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International Cosmetics & Perfumes Donates Sales, Totes to Japanese Relief

Filed under: Cosmetics and Fragrance, Charity

International Cosmetics & Perfumes Hanae Mori Tote BagIn response to the devastation in earthquake, tsunami and now nuclear-ravaged Japan, New York-based International Cosmetics & Perfumes -- home to such brands as Creed and the Japanese inspired Hanae Mori -- has announced an expanding charitable campaign.

Earlier this week, ICP CEO Emmanuel Saujet announced that a portion of proceeds from both the sale of items at Creed's New York boutique and Hanae Mori web sales would go to benefit the American Red Cross' Japanese relief efforts. In addition, a part of future sales of the new Hanae Mori No. 3, available in June from retailers like Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's and Sephora, will also be donated for the same purpose.

The next day, ICP announced that 50 Hanae Mori reusable tote bags, originally intended as an in-store customer appreciation gift, would also be donated to the American Red Cross to assist Japanese displaced from their homes and belongings. And finally today, Creed declared that any winnings from the 2011 season of their official polo team would find their way to the American Red Cross as well.

Japan is a market that has long and enthusiastically embraced luxury goods, so let's hope that more brands follow ICP's lead and give back.

Parabellum Bison & Kevlar Leather Tote

Filed under: Men's Style

Parabellum Bison & Kevlar Leather Tote
Parabellum, makers of hand-crafted leather goods with a military flair in California, have come out with a new tote bag that's as tough as it is stylish. The Archer Tote is reinforced with Kevlar and finished in deep textured bison hide with a removable / washable brushed cotton liner. Made entirely by hand in Los Angeles it features a removable shape-holding leather base, zippered pocket, adjustable straps and a hand-stitched brushed cotton case to protect it when not in use. Priced at $1,800, it's available at Union and Maxfield in Los Angeles as well as Colette in Paris. Parabellum's deep textured Bison hide comes from free-range American ranches, and is tanned domestically in small batches using age old techniques.

Balenciaga Daim Alphabet Tote, Handbag of the Day

Filed under: Handbags

Balenciaga's Alphabet Tote ($1795) is a playful and colorful alternative to dark and subdued handbags that we'll be inundated with this season. A mix of suede and leather offer the backdrop to a vibrant assortment of letters, spelling out Balenciaga of course, and a candy colored red trim along the front panel extending to double khaki leather handles with olive leather adds a splash of complementing color.

The interior is roomy enough for work, running errands - and forgoing plastic bags - going to the gym, as an overnight bag or as carry-on. An unexpected metallic leather lining adds even more interest to an already shows stopper of a bag. Measurements: 15" x 14" x 7".

Have tips or suggestions? Contact me @marsha712

Limited Edition Beach Bag by JOIE and Shutters on the Beach

Filed under: Handbags, Luxury Travel & Hotels


Just when you thought the long lazy bright days of summer couldn't be improved upon, along comes a limited edition beach bag by JOIE and the iconic Shutters on the Beach hotel in Santa Monica. Destined to become the must-have fashion accessory of the season since they are only selling 300 of them -- ladies, start your engines -- the bags retail for $175.

The simple white canvas tote bag with leather-wrapped handles has a lightweight wooden bottom and functional water-resistant pockets. It is designed and produced in Los Angeles and will be sold exclusively at the Shutters hotel boutique, online at Shutters on the Beach, and in the JOIE boutique in Paris.

Ah summer. The inspiration of poets, the muse for songs, the cause for romance. And now the perfect beach bag, even if it only comes in white.

The JOIE brand is sold globally in high-end department stores, specialty shops and in the line's Paris boutique in the Galeries Du Palais Royal, which opened last October. The casual-but-sophisticated line, inspired by the Southern California lifestyle, is sold in 10 licensed boutiques in Japan as well.

Shutters on the Beach, popular with celebrities who prefer discretion to paparazzi, continues to raise the bar when it comes to luxury hotels. Last week, it announced that guests staying in any of its premier suites would be given free use of an iPad for their stay. The beachfront hotel is independently owned and is known for its inspiring interiors by designer Michael S. Smith. The hotel is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World, has two signature restaurants and a spa that provides the services of Ole Henriksen, Hollywood's go-to skin care spa guy.

Cole Haan FLX Collection

Filed under: Handbags, Shoes

cole haan flx collection
Just in time for spring and summer, Cole Haan has recently introduced their Cole Haan FLX Collection, which is designed to infuse comfort and durability with well styled accessories for men and women. All of the Cole Haan FLX shoes have NIKE AIR Technology in the heel for added cushioning and comfort as well as a lightweight and flexible rubber sole allowing you to walk in a more natural motion. Their line of women's shoes offers sandals, flats and sneakers. Some of our favorites are the Cole Haan FLX Air Vernonia ($128), which is a gladiator sandal that's available in black and silver metallic and the Cole Haan FLX Air Bandon ($108), a simple round toe ballet flat. Both styles are casual, super comfortable and versatile – making it ideal as your I-wear-them-everyday-and-still-look-great shoe.

Stella McCartney Falabella Tote, Handbag of the Day

Filed under: Handbags

Stella McCartney Falabella Tote, Handbag of the DayA lifelong vegetarian, Stella McCartney never uses leather or fur in her designs and proves that you don't need these materials to be a success or to be creative. Her pretty bronze, matte, faux suede Falabella tote bag can be worn two ways, folded over as a shoulder bag or carried as a tote. Includes gold chain detailing, a Stella logo tag, and a satin lined interior with a pocket. 7" W x 10.8" H x 2.8" D. $995

Nancy Gonzalez Large Crocodile Tote, Handbag of the Day

Filed under: Handbags

Nancy Gonzalez Large Crocodile ToteThe Nancy Gonzalez Large Crocodile Tote is the perfect bag for carrying everything you need for work or school in style.

