Among its architectural masterpieces and other urban attractions, Melbourne, Australia also boasts the largest shopping center in the Southern Hemisphere. Chadstone, or rather "Chaddy" as it is sometimes referred to by locals, is home to a various collection of shops that ranges from Target to Tiffany's.

The luxury fashion precinct of Chadstone is actually a new addition, though. The elegant boutique section includes Burberry, Gucci, Coach, Chanel, and more with other major labels rumored to move in soon.

Chanel celebrated the opening by releasing an exclusive 2.55 quilted lambskin bag, which contains a special plaque inside to commemorate the launch.

“It was created by Karl Lagerfeld exclusively for the launch of our new boutique at Chadstone, which opened on Wednesday,” Susie Stenmark from Chanel Australia tells us.

You'll have to be in Australia to get your hands on one, though. This limited edition handbag is only available at the label's store at Chadstone.

[Source: Sassy Bella]

Chanel Handbags on eBay

They might be bosom buddies, but Blake Lively won't model for Victoria Beckham's new fashion line. Victoria's spokesperson told Vogue.com he's unsure what prompted the rumor, but that it's definitely not true.

"I don’t know where this one has come from - other than from Blake being a fan of the Victoria Beckham collection," he said. "She is not Victoria's 'muse' and there is no 'face of' the advertising campaign."

The Gossip Girl starlet met the former Spice Girl during New York Fashion Week. She's been spotted wearing pieces from Victoria's collections both on and off screen, while Victoria just landed herself a plum role on Blake's drama series. The whispers of Blake's starring turn in the marketing campaign seemed such a natural fit considering how much their paths have crossed lately, but I guess some things aren't meant to be. Perhaps Victoria's people should reconsider though. Surely having Blake's endorsement would help boost the sales of Mrs. Beckham's brand!

[Source: Style By Me]
[Image Source: Kristin dos Santos/Wikipedia Commons]

Gossip Girl Bags on eBay

Apparently Victoria "Posh" Beckham and Gossip Girl star Blake Lively share more in common than an urge to display an inordinate amount of cleavage in public. The two have reportedly become BFFs since hitting it off at New York Fashion Week a couple of months ago.

Now rumors are spreading that Blake, a.k.a. Serena van der Woodsen, will be the new face of Victoria's fashion label for the upcoming spring 2010 collection. It actually isn't such an odd choice when you consider that the Gossip Girl wardrobe department is no stranger to VB's style and has featured the former-Spice Girl's designs on more than one occasion, not to mention her scheduled guest appearance on a future episode of the popular show.

With young and fresh Lively possibly set to star in an upcoming campaign, a new handbag and accessories line on the way, and a quickly rising number of celebrity fans, Victoria Beckham seems to have found her footing in the fashion world.

[Source: The Fash Pack]
[Image: Jas Chiang/Flickr]

Designer Handbags on eBay

Megha Mittal, the daughter-in-law of steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, has purchased the bankrupt German fashion house, Escada. The iconic style brand was sold for an undisclosed sum, although the German press estimate the deal with was worth around 100 million Euros including the company's widely publicized debt.

Ms. Mittal beat out stiff competition from the M1 Group, Sven Ley, the son of Escada founder Wolfgang Ley, and St John Knits owner Vester Capital Partners. She made the purchase through a family trust rumored to be in the three-digit million range.

The 33-year-old Ms. Mittal is a mother of two with a degree in finance and a lifelong passion for fashion.

"Our first priority is to ensure that the great heritage of this iconic company is translated into a strong and successful future," she told The Economic Times in India.

It's expected that current CEO, Bruno Slazer, will retain his position during the transition. Ms. Mittal will act as a board member and ambassador for the Escada brand.

[Source: Luxist]
[Image Source: Colros/Flickr]

Escada Bags on eBay

It's a rare day for me to be calling a $1,900 handbag a surprisingly affordable option. Well, maybe I wouldn't quite call it affordable, but I was at least somewhat pleasantly surprised by the starting price point of designer label Balmain's highly anticipated handbag line.

For a label whose items include a nearly $14,000 leather jacket for sale on Net-A-Porter, a collection of shoulder bags with a price range of roughly $1,900 to just over $3,900 seems almost reasonable ... or at least slightly attainable for some shoppers.

Consistent with previous rumors of the collection's designs, these Balmain bags include plenty of embellishments. More specifically, you'll find quilted stitching, strategically-placed smatterings of studs, and even a little fringe among the bunch. Each one has an edgy, contemporary twist that is indicative of Balmain's signature look.

This somewhat small line of handbags, including the priciest Punk Suede Shoulder Bag shown above, will be available on Net-A-Porter's website this coming Monday, October 19. See all four styles from the collection at Bag Snob's website.

[Source: Bag Snob]

Studded Handbags on eBay

A Scottish stylista recently bagged a bargain, after paying just a few hundred pounds for a Hermes handbag. The prized purse was sold at the Cancer Research UK shop in Pitlochry, Perthshire.

It's estimated that the bag was worth at least £1500, but the store owners were happy to accept the much smaller donation.

"Myself and Sarah, who works out in the store, were looking through a selection of bags, and then this classy looking bag appears at the bottom of the plastic bag. I was still trying to work out what it was, when Sarah starts jumping around saying 'It's a Hermes. It's a Hermes,'" explained store manager, Mary Butchart.

The charity store was inundated with calls as rumors of the Hermes handbag quickly swept the town.

