Burberry plans to shift its focus to handbags and shoes in the face of the financial crisis.

The British brand reported lower pre-tax profits this year, mainly due to falling apparel sales. However, there is a silver lining, with profits up for leather goods, casual handbags, and shoes.

"One of the highlights is that handbags represent half of the non-apparel business. We can now say we have two solid backbone businesses - handbags and outerwear," chief executive of Burberry Angela Ahrendts told the Telegraph.

While I'm partial to a Burberry trenchcoat, I don't mind the British label's new direction one bit. Hopefully this will lead to a little more innovation from the Burberry brand, which can only be a good thing. I've seen potential in styles like the Lizzie, but with more focus on handbag design perhaps we can see some accessories that are even more fashion forward.

[Source: The Secret Sales Blog]
[Image Source: Colros/Flickr]

Burberry Bags on eBay

When you can get $4k off a bag in a sale, and it can still cost over $3k, you know that you have a really expensive bag. No surprise then that this sophisticated, yet understated, patent purse is from handbag icon, Moschino.

If you are a designer handbag addict who loves having a good name and reputation on her arm, then Moschino may well be the most dreamworthy name on your lips. Owning a bag like this is narrowed to only a few people with limited production lines, so you know that you have that exclusivity and are unlikely to bump into anyone wearing the same one.

The Vernice Luce shoulder bag is a great and smart day-to-day bag, perfect for office work as well as carrying folders and business plans. Equally, the patent leather dresses it up for nightfall, as does the cute heart clasp. You also pay for luxury, and this unusual shade will allow you to stand out from the crowd with the rich glossy color.

Of course, all these upsides are very well and good, but nothing other than the name is going to make a bag this expensive. Sure the leather is gorgeous and the satchel-esque doctors bag shape divine, but you could find this in another cheaper designer brand. This is a status symbol, even if the handles are a little too short, and as such should be treated accordingly!

More Features of this Luxury Moschino Shoulder Bag

• Duel handles with gathered attachment
• Heart twist lock clasp
• Patent leather
• Compartment in the interior

Get this Designer Vernice Tote:

• Available to buy on Amazon
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Moschino bags on BagBunch
• The Roger Vivier doctor frame bag, a great alternative to this sleek bag.
• Searching for more patent doctors bags on eBay
• Other Moschino bags on eBay:

Claudia Schiffer's modeling career is still in full swing with advertising campaigns for Salvatore Ferragamo and Chanel, but that's not stopping her from venturing into a new branch of her fashion career.

After years of showcasing other designers' goods, Schiffer recently revealed an interest in launching her own fashion brand. She certainly wouldn't be the first supermodel to try her hand at designing, following in the successful footsteps of Kate Moss and Elle Macpherson.

The 39-year old beauty is reportedly considering including handbags and some sort of cashmere apparel in her new line and is looking for business partners to support the venture. Schiffer recently stated, however, that the most important part of the process is keeping the products meaningful to her:

"I want the brand to be timeless and classic, with a fashion sensibility ... Consumers are not stupid. They do understand if you don't believe in your product," she said.

Don't think that creating handbags and cashmere are going to keep her from posing for the camera, though. This is one supermodel who has no plans to quit her day job any time soon.

[Source: Yahoo News]
[Image: nicogenin/Flickr]

Chanel Handbags on eBay

The $52k Bag

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This Louis Vuitton Tribute bag is made in France and is a patchwork mess of 14 Louis Vuitton bags. Louis Vuitton has definitely made a mark on the fashion industry, and many LV bags remain classics to this day. Somehow I don't imagine it to be the case with this one, despite the hype. Only 24 were made and Beyonce Knowles is one of the lucky owners of this $52,000 purse.

Undergarments Exposed

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Many people like to keep their undergarments concealed under clothing, but others are proud to show them off. This bag celebrates the latter. These were in about seven years ago, no joke. They are stiff, have small entry zippers and only get so unique. Corsets are still in, but it will be up to you whether or not carrying this around town is an option.

A Bag Against Breast Cancer

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Handbags made from bras are popular and are generally made and sold as a way to promote the fight against breast cancer and promote awareness. These are fairly simple to construct and make a positive statement. Although you may not carry it around on a daily basis due to the size and functionality, the cause is close to all of our hearts, so you should take the chance to fight it however you can.

Skunk Fur by Fendi

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Although the skunk is not the best loved animal anywhere, we're sure PETA still doesn't appreciate this Fendi skunk fur purse. Does anyone know if skunk fur is soft though? Getting too close to one anywhere else would be a hazard. With such detail, this bag may be too much for some to handle. Decorated with the fur of a skunk, many would say this bag really stinks.

