Kate Spade's "store opening totes" is a collection of 7 individually designed canvas tote bags created in commemoration of the opening of several new Kate Spade stores around the country. Each bag is available in a limited edition of only 50 and is not only designed in honor of its specific store's location (this "stop and smell the roses" bag is representative of its store's home in Portland, Oregon) but is also only available in that individual store for purchase. So if you're looking to have a collection of all 7 bags you better get ready for a cross-country travel spree.
This artificial crocodile design representing the Everglades in Florida is my favorite.
From Kate Spade's Sydney collection, the Francis satchel is a soft-shaped bag with subtle but gorgeous shine. The platinum metallic calfskin is white hot and the bag doesn't go overboard on the details. Decorative ties are threaded through engraved nickel and 14-karat light gold rings and an almost invisible logo plate decorates the front. Lined with the signature larabee dots, the bag measure 9 1/2" high by 16" wide by 6" deep. $625.
For her Spring 2007 collection, Kate Spade teamed up with British artist Hugo Guinness to create the Kate Spade Hugo Poppy Griffen tote. The magazine tote features the artist's beautiful poppy illustration printed on a lightweight canvas. Open on the top, the bag has 14-karat gold plated hardware and boarskin leather trim. Inside, there are double slide pockets as well as a zippered compartment. In black on natural, the bag sells for $225.
Introducing a twist to the classic basket weave summer tote, Kate Spade used patent leather for the weave in her Sao Paolo Small Coal Tote. In red, white or orange (pictured), the bag captures a small piece of the flair of one of the most populated cities in the world, Sao Paolo, Brazil. The bag is unstructured and has an open top. There is one interior pocket in the signature larabee dot cotton twill lining, but the rest of the tote remains open and waiting to be packed with books and sunglasses for relaxing day trips or trinkets collected at an international, open-air market. It measures 11.2"h x 12.6"w x 6.5"d. Price: $695.
Kate Spade's Art Basel Coal Bag was designed in honor of the Lawrence Weiner's artwork at the Wolfsonian Museum in Miami, Florida. Produced in a limited run, the totes feature two logo graphics - "lo & behold" and "mira & ve" - that are featured in the Weiner piece. They are made of heavy, white cotton canvas and have an open top, so they are best for casual uses, such as carrying things to the gym or the beach. There is a zip pocket on the inside so that you can keep keys and other small items together. The bag measures 11.8''h x 13.4''w x 6.3''d. Price: $145.
With the holiday season in full swing, there is lots of traveling to do. Ever since I lost my luggage a few years ago, I have been terrified to check it in again. Whenever I can help it, I pack light so that I can carry it on the plane with me and travel stress free. And the Kate Spade Larabee Noel dot Annette Travel Bag would be perfect. It has an undestated look with simple polka dot accents and leather trim. Made of nylon fabric with leather accents, even when stuffed, you would be able to squeeze this bag in the overhead compartment. It features a folded top with a zip closure, a front and back pocket, and an adjustable nylon shoulder strap. Bag dimensions: 16½'' wide x 11'' tall x 8½'' wide. Price: $237.
If asked to name popular card games, gin rummy would probably not make the top five. That said, the game does carry a touch of old fashioned sophistication that works well with Kate Spade's Gin Rummy Drink Set. She has a whiskey decanter ($125), a set of highballs ($100 for 4) and a set of cordial glasses ($50 for 4), all made of full lead crystal that has been etched with the shapes of card suits. The decanter, which is topped with a rectangular crystal stopper, stands 11" high and holds 32-oz.
Kate Spade clearly knows that few things are more festive than brightly colored holiday lights, so she used them as the main pattern on her holiday accent plates. The 9-inch china plates work with her Rutherford Circle line of tableware, but the plates can also be used on their own, for dinner or dessert, and can be matched up with other white dinnerware if you already have such collection. The plates come in a set of four and are dishwasher safe. Price: $80.
The bold pattern on Kate Spade's new Mala Blue Hobo was inspired by the "bold patterns [seen] on the savannah" at the Mala Mala Game Preserve in South Africa. Not having observed the African savannah in great detail personally, I can't speak to whether the design is a realistic representation of naturally occurring patterns, but it is beautiful even if the details of the patterns don't match up. The unstructured bag is made of leather-trimmed haircalf and is accented with a large, geometric gold turnlock closure. Price: $675.
Kate Spade's Larabee Road pattern, which covers this After Dinner Cup and Saucer Set, seems guaranteed to bring a smile to the face of anyone served with one. Sold in a set of four with red, yellow green and pink polka dots, the pieces have a sense of fun about them that is not often found in after-dinner cups, a typically staid delineation of the tableware world. Use them for cappuccinos or tea, or bring them out with a breakfast service for coffee and scones. The set is also available in a bright stripe pattern. Price: $75.
The Kate Spade Oak Park Erin handbag is basically a simple clutch that has had a strap added to it to make it a little easier to carry. It measures only 3.6" x 10.6" x 3.2" and the strap, which has an almost 7 inch drop, makes it seem tiny. The bag comes in ruby (pictured) and chocolate and is made of Italian suede with cotton lining. It has a zip top and gold hardware, including tiny feet on the bottom of the bag to protect the suede, although you may never actually set this bag down when you are out with it. Price: $275.
She wore blue velvet... and could have carried a bag very similar to the Kate Spade Russian Hill Maya, which is an understated velvet bag in midnight blue. The shape of the purse is derived from a classic knitting bag, with an expandable bottom and gathered top, though Spade's version has wood handles and snakeskin trim on the tab closure. The bag, though it appears to be small in the photo, actually measures 11.6"h x 19.7"w x 4.3"d and is very roomy. It has a satin dot lining, and multiple interior pockets to keep your things well organized. It won't be available until September 1st, but it is available for preorder at $425.
Jack Spade is the male counterpart to the heavily female-centric line from designer Kate Spade. The Pi Keychain could certainly appeal to anyone, regardless of gender. The ring and the key on it, which is un-filed, are both made of sterling silver and the ring is engraved with the first twenty-one digits of the number pi: 3.14159265358979323846. It is a subtly flashy keychain, perfect for those who don't like to have unnecessarily large things dangling with they keys. Price: $90.
Maybe it is a little bit of practicality lurking behind the love of fancy handbags, but even when I know how many really fantastic handbags there are for this season - and in general - it's nice to have at least one classic, everyday shoulderbag. Kate Spade's Siena Medium Serena fits the bill nicely, with classic lines, comfortable shoulder strap and a structured, reinforced bottom that will hold up well to everyday use without banging the contents of the bag around. There are also several interior pockets that will help keep you organized and provide room for things you need on a daily basis, like cell phones, pdas, pens and perhaps even reading glasses. The bag is made of waxed, natural cowhide and features a colorful nylon web detail, with a cotton twill lining and gold hardware. Price: $485.
Need a gift for a baby shower or a "first birthday party"? Kate Spade's Pippin Park Sets just might fit the bill. Most of the plate/cup sets that are produced for kids are made of plastic - and for good reason, since most kids cannot quite be trusted with the good china. These sets, however, are for kids who can. The plate, bowl and cup collections - with an elephant set for boys and a sheep set for girls - add a bit of elegance to children's dining, while still maintaining a high cuteness factor. Each piece is brightly colored and made from fine, bone china, is lead-free and dishwasher safe. Price: $75.