VBH is one of the hottest designers right now thanks to the star power of famous fans like Michelle Obama, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Taylor Swift. But I'm not completely sold on this next big thing. For every bag I love, there's another one I loathe. Thankfully this clutch falls into the former camp.

It's crafted from ostrich leather, but it's nothing like the skins we normally see. Most ostrich purses are dotted with quill follicles. This distinctive leather is taken from the bird’s back, and the demand for it drives the price sky high. VBH has used a less prestigious skin, so we get the durability of ostrich without the exorbitant cost. The $1,850 retail value isn't exactly cheap, but it's a great deal less than you'll pay for the bumpy bags!

Of course, without the bumps VBH needed something else to hold our interest. Stamping the clutch with reptilian scales is a strange choice considering the purse's origins, yet it works! Add a sunny mustard shade of yellow and you've got a real head-turner.

The most disappointing part is the lack of practical perks. This clutch is all style ladies, with none of those creature comforts to back it up. Forget about pockets, or shoulder straps. Forget about usable space as well. It might be long, but it's so narrow you'll never fit everything you want inside it.

This is the kind of purse you'll have a love/hate relationship with. You'll wish for that shoulder strap when you want to grab a canapé from a passing tray, and you'll curse yourself for leaving that essential lipgloss behind. But then you'll look at it, and smile, because it's gorgeous. And sometimes, that's the most important thing.

More Features of This VBH Stamped Purse

• Foldover flap
• Concealed magnetic fastening
• Tonal suede lining
• Measures 10 x 4 x 2 inches

Get this VBH Ostrich Handbag:

• Available to buy at theOutnet.com
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More VBH bags on BagBunch
• The MICHAEL Michael Kors yellow patent clutch, a great alternative to this ostrich purse.
• Searching for more VBH bags on eBay
• Other ostrich clutches on eBay:

SET of Ostrich Skin WALLET CLUTCH PURSE or Shoulder US $9.95   0 Bid Auction Ends: 3d 11h 45m Make it yours...

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The White House wants you to know that the First Lady wasn't toting around alligator skin on a recent trip to Russia.

It was an official clarification made after handbag brand VBH mistakenly identified one of their clutches in an official photo from Moscow. It's no mistake that Michelle Obama is a huge fan of the label. She has been spotted at numerous events carrying their designs.

However, when VBH boasted that the First Lady was carrying a nearly $6,000 alligator manila clutch recently, White House was quick to correct. They stated that Mrs. Obama was, instead, styling a patent leather version of the clutch that costs a mere $875.

I'm sure the goal was to ensure that her practical, no-nonsense image isn't tarnished by overspending in the midst of a financial crisis. I'm not sure that $875 is what most would call "attainable" even if it is significantly cheaper than the $6k version. Well, at least I'm sure they've appeased PETA in this matter.

[Source: NY Daily News]
[Image: Story Accents/Flickr]

VBH Handbags on eBay 

VBH HAND MADE IN ITALY BLACK HANDBAG SILVER HARDWARE US $179.99   1 Bid Auction Ends: 22h 17m Make it yours...

FARRAH FAWCETTs VBH BeRMuDa BLue SILK WRiSTLET BAG US $176.00   0 Bid Auction Ends: 4d 15h 34m Make it yours...

NEW VBH V Bruce Hoeksema DIVA HANDBAG C PICS US $1,995.00   Auction Ends: 6d 19h 8m Make it yours...

VBH became a designer to watch when Michelle Obama recently stepped out in New York carrying the Ballerina Bag. While the brand may have the First Lady's seal of approval, I find their bags a little hit and miss. The Glitter Clutch may have been a little uninspired, but this mother of pearl clutch is much more impressive.

Mother of pearl effortlessly gives an accessory a timeless, vintage quality. It's sadly underutilized these days, but that just makes mother of pearl clutches like this all the more appealing. The raised oval panels of opalescent pearl really pop against the clutch's smooth black finish.

The slender profile makes it easy to tuck this purse under your arm, but it doesn't take a genius to know it will limit your storage space. It's thinner than most clutch purses, so you may need to redefine your idea of "evening essentials," or take along a date who's only too happy to carry your must-haves!

The basic black body and simple shape make this purse so easy to pair with your favorite evening dresses. While VBH might be the next big thing, I have a feeling you'll be carrying this beauty long after the hype dies down.

More Features of This VBH Limited Edition Purse

• Black suede interior
• Measures 9.5 x 4.5 inches
• Made in Italy

Mother of Pearl Clutches on eBay

Mother of Pearl Bead Purse Handbag Clutch US $.99   0 Bid Auction Ends: 14h 37m Make it yours...

HANDMADE BELGIAN WHITE MOTHER OF PEARL CLUTCH PURSE US $34.99   0 Bid Auction Ends: 1d 14h 20m Make it yours...

