Tell Me About it, Stud

I've got chills
They're multiplying!

Studs are all the rage this fall. In some cases, studs sporadically provide a stark contrast to the rest of the bag, while in others, the overuse of studs make you wonder why the leather was there in the first place.

Below, an assortment of this season's hottest studded wonders.

The Minimalist
Badgley Mischka Platimum Label
Anu Structured Leather Hobo
$475 at Saks


















The Baby
Marc Jacobs
Stardust Rock Crossbody Bag
$995 at Saks










The Overkill
Be & D
Garbo Portfolio Shoulder Bag
$995 at Saks

Owls, it appears, are all the rage.

The handbag industry's official bird is rearing its round, feathered head on a variety of this season's arm candy.
















Kate Spade
Sherwood Owl Handbag
$425 at Saks




















Marc by Marc Jacobs
Graphic Owl Tote
$98 at Saks

For now, I'm going to keep my collection feather free. I just can't afford to hire a zookeeper for my closet.

Pink is the New...Everything

According to the most recent Pulse feature in the New York Times, pink, the "shopper's comfort color" is everywhere this spring. I'm not normally a huge fan of pink, but I do appreciate the color in small quantities (my hot pink skecher sneakers are a much-too-worn-in favorite.)

Below, a few of Spring's most eye-popping options:


For work or school:

Gryson Hanah Kaos Satchel in magenta

$695 at Saks

For everyday:

Kooba Leather Ryder Tote in pink

$595 at Saks

For the teens:

MARC by Marc Jacbos Puckered Birdia Bag in Fuchsia

$498 at eLuxury

For the paradoxically wealthy white trash crowd (I'm looking at you, Britney):

Dolce & Gabanna Candy Wrapper Tote in Pink

$1,195 at eLuxury

The Bag of the Minute: Underwater Bag Weaving

Apparently all young New Yorkers got the memo that it was time to stuff, bag, and store their Goyard totes in favor of the new bag of the moment: Cole Haan's Triangle Tote from it's Genevieve Collection.

This bag is all over - ALL OVER - Manhattan, draped on the arms of 20- and 30-somethings as they walk the streets in their leggings and booties.

Don't get me wrong, it's a nice looking bag, but I'm Franky sick and tired of Cole Haan completely ripping off Bottega Veneta's signature look: woven leather. If CH wants to be known as the poor man's BV, that's their prerogative, but I'd hoped that after a few years of copying a higher-end brand they'd be able to come up with some thing a wee bit more original.

On the positive side of things, the bag is a whole lot cheaper than BV. Coming in at just under 500 smackers, the Triangle Tote is available in seven different colors, ranging from black to saddle brown to almond.

Available at Cole Haan and better department stores everywhere.

It"s One for the Money, Two for the Show

Apparently every fashion designer in the universe got the memo that suede is the "it" fabric this fall. Suede can be found everywhere you turn - blazers, shoes, and, of course, handbags - which are never left behind when it comes to the trend of the minute.

Below is a collection of some of the suede bags currently available. Click on an image for more information about each bag.

From top to bottom: Furla, Marc Jacobs, Tory Burch, Cole Haan, Valentino, Kooba. Prices range from $395 to $1,895.

Fall Trend Alert: The Asymmetrical Handbag

First came the one-shoulder dress:
Then came the asymmetrical bob:
Now the handbag is joining their ranks. The assymetrical bag is one of the big trends for fall.

I'm fine with the dress and the hair, but in my opinion the asymmetrical handbag looks about as natural as a pair of capris with two different leg lengths or a pair of pumps with one shoe's heel an inch higher than the other.

In other words, not so much.

A valiant effort by Donna Karan, Jimmy Choo, and Kooba, but I'm hoping this is one trend that doesn't extend past this season.

Donna Karan Evening Star Loop Pouch
$995
Neiman Marcus

Jimmy Choo Ring Detail Hobo

$2,450
Neiman Marcus

Kooba Roni Metallic Shoulder Tote

$595
Neiman Marcus