Valentino Histoire bag generated quite a buzz last year until the beginning of this year and has somewhat become the most iconic bag from Valentino. Angelina Jolie loved the bag so much that she couldn’t help but to order a downsized version for her daughter, Zahara. I am certain that by then, the baby still didn’t even know where her own nose was. For resort 2009 collection, Valentino reissued the bag again in stunning patent turquoise so yummy that i could not stop thinking about cotton candies and how happy they made us as children. In this color, the bag is not made to be a keeper but for the next two seasons, it will surely keep you extremely happy and satisfied. Get this stunning bag from Neiman Marcus at USD1,795.

Image is courtesy of Neiman Marcus

Rebecca Minkoff has taken the world of handbags by storm with Morning After Bag and Matinee. The Matinee is a practical bag with understated yet sophisticated design and quality Italian leather. The Web Exclusive version in wine/ burgundy suede is a must-have and i am not joking! The shape and size of this bag is excellent for everyday use but in this color, expect eyes on you when you tote it around town. The other thing irresistible about RM bags are the price points which rarely go beyond USD650. Pre-order this one now from rebeccaminkoff.com for USD625.

Image is courtesy of rebeccaminkoff.com

Every season, Marc Jacobs and his team in LV reinvent the classic Monogram Canvas. From the Graffiti to Cherry, Jokes, Perforated and the most recent Water Color, the items have somehow become collector’s items to the undying LV fans. While i myself love only a handful of the items in the various series, the latest Etoile which did Triple-quilting on the canvas offered two very nice bags. Both the shopper and the bowler come in shapes and sizes great for daily use or travel; the function which mono canvas bags serve best. Like all the other seasonal Monogram Canvas bags from Vuitton, i am pretty sure these will be sold-out. Overall i like both bags a lot, the only problem is the prices are too steep for bags mostly made of canvas, whether quilted or not. Still, if you were a collector or have more than three grands to spend on an LV bag, by all means, grab the shopper for USD3,500 or the bowler for USD2,950 from the eluxury.com.

The handbag industry has reached a new height despite the market downturn and the new height is Exotic high. Contrary to the opinion that people will reduce their spending on luxury goods, exotic handbags are still high in demand. “Women are starting to think of something that looks a little timeless and isn’t so identifiable the way the ‘it’ handbag of the minute was,” says David Wolfe, a trend forecaster at the Doneger Group in New York. “They’re looking for things that maybe have fewer details and gimmicks but [with] recognizable quality. The exotic skins certainly deliver that. Anybody who looks at those bags knows that they’re pricey.”

And who else would rejoice more upon hearing such news than Nancy Gonzalez? The Colombian-based handbag designer has been long recognised as the top exotic handbag maker to the world. Nancy Gonzalez bags are logoless, hardware-less and made of supple and quality exotic skins, mostly crocs. This croc tote in red (also available in black) is one example of simplicity at its best. I can imagine the bag being used today and still being used by the owner 30 years from now and will still be as stunning. If you could do the math, grab this baby from Neiman Marcus at USD3,650.