Also See

• Click here to see more from the Refinery Celebrity Resale Boutique on eBay – A VBH Purses Retailer
• All VBH bags on eBay

Ever since Michelle Obama carried a Ballerina Bag to the ballet, fashionistas everywhere have been buzzing about VBH. If you can't spare the $1900 Ms Obama's purse cost, perhaps this more affordable Glitter Clutch will be up your alley.

It is more affordable, but this purse still isn't cheap. It retails at $850, which seems a lot for such a minimalist design. Still, without a lot of flash and fancy this is one clutch you can carry for years to come.

As you'd expect from its glitzy moniker, this envelope clutch is covered in glitter. But it's just a thin sheen, so it doesn't look as gaudy as you might imagine. A glitter encrusted clutch doesn't need much more to tizzy it up, but there are three small beads below the flap and accent stitching. I love the look of the beads, but the stitching simply looks a little sloppy and unfinished. It's a matter of personal taste I suppose, but it seems like the sort of thing I could create and I expect a lot more than that from a high end designer.

This slim little number won't afford a lot of storage room either. There's really no space to speak of, and you're likely to struggle to fit even the essentials inside. If you plan to take this one out on the town, you might want to bring along a boyfriend with deep pockets!

It might be a lot less expensive than the First Lady's VBH clutch, but it will also require you to make many more compromises. But that won't be enough to turn off bagistas hoping to own a piece of this hot new fashion house!

More Features of This VBH Envelope Purse

• Measures 5 x 11.5 inches
• Made in Italy

Get This VBH Glitter Clutch on eBay

• Click here to see more from the RentMeAHandbag store on eBay – A VBH Purses Retailer
• All VBH bags on eBay

With a cute shape and a classic color, the La Regale Small Handbag is a nice bag to have in your closet for a night out.

In a linen that looks a bit like silk-satin, this would also be an excellent choice for prom-goers or younger girls going to dances or formal occasions. It's affordable enough that if a girl lost or damaged it, as is wont to happen, it's not the end of the world.

There are two options for carrying this bag. There is a long rope shoulder strap that allows you to wear it across your body, or you can tuck that strap inside and use the shorter one to carry the bag as a shoulder purse.

All in all, a good basic dressy handbag to have in a collection at a very appealing price.

More Details Of The La Regale Small Handbag

• Flap closure

Find More La Regale Handbags on eBay

La Regale RED BEADS BEADED EVENING PURSE BAG HANDBAG US $.01   0 Bid Auction Ends: 20h 53m Make it yours...

New La Regale Handbag Purse Clutch Evening Party Silver US $9.99   0 Bid Auction Ends: 1d 22h 27m Make it yours...

Also See

• Click here to purchase this bag on Amazon
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Michelle Obama earned some major fashion cred with bag lovers when she wore the cobalt blue version of this Ballerina Bag by cult-favorite VBH with what is rumored to be an Alaia dress.

If you'd like to take a cue from Mrs. Obama and wear this clutch out on a date with your sweetie, you could opt for this version in black python. It would go best to a formal destination like the Obamas' - the ballet.

But unfortunately, a formal price tag goes with it. While Michelle's version is said to be $1,500 this python bag is $1,900. It's a lot to pay for something you'll only bring out on special occasions, but it will certainly make those occasions that much more stylish and memorable.

The bag has a very graceful shape that is echoed in the curve of the flap closure. The python shines and is sure to be seen (and envied) from across the room.

This is purely a lipstick and cash bag, though, don't go cramming a PDA in this baby.

More Details Of The VBH Ballerina Bag

• Center seam detail
• Ribbon lacing on sides

More VBH Handbags on eBay

VBH HAND MADE IN ITALY BLACK HANDBAG SILVER HARDWARE US $179.99   1 Bid Auction Ends: 22h 17m Make it yours...

FARRAH FAWCETTs VBH BeRMuDa BLue SILK WRiSTLET BAG US $176.00   0 Bid Auction Ends: 4d 15h 34m Make it yours...

Also See

• Click here to find the VBH Ballerina Bag with the BagBunch Handbag Search Engine
• Click here to look for more Michelle Obama inspired fashions on eBay

By now, it's nothing new to hear raves about the latest stylish outfit worn by Michelle Obama. Women everywhere are scrambling to emulate the style of the fashionable First Lady whether it's a sleeveless dress from Michael Kors or a formal gown from Jason Wu.

Though her husband is only just approaching his first 100 days in office, Michelle Obama's outfits are already being written about in a new book that showcases her signature fashion choices on the road to the White House. The book, entitled Michelle Style: Celebrating the First Lady of Fashion, was written by Mandi Norwood and is set to release on May 5.