Chinese Take Out Bag

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Love Chinese take out? This is the handbag for you. The design is clever and creative, to say the least. The use of materials to craft a small purse into the likeness of a take-out box speaks for itself. Just be sure to keep things straight; you wouldn't want anyone to dump noodles into your purse, unless you don't have anything else to pack your leftovers in.

Chicken Feet

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Everyone loves a bag with form and function; classic structure mated with a creative twist make this accessory quite unique. We're sure this handbag is sure to get second looks. To protect the bottom of the bag from scuffs, it actually has feet. And not just any feet either; they are chicken feet. It looks like it's about to run away!

Toad Bag

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This strange looking bag looks like an oversized toad. What's not to love? Plenty. Wait a second, you're right; it is an oversized toad. We don't have to get into all the issues you may come across carrying this beaut, like nausea and ugly looks, but one has to wonder how much actually fits inside of the bag. If nothing else, it can function as a glorified cell phone case.

A Swinging Dead Cat Bag

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The design of this dead cat bag may not be a favorite for cat lovers, but it's definitely an attention getter. It doesn't look easy to carry, with an inflexible bar as the handle. It also seems relatively small, which wouldn't allow for many goodies, despite how inconveniently wide the purse is. How does it open? We hope it doesn't follow anatomy.

Peacekeeper Bag

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Live in a rough neighborhood? This purse has a brass knuckle handle that shows thugs you're not to be messed with. But really, most reasonably sized purses can function as a decent whacker. We think this is more of a statement of attitude than statement of actual functionality. Although, it looks like the handle is removable, so you can get down to business if need be.

Russian Doll Handbag

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This absolutely precious handbag is made from the outermost Russian nesting doll. It's unusual and completely irresistible. It would be a great little accessory for a night out on the town, and the classic colors allow for easy matching with many outfits. A wonderful plus is that it appears able to hold more than just a tube of lipstick, maybe ID, your cell, and some cash, which is something we all look for in a formal handbag.

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It is nice to come across a smart and attractive briefcase that doesn't cost the earth. At $138, this Latico Bettina handbag effectively combines style and functionality at a cost that many people can afford.

Designed to work as a handbag as well as a briefcase, Latico has made this a slim and elegant handbag that could work with no laptops or books to be seen. The handles are a decent length, not too long yet not too short, meaning it can be easily carried for either purpose as well.

Lookswise this purse tends towards the conservative, with very little to catch attention or make anyone say "wow." In a smart business environment, however, where blending into the crowd may be a desirable trait, plain yet stylish will be the ideal, if rather boring, combination.

Corporate, work friendly and functional, this is the perfect size for a slim to average laptop to slip inside. You will have problems, however, if your laptop is a high spec huge-screened behemoth, as it probably won't fit. If you need something useful yet in pretty leather, this will no doubt suit.

More Features of this Latico Slim Porter

• Available in Butterscotch, Marine or Stone.
• Measures 12 x 15.5 inches
• Briefcase or handbag styling

Get this Bettina Leather Briefcase:

• Available to buy on Amazon
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Latico bags on BagBunch
• The Hobo International Rendita tote, a great alternative to this smart bag.
• Searching for more briefcases on eBay
• Other Latico bags on eBay:

If you're looking to add an animal print accessory to your wardrobe this season, look no further than snakeskin. Whether the genuine article or a more affordable embossed alternative, fashion experts say snake now trumps leopard and cheetah spots.

Andrea Linett, the creative directory of Lucky magazine, says snakeskin's popularity can be attributed to its versatile nature.

"A snakeskin boot can be rock 'n' roll if it's in a rock 'n' roll shape, or it's classic if it's in a lady shape," she explained.

Compare this to metal studs, which always add attitude, or frills which scream girly girl.

Snakeskin is "beautiful, rich and earthy," adds Abbe Held, creative director of handbag brand Kooba. She loves the interest that snakeskin's textured surface instantly creates. "It's neutral yet has so much character and personality."

It seems fashion fans agree, with retailers enjoying record sales of the sexy exotic.

"We're doing a lot of business on snakeskin, in shoes and handbags, especially," added Macy's group vice-president of ready-to-wear fashion Nicole Fischelis. "It's the fusion of things - the colors, the graphics, that you can wear it with dresses or sportswear - that makes it more interesting."

If you don't already own a snakeskin bag, perhaps it's time to add one to your wardrobe!

[Source: The Canadian Press]
[Image Source: Steenslag/Flickr]

Snakeskin Handbags on eBay

With a name like the Cirque du Soleil, you couldn't expect this Lovecat wallet to be shy or retiring.

