Dear Readers,

The PURSEholic has moved to www.purseholic.com

Coach Sabrina Bag

Coach hit it BIG with the latest Sabrina bags (under Madison handbags). I like the shape, the functionality, the look, the horse and carriage logo emblem (Reed Krakoff pays tributes to the brand's heritage back to the 1960s) and of course the price point, typically what Coach bags are loved for. Another beauty about this range is its wide selection of materials used. Let's skip the printed satin fabric and the more expensive exotic leathers and zoom into the lust-worthy Italian leather in many palatable color choices. This is Coach's way of saying "welcome the happier season!". Prices start from USD358 to USD498 for large versions and all available at coach.com.

Image is courtesy of coach.com - Leather Sabrina in Magenta for USD358

Gucci Joy Boston for UNICEF

Gucci got a tattoo - a collection of a heart tattoo on bags, to be exact, to help save children's life. When you purchase an item from the white TATTOO HEART COLLECTION Gucci will donate 25% of the sale to support UNICEF programs for orphans and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa. This limited edition is valid November 19, 2008 through January 31, 2009. I personally do not like the tattoo on the bag, aesthetically speaking but getting a new bag which 25% of the price will benefit children in Africa sounds a very appealing idea to me and probably to many too. Among all the bags in the selection, the bag that appeals most to me is the Joy Boston in blue GG canvas and red patent leather trim. If you happen to like the bag and have a helping heart, this bag could go no wrong. Also available in brown (picture) for USD695 at saks. You could check out the stunning blue version and the other bags in this collection at Gucci.com

Image is courtesy of saks.com

Party Season Clutches

Party season is around the corner and what arm candy will go best with your dresses for the season? Clutches! I am bringin you six of the most exciting clutches this season. Let me know which one you love the most! Happy partying...

Clock-wise from top left:

3.1 Philip Lim Medwin Oversized Clutch for USD375 at eluxury.com, Marc Jacobs Carter Wrislet Eugenie in gray for USD595 at eluxury.com, Juicy Couture See You Clutch in white for USD195 at eluxury.com, Marc by Marc Jacobs Lock-it-up Magazine Clutch for USD368 at eluxury.com, Loeffler Randall Snakeskin-stamped Envelope Clutch for USD395 at eluxury.com, Zac Posen Rose Clutch in turquoise for USD950 at eluxury.com.

Images are courtesy of eluxury.com

Tod's New Eight Due Manici Media

Have you seen the 7-minute Tod's commercial starring Gwyneth Paltrow and the Tod's Pashmy bag? Do not get me wrong, I know that Gwyneth is a hollywood A-lister and that Tod's is also a force to be reckon with in the luxury handbag industry but getting Dennis Hopper to make a 7-minute commercial that revolves around one bag (which is nice but not in any way ground-breaking) is too much of marketing. Tod's has always been known as the maker of excellent quality shoes and understated but luxurious leather goods like Hermes, Ferragamo, Loewe and Bottega Veneta and i hope they could keep focusing on that attribute rather than on over-the-top marketing campaigns to push the brand . Usher in the New Eight Due Manici Media in full leather (left)! This bag is not exactly new by now but it is gorgeous, understated and practical. Down from USD1,750 to just USD700 in eluxury.com, this bag is a must-have expecially in this soft grained leather version. The bag is also available in intricately woven, coated canvas version with patent leather trim (right) for slightly cheaper USD660 but the kick is not as strong as the full leather version.

Images are courtesy of eluxury.com

Versace Large Patent Leather Tote

I have loved Versace ever since Gianni era and still could say the same of the brand today. A pair of black Versace Jeans is my first designer item purchased when i was 13. The thing about Versace over the past few years was the prices had become too expensive, especially with the handbags and most of them are too heavy with its metal accessories around when the design itself is nothing really to shout about.

