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DKNY Zebra Print Purse Set, Handbag of the Day

DKNY Zebra Print Purse Set Handbag
Here's a very stylish but also relatively affordable gift for the handbag-loving lady on your shopping list this Christmas: the DKNY Zebra Print Purse Set. A nice way to give something trendy like animal print without asking them to commit to it 100% as the set allows for the little purses to be easily be tucked inside something larger. Calf's hair exterior in black and white zebra print, navy blue lined interior, and silvertone hardware all packaged together in a gold DKNY logo ribbon.

The large purse measures 26cm x 16cm x 5cm and has a chain shoulder strap, the medium measures 20cm x 13cm x 4cm, and the small is a handy 17cm x 10cm x 3cm. All three for £129.

Win a Zappos Gift Card

Win a Zappos Gift CardWhen Zappos offered Luxist a $50 gift card, I jumped at the chance. I had a lot of fun browsing the site, which started out as a shoe mecca and now includes bags, clothing, housewares, and beauty items. The tough part was making a choice. I gave in to footwear trends and bought a pair of chocolate brown UGG boots, chipping in the rest of the price on my own, of course.

Then I thought, what about Luxist readers? So I asked Zappos if it would offer a $50 gift card to one reader, and the nice folks there agreed. Use the card to buy a gift for someone else, or for yourself. Or just save it until you need something. The card doesn't expire and doesn't incur fees.

Some other important details:
* To enter, leave a confirmed comment below.
* The comment must be left and confirmed by December 25, 2009 at 5:00PM Eastern Time.
* You may only enter once.
* One winner will be selected in a random drawing.
* One winner will receive a Zappos Gift Card valued at $50.
* Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia.

See complete contest rules here.

Christian Louboutin Satin Clutch, Handbag of the Day

Christian Louboutin Satin ClutchThe Christian Louboutin Satin Clutch is like a handbag wearing a one-shoulder dress.

If you're heading to any holiday events in satin this year, pick up this little bag, which achieves an unprecedented asymmetrical elegance. The bag is so perfectly designed that even with its unusual shape, it appears demure and simple; no feathers or big jewels on the left detail. We feel relieved to see a Christian Louboutin clutch without that high heeled kiss lock closure -- we loved it at first, but we're tired.

This sophisticated Italian bag is lined in silk and will fit all your bare essentials at 10½"W X 4"H X 1"D. No cheating with this purse; there's no hidden chain. This is a clutch you could carry for years to come, and eventually pass down to your children.

The Christian Louboutin Satin Clutch is available from Saks Fifth Avenue for $795.00.

How Many Handbags Does a Woman Really Need?

So we at Luxist clearly love handbags, we feature a new one every day as part of our Handbag of the Day feature. But although handbags might be a fashion statement, a means of expressing ourselves, and an occasional therapeutic indulgence, they're also a necessity. Whether a tiny clutch or an enormous tote, when is the last time you left the house without a bag of some kind to carry your essentials?

Arguing that carrying a handbag is a necessity is easy, and there's no doubt that certain bags serve different purposes, but is there any certain number of bags a woman really needs? How much does fashion and personal enjoyment factor in when deciding how many bags is respectable to own and how many is too many? I read somewhere once that the average woman owns 8 handbags, but that almost doesn't seem like enough if you factor in the four seasons, daytime, nighttime, and allowing for at least a neutral and a statement piece for each of those categories. Plus it's nice to allow room for the occasional purely trendy indulgence every now and then.

It's a question that has no real answer, unfortunately. But just out of curiosity, how many handbags do you own? And how many do you think is too many?

How Many Handbags Do You Own?

BCBGMAXAZRIA Ruffled Leather Clutch, Handbag of the Day

BCBGMAXAZRIA Ruffled Leather ClutchThe BCBGMAXAZRIA Ruffled Leather Clutch is a kicky little purse you can dress up or down.

