"Colette" Stylish Laptop Clutch by J'Tote

I love a good clutch, but a stylish clutch that's created to cradle my laptop? Now that is divine. I am all over this new laptop clutch named "Colette" by the stylish laptop bag maker, J'Tote. It comes in 3 chic colors including black, pewter and navy blue and can hold laptops that are up to 14". I personally have the Colette in black and I find that I can fit my Blackberry, wallet and makeup bag along with my hp mini into this stylish laptop clutch. The envelope style clutch is the new way to carry your laptop around town.Perfect for editors as well as any fashionista on the go. Get yours here.

Copyright ©2009 Haute Mimi International LLC. All rights reserved.

ACCESSORIES REPORT | Lena Erziak Handbags

We recently came across the fabulous new handbag range, Lena Ezriak designed by sisters, Leona and Hasna Ezriak. The sisters used their diverse Moroccan and Belgian heritage as the inspiration for their chic, elegant and colorful designs. The bags are carefully handmade by artisans in Florence Italy from the highest quality leathers. The handbags come in a range of fabulous shades including exotic colors like periwinkle, fuchsia and orange. The attention to detail is apparent in every bag and the python embossed styles are to die for. Lena Ezriak is currently available at the sisters' LES boutique Stella Filante and will be available via Fred Segal and Intermix come February. To get your Lena Ezriak arm candy fix and for more information about this line now click here.

Copyright ©2009 Haute Mimi International LLC. All rights reserved.

The Balmain bags are here!

It's the line we've all been waiting for. The effortlessly cool, undeniably chic line of Balmain bags has arrived and we're drooling in our cashmere sweaters. They're so incredibly sleek and exude the kind of coolness that doesn't come with the right kind of jeans or a well fitted jacket. Every single piece is inimitably handmade and goes intoxicatingly well with this season's power shouldered outfits. These luxe bags will make you feel like Agneyys Deyn. View all the bags here.
Copyright ©2009 Haute Mimi International LLC. All rights reserved.

Chain-Link Reaction | New Handbags Via Lanvin & Marc Jacobs

Chain-link has been a huge trend in handbags for a few seasons now but it is definitely classic and timeless. Designers are churning out some of the most gorgeous chain-link bags this season so it's not a bad idea to buy now and wear forever. I adore both of these handbags. The first being Lanvin's Happy Sac Partage shoulder bag which is just beautiful and chic and will wear well with anything. The other favorite is the Marc Jacobs Flash quilted ponyskin bag which looks great with an all nude or came outfit as well as an all back ensemble. Copyright ©2009 Haute Mimi International LLC. All rights reserved.

Fabulous Item | Mulberry Pink Leopard Print Bag handbag

This bag stopped my breath. I nearly decided to spend half my Fall shopping Fund on it. This decadent piece: The Mulberry smudged leopard print handbag, has got the kind of quality a classic LV Stephen Sprouse bag, A Birkin or a Chanel 2.55 has- it draws you in. It's bright, totally fabulous and undeniably sassy. What more could a girl ask for?

Copyright ©2009 Haute Mimi International LLC. All rights reserved.

Inge Christopher Clutches

Inge Christopher is a line I really adore. I look forward to seeing what the label puts out every season and I am never disappointed. They've won my heart over once again with these fabulous new clutches from the FW09 line, which by the way is not yet available. The decadent motif is fabulous and sophisticated and will look just as dazzling in the coming seasons. Dare to be dramatic and pair these beauties with a hot pink or electric blue shift dress. Visit the Inge christopher colection here.

What's Haute | Angel Jackson Handbags

I was introduced to Angel Jackson handbags recently and I was instantly drawn to them. They are glamourous, fun, and extremely chic. They are just as gorgeous with your dazzling party dress as they are with your distressed jeans. View the entire collection here.

Botkier Handbags

New York style is all about dark and sustainable glamour. I adore these fabulous bags by Botkier. They are super durable and yet oh so super chic. They look great paired with skinny jeans, heels and a white tank as well as a little black dress. See the entire collection here.

