December 1, 2008
post written by Bag Bliss blogger: Deysa
Designer Interview: CHia New York by June Chang
Are you gal’s fans of hardware, braidings, and various types of European leathers on handbags? I definitely am, and if you are too, listen up as I’ve got a couple of stuff to share. For the past couple of days, I’ve been pretty psyched out at the fact that I was given the privilege of conducting an interview with June Chang, designer and founder of CHîa New York. Pretty cool, huh? Miss. June Chang is a Taiwanese native who gained her inspiration off her families fine jewelry business. Collaborating bold hues with fine materials was taught to her, and in her works these artistic designs are still present. If you prefer deerskin, cowhide, buffalo or the delicate and smooth texture of lambskin, among her collection, you can find a variety of leathers to fit your taste. So you’re either a big bag type of girl, or you prefer the appeal of a feminine clutch, June Chang fulfills the wants of her customers by presenting various designs by CHîa for the consumer needs.

***June Chang Interview***
Deysa @ Bag Bliss: Share with us some exciting details of what to expect from CHîa New York for the upcoming season?
June Chang: For CHîa New York’s Fall09 collection, it’s a balance between sparkle and particle. You can expect more tailored, medium size and light-weight handbags For me, light-weight is the key.

Deysa @ Bag Bliss: All of your bags are unique in their own way, but which design from your personal collection is your favorite?
June Chang: There are a couple of details that I’m obsessed with on each style of handbag I design. I tried to reach a balance and not overly design my collection. So, each style is unique yet simple. Blair is my favorite for Spring09.

Deysa @ Bag Bliss: I read that your grandmother was a great inspiration to you, tell us about her style.
June Chang: My grandmother always taught me to observe things from different angles and to reach a balance in my life. Her style is modern, simple but extravagant. She loved to keep her outfits simple to showcase her own-designed jewelry.

She always mixed eastern and western elements into her daily life. She would mix a tailored & modified laced Chinese Qi-Pao (very much like a shift dress * down to the ankles) with a shawl and a pair of peep-toe heels. A simple but vivid color stone ring would be worn on her index finger to
contrast her laced shift dress.

Deysa @ Bag Bliss: What are three of your favorite trends at the moment?
June Chang:
A) Convertible - Satchel/ messenger bag / Shoulder bag * all in one
B) Contemporary Clutches - less formal but with attitude
C) Turned locks or buckle as closure details

Deysa @ Bag Bliss: Name some designers that you admire.
June Chang: Comme des Garçons by Rei Kawakubo, Valextra, Judith Leiber, and Lyell by
Emma Fletcher.

Deysa @ Bag Bliss: Which handbag are you carrying at the moment, and who is it by?
June Chang: CHîa New York * believe it or not; ever since my first bag was born, I’m always carrying my own handbags.

Deysa @ Bag Bliss: List some stuff that we can find inside June Chang’s handbag, right now.
June Chang: Agenda, cell phone, lip gloss, sun glasses, hand sanitizer, small sketch pad, pens and my leather swatch book.

Deysa @ Bag Bliss: If you weren’t in the fashion industry, what would you be doing instead?
June Chang: Hmmm. very interesting. I switched from financial banking to fashion. I don’t know if I still would pick that route again at this timing. I would
definitely like to be a teacher in the future.

CHîa New York by June Chang:

The Moca- Who said petite handbags had to have petite straps? The fact that this satchel is essential for times of small needs and that its straps aren’t thin and fragile, is a plus in my book. Made of Italian Buffalo/Italian Cowhide leather.
The Ima- We are kicking the size up a notch with this beauty. It’s striking, elegant, and one of my favorite CHîa pieces. Foiled metallic Italian lambskin gives this shoulder bag a luscious appeal, making this a great evening piece, as well as a day clutch. I love the extra elegance of the metal chains and a detachable shoulder strap can be found on this piece as well. …and of course, how cute is that bow?
The Asianna- Made of Italian Buffalo/Italian Cowhide leather, the Asianna is my favorite big bag by CHîa. Its details are beyond amazing. First of all, that rich and glossy hue is striking. I’m a fan of braided handles and the thick braids found on this piece are just perfect. A front pocket with the turn lock hardware and the shape of the satchel itself is excellent! If you love the Asianna, you can find it in grey and black as well.
The Nora- For the tote lovers, CHîa presents the Nora. Made of Italian embossed deerskin leather and measuring 14” x 16” x 3”, it’s big but not bulky. Double detachable shoulder straps can be found on this bag and it retails for $488.