"Yesterday I received over a dozen calls from people saying they're interested in the bag, but on Monday a woman came into buy it. We'd been urged by people to put it up on eBay but as a charity we can't do that. However, this woman came and was willing to pay the cash up front for the bag, so we thought it was a very fair offer."

I'm sure the mystery buyer agreed! This is definitely a case of being in the right place at the right time.

[Source: STV News]
[Image Source: Liu Wen Cheng/Flickr]

Hermes Bags on eBay

Miu Miu's recent Paris Fashion Week runway show was full of whimsical details and innocence, but some of the things going on behind the curtain for the company are not quite so light-hearted at the moment.

According to the Wall Street Journal, some of the decision makers at Miu Miu are unhappy with how their bags are being displayed in certain U.S. department stores. Rumor has it that the company wanted their merchandise exhibited to full effect in their very own store-within-a-store, whereas the stores preferred to mix the handbags in with other handbags.

I hate to take sides in what must be a slightly more complicated situation than simply that, but it seems that Miu Miu might be taking a tad too much offense here. Perhaps there's a lot more going on than we know now, but it's kind of strange that Miu Miu would actually pull their products completely out of multiple stores because of the disagreement. I mean, doesn't every sale, whether from a superior display or not, count in this economy?

[Source: WSJ]
[Image: Salon de Maria/Flickr]

Miu Miu Handbags on eBay

NEW MIU MIU BOSTON BOWLER TOTE US $949.00   Auction Ends: 27d 19h 34m Make it yours...

HOT Crocodile Miu Miu St Cocco Purse Tote Bag NWT US $1,395.00   Auction Ends: 27d 22h 39m Make it yours...

AUTH MIU MIU BLACK LEATHER HOBO BAG SUPERB US $164.99   Auction Ends: 27d 14m Make it yours...

Luxury brand Hermes seems to be riding over the wave of economic crisis with only a mere splash or two of disturbance. Somehow this label is defying the odds in a fashion industry that is simply trying to tread water.

With new stores and pop-up boutiques opening, Hermes continues to expand thanks to promising profits. It is furthering its fashion expansion with a new acquisition. Apparently, the brand is in the process or purchasing an auspicious location on the corner of London's reputable Bond Street.

The location is currently occupied by struggling luxury jewelry and accessories brand Asprey. Hermes will obtain the building and maybe even the business. Hermes wasn't the only luxury brand with its eyes on the advantageous spot though. Chanel reportedly had an interest in the London location before Hermes beat them to it.

Although acquiring Asprey's building sounds like a smart move and right up a booming label's alley, I'd be somewhat surprised to hear a confirmation of Hermes taking over more than Asprey's current housing on Bond Street. I suppose we'll have to wait to find out if the second part of the rumor is true or not.

[Source: Luxist]
[Image: daisybush/Flickr]

Hermes Handbags on eBay

I'm no longer surprised to hear designer label spottings on the CW's fashionable and racy teen drama Gossip Girl. The show is practically one big runway of designer handbags, clothes, and shoes. I'm not complaining one bit, though, and I can't imagine any of the labels having something negative to say about it either.

Although I'm not a huge fan of the show or even a regular watcher, I do enjoy seeing stills of the filming and behind the scenes shots of the gals (and guys) in their designer duds. Who can help but envy the actors for their luxurious wardrobes?

One of the latest designer handbags to be spotted on the show is Be&D's Cosette satchel. We actually saw a glimpse of this revitalized bag in a recent review of the brand's fall 2009 collection. The fresh take on the bag is young, hip, and totally up Gossip Girl's alley.

The Cosette has been seen on the television show's set on the arms of both Blakey Lively (a.k.a. Serena van der Woodsen) and Joanna Garcia, a recent addition to the cast and rumored love interest of character Nate Archibald. Serena's Cosette will be in green python, but I much prefer Joanna Garcia's navy blue version.

[Source: California Style]
[Image: Purse Blog]

Be&D Handbags on eBay

Miu Miu, the hip younger sister line to Prada, is always on the cutting edge of what's new and hot. Miuccia Prada, the designer of the line, has been rumored to say that she thinks in Prada, but she dreams in Miu Miu.

This Quilted Nappa Hobo is a great example of Miu Miu's fashion forward design perspective. The quilted and studded leather is on trend, but in a way that seems refreshing. These tiny studs dot the bag and punctuate the quilted pattern in a modern, elegant way. The theme carries over into the rolled leather handle, which is sprinkled with rows of grommets on either side, and laced.

The gold hardware glitters against the black backdrop of buttery soft nappa leather. The triangular quilting pattern contrasts nicely with the soft, slouchy shape of the bag. The overall effect is extremely versatile, and I think this hobo will be a hit uptown and downtown.

This tote around town also has a practical side. At 15" x 11" x 5", this hobo is generous enough to rock every day, and carry over into evening. There's a detachable shoulder strap for those days when you need to fill this bag to capacity, and an interior zippered pocket to keep you organized.

More Features Of The Miu Miu Quilted Nappa Hobo

• Satin lined interior
• 5" handle drop
• Detachable shoulder strap is adjustable

Get this Miu Miu Quilted Nappa Hobo:

• Available to buy at Net-A-Porter
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Miu Miu bags on BagBunch
• The Miu Miu Harlequin Hobo, a patchwork alternative to this bag
• Searching for more Miu Miu handbags on eBay
• Other quilted leather handbags on eBay:

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