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miniaudiere

Popeye Miniaudiere, Handbag of the Day

Filed under: Handbags


Whew! You could get dizzy looking at this bag too long -- it almost looks like something that might be used by a hypnotist to help people go under. It's the Popeye Miniaudiere by Sylvia Toledano and it's part of her collaborative set (with DJ duo Mesomenos) called "Third Eye." Available in limited edition only this glitzy little beauty could be paired with almost any dress or color scheme and will certainly steal the spotlight from any other accessory you might be wearing. Hardbox clutch style features a detachable chain and comes with a matching pen (presumably for taking down the names of all your new admirers). $1,950
The

Tamlin & The Fall Miniaudieres, Handbags of the Day

Filed under: Handbags


Miniaudiere's have always been less handbag and more jewelry, a sort of half-ling of the accessory world. These creations by Tamlin & The Fall are no exception, practically taking the place of a beautiful bracelet or other adornment (quite literally in the case of the Shell design) when you carry them as a handbag.

All made to order and cast individually using over a pound of precious metal, shown above is the polished sterling silver version with other options including blackened (oxidized) sterling, matte (acid finished) sterling, or solid 18k polished gold. Linings come in matte black alligator or natural rattlesnake, tassels are hand-dyed feathers, and all miniaudieres come snuggled in a handmade wooden box lined in deerskin. Prices start at $19,800.

Judith Leiber's Latest in Sparkling Pillboxes

Filed under: Handbags

Judith Leiber has a variety of styles but one of the most notable is her penchant for cutesy objects and animals in crystal-covered handbag and pillbox form. Although the little miniaudieres are certainly unique and beautiful, it can be difficult for some women to imagine themselves carrying around a large sparkling animal or baked good (cupcake purse anyone?) as a handbag to a party. Nicely, if you like the look but aren't really looking to commit yourself completely why not go for a smaller (but just as appealing) option? Judith Leiber pillboxes are available in every shape from a bright red heart to a little dog and (my personal favorite) a "Prince Charming" toad. See the gallery below (or judithleiber.com) and feel free share your favorites in the comments.

A La Vie Minaudiere, Handbag of the Day

Cross artist Damien Hirst with Judith Leiber and you might end up with Sylvia Toledano and artist whose chosen medium is the Swarovski-encrusted minaudière. Her pieces range from cute pandas to the tree of life clutch we covered previously to today's vibrant offering. Her A La Vie collection features skulls done in various color combinations. This one has a bit of a space alien vibe with piercing aqua eyes. The purse comes with a glittering pen and a detachable silvertone chain with a 47" drop. It sells for $1,400.

R & Y Augousti Shagreen Mini Audiere, Handbag of the Day

Filed under: Handbags

R & Y Augousti Shagreen Mini Audiere HandbagI'm always a little torn when it comes to liking box-style clutches because although I like the way many of them look, carrying a hard-sided bag with sharp corners and rough surface textures doesn't feel very luxurious in my hands. This Shagreen Mini Audiere (in pink) by R & Y Augousti might be worth the compromise, though. It's a very structured rectangle adorned with red carnelian embellishments, lined on the inside with leather, and featuring a simple but attractive push-lock closure on the top. Certainly a solid investment if you're looking for an all-season evening clutch that will roll with the fashion trends year after year. $900

Arbre de Vie Crystal Minaudiere, Handbag of the Day

Filed under: Handbags


Totally beautiful anytime of the year, I think this Arbre de Vie miniaudiere featuring a leafless tree branching out in red Swarovski crystals is the perfect accessory for this September, and the rest of the autumn months to come. Created by designer Sylvia Toledano it's actually meant to represent the 'tree of life,' and the miniaudiere comes with a matching crystal-encrusted pen and silver chain. There isn't a speck on the outside that isn't covered in Austrian crystals, and the interior is lined with polyurethane. $1400

Judith Leiber Pigtail Miniaudier, Handbag of the Day

Filed under: Handbags

I am a handbag addict. I love to buy, collect, window shop for and write about handbags. And for the most part, I love all styles and for those that I am not in love with, I can at least have an appreciation for the design and effort that went behind creating it. But today, I am stumped and shocked and a bit confused with Judith Leiber's Pigtail Miniaudier. I am definitely not in love with this cute little pig and I am desperately trying to appreciate the craftsmanship behind this - but this is a hard one. The Pigtail Miniaudier is thoroughly adorned with multicolor Austrian crystals resulting in a eye catching design but perhaps more suited for an ultra luxurious piggy bank or a decorative accent piece for a child's bedroom. I realize that Leiber is known for her out of the box and kooky designs, but I think this might be pushing it. Who wants to carry a little pig as a bag? Dimensions: 4 1/2"H x 3 1/2"W. Price: $3,600.

Lauder Heritage Miniaudiere, Handbag of the Day

Filed under: Handbags, Cosmetics and Fragrance


This seashell-shaped evening clutch looks as if it was just unearthed from your grandmother's closet. That's because it could have come from Estée Lauder's closet. The Heritage Collection was created by Aerin Lauder and inspired by her grandmother, Estée. The golden evening clutch comes with a lipstick in a classic red and a golden compact with a blue enamel face. The set sells for $550.

[via NY Post]

Celebrity Stylist To Launch Handbag Line

Filed under: Handbags, Celebrity Shopping

Stylist Rachel Zoe, famous for working with young Hollywood stars including Nicole Richie and Lindsay Lohan is launching her own handbag collection with Judith LeiberAccording to WWD, Zoe, who is a vegetarian, has a love for animals skins and her Rachel Zoe for Judith Leiber line uses lizard, crocodile and python, among  other materials. There are two basic styles that Zoe created with Frank Zambrelli the creative director of Judith Leiber: the Medusa style a satchel with ruched side pockets and the Cleopatra, a rectangular minaudière. The bags feature a gold fob with  two snakes coiled around a ring. The bags will launch in September in Neiman Marcus and in Judith Leiber stores and will sell for  $2,000 to $10,000.


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