American designer Cynthia Rowley has teamed up with surf brand Roxy for a new fashion collection.

The line is set to include Rowley-inspired wetsuits, board shorts, T-shirts, dresses, swimwear, handbags and other accessories. This is Roxy's first designer collaboration, but early indications are that it won't be the last.

"Our mission at Roxy has always been to have one foot in the surf world and another foot in the fashion world," said Randy Hild, executive vice president of marketing at Roxy.

It might seem like a strange pairing, but Cynthia says she loves nothing better than hitting the waves.

"My family and I surf a lot. Just about every weekend in the summer, we go to Montauk, and in the winter we go to the Dominican Republic for long weekends," she explained. "I love that we have this family activity that we all really enjoy."

The Cynthia Rowley for Roxy line will launch exclusively at Barneys New York and Paris' Colette store in March, before being rolled out to Roxy stores and Cynthia Rowley boutiques worldwide. The surf brand may be mixing with the big names now, but it's remaining committed to its affordable pricing policy. That's definitely good news for budget-hunting beach bunnies!

[Source: Fab Sugar]

Roxy Handbags on eBay

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ROXY BRAND NEW WOMENS VINTAGE SHOULDER HAND BAG CREAM US $37.58   4 Bids Auction Ends: 32m Make it yours...

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Viktor & Rolf are the latest designers to team up with Samsonite for a luxury Black Label luggage collection. The new retro line features suitcases, travel bags, and accessories for all jetsetters who want to make an impression.

The Dutch duo has followed in the steps of other Black Label designers, Alexander McQueen and Matthew Williamson. Yet Viktor & Rolf's collection may be the most fun, with its oversized hardware, and colorful retro airplane print. Ladies can embrace their girly side with the bow-covered red bags, while men can tone things down with the navy, bow-less varieties.

The collection captures the golden age of traveling, when jetsetting was an adventure accessible only to the very rich, and the very good looking. That era of elitism is long gone, but these vintage patterned suitcases will help you stand out in a crowd.

The Viktor & Rolf Samsonite Black Label collection will be exclusively launched at Colette in Paris on February 10.

[Source: Style By Me]

Samsonite Black Label Bags on eBay

SAMSONITE McQUEEN BLACK LABEL TRAVEL BAG BNWT RRP£370 US $115.58   0 Bid Auction Ends: 9h 4m Make it yours...

Samsonite Black Label Resort Along Weekend Bag BNWT US $462.38   Auction Ends: 1d 18h 14m Make it yours...

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Comme des Garçons has launched a limited edition Black Label fashion range in answer to the financial crisis. The French label's creative director Rei Kawakubo says the back-to-basics range is an "emergency reaction to the recession."

Eleven Black Label outlets will open in some of the world's fashion capitals. London's Dover Street Market gets a store, Japan has six, while there’s one each in Seoul and Hong Kong. Barneys in New York and Colette in Paris will also carry the collection.

The range will feature some of Comme des Garçons most popular pieces in basic checkerboard, gingham, polka-dot, and floral prints. After all, in this financial crisis we're all looking for wardrobe staples rather than fad pieces. But if you're looking for real bargains, you may be disappointed. A mere T-shirt will set you back $90, while the jackets are priced around $630. I suppose the term "inexpensive" is all relatively when you're speaking of luxury labels like Comme des Garçons!

Comme des Garçons Black Label will be available for 18 months only, with new items and one-off pieces regularly added to the range.

[Source: Style By Me]

Comme des Garçons Purses on eBay

COMME DES GARCONS Black Leather Rectangular Bag US $248.00   0 Bid Auction Ends: 21h 3m Make it yours...

We can usually count on Italian designer Francesco Biasia to produce handbags that are on-trend, yet timeless, at prices much lower than the big-name brands. The Hip Colette feels so confident in its style that the moniker trumpets it, but I feel that ego is a little misplaced.

It's not that the purse is bad, exactly. But there are a few niggling flaws that I find a little difficult to overlook. I feel like the designer was hoping to achieve a bold, brassy look with all those chunky details, but the result is a little unsightly. We need something to soften the thick handles, big buckle, and oversized side pockets, but nothing comes.

The handles' thickness isn't the only thing that irks me. They're also incredibly short, especially considering this bag's size. Over-the-shoulder toting is out, but I can't imagine lugging this baby any distance once it's filled to the brim.