Arm Candy | Miu Miu Patent Square Tote

Net-A-Porter

Mondrian Inspired

London Fashion Week has seen the launch of some truly great designers. I was honoured to be present at the start of what is destined to be a meteoric success story. Eenamaria has a range of fabulous, funky, chic, collectable bags. I wanted most of them! Sarah Morgan is truly talented; the Chelsea Boi Collection is stunning. Based on Mondrian geometrics this is a bright, creative range. The Harlem range features rounded sensual, glossy bags. Attention grabbing and fun, you will feel sexy and confident as you sashay along. How is this for a lap top bag? -Gabrielle Teare

The Word Glamour Was Invented In Monaco

I'm in love with the latest handbags and clutches from the exquisite company, Mont Charles de Monaco. With stunning designs that mimic the curves of a woman's body, these handbags are glamorous, chic and will be the kind of piece you pass on to your granddaughter.

The name "Mont Charles de Monaco" is inspired by Monaco's Prince Charles III.In 1861 he transformed Monaco into an affluent paradise, naming the most glamorous district "Monte Carlo", Italian for Mont Charles. View the entire collection here.

Letters To Mimi: Best Bag For Work

Q: Mimi, I'm a working woman with a very demanding job. I feel like I have a million things I have to carry with me daily yet I haven't found a bag that can accommodate literally my whole life. Do you have any suggestions for a great work bag that's stylish yet functional? P.S. It must fit my laptop. - Eva, 28 -NY

A: Hi Eva, I recently came across a company called ACME Made. They specialize in making ultra durable bags that are insanely sustainable yet look very chic and put together. My Favorite bag from their collection is called "The Metro Tote" which is perfect for any working girl. It's roomy enough for all your essentials from your laptop, to your makeup bag, paperwork, you name it. The laptop sleeve is also retractable so you can make even more room and use it as a weekender. This bag is also great for editors attending fashion week, we all know how much paperwork we need to carry not to mention bottles of Pellegrino and of course emergency flats. Get your Metro Tote here.

Ted Rossi Python & Swarovski Clutch

Ted Rossi specializes in ultra-luxurious skins. I am absolutely floored by this exotic piece from the Fall 2008 collection. This clutch is made from genuine python skin and adorned with Swarovski crystal detail. It's simply stunning.

Bag, Borrow, or Steal - Handbag and Accessory Rentals

It has been a complete joy ride borrowing from Bag Borrow or Steal, the company that offers fun designer handbag rentals, as well as fabulous fashion forward accessories to show off to all of your friends, without the guilt of spending your entire paycheck. The accessories are shipped extremely fast, and the packaging is impeccable. The bags are safely contained with extra protection from shifting in the shipping process. Upon opening the package, the bags smell so fresh and are spotless. Just because someone may have borrowed your bag before you, doesn't mean it looks like it. These bags are completely stunning. The awesome thing about this service is that there is no "due date" for the bags, so you can keep them as long as you wish. However there is a small insurance fee (they charged me five dollars), but that is more than worth it to carry handbags worth this much. From up to the minute trends as well as vintage finds, Bag Borrow or Steal can fulfill your every luxurious desire. Check out their latest Spring trends as well as the Sex in the City inspired designs.

Charm and Luck Shopper Tote

Pros: Large capacity, big, and bright! A definite eye catcher. Those are crystal studs lining the stitching, not metal studs. Great shoulder to armpit length in the shoulder straps. This bag can be carried two ways. One is along your forearm and it will hang as shown in the images, or it can be sort of folded gently in a way on your shoulder, making it look more boxy. The crystal studs show up either way you carry it. Unique!

Cons: Floppy and can get heavy if you fill it with too many goodies! Straps tend to fall off shoulder while carrying it. Does not stand straight up when you put it on a counter due to the nature of the soft leather.

Kate Spade "Bilbao" Quintessa

Pros: Glossy "diva" bag that definitely gets compliments! Roomy enough for large books or magazines. Perfect to carry in your hand. Durable and sturdy and just plain and simple gorgeous! The color is so deep and rich, which is coveted by most handbag lovers and collectors.

Cons: Handle is short and doesn't fit around shoulder comfortably. Gets dirty fast, and can get scratched easily.

Fashion Crime: Fake or Flattery?