This purse screams holiday spirit in its cheery shade of Hollyberry -- it's the kind of purse you'll want to match your lipstick to, and maybe your nails, as well. We love the twisted metal strap and could see this looking gorgeous with most of this season's dark jewel-colored, spangly holiday dresses and furs.

The bag is a respectable size; 9"W X 7½"H X 1"D, and features uneven cut leather ruffles and a pretty nickeltone round logo plate. You could seriously take this everywhere, from the dance floor to the dinner table, from the gala to the grocery store. Covet.

The BCBGMAXAZRIA Ruffled Leather Clutch is available from Saks Fifth Avenue for $258.00.

Newspaper Handbags at Fairmont Copley Plaza's Gift Shop

photo of newspaper handbags

If you're among those worried about the state of the newspaper industry, here's one way to express your solidarity. Okay, so it won't do anything to save the jobs of your favorite ink-stained wretches, but the gift shop at Fairmont Copley Plaza offers very cool handbags made from recycled newspapers. They're a product of Couture Planet, a Boston-local company, and newspapers themselves come from the Fairmont's guest rooms. Choose the section that you want -- colorful choices include lifestyle,arts, food, sports and my personal favorite, travel -- and then the style, which ranges from tote to wristlet.

If you're more a fan of Boston than of newspapers, the gift shop offers other local products, including cufflinks made from T tokens, parquet from the Boston Garden, or chairs from Fenway Park.

Vote Now For The Readers' Choice for Best in Accessories


Nominations have been received and vetted for the best-of-breed in jewelry, watches, leathergoods, department stores and clothing lines. The Luxist Readers' Choice Accessories Awards will be awarded based on your voting.

Each of finalists for the Readers' Choice for the Best Jewelry Line is a leader in the industry. One is not only known for its signature jewelry, but also for the blue box that it comes in. Another is known for its handcrafted pieces, but it is also known for its many innovations. Another nominee is a newer designer on the scene (relative to the others, that is) who is inspired by Florentine jewelry-making, but also astronomy, celestial, mythological and astrological influences. Another nominee is synonymous with glamour and fame and has ties to some of the world's most famous jewels. Finally, there's a nominee known for the panache of its founder, as well as its vast collection of the world's finest diamonds.

The Readers' Choice for the Best Watch Line nominees include a perennially favored brand among the watch-loving elite that is known for making the most complex wrist watch in the world. Another nominee is known for its functionally-themed luxury sport watches. The third nominee, while an historic brand with almost 200 years of heritage, is known for being a forward focused luxury watch maker of the future. A fourth nominee is perhaps the best-known luxury watch brand in the world, with a stellar reputation to match. Lastly, there's a watchmaker that epitomizes Swiss haute horology with its modern classics and technical innovation.

The Readers' Choice for the Best Leathergoods Line for a Luxist Award include award-winning brands from France, Italy and London. One started out making equestrian equipment in 1837, and still makes its goods by hand; some of its handbags are so coveted, there's a two-year long wait list to buy one. Another was started in London by a former fashion editor who partnered with a couture shoe maker to create a company now synonymous with the "red carpet". The third nominee is known for its clean lines and simple classic color palettes while the fourth is a global force of tradition and innovation. And finally, the last nominee epitomizes luxury with its delectable designer bags and vaunted luggage--some pf which command five figure prices.

Nominees for Readers' Choice for Best Department Store include one based in London that has no fewer than 330 different departments, a staff of 5,000 from 50 different countries and is visited by as many as 300,000 people on a single day. Another, with roots in Texas, is known for its superior customer service, in addition to its luxury merchandise, including some of the world's most extravagant items. One New York-based store has a shoe department that is so large, it was given its own zip code. Another Manhattan-based store specializes in hard-to-find international designers, many of which it will help launch into fame. Lastly, there's an upstart from London that is so cutting-edge and up-to-date, it launches 300 new styles on a weekly basis.