You can purchase CHîa goods via the internet at: Chiainc.net

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December 1, 2008
post written by Bag Bliss blogger: Marissa

Donna Karen Modern Scorpio Briefcase Bag
Although, briefcases are classy I have never spotted one that I considered: cute, fashionable, and stylish. That is of course until my eyes became fixated on a briefcase I found on the Saks Fifth Avenue website. The briefcase I found was the Donna Karen Modern Scorpio Briefcase bag and I must say it is fabulous with a capital F. It may look a tad bit gaudy at first but when you compare it to the everyday version of a briefcase it is quite fascinating in a unique way. The Donna Karen Modern Scorpio Briefcase can be held by the handle or worn on your shoulder being that the strap has a 10 inch shoulder drop. The briefcase has a top flap closure which has a ring to add some detail to the top flap and I must say that is the only part of the briefcase that is horrible. I think the ring makes the top flap look a little tacky, but of course that is my opinion. Other than the ring, the Donna Karen Modern Scorpio Briefcase Bag has amazing features such as an interior and exterior pocket, plenty of room, open pockets inside, and is made in Italy. If I was in the business world and needed a briefcase, I would snatch this one up in a heart beat!

The Donna Karen Modern Scorpio Briefcase Bag may be stunning but it comes with the not so stunning price of $2,195. Beautiful briefcase, and if you want to look stylish at your next meeting I suggest this is the briefcase to get!

See the Donna Karen Modern Scorpio Briefcase Bag at: Saks Fifth Avenue

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December 1, 2008
post written by Bag Bliss blogger: Marissa

Marc Jacobs Patchwork Eugenie Clutch
As I have stated before, I love clutches but I have yet to find one that I want to invest money on. Here is another gorgeous clutch by Marc Jacobs and it’s called the Patchwork Eugenie. What I love most about this clutch is the embossed patchwork pattern leather. For this Fall and Winter handbag season, so many designers have opted toward a quilted pattern for their handbags and I think it’s gorgeous. The Patchwork Eugenie is flap top clutch that opens up to two interior pockets. The clutch is accented with a lovely Marc Jacobs stamped leather band that is featured on the front of the clutch. The Eugenie actually has just the amount of room you would expect for a clutch being that is has a length of 9.5 inches and a width of 6 inches. If you just want to carry your essentials, I’d say this is a great clutch to get!

The best feature of the Marc Jacobs Patchwork Eugenie is it’s price. For a clutch that is made in Italy and has a price of $395, I would say is pretty darn good! Most wallets made in Italy cost far more that $395, so to find a clutch at this price I would say is a great deal!

See the Marc Jacobs Patchwork Eugenie at eLUXURY

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November 28, 2008
post written by Bag Bliss blogger: bRs

Thomas Wylde Henna Nailhead Stud Bag
Paula Thomas is at it again! This time around, however, her would be hit just might be a total miss. Introducing the Thomas Wylde Henna Nailhead Stud Bag. No skulls, no spiders, no spikes… heck, it’s not even black. This bag does have studs though! But the studs were used to create a dainty floral design. Hmm… this doesn’t really look like a Thomas Wylde handbag, does it? Personally, I’m having a hard time taking this all in. If I wanted to buy a Thomas Wylde bag, I would at the very least expect it to have skulls. I mean, isn’t that what Thomas Wylde is all about? I suppose this bag isn’t terrible, but it just isn’t what I would have expected from this designer. Plus the shape sort of reminds me of a hot dog in a sling. Sorry Paula, but flowers just aren’t your thing. How does everyone else feel?

