo bag is getting a bit tired, but with all the electronic gadgets in the world, there still is a certain degree of nonsense that we lug everyday and a munchkin bag really won't do the trick. Cambridge Satchel Company at ASOS I was doing a bit of online window shopping and came up this adorable classic with a twist shoulder bag from the Cambridge Satchel Company over at asos. It is a great midseason picker-upper, which you

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Yup, there’s a museum for IT bags in Amsterdam!

Fabulous Friday- Find a Classic Bag Like This One From Balenciaga

In The Bag- Mary Katrantzou for Longchamp

Dior Goes Neon Pop with Anselm Reyle for Dior Collection

In The Bag- Celine’s Must-Have New Bucket Bag

Adventures in Extremes- The Leopard Clutch, Judith Leiber or Express

On the Marc Holiday Treats for Everyone from Marc Jacobs

In The Bag- Yves Saint Laurent’s Softy Chyc Animalier Bag

Paris Style- An interview with Sally Perrin of Perrin Paris luxury handbags

Fall Trend Accessories Report- The Oversized Clutch

In The Bag: Marc Jacob’s Must-Have Crosby Bowery Handbag

Marni’s Glossed Canvas Printed Tote

Schoolgirl Satchel Bag at Great Price In Fab Colors from Cambridge Satchel Company

Female Entrepreneurs: Helping You & Your Business Get Out There!