Readers' Choice nominees for Best Clothing Designer are award-winning fashion designers from Italy, England, France and the United States. One was started by a wunderkind who was named chief designer of one of the most respected fashion houses when he was still in his 20's. Another has been one of the leading names in fashion for nearly 100 years. A third nominee, known for its timeless style, has outfitted First Ladies on both sides of the aisle for decades while the fourth is famed for its understated elegance. The final nominee is synonymous with high fashion though its roots are in luggage and leather goods.

Vote now for what you believe is the best of breed for each of these categories. Readers' Choice Awards for Accessories will be announced on December 31st.

Cast your vote for the Readers' Choice Awards at .

Designer Consignment at CovetShop.com

Designer Consignment at CovetShop.comI've been consigning for years. I took a break for a while and tried the eBay route, but the return wasn't always worth all the work. So I'm back to consigning at a local store. They do the work, I get 50% of the sales price. No packing, no shipping, no extra fees.

Do you have designer items you want to consign? Or are you interested in buying consigned items? Try CovetShop. Hitting the main categories of clothing, shoes, bags, and accessories, the site does have high standards, such as "items will only be accepted if they are 100% authentic, seasonal, and in perfect condition" (read more here, and check out the high-end brands they "covet"), but you make 50% of the final sales price if you're a seller and are guaranteed authenticity if a buyer.

Gucci: Nobility Inspired Italian Craftsmanship


Gucci
has been nominated for the Luxist Awards in the category of Best Leathergoods Line, in addition to a nomination for Best Clothing Designer. Started by one man, Guccio Gucci, in Florence Italy in 1921 it was originally just a small leather goods and luggage shop that combined the master craftsmanship of Tuscan artisans with the refinement of English nobility. Gucci drew from his experience working in London's Savoy Hotel to grow his label that featured bags, trunks, gloves, shoes, and belts. The shop quickly began to attract sophisticated buyers from around Europe and the world.

In the 1940s Gucci got creative when faced with a shortage of standard materials and came up with the iconic 'Bamboo Bag', which is still available today. Then in the 1950s the brand famous 'green-red-green' web was created, and in the 1960s Jackie Kennedy carried the Gucci shoulder bag and inspired the 'Jackie O' name the bag carries today. The brand continued to grow and prosper over the years, becoming a global force of tradition and innovation in luxury goods. In 1995 Gucci became a fully public company, which enabled it to reach even higher heights of success -- including being named 'the most desirable luxury brand in the world' in 2007.

Want to learn even more about the history of this iconic luxury label? A special limited edition Gucci by Gucci is available at Gucci boutiques and offers a 450 page in-depth look into the brand's beginnings and its growth through the years, including previously unpublished product and celebrity photographs.

Cast your vote for the Readers' Choice Awards at http://www.luxist.com/awards-vote/accessories-awards.

Jimmy Choo: Elegant and Bold


Jimmy Choo,
a nominee for a Readers' Choice Award for Best Leathergoods, was launched in 1995 when Tamara Mellon, Accessories Editor at British Vogue, realized the potential demand for stylish but wearable shoes. Mellon approached Jimmy Choo, a couture shoe maker based in the East End of London who was recognized for his excellent craftsmanship. The pair formed a partnership to start a ready-to-wear shoe company and opened the first stand alone boutique on Montcomb Street. Sandra Choi, Choo's neice, was named the company's Creative Director with Mellon as its president. Joshua Schulman is the company's chief executive officer.

In 1998, the company opened its first boutique in New York, followed by Los Angeles in 1999. The company's name soon became synonymous with the "red carpet" shoe of choice. Choo's shoes were a favorite of the late Princess Diana, worn by Michelle Obama to the Inauguration Ceremony and have also been seen on such Oscar winners including Cate Blanchett, Halle Berry, Gwyneth Paltrow, Nicole Kidman and Hilary Swank, among others.

In 2001, Jimmy Choo expanded significantly and introduced a handbag collection. Today, Jimmy Choo encompasses a complete luxury lifestyle accessory brand with women's shoes, handbags, small leather goods, sunglasses and eyewear. Its products are now available in tknumber of Jimmy Choo freestanding stores as well as in prestigious department and specialty stores worldwide. The Jimmy Choo store network now encompasses more than 100 locations in 32 countries.

