We are very lucky because we can show you these bags before the boutique opens so that you can begin your strategic planning. Figure out what it is that you want/need and get your purchase fingers ready. This is a boutique you will not want to miss!

  Be still my heart. Some of the promotions I work on are both sheer joy and total temptation, and the Madison Avenue Couture Hermes Rue La La boutique is a perfect example of this. Starting today at 11 AM EST, RueLaLa.  an incredible selection of over 60 Hermes bags from around the world for sale. Over 70% of the bags are highly coveted Birkins and Kellys in materials varying from crocodile and ostrich to lizard and more. Included in this allotment is a never-before-carried black crocodile Birkin, and I think you ladies all know how coveted those are. If the bags are not what you are looking for or aren’t in your price range, there will be a selection of scarves, jewelry and accessories.More Hermes handbags sale onestylefocus.

  Remember last week when I was complaining that I never know when anyone’s pregnant until the baby is almost ready to arrive? Well, I may have gotten in on the ground floor of this whole Jessica Simpson, is-she-or-isn’t-she thing. These pictures of Ms. Simpson arriving in New York City with a rather round stomach lead me to some Googling, and the prevailing theory seems to be “bun in the oven” rather than “last-minute pit stop at Chipotle.” Either way, Jessica isn’t talking, and that’s completely within her rights. In fact, I kind of like it better when celebrities don’t try to milk the press for maximum pregnancy coverage. Mazel tov, Jessica, no matter what might be going on here.

In other news, it looks as though Ms. Simpson has a bonafide new favorite bag. This is the second time we’ve caught her with her leopard Celine Triptyque Satchel, and with a bag that beautiful, I doubt her interest will wane any time soon. For this trip to the airport, she chose to pair it with a pair of Alaia Platform Hiking Boots.

  Although I wasn’t a huge fan of Marc Jacobs’ Spring 2012 runway bags, his Resort 2012 collection has been on my radar for months. The mid-season line has some of Jacobs’ chicest designs in quite a while, mostly because the bags are without gimmicks. Instead, what you’ll find is clean lines and supple leather in the kinds of color combinations that feel very current.

  The other notable thing about these bags is the return of the Marc Jacobs Venetia, but in an altered state. Back in the mid-2000s, the Venetia and its iconic buckled pockets were a staple of Marc’s in-demand accessories line, and now the shape is back, without its pockets, for a second tour of duty through the handbag wars. Check out more of the bags after the jump and let us know if any of them tickle your fancy.

 If you remember my post about Miu Miu’s Spring 2012 runway bags,then you probably remember feeling the same disappointment that I did about the collection. Despite a hit here and there over the past five years with the Bow Satchel and the many versions of the Coffer, the brand’s bags never bowl me over the way that the rest of its products often do.

 The sight of this Miu Miu Resort 2012 ad, via NYMag.com’s Cut Blog, gives me the hope that I need to continue on as a Miu Miu handbag fan, though. Do you see this bag as an improvement? Baby pink has never been a favorite of mine, but the color fits perfectly with spring’s trends and the shape and size combine for a very well-executed bag. Plus, Miu Miu is very good about making its pieces in a variety of shades, and I’m hoping against hope that this bag will see the light of day in a lovely dove grey. Not only would that fit with spring’s color palette, but it would fit in my closet. Here’s hoping it’ll also fit in my budget; no word on prices yet.

   Despite the fact that Spring 2012 was kind of a down season for runway bags, there were still plenty of highlights that deserve to be noted. After all, in a season where Louis Vuitton gives you wall-to-wall exotics and Hermes reintroduces a long-shelved shoulder bag, things can’t really be that dreary, can they? So here we have the ten best bags from the Spring 2012 show schedule, presented in alphabetical order. We picked only bags that appeared in major runway shows because those are the ones to which we have access at this point in the season. Once bag designers who didn’t have shows start sending out lookbooks, we’ll have lots more bags (and lists) to show you. Tell us which bags are your favorites in the comments, and let us know if we missed anything!

Bottega Veneta Crocodile Clutch

The color is the real story with this bag, and the yellow-undertones green and sharp structure give the exotic leather its requisite opportunity to shine.