The Thomas Wylde Henna Nailhead Stud Bag is available in Pumice. It measures 20″ x 12″ x 7″ and it retails for $3,900 (EEK! Now that IS scary!). It comes complete with a tassel zipper pull and Swarovski crystal accents.

Find it at eLUXURY.

end note: HauteLook is featuring a Thomas Wylde handbag and clothing sale today!!!

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November 28, 2008
post written by Bag Bliss blogger: Marissa

Botkier Layla Pleated Pocket Satchel
Ever since the Botkier sample sale on Gilt.com a couple months back or so, I’ve took more notice to Botkier handbags. Before the sample sale I had heard of Botkier handbags but never took the time to really check the handbags out. While browsing Nordstrom, I saw this beautiful handbag in one of their ads. You know the ads where it’s just the models’ legs and feet to put emphasis on the handbag she is carrying and the footwear she is wearing. In this particular ad, a pleated style looking satchel was featured and I absolutely adored it. While searching the Nordstrom website for this handbag, it was to my surprise that this stunning handbag was by Botkier and it was called the Layla Pleated Pocket Satchel. The Botkier Layla Pleated Pocket Satchel is a beautiful roomy satchel with protective metal feet and even a front flap pocket. The handbag also features a six inch shoulder strap drop so if you don’t love the satchel like style, you most likely will be able to put the bag on your shoulder too! Also, if you love your handbag to be organized inside, the Botkier Layla Pleated Pocket Satchel features an interior zip, cell phone and PDA pockets, and a key clip.

The Botkier Layla Pleated Pocket Satchel is actually priced at $625, which isn’t that bad these days for a beautiful handbag. Overall, I give this handbag a very high score and if you love satchel’s as much as I do, I’m sure you will love this handbag too!

See the Botkier Layla Pleated Pocket Satchel at Nordstrom

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November 26, 2008
post written by Bag Bliss blogger: bRs

Kooba Natasha Soft Shopper Bag
When it comes to handbags in my own collection, I seem to prefer smaller ones. Reading my blog posts, however, most people probably wouldn’t gather that. But just because I like bags that are of a “manageable” size for me, it doesn’t mean I can’t admire great-looking bags of all shapes and sizes. What caught my eye with this Kooba Natasha Soft Shopper was its two-in-one styling. This bag can be worn as a slim shopper or, by unbuckling the side straps, as a bucket tote. I also love Kooba designs for their soft leathers and pretty pleating details. They have some of the most beautiful designs and sometimes I don’t feel like they are given enough credit by the handbag world. Now would I personally wear this handbag? Only if I was going to be stuffing school books inside it! But I understand that there are people out there that like large bags for everyday. So if you love big bags, then the Kooba Natasha Soft Shopper might be of interest to you.
The Kooba Soft Shopper measures 20.5″ x 12.5″ x 5.5″ when cinched up and 17.5″ x 10″ x 7″ when uncinched. It retails for $645 and is available in Purple, Brown, or Black. Check it out at Nordstrom

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November 26, 2008
post written by Bag Bliss blogger: Deysa

J.Crew Small Oslo bag
Residing in South Texas brings its residents scorching hot weather yearlong, so as we enter the winter seasons, an Arctic breeze in the 40’s is cold enough to make me wish for sunshine again. It’s cold, its gloomy, and black and brown handbags are everywhere! I can’t wait to own something as cheerful as these pieces are. In case you aren’t familiar with, meet the Small Oslo bag by Borge Garveri exclusively for J. Crew. How fun are these colors? I seriously can’t decide whether I like dark peony or terra cotta the best. By the way, as I was mentioning, the bold (fun) colors are on sale for $199 as the neutral hues of champagne and ash, (being colors more popular at the moment), retail at a regular price of $225. Made of full-grained naked leather and containing an attractive resin horn turn lock, the price for these pieces are absolutely worth it. Where else could you land a nice leather handbag at such a great price? Quality wise, I can’t precisely tell you how well J. Crew collection handbags hold up with time, but I can say that if you’re a fan of the Oslo bag, you can buy it via the Internet at: J.Crew

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