I also wonder why these days white is the only color available. We know this color is the ideal neutral for summer outfits, but it's also never the most practical choice. It shows age quickly, and requires careful handling to remain pristine. Some girls don't mind that, of course, but it's a shame Francesco Biasia didn’t consider the rest of us. It seems black ones were available some time ago, so if you're really keen make sure you scour eBay.

For all its faults, the Hip Colette has space to spare. The generous box shape features zip and slip pockets on the side walls, the ideal accompaniment to all those compartments outside. If it's storage room you're after, this Francesco Biasia bag has you covered. For me that's just not enough to justify spending $425 on.

More Features of this Francesco Biasia Leather Designer Bag

• Made of 100% leather
• Dark beige fabric lining
• Nickel-toned hardware
• Dual handles with a 4 inch drop
• Measures 10 x 13 x 5 inches

Francesco Biasia Hip Colette Handbags on eBay

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Take one Burch Degrade Tote, swap the graduated patent leather for some slouchy suede and you've got the T-Tote. This handbag is for girls that like the subtle perforated logo but want a more relaxed everyday look. No wonder it's a favorite of down-to-earth celebs like Christy Turlington and Anne Hathaway!

The T-Tote might look more casual than its glossy sister, but that doesn't mean it blends into the background. The vibrant color palette features delicious gelato shades like fuchsia, orange, and this yummy coral red. The design is kept clean and simple, with only a smattering of rivet studs and a perforated logo accenting the traditional box tote shape. This Tory Burch crest is eye-catching without being ostentatious.

A host of organizational features make the tote's deep design more manageable. Items are still likely to slide to the bottom, but the inner zip pocket, cell phone slip, and PDA pouch ensure the goodies you need on hand stay within easy reach.

There's little to fault here, but I'm not sure that justifies the $395 price. I'd want something a little more unique before I laid down all that cash. It's a good thing that with so many bargains on eBay, you probably won't have to pay retail!

More Features of This Tory Burch Suede Handbag

• Magnetic snap closure
• Silver-tone hardware
• Signature print lining
• Dual shoulder straps with a 9.5 inch drop
• Measures 17.5 x 17 x 0.5 inches

Get This Tory Burch T-Tote Bag on eBay

AUTH NWT Tory Burch Purse Red Orange Suede T tote Bag US $175.00   1 Bid Auction Ends: 3d 12h 48m Make it yours...

• Click here to see more from the Colette's Closet store on eBay - A Tory Burch Handbags Retailer
• All  Tory Burch bags on eBay

Bottega Veneta has unveiled its first Cruise Collection with a contemporary advertising campaign.

The brand new line is the brainchild of Tomas Maier. The varied purses, from the dainty minaudieres to the oversize tote bags, really cater to all tastes. The colors are fresh and vibrant, just perfect for lazing by the pool of any ocean liner. Of course Bottega Veneta's signature woven look gets a workout.

The bags are the stars of these commercials, but they share the limelight with model Colette Pechekhova. These stylish shots are the work of Todd Eberle, who is famous for his work with Vanity Fair. The images were captured in a residential building in New York, which was designed by French architect Jean Nouvel.

These bold photographs really bring out the colors and geometric lines of the Cruise Collection. Some appear almost like abstract artworks than commercial advertisements. Bottega Veneta might not attract the buzz of the Chanels or Pradas of this world, but it definitely holding its own with this spring line.

[Source: View on Fashion]

Bottega Veneta Handbags on eBay

French first lady Carla Bruni has shown she's as socially conscious as she is stylish, lending her name to a new charity handbag. This casual purse is a far cry from the Christan Dior and Hermes bags we're used to seeing Ms Bruni with, but it makes a much more significant fashion statement.

The colorful Carla bag is made from hessian and cotton by a sewing cooperative in Khayelitsha, South Africa. The wife of Nicolas Sarkozy was presented with a bag just like it on a recent visit to the co-op. Carla was so moved by her experience in this poor community, she commissioned just 420 reproductions to help raise funds to build a new cooperative.

At €100 each these hessian handbags are not cheap, but this vital cause makes it worth laying your money down for one of these limited edition purses. Every bag is numbered from 2 to 421 to guarantee their authenticity. The Carla bags are available exclusively through Colette stores.

[Source: Black Book]

Charity Handbags on eBay

Vera Bradley Messenger Bag Riviera Blue NWT charity US $35.00   0 Bid Auction Ends: 1d 20h 34m Make it yours...

Vera Bradley Sherry purse Mod Floral Blue NWT charity US $25.00   0 Bid Auction Ends: 1d 20h 40m Make it yours...

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