 Derek Lam Inlaid Snakeskin Top Handle

Derek Lam Inlaid Snakeskin Top Handle

Several brands, including Marni, offered pieced leather bags in retro-modern geometric patterns on the runway, but this combination of various textures and colors of snakeskin was my favorite. This bag will work as a neutral, but the jade accents make it much more special.

 Diane von Furstenberg Multitextured Shoulder Bag

Diane von Furstenberg Multitextured Shoulder Bag

 This design will surely have a clever name once it hits stores, and I can’t wait to see all the different color and texture variations that the shape will have. For now, though, this neutral mixture that was buried in DVF’s excellent show is a very sharp and wearable option.

 Hermes Passe Guide Shoulder Bag

As it turns out, this stunner from the Hermes show isn’t a new design at all. The Hermes Passe Guide design dates back to the 1960s but hasn’t been produced in decades, and now Christophe Lemaire has revived it to great effect. The heavy side hardware distinguishes it from other Hermes designs, and it fits a very convenient aesthetic gap in the venerable French brand’s leather lineup.

Louis Vuitton Crocodile Duffel

By now, everyone’s seen the dozen or so modified Speedys in powdery pastel crocodile that graced the runway at the Louis Vuitton show, but what about this slightly more modern bicolor duffel version? It also came in a darker blue, and I prefer it to the more traditional Speedy.

Marchesa Crystal Embellished Minaudiere

Marni Woven Houndstooth Satchel

Prada Frame Tote

Proenza Schouler Canteen Bag

Proenza Schouler Canteen Bag

Victoria Beckham Structured Day Clutch 

  Now that shows have officially closed for the season and all the bags have been seen (by us, anyway – we’ve still got some more posts for you guys!), I feel comfortable saying that Spring 2012 is probably going to be a bit of a boring season for accessories, at least compared to what we’ve grown used to recently. That being said, a few major designers who have been struggling to find their voices have stepped it up this season, at least when handbags are concerned.

   Valentino Spring 2012 is one such collection; I did a lot of complaining about the brand’s Fall 2011 runway bags, but this group is altogether more refined and well-conceived than previous lines have felt. Some of last season’s elements, including studded hand straps, can be found in these designs, but they’re used in ways that feel more natural and functional. This is the collection that Valentino should have showed last season, but I’m glad they decided to show it at all.

  As is probably to be expected of anything that’s received as much press attention as this little bag has, naturally.

  The Huffington Post is reporting that The Row’s $34,000 black alligator backpack has sold out, but that appears to be the result of a misinterpreted quote that one of the Olsen sisters gave to Women’s Wear Daily during a party for their newly launched handbag line in Paris. My suspicion is corroborated by the fact that Net-a-Porter still has the bag in stock well after its debut, but the point still stands – people are buying this bag. Who are they? As always, I have a few theories.

  First, though, it’s important to understand that this bag was likely made in extremely limited quantities, which means that it wouldn’t take a whole lot of units for it to “sell out,” which the Olsens don’t even seem to be claiming that it has done. If you read the linked WWD article, Ashley Olsen merely says that the bag was “the first thing to sell off the shelf.” That’s a little different than claiming a complete sell-through of global inventory, at least to me. It does indicate brisk sales, though, at least relative to available (small) supply.

   Second, there’s a sucker born every minute. If you’re a regular watcher of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, then you know that someone was on the show this week, bragging about buying a $25,000 pair of sunglasses. Because this bag has been all over the press for its high price tag, women who have more access to cash than self-esteem have likely taken to this design like ducks to water. All of their friends will already know how much it cost on sight, and then the bragging can begin.

  Third, I’m willing to allow that this is actually a fairly attractive bag for those who dig The Row’s modern-minimal aesthetic. The brand’s pieces have been super pricey since its inception, so The Row’s devoted clients are those with money to burn. It wouldn’t shock me if one or two of them were up to the challenge of burning it on this bag in particular. Also, Mary Kate and Ashley likely have lots of rich friends, so maybe a few of them who aren’t close enough (or famous enough – think about all fashion issues from a PR perspective, always) to be gifted with a bag this expensive put their money where their mouths were.

