Balenciaga’s rose gold hardware is even more beautiful in person than it is on the Internet bags

My Balenciaga fangirldom is by now common knowledge around these parts, and despite Megs’ ongoing inability to find her perfect Balenciaga bag, I just keep discovering things from the brand that I need in my closet with a fierce urgency. Funny how that works, eh?

The latest object of my lust is the Balenciaga Giant City with rose gold hardware, and although I’m late to the rose gold party, I hope that I still get bonus points for earnestness. I brushed off the rose gold color choice as too “niche” when I heard about it, but after encountering this very bag in person, I can ignore it no longer.

At first I assumed that rose gold hardware would clash with most of my jewelry and my general sense of style, since I mostly associate the metal with expensive, gaudy jewelry that is very much not my style. In typical Balenciaga fashion, though, the designers behind the hardware gave it a weathered, gritty appearance that transforms it into something that fits right into my wardrobe.

Only the front zipper has a bit of shine to it, and the contrast is an interesting before-and-after demonstration of what the studs and buckles used to look like. It might prove more difficult to match rose gold hardware with Balenciaga’s famous bright leathers, but the rose and black combination works just fine for me. Buy through Matches for $1551.

Alexander McQueen Red Faithful Glove Clutch bags

Alexander McQueen Red Faithful Glove Clutch

The moment after I post about this handbag I am going to feel a sense of regret take over my body. In fact, I feel it now. After I post this sale I am certain a few of you will buy it and then it will be sold out, all before I could plead my case of needing this clutch myself. The Alexander McQueen Faithful Glove Clutch is an attention grabber, a total out of the box idea. While I understand that it seems like a fairly simple idea to place a glove on a clutch and call it a day, it is the way in which McQueen can pull this off that amazes me.

The version that has my undivided attention right now is in bright glossy red leather AND it is massively on sale. Marked down from $995, this clutch is only $599 right now and has my name (and Amanda’s) all over it. I want to sit here and sing praises from my couch to this clutch and McQueen! The glove is detachable. Ok, so a single detachable glove may not make perfect sense (they should have included the other glove as a bonus ‘thank you for purchasing‘ on the inside) but I would find a way to make it work nonetheless. After all, the one glove trend has been here before.

So Santa, if you are listening and you didn’t max out my list yet this year, I find this clutch to be a perfect jolt of color at a very competitive price. Mmmkay, thanks! Bye. Buy now (and shatter my dreams) through Alexander McQueen online for $599.

Alexander McQueen Biker Faithful Satchel bags

As much as I’m an unrepentant Alexander McQueen fangirl in almost every way imaginable, I’m still not really feeling the Alexander McQueen Biker Faithful Satchel. The more I look at it, the more I think that’s probably because it doesn’t really look anything like what we’ve come to expect from the brilliant McQueen.

In fact, it sort of looks like a mid-tier brand trying to ape the Balenciaga aesthetic, if anything. Thin-looking glazed leather, the double-riveted leather strip in the middle, front zipper pockets – am I completely off base here?

Alexander McQueen Faithful Biker Satchel

I don’t think I am. I like the little buckles and the color of the leather, but this bag is missing the signature McQueen spark and irreverence that makes the brand’s designs so special. Without that, it’s just a bag.

Visually, it also seems a bit crowded, although it doesn’t seem like it was done intentionally. There’s just too much stuff, too many different elements fighting for attention for the design to be successful. Every designer makes a misstep occasionally, and I’ll go ahead and count this as one of McQueen’s. Buy through Bergdorf Goodman for $1450.

Alexander McQueen Skull Diamante Clutch bags

Remember the time when Amanda professed her love for the red Alexander McQueen Skull Clutch? If you did not, click back to refresh your memory. Everything about that clutch spoke to Amanda, from the designer to the design.

Amanda was all about the red paired with the skull clasp from a designer that she adores. Now I feel like one-upping her, because really, could the Alexander McQueen Skull Diamante Clutch be anymore amazing?

