It's not just booze binges and mediocre handbag designs threatening Mischa Barton's efforts to take her accessories line worldwide. Her latest enemy is an Australian handbag designer.

Mischa hopes to trademark her name, signature and logo Down Under, but Queensland brand Mischa Accessories has other ideas. The Gold Coast-based handbag label has opposed Mischa's efforts to register the trademark in Oz.

Earlier this year American singer Katy Perry was involved in a similar dispute with Sydney-based fashion designer Katie Perry. The Aussies won that case, but lawyers say the Gold Coast brand may have a tougher time with its suit.

Mischa Accessories manager Mervill Allen and Mischa Barton's Melbourne-based lawyers have so far refused to comment on the case.

Australia has seen a dramatic rise in the number of trademark opposition cases in the last two years, with many local companies keen to protect their turf. I can understand that, but I’m not sure I follow the logic of this case. The names are similar but not identical. If anything it seems likely that fans may snap up a Mischa Accessories bag mistaking it for a Mischa Barton original. I certainly can't see it driving customers away from the Queenslanders!

[Source: The Daily Telegraph]
[Image Source: Friskytuna/Flickr]

Mischa Barton Handbags on eBay

She might have left Orange County years ago, but Mischa Barton continues to be one of this generation's style icons by doing a whole lot of nothing! That’s not entirely true; the actress is apparently a "handbag designer" these days.

I use the term loosely, because her fall/winter purses aren't really anything to get excited about. They're not bad really, and they do borrow from Mischa's signature boho-chic look. But there are none that really stick in my mind, or make me drool. It's all just a little ho-hum. It's a shame Mischa couldn't capture the envelope-pushing style we love her for in this collection.

At least there's something in the range to suit everybody. We can choose from oversized slouch bags and totes, or smaller purses and clutches. Some are stripped back and basic, while others overdose on zips, tassels, buckles, and studs.

Mischa Barton's handbags are available from independent boutiques and her online store.

[Source: Hello Magazine]

Boho Handbags on eBay

COTTON HANDBAG Embroider Shoulder Bag Boho Hippie India US $12.99   0 Bid Auction Ends: 19m Make it yours...

BAG F144 SILK EMBROIDER SEQUIN HANDBAG BOHO GYPSY TOTE US $7.99   1 Bid Auction Ends: 1h 12m Make it yours...

Vintage 80s brown Leather Hobo Tote Bag Purse BOHO US $18.99   0 Bid Auction Ends: 1h 28m Make it yours...

When style icons like Kyle Minogue, Jennifer Lopez, Mischa Barton, and Eva Longoria proudly carry a purse, you know it's a winner. It's little wonder that this chic Indy bag from Gucci is one of their favorites.

Those long tassels give the Indy a casually-cool vibe, helping it make the transition from day to night. The slouchy style is another bohemian touch, which seems at odds with the luxurious chocolate brown snakeskin finish and structured handles. The Indy is a mass of contradictions, yet somehow the style elements work in harmony.

The chunky steering wheel handles are an Indy trademark, but expect their appeal to sour quickly. The handles are made from beech wood and covered in leather, so they're far from light. Neither are those studded corner plates. They might add strength, but they also ensure the Indy's a real heavyweight.

I've heard many say the solid handles cut into your arm, so don't be surprised if you ditch them in favor of the detachable shoulder strap. You'll still be weighed down, but you'll be marginally more comfortable.

But they say beauty is pain, right? You'll feel it in more than your arm though, with this python version costing more than $4200 retail. That’s a whole world of agony in this current economic climate, so you'd better start saving your pennies!

More Features of This Gucci Python Purse

• Measures 17.5 x 12 x 5.5 inches
• Comes with a Gucci authenticity card and dust bag

Gucci Indy Bags on eBay

StunningRARE Gucci Python Indy Doctor Bag Handbag Purse US $2,199.99   Auction Ends: 21h 28m Make it yours...

Auth Black Gucci Indy Large bag handbag purse US $1,100.00   Auction Ends: 23h 33m Make it yours...

Also See

• Click here to see more from the 88caviar store on eBay - A Gucci Handbags Retailer
• All Gucci bags on eBay

She's told style icons Nicole Richie, Cameron Diaz, Lindsay Lohan, Jennifer Garner, and Mischa Barton what to wear for years. Now celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe is preparing to share her fashion secrets with the rest of us with the release of her clothing collection.

The fashion range is set to include handbags, ready-to-wear apparel, jewelry, and fragrance. You also won't need a celebrity salary to get your paws on these pieces. Like so many new lines these days, Rachel Zoe's fashion collection will be budget and recession friendly.