This large patent leather tote in shiny black however is totally another story. The shape is simple but not boring, the size is good and the metal emblem is minimal making the bag somewhat lighter. I love the purple lining and the subtle Medusa emblem too. Overall this bag is understated but it still exudes the glamour aura Versace is known best for and that's what i like about it. Better yet, it is marked down from USD1,300 to USD910 at saks now. What are you waiting for?

Image is courtesy of saks.com

Gucci Sukey Tote

Gucci has not had any mega hit in bag design that is great in look and yet functional for the past few seasons. Yes, the Peggy and Indy are great looking but both handles are exactly the same: shoulder-killer! Babouska Hobos are certainly functional but what's with the tacky 'moustache' hanging? That's why when i browse through their cruise 2009 collection, i am pleasantly surprised to see the new Sukey tote. The shape is simple yet looking good (simplicity is still the best), the bag is also really functional, roomy, chic and i just can imagine how this bag being a new favourite. Sukey large tote measuring 16½"W X 13"H X 6"D is ideal too, not small neither too big to oversize any mortal carrying one. Get this stunning tote in the most divine Phyton from saks for USD3,195 or call saks for availability of the GG fabric version for USD850 as it is already out of stock online.

Images are courtesy of saks.com

Prada Tessuto S Tote

Miuccia Prada is the one designer who looks into the future. Have you noticed that a new Prada look always looks strange and even ridiculous at first but then, our eyes get used to to it, we start admiring it and the moment we know, it is everywhere? Still remember that Prada started the robot charms a few seasons ago? It felt like a mismatch at first but now, robots charm is no longer a stranger to fashion. Prada also started multicolor leather bags in her fairy collection last year, the craze is still around now. Surviving past last season is the Tessuto S tote, which is a bag with ruffles. Again, when the bag was first introduced last season, it looked ridiculous but now, either because of the lighter material or because our eyes have started to approve it, this bag looks great. Even in black, the bag is neither conventional nor boring. It is indeed very stylish and appropriate for elegant dress-up occasions. Grab this stylish survivor from Saks for USD995.

Image is courtesy of Saks.com

Dolce & Gabbana Miss Catch Satchel

I love Vintage. There is something sexy, fascinating and mysterious about vintage stuff which i can't resist. Dolce & Gabbana is a big deal in fashion when it comes to sexy clothes, undies, shoes, shades and corsets but their bags, while mostly pricey, have not been the most interesting, perhaps until Miss Catch.

This Satchel does not scream 'Dolce' in its conventional way. When we think of the brand, ultra sexy clothes, corsets and accessories come to mind instead of 1940s rich leather doctor bags that go perfect with thick wool coats and hats. Nevertheless, the leather of this bag looks so rich, i could almost smell it and leather in this way is nothing but sexy so it got me thinking again - is this not Dolce & Gabbana? Catch the Miss Catch from Neiman Marcus for USD2,875. The price is steep but then again this is a Dolce bag. Also, the satchel design is vintage today and will still be vintage 30 years from now. Is it a catch?

Image is courtesy of Neiman Marcus

Pauric Sweeney Metallic Phyton Overnight Bag

The Pauric Sweeney Phyton Overnight bag has been around for a few seasons and in the light of the increasing buzz surrounding exotic bags lately, i can't help but to bring this gorgeous bag to wider attention. The idea of exotics in metallic colors might sound over-the-top but in the hand of this Irish designer, the bag looks just perfect and not to mention, practical. Sweeney launched his bag collection in summer 2005 and all his bags are made in his Atelier in Florence, Italy, home to the best tanneries and leather master craftsmen.

The metallic Phyton Overnight bag has been one of the most seen-with bags since launched. You might not know which designer's but you have seen it on Lindsay Lohan and some other Hollywood's darlings. If you find it hard to resist this bag too like myself, treat yourself to one from net-a-porter for USD2,860.