The circus-inspired purse is a real performer, with its soft ruched finished embellished by thousands of tiny reflective dots. They make the Cirque du Soleil glimmer and gleam in a way that's bound to polarize audiences. Look closely and you'll see larger spots peeking through the sheer fabric. Yes, it's girly and even a little childish. But as wallets spend most of their time tucked away in handbags, I think most of us can afford to be a little more daring.

Despite its playful looks, inside the Cirque du Soleil means business. It's a petite creature, yet there are still six card slots and four side storage slots. There's not one, but two, open sections for dollar bills and receipts, and a secure zippered coin pouch. A press-stud closure keeps everything safely inside.

It won't suit everyone, but at just $95, this is an affordable and practical purse for those thrilled by its sparkly exterior.

More Features of This Lovcat Sparkly Wallet

• Silver interior
• Measures 4.2 x 1 x 3.7 inches

Get this Lovcat Cirque Du Soleil Purse:

• Available to buy at Amazon
• Available to buy on eBay (see listings below):

Sorry we couldn't find anything like this on eBay. Try our Bag Search Engine.

• Check the Axelworld eBay store to see if this Coach Patchwork bag is in stock
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• More Lovcat bags on BagBunch
• The large Lovcat Cirque du Soleil wallet, a great alternative to this small purse.
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Bags just became more high-tech and eco-friendly thanks to G24 Innovations. The company has created dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), which are thin, inexpensive, and operable indoors. These innovative cells have become part of Mascotte's latest bag collection.

But why would anyone want a solar-powered bag, you ask? It's simple. Gadget lovers can charge up their cell phones, Kindles, and PDAs anywhere, any time. What a great idea for girls on the go!

The revolutionary solar-powered cells are light and bendable, so they're ideal the manufacture of canvas bag. Under sunny conditions, the bags can charge a cell phone in around four hours, while it could take as many as 12 hours indoors. The solar panels aren't as efficient as silicon ones, but they're much cheaper and easier to manufacture. Mascotte then pass those savings on to its customers.

Mascotte currently sells solar-powered knapsacks and business travel bags for between $100 and $300. That seems pricey at first, but they're only between $25 and $40 more than Mascotte's ordinary bags. Now the brand just needs some style pointers. Once they start producing cute girly totes, I'll snap one up.

[Source: Treehugger]

Eco-Friendly Bags on eBay

Roxy is known for casual, carefree styles. That's exactly what you get with this Staying Alive Cross-Body tote bag.

Although not denim, it definitely has the appearance of a wonderfully broken-in, relaxed pair of jeans. In fact, it's not even leather but rather synthetic material that gives the impression of washed leather. Roxy gave us a double trompe l'oeil with this one.

Whatever impression the exterior has for you, the style is set in stone. The Staying Alive Cross-Body is nothing but casual cool with its multiple front pockets and cotton canvas adjustable strap. I wouldn't recommend carrying it to a business meeting unless flip-flops and sneakers are common accessories in the office, but it's perfect for pairing with jeans and a tee.

The nearly square shape of the bag makes it easy to store things of various sizes, and the outside pockets work well for holding small necessities. The top closes with a zipper and flaps over the front. The Roxy Staying Alive tote isn't enormous but rather decently mid-sized. However, for $38, you can't really go wrong with this one for an occasional laid-back bag.

More Features of the Staying Alive Cross-Body

• Measures 12.5 x 11 x 2 inches
• Crossbody strap with 23.5 inch drop
• Washed synthetic material

Get this Roxy Staying Alive Bag:

• Available to buy at Amazon
• Available to buy on eBay (see listings below):

• Check the Buy's Internet Superstore to see if this bag is still in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Roxy bags on BagBunch
• The Treesje Jovi Cross-Body, a great alternative to this casual crossbody-style bag.
• Searching for more Roxy crossbody bags on eBay

High-end department store Neiman Marcus has teamed up with comeback kid Carlos Falchi to create a limited edition tote bag collection for Christmas.

Each tote is crafted from microfiber, embossed with python-print for a little extra festive glitz. The shoulder straps have a long 10-inch drop, perfect for comfortable carrying while you're taking care of the Christmas shopping. The totes measure a sizable 17 x 17 x 5 inches, so there's enough space inside for a few pre-Christmas purchases.

Each tote comes with a matching zippered pouch for securely stashing cosmetics or other small valuables. That sounds perfect for those emergency touch-ups at the office Christmas party!

The $220 price tag may seem a little expensive for a microfiber tote, but it's not so unreasonable when you consider each bag was personally autographed by Carlos Falchi himself. Get one for a fashionable friend, or yourself, in black, red, or silver.

[Source: Luxist]

Carlos Falchi Tote Bags on eBay