Magnes Sisters

Yael, Tamar, and Dina – the Magnes Sisters – are behind an awesome handbag collection, which has previously been featured on Fashion Pulse Daily. This time around, we still love them as much as ever! Their popular dry martini bags (folding clutches) were my favorites and came in a variety of colors, fabrics, and prints.

[Image from oblikatelier.blogspot.com]

Oblik-Atelier

Mia Hebib is the genius behind Oblik-Atelier and is based out of Brooklyn, NY. Her art-deco (Hebib has an “obsession” with lines)- inspired collection is entirely handmade and limited in production.  Oblik-Atelier, which has been featured in magazines such as i-D and Lucky, will soon be gracing the pages of a prominent Swiss magazine in Spring 2010. All of the pieces I saw were interesting, unique, and truly works of art.

Yegang Yoo

Korean-born designer Yegang Yoo (who has previously worked with Vena Cava, Hussein Chalayan, and Rachel Comey) is another emerging fashion talent based out of Brooklyn. Her accessible collection – first launched for fall/winter 2008 – featured awesome custom-made geometric prints, dark colors, draped pieces, and light fabrics, as well as many blazers, shorts, and tunics. I completely fell in love with her unique collection, especially with many of the brilliantly draped dresses!

Saltbox

Saltbox is travel luggage, totes, and cosmetic bags that are sturdy, laid back, and perfect for everyday use. One of the best things about this collection are the unique, crazy wallpaper-like prints – there is truly a design for everyone! The collection is also fairly priced – it’s a relief to find something attractive and well-made that won’t break the bank, let alone perfect for travel. In fact, many of the travel bags feature airplane emblems that, appropriately enough, went through quite the journey themselves: first embroidered, then made out of clay and shipped to India and New Jersey, before being completed and added as the perfect finishing touch to this already unique line of totes. Pick one up today and travel in style!

Shenan

One of the most sought after pieces in this collection, a black crop vest, originally didn’t make the final cut, but was so popular with everyone who saw it that the designer, Shenan Fraguadas, added it back in, and thank goodness for that! This bold and beautiful Brooklyn-based collection is heavy on a vintage-y and rock ‘n’ roll aesthetic, as well as asymmetrics, destruction, crop tops, neutral colors, and floral prints. One of my favorite pieces is a shredded black crop top that would surely add a tough, interesting edge to an otherwise basic outfit.

-Sarah Nason

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If Carrie Bradshaw was literally going to be the lady who lived in her shoes, then I will be the lady who lived in her handbags. I guess the upside is that handbags are a lot roomier and more cushion-y than those 12 million pairs of Manolos Carrie rocked on a season to season basis.

Fact is, I love handbags. And I don’t discriminate against clutches or cross body bags or cute totes, either.

Anything that holds all of my crap also holds the key to my heart. And what’s more, this season there are so many options! Fringed brown shoulder bags, adorable chain strap clutches… I mean, for seriousness, how does one decide without Suze Orman knocking on her door saying, “hellooo, you’ve got a problem, girlfriend.”

Well, thankfully, you don’t have to worry about breaking the bank for that banging new bag (now there’s a tongue twister – take that, Sally and your sea-shells at the shore). Here are a few of my budget bags that are must-snags. Target and Lulus are not messing around this season, that’s for sure. And while blacks, browns and beautiful cognacs are still wardrobe staples, colors are becoming the new neutral. From jewel tones to gray to a soft red, don’t be afraid to add a splash of color to your normally uniform black ensemble.

And, best part, you can rock that bag knowing you’ve done both me and Suze Orman proud. Sure, Carrie has her Manolos but you have your Tarjay, and that extra money in your wallet is much more fab.

Totes (Magotes)

Purse That Converts to a Backpack
Perfect for class to shopping, and the deep purple is versatile and bomb diggity. Yeah I just said bomb diggity

Smaller Options