The bag is striking and unusual, not only because of its pinky-lavender, wide crocodile exterior, but because of the unusual pleated shape and clever black crocodile piping and handle contrasts.

The Nancy Gonzalez Large Crocodile Tote is lined in a soft but spicy hot pink suede, and has several pockets, including one for your cell phone. The purse has a magnetic closure, but the low-rising handles ensure that whatever you put inside will be tightly held there.

You can purchase this gorgeous tote from Saks Fifth Avenue for $3,350.

Prada Pitone Tote, Handbag of the Day

Filed under: Handbags

Prada Pitone ToteThe Prada Pitone Tote is one seriously hot new handbag.

Posted on the Saks Fifth Avenue website:

"Due to popular demand, a customer may order no more than three units of this item every 30 days."

Good heavens! We also noticed that they are refusing to ship to California. And why is that? Python.

Pitone, for the uninitiated, means python in English, and it is unlawful to sell or ship python skin in California.

This python tote has a snakeskin side bow, leather lining, inside zip pocket and drawstring closure. Pretty fancy, but we'd imagine that the signature gold Prada logo is why it's selling quite so well.

The Prada Pitone Tote is available from Saks Fifth Avenue (unless you're in California) for $2,990.

Kasia Slouch Tote, Handbag of the Day

Filed under: Handbags


A good standard for everyday use, the Kasia Slouch Tote by Pringle of Scotland is all one color (in this case black) but it has a variety of different patterns, textures, and tones to create a bag that is anything but plain. The front and back are decorated with three stripes of knot and fold detailing, and the top closes with a button and tassel drawstring. It's roomy and fully lined inside, with plenty of pockets and compartments in different sizes, has double handles, and is just an all-around versatile and useful looking bag. $2500

Woven Face Tote, Handbag of the Day

Filed under: Handbags

Here's a designer tote that definitely falls into the 'bold and bright' category! Featuring a cheerful face woven in bright colors on vibrant purple wool, the Woven Face Tote (they didn't exactly get creative with the name there, did they?) from Sonia by Sonia Rykiel has a zipper closure on the top (gotta love that nothing will come tumbling out unexpectedly), a luxe quilted lining, and padded handles. The 'woven face' is what I would describe as a mix of wimsical and primitive, with details like dark eyelashes and bright heart-shaped cheeks making the real statement. $320

Bally Women's Arkel Tennis Tote

Filed under: Handbags, Sports

Tennis season's not over yet! Why not help the economy and get yourself a fresh, new bag for the fall? Bally's bright pearl orange Arkel bag is made of patent calf with a patent leather-trimmed twill lining. It measures 15.5" H x 18" W x 4.5" D and has a 6.75" shoulder drop. The top is open for ease of putting in and taking out your tennis wear and accessories, and the zippered exterior pocket holds your tennis racket. Made in Italy, dust bag included: $1,095. (But you can get it at Endless for just $492.75, with free overnight shipping.)

Julie Feldman's Hornback Weekender, Handbag of the Day

Filed under: Handbags

I love the feel of a new bag and when it comes to handbags I have a tendency to find one I like and carry it every day until it wears out, but tote bags... well that's another story altogether. I'm a little overrun with totes in all shapes, sizes, and colors, so I guess it's no surprise that I like this set of Hornback Weekender totes by designer Julie Feldman. It's full of pockets, including 3 interior pockets (one of them zippered) plus a large zippered center-divider pocket big enough for a laptop, and then the outside front pocket. Bags are made of hornback calf suede with alligator stamping and feature a fun print lining. 16" x 9" x 22", $595.

Anya Hindmarch Charlie Ponyskin Tote, Handbag of the Day

Filed under: Handbags

This bag is the Charlie Ponyskin Tote by Anya Hindmarch and my favorite thing about it is the unexpectedly athletic canvas shoulder strap. It's a chocolate leather bag with gold hardware and a very structured, rectangular shape. The relaxed canvas strap with sporty stripe gives it a suddenly hip and somewhat casual vibe (for me casual is always good), and I also like that it has protective feet on the bottom and a luxe suede lining. Other features include patent leather trim, two handles on the top along with an almost clutch-style handle, and zip pockets on both the back and inside. $1,575

Chloe Cyndi Tote, Handbag Of The Day

Filed under: Handbags


Chloe is debuting a chic tote for fall crafted from "alligator-stamped" (that sounds humane, doesn't it?) calfskin leather. The Cyndi bag above is in a subtle yet chic slate grey that makes fall just one time of year to enjoy carrying it. (The bag is also available in black patent.) As far as pricey totes go, it's hard for me to get enthused about much in this handbag-saturated age we're living in (I'm still carrying the original L.L. Bean boat and tote -- my grandmother would be proud), but this bag does strike me as versatile and classic, a kind of sleeper it-bag you could carry for more than a few seasons. Oversized at 15 x 13 x 7.5 inches with a 6.5 inch handle drop, this tote is currently available exclusively at Net-a-Porter for $2,200.

Versace Stamped Croc Darling Tote, Handbag of the Day

Filed under: Handbags

I like this Versace Stamped Croc Darling Tote because it's neutral, it's generously sized, it has a nice relaxed shape, and (perhaps best of all) it has straps that convert it for backpack wear and side ruching that can be unbuckled to increase capacity. A very real and useful convertible bag. It also has a healthy dose of style from slightly iridescent crocodile leather, gold metal hardware, and a satin lining. It also features metal feet, loads of pockets (most of them with zipper closures), and padded leather handles. $4,335.

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