Stylish with Substance

It's hard to find pictures of purses at Luella's Fall 2007 runway show, but I found one of my favorite via In My Bag. This bag in the family of Giselle, except with side belts instead of multiple full-width ones, is a new classic and one I'm really interested in. I can't wait for it to come out for the Fall (boo hoo), in a more affordable leather, of course, and then to hopefully go on sale. Of course, if my prediction is right, this bag will have IT status - or at least it should.

It's a bag with classy style for anyone in a tote shape with flap, lizard skin as on the runway, and what seem like two large tassels on front. Quite yummy.

Footnote: What is that which appears on this model's feet???

Luella's Fury Box Bag is dainty and daring at once. A frame bag with studs at quilting meeting points, it's a modern hip bag but with some lady elegance. I love the completely new and unique front pocket closure: a key on a chain simply slides through a loop! Finally there are two chain straps tied together with a bow; marvelously hip femme. Having not hit stores yet, but you can check this and others out at Luella.com, I'm unsure about size and price.

I apologize to those who are furious they must wait to purchase Luella's fury bag! It's so IT and chic - an instant classic, but definitely for any age!

Luella's Fury Box Bag is dainty and daring at once. A frame bag with studs at quilting meeting points, it's a modern hip bag but with some lady elegance. I love the completely new and unique front pocket closure: a key on a chain simply slides through a loop! Finally there are two chain straps tied together with a bow; marvelously hip femme. Having not hit stores yet, but you can check this and others out at Luella.com, I'm unsure about size and price. I apologize to those who are furious they must wait to purchase Luella's fury bag! It's so IT and chic - an instant classic, but definitely for any age!

Luella is bigger than ever, well her accessories are literally larger than any of last season's (I think). This red leather bag is huge, plus the hideous banana charm is bigger here (and hypnotizing).

Have you seen the girth of a bag so wide? I think a petite and slight woman could tip over carrying that! I think a small German Shepherd could fit!

I wish we could see the front of the bags in these pictures; Luella's all in those front straps to me.

As a special treat this week, I thought I'd feature great purse-posts (or pursts) from around the bagosphere. I'm a little bit wiped from purses, but there were great bags and/or commentary abounding this week. I can find inspiration from an opinion or another blogger's (bagger's) find, even if I'm having trouble starting from scratch.

Starting with an Important IT bag from Fendi that I missed in my recent scouting, due to different stock at different e-stores: The Fendi Large Leather Selleria Tote, via Luxist, sold at Saks Fifth Avenue. I posted the line's hobo on High Fashion High, last week, but this bag is better! I love the shape, stitching and horizontal strap. And sure, the horse is an interesting feature, but I don't understand its buckle design embossed onto the leather. That doesn't seem too luxe, just odd.

-- Purseuing's DKNY Reversible Bag in red paisley is lovely for summer, but I wish the block pattern on the opposite side were a contrast color, like navy. I'd buy it for sure, then.

-- I disagree about Coach's Signature in general (I think it has an artistic and well-designed aesthetic of the butterfly pattern) but EBelle5 points out more to dislike about their patchwork signature. Still, as a commenter stated, the "counterfeiters dream" aspect is more about higher difficulty in recognizing a fake, and less about amateur sewers replicating it.

-- Finally, get a different perspective from Mallory's on Luella's Charm Satchel on The Bag Snob, with "Not Charmed by Luella" (best title this series). Although, The Bag Snob is quite mouthy about her distaste, indeed. Gosh, she is a Bag Snob! Whoa.

This is the promised theme post for handbag-loving single gals. I introduce Luella's new collection of nautical themed bags. They represent sailing away from an old lover in style ... if you wish. Actually, that is a stretch, and these bags go beyond Luella's "charming" It factor. This Stevie Stripe bag overdoes this Spring's navy stripes trend. Who said we wanted that on bags? Actually, the design work is, in one view, better than on those body-widening horizontal striped shirts. Imagine that.

At least we get some great negativity, and we all want that on Valentine's Day!

I'm really coming to feel that Luella has a broken heart (charm). While I do love a nice handbag charm, I'm strict with the term nice, and strict with "handbag," even (I love handbag-shaped charms). I've been thinking a lot lately that Luella's charms are too childish, too tacky and themed. With this onslaught of these bags with dangling anchors (chuckle) it's too much, too silly for me.

We've been posting a lot of Luella, this month, and we're not nearly over, yet. Think about it; Valentine's + Heart charms? We believe Bartley is working that angle, herself, even (Target debut).

For Valentine's Day, I think I should post the cutest, loveliest ... nah, just this bag that almost is shaped like a heart, itself. And it is a nice bag. Luella's Luca Bag has a triplet of oversized charms on a hair-calf/leather oversized hobo, at 16" length. It definitely has some charm and loveability.

Until Designer Ella gets her own Prince Charming who gives nice gifts, like this would be, I'm going to say that Valentine's Day is overrated, and pretty much steer clear of it.

(No, I'm not saying I need the near $2,000 pricetag, just some valuable thought.)

Tomorrow, I'm going to celebrate in true single-fabulista style, true Ella style, and post a bag that's perfect for those sailing solo (hint at the new theme Luella has). Exciting? Well, it'll be something else to look at besides old romance films, while indulging on too many chocolates (that you yourself or your mom bought). Le sigh!

Here, we have a deep lust for handbags, so if we're single, we can enjoy freedom to splurge. If you're not single, but your guy doesn't have the style in picking out presents, or the cash to lavish you, we're still here for you.

Luella on the Fashion Week runway, a preview of Fall 2006, here are the best views of the most notable bags (view all the detail shots):

Designer Luella Bartley went a little crazy with out there bags, and a little crazy for more charms (taking hint from her own downscale Target accessories?). It seems she also is playing with different animal skins and fur. Above is a pink ostrich satchel and an orange quilted satchel with shearling trim.

A lot of the bags on the runway had these interesting, long straps with bows. But the metal handle on the ostrich bag is the truly interesting one; is it a large safety pin? Most of the bags, including one with sapphire beads and an ocelot purse (whether print, hair-calf or real) were impractical. Another thing I noticed is that they all seem to be satchel-shaped, which is interesting, or maybe I just see satchels wherever I look.

Amid the horrid style (and did I mention charms?), there was a peak that there is at least one more baby Giselle planned.

Glam Watch: GlamMedia + GlamNetwork + GlamFashionWeek

Chloe, Balenciaga, Luella locked in your heart? Well, for some of us, the It Bags, are just too It. I like to see a little variety in my designer. For Autumn '05, Luella has mixed things up a bit.

Here's Suzy.

She's a toned town version of Luella's signature It style. With just a single horizontal strap and tasty and tasteful colors, she's a matured creation by the hot brand. For good measure, the bags still have heart tags and a hanging keylock.

Luella has her style all locked up, but hasn't thrown away the key. Check out even more varied handbags at Bergdorf Goodman.

Via Purseuing