The brand received the 2009 "Designer Brand of the Year" award from the British Fashion Council, the 2008 ACE award for "Brand of the Year" from the Accessory Council and the 2008 "Brand of the year" from the 22nd Annual Footwear News Awards in New York.

Cast your vote for the Readers' Choice Awards at http://www.luxist.com/awards-vote/accessories-awards.

Neiman Marcus: Premier Luxury and Superior Customer Service


Neiman Marcus
is a nominee for the Readers' Choice Award for Best Department Store. The Dallas, Texas-based luxury retailer was founded in 1907 by Herbert Marcus, Sr., his sister Carrie Marcus Neiman and her husband A.L. Neiman. Since then, the company has become known for its merchandise leadership and superior customer service. Its upscale assortment of apparel, accessories, jewelry, beauty and decorative home products cater to the affluent customer.

The company is credited with many firsts. In 1926, the company premiered the first weekly retail fashion show in the U.S. It began offering menswear in 1928, featuring items like French-made ties and English shirtings--items rarely found west of New York City. In 1934 the company started running national advertisements in Vogue and Harper's Bazaar magazines--the first retail establishment outside New York City to do so. In 1984, the company established InCircle, the industry's first customer-loyalty program.

In 1939, the company launched its annual Christmas Book tradition with a wonderland of fur coats, fashion accessories, perfumes, toys and more. The book has since become famous for extravagent, over-the-top luxury items, such as a $25,000 customized and motorized cupcake car and a Jaguar XJL Supercharged Neiman Marcus edition sedan for $105,000, both offered in the 2009 book. The Christmas Book's "His and Hers" gift, which is an annual tradition, currently features a pair of ICON A5 Sports Aircrafts and pilot training for two for the princely sum of $250,000.

Now more than a century old, the company has 41 stores and a total of more than six million gross square feet around the country, from California to Massachusetts. In 1999, Neiman Marcus launched its website, neimanmarcus.com, making it possible for customers around the world to easily access its large selection of designer and luxury brands via the Internet. The Neiman Marcus Group is the parent company of two other esteemed companies: Bergdorf Goodman, the luxury department store based in New York and The Horchow Collection, a luxury mail-order catalog.

Cast your vote for the Readers' Choice Awards at http://www.luxist.com/awards-vote/accessories-awards.

Louis Vuitton: From Vaunted Travel Trunks to Delectable Handbags


With an array of vaunted leather luggage, delectable designer bags and other accoutrements sold only through its own stores and boutiques, Louis Vuitton epitomizes luxury. No surprise, then, that it's a finalist for a Readers' Choice Award in the Best Leather Goods Category.

Founded in 1854 by a Frenchman of the same name, Louis Vuitton started out specializing in travel trunks. The sturdy luggage was favored by legendary explorers such as Pierre Paul François Camille Savorgnan de Brazza, in whose honor the Congolose capital of Brazzaville is named.

Georges Vuitton carried his father's tradition into the 20th Century, peddling his wares around the world as international travel became accessible to more and more people. But it wasn't until its merger with Moet and Hennessey in 1987 that Louis Vuitton became a true global luxury powerhouse. The resulting conglomerate, LVMH, now pulls down billions in revenue even amid the worst economic downturn in a generation, thanks in part to handbags that often fetch five figure prices.

Chaired by billionaire Bernard Arnault, LVMH has continued its historical trend as outfitter to the stars. Recent ad campaigns for Louis Vuitton have featured celebrities from Gisele Bundchen to Andre Agassi; others -- like the self-styled "Louis Vuiton Don" Kanye West -- have provided publicity for free. Even former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev has been featured in Louis Vuitton ads, proof of the brand's incredible power.

Cast your vote for the Readers' Choice Awards at http://www.luxist.com/awards-vote/accessories-awards.