  This is speculation, of course, but I’m betting that some combination of those scenarios occurred to sell a few stupidly expensive alligator backpacks over the last month. If someone wants to, you know, give me one, I wouldn’t say no. Just in case someone with a billion dollars is out there, reading this, and wondering if I’d like one as a gift. My birthday’s coming up.

I completely agree – but for majority of bags we cover in the designer category, this is a steal (oddly enough)!

  Do you hear the crickets? Our Burberry category has been quiet for quite some time simply because many of the designs I’ve seen don’t wow me. Sure, Burberry is known for its nova check pattern, but after you grow tired of checkered bags, there isn’t much to lure you in. And then there’s another problem: some designs that we see from Burberry are just… weird. All of this makes me sad because Burberry is a brand I adore, especially their Prorsum line of apparel (the jackets are KILLER).

With that in mind, it brings me great joy to show you the Burberry East-West Buffalo Tote, which not only offers an elegant style but is also priced very reasonably. The little sliver of my hear that wants so badly for Burberry to succeed at handbags is jumping for joy right now.

  With a slightly slouchy silhouette, this bag’s classic design shines through with deep plum buffalo leather and golden hardware. I love how unexpected and demure the color choice is, especially on a leather this thick and durable.

   You know me well by now, I am a sucker for shoulder straps and this bag has one with curb chain ends along with double top handles. The top of the bag has a zipper with a logo clasp and overall dimensions are 9.5″ x 15″ x 7″. And here is the second best part behind the appearance, the price: a mere $1,195 via Neiman Marcus, which in the handbag world, is a steal.

   For me, the answer is no. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this Fendi bag and it is by far one of the most stunning colorblocked brown bags I have ever laid my eyes upon. But the structure paired with the single top handle gives this bag a very ladylike vibe that simply doesn’t work with my personal style. There is, however, an optional shoulder strap, which begins to make this bag call to me and remind me that this can work for me too. I love wearing jeans and maxi dresses with oversized tops and funky jackets. Even with the optional shoulder strap, I would never give this handbag the love and wear that is deserves. For the ladies who love a little structure, Fendi delivers an intensely gorgeous option. Overall dimensions are 8.5″ x 12″ x 5.5″. Pre-order via Neiman Marcus for $8,180.

    I’m not one to turn to single-handle structured handbags much, but sometimes an unexpected bag wows me enough to get my attention. Fendi has accomplished this with their Silvana Croc & Stingray Bag. Seriously, everything about this bag is absolutely stunning from the beige smooth leather to the dark brown crocodile to the beige stingray top handle. Each piece of the whole flows together beautifully, leaving a stunning fall accessory staple.

But does this bag evoke enough emotion to draw a price tag over $8,000?

   I love clutches because they look so classy but sometimes they are a little inconvenient to carry. Good thing is, these ones come with a strap.

Maddeningly, Celine tends not to show many of its bags on the runway. We get a little glimpse here and there of where Phoebe Philo’s brilliance is headed for the season, but mostly her fans are left waiting for spy pictures to surface to get a better idea of where our money will be headed in the coming months. For Celine Spring 2012, though, my money might be headed straight to the runway bag that you see above.

It’s all in the painted edges, you guys. Otherwise, this might be just a boring (but impeccable) shoulder bag that I would surely notice but might not necessarily consider buying. The neon edges give the bag a subtle but very important step toward modernism, and that’s when Philo’s at her wearable best. The rest of the bags are equally elegant, and I’ll have you note that several of them are hobos – they’re coming back, I swear.

   Perhaps the most exciting thing about Lanvin’s bags is that they seem designed to carry things. Yes, that’s right, a designer has deigned to recognize that even our clutches have to be big enough to hold the essentials. The entire collection was clearly designed for a woman who has functional needs from her wardrobe, and the bags reflected that perhaps more than anything else. The fabrication, of course, was immaculate – the leather, sturdy but not inflexible, and the edges as crisp as anything I’ve seen this season.