You read about the designer, now you see the bags. Aren’t they something to droll over? Well respected and desirable…Yes but Loewe has never been any sexier or cooler before.

Images are courtesy of loewe.com

• Tweet

If you have taken notice on exciting new bags from the 160 years old house of Loewe lately, it might because since the beginning of 2008, 34-year-old Stuart Vevers has taken over the helm as the Creative Director of the house and injected new life into the under-the-radar brand. Vever’s resume is among the most powerful ones in the industry today with footprints from Calvin Klein, Bottega Veneta, Givenchy, Louis Vuitton, Luella Bartley to the most recent Mulberry where he was responsible for the popular Roxanne tote and Mabel bag. Vevers won the Accessory Designer of the Year in the British Fashion Awards 2006. Loewe, on the other hand, is one non-Italian/ French house which prides itself with strong heritage in leather goods comparable to that of Gucci, Hermes and Bottega Veneta.

Since his debut collection for the house (Fall Winter 2008), Vevers has constantly delivered pieces worthy of sharing the limelight with the house’s almighty signature Amazona bag. Will he be able to bring the brand to appeal to the commercial mass like he did Mulberry? Or perhaps the question is whether we ever really wants to? Afterall, both the brands and the designer have always been equally low-key.

Unfortunately Loewe pieces are distributed only offline via their boutiques at this point of time making them more exclusive. Visit loewe.com for the catalogs or contact the nearest boutique to you.

Image is courtesy of elpais.com

• Tweet

Balenciaga Arena (aka motorcycle) bag is the house’s signature bag popularized by the likes of The Olsen Twins and Lindsay Lohan. Balenciaga Lune bag might the complete opposite of its predecessor. While the Arena is rugged, Lune is elegant. Nevertheless both models are glam and very desirable. The Arena Giant Pom Pon is the newest reincarnation of the Arena bag. I personally like this shape better as it is more unique and not as awfully boxy as its predecessor but i do not think it will be as popular either (now that the craze has gone down). The Lune bag has been around for one season and is currently being marked down at Barneys. It is a tough choice as both are equally nice yet are very different. Pick your style – Arena Giant Pom Pon (left) at USD1,795 or Lune at USD1,549 (down from USD2,575).

Images are courtesy of barneys.com

• Tweet

Marc by Marc Jacobs bags have been popular for good reasons. The designs are generally functional, the leather bags are value-for-money and the range spans from casual and funky to business and classy. I have picked 6 bags to be recommended. Browse the full collection in eluxury.com.

Top (left to right): Strippy Zippy Natti bag (USD388), Dr. Q Riz (USD528), Dr. Q Groovee (USD498)

Bottom (left to right): Jelly Jacquard Groovee (USD279), Faux Real Shopper (USD85), Lux Laminated Swifty (USD175)

Images are courtesy of eluxury.com

• Tweet

Dior 61 Medium Shopper has been around for a few months now and despite knowing the fact that it is a stunning bag, it has never jumped on and urged me to write about it…until i saw it in this hot red leather. This is the embodiment of all things Dior: High-style, lady-like, glamorous, sexy and classic. Once in a while a classic-potential bag will come up from a collection and this is one. Pre-order from eluxury.com for USD1,850. Also available in other colors such as Brandy but is nowhere comparable to this.

Image is courtesy of eluxury.com

• Tweet

Dior has been absent for a while from the luxury handbag turf. Still remember the time when everywhere you turned, you saw one piece from the pink Dior canvas? I honestly thought it was the end of Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas era. How naive was I? Cruise 2009 does not deviate too far from the much-hyped Dior bags of 2008, still lady-like, very prim and proper. Nevertheless the new Diorita is fresh and young. The shape might be a little too stiff to some but In smooth leather with minimal hardware and in this delicious Dune color, it will surely turn some heads. Buy from eluxury.com for USD1,515.

Image is courtesy of eluxury.com

• Tweet

The Spring 2009 bags from the venerable fashionable house of Chanel are simply irresistible. Chanel is the icon of Parisian chic and high-style for women who are sure of themselves. Carrying something from Chanel sets one apart from the flock. Over the past few years, the brand has been trying to appeal more to younger audience as opposed to only to the ladies who lunch. I love this collection very much because it is so much fun, young yet still well put together with a hint of jokes. Notice how the classic flap bag has been redone in Chanel-signature tweed, how the shopping bags in leather draw inspiration from paper bags and lastly how the classic flap in leather has been re-oriented to portrait. Best thing is, Chanel rarely follows trends. The house either sets one sometimes or mostly produce classic pieces so when you buy into a Chanel, you could use it forever.

Image is courtesy of style.com

• Tweet