"It will be absolutely, 100% accessible fashion for sure - for everybody," Rachel told People magazine. "There's no reason for me to do a luxury-level design. That's not who I am. I don’t think it’s what people want from me. I think that I would need to give people that fantasy becoming a reality. That's my job."

There's no word yet on what Rachel Zoe will call her first fashion collection, but we can expect to see it in stores next year.

[Source: People]
[Image Source: Stanmar/Wikipedia Commons]

Celebrity Handbags on eBay

New Designer Celebrity HOBO TOTE Handbag Purse Bag US $18.26   0 Bid Auction Ends: 47m Make it yours...

Blue celebrity spy detective handbag purse bag US $24.99   0 Bid Auction Ends: 14h 35m Make it yours...

BLACK Celebrity Fashion RING Large Purse Handbag Hobo US $24.99   0 Bid Auction Ends: 15h 5m Make it yours...

Just like Lindsay Lohan, Mischa Barton is another Hollywood starlet who seems to have abandoned the screen for a more fashionable career. Leaving her OC days far behind her, Mischa is designing some gorgeous handbags.

To celebrate her spring/summer 2009 line, Mischa has joined the digital age. She's just launched an official shopping website to spruik her second purse collection. Just like her debut line, Mischa's new purses stay true to her signature bohemian style.

This season there are 34 styles to choose from, including totes, clutches, and shoulder bags. The pebble leather, patent, and metallic snakeskin fabrics offer something for flashy fashionistas and more conservative tastes.

Like any good OC fan, I've fallen for the Marissa. This purse, named after her OC character, is made from lush terracotta leather and features Mischa's distinctive clover logo. I love this practical drawstring, but if you're after something a little smaller the Marissa is also available as a tote, a small purse, or one of two clutches.

The new season's collection is priced for the current economic climate, with the high-end purses costing less than $400.

[Source: Hollywood Life]
[Image Source: Mischa Barton Handbags]

Spring 2009 Bags on eBay

Clinique Big Bag Makeup Cosmetic Bag Pink Spring 2009 US $1.50   Auction Ends: 16d 14h 4m Make it yours...

CliniqueCosmetic Colorful Pink Mini Bag {Spring 2009} US $1.00   Auction Ends: 7d 23h 54m Make it yours...

Ride Rite Air Bags Springs Dodge Ram 2500 3500 03 2009 US $283.99   Auction Ends: 21d 10h 28m Make it yours...

Any fan of designer handbags can spot a Chloe from a mile away. The designer's unique shapes and styles set these bags apart from the rest. Often sported by celebrities and endlessly copied by knock-off artists, a Chloe handbag is a sure thing when it comes to fashionable accessories.

The Heloise bag is yet another stylish option from Chloe. Fans of this purse include Mischa Barton and Kate Bosworth. These fashion idols can see the timeless beauty of the Heloise. The vertical lines of quilted patent leather create a beautiful contrast to the braided leather handles. Silver hardware complements the rich burgundy color of the handbag.

Don't be fooled into thinking the Heloise's beauty is only skin deep, though. A zip top closure on this Chloe bag opens to a black twill lining where you'll find a zippered pocket and cell phone holder.

The purse also comes with a tag verifying its authenticity. For further proof, the signature Chloe logo is discreetly stamped on the front of the bag in a way that makes is just noticeable enough without being too obvious. Of course, you won't mind if anyone notices. Flaunt that Heloise bag for all it's worth, and enjoy the looks of envy!

More Features of the Chloe Heloise Bag

• Measures 13 x 15 x 5.5 inches
• Braided leather handle with 9 inch drop
• Burgundy quilted patent leather
• Signature logo stamp on front

Find the Heloise Handbag on eBay

• See other Chloe bags from the 88CAVIAR store on eBay
• Browse all Chloe handbags on eBay

We've all lusted after the designer bags carried by Hollywood's hottest stars. But what if I told you you can own them, and raise money for cancer research at the same time? Sound too good to be true? It's no fantasy, thanks to Handbag Amnesty.

Handbag Amnesty, a joint initiative by Handbag.com and Cancer Research UK, gives fashion fans the chance to bid on designer purses donated by some of our favorite celebs. America Ferrera's given up two Botkier bags, Keira Knightley's donated a chic brown Prada purse, and Scarlett Johansson's parted with a racy red Rebecca Minkoff handbag.

But it's not just about celebrity handbags. If you've got a beautiful purse collecting dust, why not give it to your local Cancer Research UK store? Your donation will help raise even more money for this incredibly important cause.

"We're delighted to be working with Handbag.com to launch Handbag Amnesty," said Paul Farthing, Director of High Value Relationships at Cancer Research UK. "We also hope that by encouraging supporters to donate their own favorite handbag, and other unwanted quality items to our shops, we will be able to raise even more to help beat cancer."