Image is courtesy of net-a-porter.com

Valentino Patent Histoire in Turquoise

Valentino Histoire bag generated quite a buzz last year until the beginning of this year and has somewhat become the most iconic bag from Valentino. Angelina Jolie loved the bag so much that she couldn't help but to order a downsized version for her daughter, Zahara. I am certain that by then, the baby still didn't even know where her own nose was. For resort 2009 collection, Valentino reissued the bag again in stunning patent turquoise so yummy that i could not stop thinking about cotton candies and how happy they made us as children. In this color, the bag is not made to be a keeper but for the next two seasons, it will surely keep you extremely happy and satisfied. Get this stunning bag from Neiman Marcus at USD1,795.

Image is courtesy of Neiman Marcus

Rebecca Minkoff Matinee (Web Exclusive)

Rebecca Minkoff has taken the world of handbags by storm with Morning After Bag and Matinee. The Matinee is a practical bag with understated yet sophisticated design and quality Italian leather. The Web Exclusive version in wine/ burgundy suede is a must-have and i am not joking! The shape and size of this bag is excellent for everyday use but in this color, expect eyes on you when you tote it around town. The other thing irresistible about RM bags are the price points which rarely go beyond USD650. Pre-order this one now from rebeccaminkoff.com for USD625.

Image is courtesy of rebeccaminkoff.com

Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas Etoile

Every season, Marc Jacobs and his team in LV reinvent the classic Monogram Canvas. From the Graffiti to Cherry, Jokes, Perforated and the most recent Water Color, the items have somehow become collector's items to the undying LV fans. While i myself love only a handful of the items in the various series, the latest Etoile which did Triple-quilting on the canvas offered two very nice bags. Both the shopper and the bowler come in shapes and sizes great for daily use or travel; the function which mono canvas bags serve best. Like all the other seasonal Monogram Canvas bags from Vuitton, i am pretty sure these will be sold-out. Overall i like both bags a lot, the only problem is the prices are too steep for bags mostly made of canvas, whether quilted or not. Still, if you were a collector or have more than three grands to spend on an LV bag, by all means, grab the shopper for USD3,500 or the bowler for USD2,950 from the eluxury.com.

Image is courtesy of eluxury

Nancy Gonzalez Croc Tote

The handbag industry has reached a new height despite the market downturn and the new height is Exotic high. Contrary to the opinion that people will reduce their spending on luxury goods, exotic handbags are still high in demand. "Women are starting to think of something that looks a little timeless and isn't so identifiable the way the 'it' handbag of the minute was," says David Wolfe, a trend forecaster at the Doneger Group in New York. "They're looking for things that maybe have fewer details and gimmicks but [with] recognizable quality. The exotic skins certainly deliver that. Anybody who looks at those bags knows that they're pricey."

And who else would rejoice more upon hearing such news than Nancy Gonzalez? The Colombian-based handbag designer has been long recognised as the top exotic handbag maker to the world. Nancy Gonzalez bags are logoless, hardware-less and made of supple and quality exotic skins, mostly crocs. This croc tote in red (also available in black) is one example of simplicity at its best. I can imagine the bag being used today and still being used by the owner 30 years from now and will still be as stunning. If you could do the math, grab this baby from Neiman Marcus at USD3,650.

Image is courtesy of Neiman Marcus

Mulberry Mabel Shoulder Bag

I had never really loved another Mulberry bag besides the Bayswater until last month when i visited a Department Store in Berlin. Mulberry Mabel, especially in this electric blue, is one of the bags that fits perfectly into my criteria for "the bag for refined ladies who define style". It is needless to describe the quality of the leather used in this bag as a Mulberry bag is known for its quality material and refined workmanship. As with most other Mulberry bags, Mabel is understated and does not make you fall in love at the first sight but the moment you try it on, you will grow to love what you see in the mirror; Talking about lasting impact. Get Mabel in this electriying color from the nearest Mulberry store or have one sent to you from NAP for USD1,195 (for America) or £655.66 (for other countries)

Image is courtesy of Net-a-Porter