"Each outfit has a story around it,” says Norwood, who recalls the yellow J.Crew ensemble the First Lady wore on Jay Leno — which she purchased online for under $340. Suddenly we had this vision of the next First Lady sitting in bed, next to Barack, shopping online.”

Her classic American look is being looked at as the accessible and updated Jackie O style, as she accessorizes affordable clothes with quality accessories and adds interesting twists to otherwise simple outfits. With designers like Vivienne Westwood and Timmy Woods practically chomping at the bit to get their products on the First Lady, I'm thinking this is probably just one of many books to come.

Click here to pre-order the book on Amazon.

[Source: NY Daily News]
[Image: cliff1066/Flickr]

Timmy Woods Handbags on eBay

Large Santa handbag purse Timmy Woods Beverly Hills US $66.98   5 Bids Auction Ends: 15h 7m Make it yours...

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Yellow is the color of the season, as confirmed by Michelle Obama at the Presidential Inauguration, on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and at various public appearances. As anyone in Washington will tell you, economizing is another hot trend. What better way to make your purchase go further than a convertible bag?

Not only can you integrate this Joe's Jeans Handbags Kelly Convertible Tote into your current spring/summer wardrobe to inject some new life into the same old outfits, but you can wear it three different ways.

This accessory goes from traditional handheld tote to shoulder bag with the aid of a detachable strap. Plus, the bag can be worn folded over either with the strap or without - creating a fashion-forward oversize clutch. Feel free to take the clutch out on the town, but be aware that it will render a dressy outfit more casual and might not fit in at formal occasions. The color and style are a bit preppy, but studs and creative seaming inject some edge into the design.

The name of this bag might annoy high-fashion aficionados as a Kelly bag evokes images of the classic Hermes bag made famous by Grace Kelly. Yet this Joe's Jeans Kelly tote has a style all its own.

More Features of the Joe's Jeans Handbags Kelly Tote

• Measures 15.5 x 14.5 x 2.5 inches
• Leather with printed cotton lining
• Inside pockets

Joe's Jeans Leather Handbags on eBay

Also See

• Click here to buy the Joe's Jeans Handbags Kelly Tote on Amazon
• Click here to see more convertible totes on eBay

Vivienne Westwood has worked with fashion darlings Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell, but her next muse could be a world away from the catwalk. Rumor has it that the British designer is captivated by American First Lady Michelle Obama.

Vivienne has reportedly showered Michelle with presents and collaboration requests ever since she arrived in London for the recent G20 Summit.

"Michelle is officially the trendiest First Lady ever. Viv is even talking about designing a handbag in her honor," an unnamed source told The Mirror.

"Michelle can carry off so many looks, but to have her working alongside Vivienne would be a dream come true."

It seems the whole world is besotted with Michelle Obama, so I’m sure any Vivienne Westwood collaboration would sell itself. But between being a mom to daughters Malia and Sasha and taking care of all those First Lady duties, one wonders when Michelle would find the time to work with the designer! I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

[Source: The Mirror]
[Image Source: Mattia Passeri/Wikipedia Commons]

Vivienne Westwood Handbags on eBay

Vivienne Westwood Small Handbag Maroon vg US $19.99   0 Bid Auction Ends: 1d 19h 31m Make it yours...

BN Auth Japan Vivienne Westwood Speedy handbag US $69.95   0 Bid Auction Ends: 2d 20h 33m Make it yours...

BN Auth Japan Vivienne Westwood handbag Tartan Anna bag US $79.95   0 Bid Auction Ends: 4d 4h 7m Make it yours...

Timmy Woods made a big impression with her Eiffel Tower bag, carried by Carrie Bradshaw in the original Sex and the City movie. Now she’s turning her attention to another famous landmark.

Timmy will gift First Lady Michelle Obama with a specially designed White House handbag, covered with Swarovski crystals in true Timmy Woods style. I can't wait to see it!

"She is getting a crystal-covered bag from us in the shape of the White House to commemorate her first 100 days as the First Lady," said designer Timmy Woods, who's currently in London to promote her latest kitsch creations.

They include the Winston, a British bulldog that is one of ten limited edition British-themed bags, and a poodle purse resembling her own pampered pooch.

"It's based on my dog Juliet. A lot of movie stars buy the dog bag because if they can't take their dog somewhere, they can take their bag!"

It makes sense to me!

[Source: Grazia]
[Image Source: Dbking/Flickr]

Timmy Woods Handbags on eBay

Large Santa handbag purse Timmy Woods Beverly Hills US $66.98   5 Bids Auction Ends: 15h 7m Make it yours...

Timmy Woods of Beverly Hills CARMEN Flesh Purse Handbag US $199.00   Auction Ends: 17h 31m Make it yours...

TIMMY WOODS COLLECTIBLE HANDBAGS US $229.99   0 Bid Auction Ends: 18h 1m Make it yours...