Hermes: Classic and Coveted


A Readers' Choice nominee in the Best Leather Goods Category, Hermes has come a long way since its inception nearly two centuries ago. The company was founded by a Frenchman named Thierry Hermes in 1837 as a maker of harnesses and bridles. Since then, it has grown into one of the world's most sought-after luxury brands; customers have ranged from Humphrey Bogart to Paris Hilton.

Hermes is known for leather goods like the Kelly bag and Constance bag, favored by actress Grace Kelly and former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Like all Hermes products, these bags are made by hand without assembly lines; only one craftsman may work on a bag at a time.

The Birkin bag, which takes its name from actress Jane Birkin, is perhaps the most coveted of them all. Made from exotic animal skins and adorned with hardware hewn from precious metals, these bags boast waiting lists in excess of two years and price tags starting at $5000. A one-of-a-kind pink crocodile Birkin fetched $140,000 in 2007.

Hermes peddles its goods through boutiques sprinkled throughout posh U.S. enclaves like New York, East Hampton, Palm Beach and Beverly Hills. Based in Paris, the company continues to expand abroad into lucrative developing markets such as China. In a nod to its heritage, Hermes still offers equestrian paraphernalia.

Cast your vote for the Readers' Choice Awards at http://www.luxist.com/awards-vote/accessories-awards.

Harrods: All Things for All People, Everywhere


Harrods is nominated for a Readers' Choice Award for Best Department Store. With over one million square feet of selling space and more than 330 departments, Harrods is one of the largest stores in the world. On busy days, some 300,000 shoppers visit the store, serviced by a staff of 5,000 people from 50 different countries. A Luxist nominee for best department store, Harrods was also a finalist for in our Best Gourmet Grocer/Food Hall category.

Founded in 1834 by Charles Henry Harrod, the original Harrods initially operated out of a single room in London as a sort of general store, specializing in tea. Within fifty years, it had grown to a company with 100 employees, expanding into neighboring buildings as its customer base grew. In 1912, Harrods opened its first and only store abroad in Buenos Aires.

The past few decades have seen the venerable store change hands more than a few times. In 1959, a British holding company called House of Fraser purchased Harrods; in 1985, that company was purchased by Egyptian businessman Mohamed Fayed and his brother Ali for 615 million pounds.

Today, Harrods offers clothing for men and women of all ages, as well as electronics, toys, appliances and a host of other categories of goods. The store also contains dozens of eating establishments ranging from the elegant (Caviar House) to the fattening (Krispy Kreme), all in keeping with the Harrods motto: Omnia Omnibus Ubique – "All Things for All People".

Cast your vote for the Readers' Choice Awards at http://www.luxist.com/awards-vote/accessories-awards.

Bottega Veneta: Where Classic Meets Cutting Edge


Bottega Veneta
is nominated for a Luxist Award in the Best Leathergoods category. Founded in 1966 by the husband and wife team Vittorio and Laura Moltedo in Vicenza, Italy, the brand was known from the start for its exceptionally soft hand-woven 'Intrecciato' signature leather handbags. The Studio 54 crowd was especially fond of the brand, and Andy Warhol was known to do much of his Christmas shopping in the New York boutique.

Bottega Veneta continued to prosper over the years, maintaining a focus mostly on handmade leather accessories like handbags, belts, and shoes. Their incredibly luxe Intrecciato hand-woven leather styles became (and remain) a trademark of the brand, even through its sale to Gucci in 2001.

Although often colorful and certainly following and setting trends in fashion, Bottega Veneta creations usually lean towards clean lines and simple, classic color palettes. Trends are usually embraced subtly and as a result the brand has found a fine balance between cutting edge and timeless appeal.

Today Bottega Veneta is still known for fine leather and soft Intrecciato masterpieces but also offers a wide selection of other products for sale in boutiques around the world and online. Sunglasses, scarves, and hats are offered in cashmere knits and other materials and round out their leather offerings, helping the brand secure a solid spot in the niche of luxury accessories.

Cast your vote for the Readers' Choice Awards at http://www.luxist.com/awards-vote/accessories-awards.


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