Alexander McQueen Skull Diamante Clutch

It is pretty simply for me to sum up why this clutch rocks. Number 1: it is Alexander McQueen, who is a design mastermind. Number 2: it is a perfect structured clutch shape. Number 3: The black crystals are a subdued cool attention-grabber. Number 4: The skull clasp is seriously awesome. Number 5: The inside lining is a chic pink nappa leather.

Easy-peasey. I adore this bag! Buy through Alexander McQueen for $1,905.

Alexander McQueen Leather Biker Tote bags

Now this is a unique tote. Sure, there is a lot going on, but this is something Alexander McQueen has learned to pull off without making bags look sloppy. In fact, this aspect is what I’ve come to know and love about McQueen bags. I am sure you remember the Alexander McQueen Red Faithful Glove Clutch we covered a little while back. If you weren’t already on the McQueen bandwagon, many of you converted when you were able to embrace that clutch. This tote is no different.


Alexander McQueen Leather Biker Tote

While the Alexander McQueen Leather Biker Tote makes a statement, it makes a statement in all the right ways. Sometimes totes bore me. They are all large, some use great colors and materials and others don’t. Yet, this tote, it is a show stopper. This tote boasts bright blue leather with a glazed finish, silvertone accents, snap closures and metallic zippers. I love the almost belt like adjustable shoulder straps. Details like this always put a smile on my face. You can be sure that this bag will get compliments and even if it didn’t, would it matter? It is fabulous. Period. Buy through Saks for $1595.

Alexander McQueen Croc-Print Skull Clutch bags

This morning, I said to myself, “Self, you haven’t had an opportunity to slobber all over Alexander McQueen in a while. Make that happen.” It didn’t take much looking to find something to talk about. Behold: the Alexander McQueen Croc-Print Skull Clutch.

I’ve never quite understood why these clutches aren’t more popular with starlets on the red carpet. They’re tiny, glam, come in so many finishes, and have a ton of personality. What gives?

Alexander McQueen Croc Print Clutch

I, for one, thing that this little darling would make a perfect clutch for awards season. I’m not usually a fan of stamped croc, but on a bag this small and rigid, it manages to not look cheap or plastic. In fact, the finish is pleasantly distressed without looking sloppy, similar to if the entire bag had been made out of slightly worn silver.

Come to think of it, wouldn’t that be a great bag? An Alexander McQueen skull clutch made entirely or metal, but fashioned to look like it might be leather. I don’t doubt that he may try it in the future at some point. Buy through Browns UK for £695.

Net-a-Porter debuts its exclusive Alexander McQueen laptop case

For the fashionable student who has everything (Or maybe the intrepid fashion blogger on the go. HINT HINT.), we present the Alexander McQueen Skull Print Laptop Case, available exclusively via Net-a-Porter.

Emblazoned with the same skull motif as McQueen’s iconic scarves, this canvas and leather case will keep your laptop safe inside your school or work bag and look chic while doing it. If you like to get practical mileage out of your designer accessories or if you like the skulls but don’t want the scarf that everyone else already has, this is laptop case is certainly not a bad way to go.

The available information doesn’t specify which laptop sizes will fit, but based on its dimensions, it seems like it’s intended to accomodate a a 14- or 15-inch machine. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $395.

If I had gone to the Emmys, I would have carried Alexander McQueen


I didn’t get an invitation (lost in the mail somewhere, surely) to the 2010 Emmy Awards, so I’m just going to show you a life-size picture of the Alexander McQueen Crystal-Encrusted Skull Clutch and imagine it in my hand. Because of that lost invite, I was also forced to give back my Marchesa dress and let Heidi Klum wear it, but she didn’t have the clutch to pair with it. So, in that regard, I still win. Except that she’s Heidi Klum, and I’m a blogger who doesn’t actually own this clutch either, technically speaking.

Ok, so maybe I don’t win. Either way, you can keep up with our coverage of Emmy fashion and weigh in on your favorites (and least favorites, because that’s way more fun) over at BagThatStyle.com!