Consider this: one in three of us will get cancer at some point in our lives. The rest of us will see friends or family members suffer from it. It's a sobering thought, and one that provides a great motivation to support this brilliant program and help to find a cure.

• Click here to bid on some of these amazing star handbags!

Celebrity Purses Auctioned Off for Handbag Amnesty

Here are all the beautiful bags you can buy through Handbag Amnesty. Click through the pictures to see purses donated by Dame Judi Dench, Annie Lennox, Kate Bosworth, and many more style icons.

Hollywood stars would like you to believe they're not as superficial as the glamorous lifestyles they lead. Sure they might make millions, but they love to use that cash to feed starving children and help the homeless.

But you can't change the world if you don't look good first, right? So while the starlets might pledge thousands to their favorite charities, they're spending just as much on the latest designer handbags. Drab outfits might have been OK for Mother Theresa, but today's celebrity saints have a reputation to uphold.

It makes you wonder whether the stars believe in the causes they support, or whether it's all just a cheap grab for publicity. Are they celebrity charlatans using poverty to gloss their image, give them publicity, which subsequently generates them more fame and money to feed a designer shopping addiction?

How can these socially aware stars spend thousands on some arm candy while people in third-world countries are still dying of hunger? Some of these bags are so expensive, they'd easily feed an entire African village.

If you've pledged to help fight poverty how can you justify spending thousands on a designer handbag when that that money could make a huge impact on poverty to hundreds (if not thousands) of people.

Maybe I'm being too harsh on these famous celebrities but when you look at how much they've spent and how that money could have been used to fight poverty it makes you question their motives. Just take a look at these examples of "poverty fighting" celebs and their excessive handbag spending:

Angelina Jolie and Zahara Show Off Matching Valentino Purses

Image source: The Purse Blog
Angelina Jolie is the poster child for celebrity do-gooders. She's a United Nations ambassador, and her Jolie-Pitt Foundation helps humanitarian causes all around the world. She also likes to adopt orphans from poverty-stricken nations, like adorable Zahara.
Read the rest of this entry »

The casually cool Chloe Bay Bag has been declared a must have by fashion critics and style icons like Mischa Barton Reese Witherspoon. But what if you can't afford to drop four figures on a fashion accessory?

The Primo Limited Costa Bag is definitely the next best thing. And when you consider you can pick it up for less than $100, bargain hunters might consider it's even better.

This modern handbag is made from high quality synthetic leather, a smooth and soft fabric which will turn heads just as much as the real thing. This cute bag carefully imitates the Chloe Bay style with oversized pull tabs and zippered pockets.

These exterior compartments don't just look fab. They're also ideal for storing all the everyday essentials you need on hand. Two more open pockets inside give you the perfect places to stash your cell phone and keys.

The Costa bag is available in ten fun fashion colors which are made to coordinate with your any wardrobe. Choose from classic black or white, vibrant red and blue, glitzy metallic gold and silver, or a great range of earthy tones. It's tough to decide which to take home, but at this price you can afford a few!

More Features of This Chloe Inspired Costa Bag

• Brown fabric lined interior
• Gold toned hardware
• Protective feet on the base
• Dual handles with a 7 inch drop
• Measures 13 x 11.5 x 7 inches
• Available in apricot, black, blue, camel, gold, red, white, silver, dark brown

More Info

• Click here to admire this replica Bay bag at Baghaus
• All Chloe inspired bags on eBay

Chloe seem to have a knack for turning out must have handbags. They took the fashion world by storm with the Paddington, and did it again with the Bay bag. The playful purses cemented their reputation when Hollywood honeys Mischa Barton and Reese Witherspoon were snapped toting them.

This handbags channel the casually chic vibe of their creator, boho stylist Bay Garnett. Her oversized zipper pulls and classic quilted exterior make the Bay bag instantly recognizable.

The interior is luxuriously generous, offering plenty of space for all the goodies you need to get you through the day. Exterior zip pockets are great for those must haves you need on hand, while the zippered compartment inside offers even greater security.

The plush leather handles are designed with comfort in mind. The rolled straps will feel luxurious in your hand or over your shoulder, no matter how much you load your Bay bag up.

Chloe Bay bags are available in a variety of quality leathers, and a great range of fashion colors. But for true indulgence you can't go past the python purse pictured. The snakeskin finish is so smooth to the touch, even the $4,000 price tag doesn't turn me off!

More Features of This Chloe Bay Bag

• Gold hardware
• A signature plaque on the front
• Zip top closure
• Protective feet on the base
• Dual handles with a 6.5 inch drop
• Measures 12 x 14 x 6 inches

Chloe Bay Bags on eBay

Also See

• Click here to salivate over this Chloe python Bay Bag at Net-A-Porter
• All Chloe handbags on eBay