Sometimes imitation isn’t the best form of flattery. The price of replica designer bags may sound tempting, but you get exactly what you pay for. It’s gaudy looking, and most people can tell a fake bag from a mile away. Luxury does not come at a cheap price, and counterfeit bags are poorly made. Don’t let the construction fool you. The leather isn’t real and the stitching is far from perfect. Knock-offs also have a reputation for breaking easily.

The quality of genuine, designer products is far superior to replica bags. Owning a fake bag does not provoke the same warm feeling of pride and happiness that the real bag produces; it simply can’t compete with the designer aesthetic. For the true couture connoisseurs, a handbag is more than an accessory; it’s an extension of the person. Fashion houses and designers take a hit every time a fake bag is purchased. Counterfeit manufacturers are stealing the intellectual property owned and created by the designers. The buying and selling of knock-offs is illegal. It’s organized crime. Recently, New York City officials closed down 32 vendors on Canal Street for selling counterfeit merchandise. This is far from glamorous! Remember that an original designer bag is an investment. Try saving up for it. If you put aside ten dollars a week for a whole year, that’s $520 to spend on a bag you can enjoy for years. If a classy girl has a tight budget, she’s better off buying a good quality, unbranded bag than a fake. Counterfeit products are a fashion faux pas that a fashion diva avoids like the plague.

-Therese Quiao

The Perfect Bag for Spring into Summer

"Virtue" clutch in Rust

"Explorer" shoulder bag in Armour

Impeccably designed bags from the Kaia Peterka label. These are from the Spring/Summer 2008 collection. I love the intricate detail of the Armour leather selection. The Rust leather selection is truly unique, and exquistely modern.

Interview

Kaia Peterka Handbags

HM: What kind of woman wears your bags and/or who is your target consumer?

KP: The women who wear my bags are women on the go. They need chic, versatile bags to get them through busy days (and nights), and they want to look effortlessly glamorous as they do it.

HM: What is your philosophy on design?

KP: My design philosophy revolves around the idea that sometimes simple can be better. By focusing on clean lines and simple shapes, the fine details and materials become more central. This clean approach also allows me to eliminate superfluous weight that often makes bags a burden to carry. Each piece is meant to be both timeless and modern, something a woman can wear for years to come and always be in fashion.

HM: What is the main function for your bags? Are they more functional or more pleasing to the eye, or both?

KP: It is essential to me that designs are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Why choose one when you can have both?

HM: Do you have a personal favorite design that you created?

KP: My favorite design so far is Suspenseful. It is the perfect combination of the features I try to put into every design and the result is a very unique bag. It holds a lot if you need it to, more than one might imagine at first glance. The suspended strap construction allows the bag to cinch, but whether nearly empty or full, it retains its great shape.

HM: Are there any new and innovative ideas or concepts you are working on?

KP: The collection I’m working on for Fall 2008 is inspired by the Medieval spirit. Considering beauty against the backdrop of war, the bags mix hard and soft, strength and vulnerability. It is a little different than the concepts I have worked on to this point, and I am very excited about its release.

Going Green? Start with Baggu

Baggu is the new reusable shopping bag. They are your first and easiest step to going green. These bags prevent the use of ordinary plastic bags you might find at the supermarket. Saving millions of pounds of litter each year. They come in an array of colors. My favorite is fuchsia of course. xx Mimi http://www.baggubag.com/

Coach, Not my favorite, but the masses approve..

Coach addicts will be thrilled to learn that the company has plans to launch two new lifestyle lines this year: Bleeker collection will be launched in Fall 2007 and will fill consumers' demand for a lighter weight leather bag - average price at $350 (the average Coach bags are $275 and Legacy bags average $450) The second line, Heritage Stripe, will launch Spring 2008 with durable and sporty totes made of coated canvas cotton. Lew Frankfort, Chairmand and CEO of Coach said in a talk with Wallstreet Journal this week, "the two lines were the company's response to voids in the market and to customer needs. In one case, our consumer expressed considerable interest in a lighter-weight, leather-based collection inspired by our history, and Bleecker offers that. In terms of Heritage Stripe, it met a functional void since we don't have a comprehensive lifestyle collection of durable, chic, sporty totes".