It's hard to believe that any high fashion designer would draw inspiration from the world of sports, but that's exactly what got Alexander Wang motivated for his new Spring 2010 collection that was recently revealed on the catwalk: football.

Instead of tough, edgy, and majorly studded, this new line is sporty chic with an almost vintage-ish feel. When viewing images of the whole collection at once, I can't help but think of the recent 1920s-era George Clooney football film Leatherheads. I have no idea if Alexander Wang was thinking along those lines, but I can't help but see some similarities, though there's a definite modern take to the collection.

The most obvious display of the inspiration, in my opinion, can be seen on one of the new spring handbags. The Brady Football Clutch actually looks like a pigskin, just with a little decorative topstitching and a zipper running across the middle. It's quirky, which I'd expect from the designer, and a little odd, but I actually like it when combined with the other looks from the collection.

See a preview of Alexander Wang's Spring 2010 bags and shoes at Refinery 29.

[Source: Refinery 29]

Alexander Wang Handbags on eBay

NWT ALEXANDER WANG DONNA WASHED OUT BLACK DENIM HOBO US $1,699.99   Auction Ends: 29d 11h 33m Make it yours...

NEW AUTHENTIC Alexander Wang Coco Duffle Bag black US $550.00   14 Bids Auction Ends: 2h 25m Make it yours...

ALEXANDER WANG DONNA BLACK DENIM LEATHER HOBO BAG US $495.00   1 Bid Auction Ends: 2h 27m Make it yours...

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

Gossip Girl Blair PS1 Real Suede Leather Satchel Bag LT US $119.90   Auction Ends: 15d 23h 46m Make it yours...

Gossip Girl Blair PS1 Real Poncho Leather Satchel Bag L US $129.90   Auction Ends: 27d 19h 41m Make it yours...

Gossip Girl Blair PS1 Real Poncho Leather Satchel Bag M US $119.90   Auction Ends: 27d 19h 39m Make it yours...

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

BNWT 100 AUTHENTIC CHANEL LARGE TOTE HANDBAG US $469.99   0 Bid Auction Ends: 17m Make it yours...

CHANEL 255 REISSUE Pink Silv Hdw BNIB tags attach US $2,500.00   2 Bids Auction Ends: 54m Make it yours...

Authentic Chanel Lambskin Handbag Rare US $608.03   20 Bids Auction Ends: 57m Make it yours...

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

NEW DESIGNER INSPIRED HANDBAG HOBO PURSE TOTE BAG 209 US $19.99   0 Bid Auction Ends: 22m Make it yours...

Designer Inspired Multi Color Buckled Handbag Purse Bag US $24.99   0 Bid Auction Ends: 31m Make it yours...

Black Designer Buckle Shoulder Bag Handbag Purse NWT US $24.99   0 Bid Auction Ends: 31m Make it yours...

To me, there's just something special about a high quality leather purse or bag. They are traditional, durable and never go out of style. However, not everyone is satisfied with commonplace purses and some like to carry standout handbags that are far from ordinary. Here's a look at 50 bags that stray from the beaten path. Love them or hate them, there is no denying that they are unique. Each is made with rather unusual materials, or fashioned to look like something it is not. As you'll see, this type of creativity in design produces purse styles ranging from cute to tragic.

Farm Animal in Chaps

[Image Source]

This lovely purse was spotted at TJ Maxx. No idea what look designer Diane Gail was going for, but there's no doubt that she nailed "Farm Animal Wearing Chaps" with this one. Not sure if the pattern of the animal hide was lined up this way on purpose, but it reminds me of that one bad night I had at a Biker Bar with a cow.
Read the rest of this entry »

You just can't keep the queen down. She may have been dumped by Louis Vuitton for the much younger Lara Stone and Daisy Lowe, but Madonna's already found another modeling gig. The Material Mom will front Dolce & Gabbana's spring/summer 2010 campaign.

Acclaimed photographer Steven Klein shot the ads in New York last week, and the designers say they're thrilled with the "simply beautiful" images of Madge.

"To have Madonna in our campaign is a dream come true," designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana added.

This isn't the first time the talented trio has worked together. D&G were behind the costumes Madonna used for her Girlie Show in 2003 and last year's Sticky & Sweet tour. I don't expect anything quite so outrageous for Dolce & Gabbana's next collection; the fashions have to be worn by mere mortals after all. Yet Dolce & Gabbana has a habit of surprising us, so you just never know!

[Source: AOL United Kingdom]
[Image Source: Sasu/Wikipedia Commons]

Dolce & Gabbana Bags on eBay

100 AUTHENTIC DOLCE GABBANA GOLD W PYTHON CLUTCH BAG US $99.90   Auction Ends: 2h 24m Make it yours...

LEOPARD SKIN PRINT DOLCE GABBANA BAG unwanted gift US $36.33   3 Bids Auction Ends: 21h 36m Make it yours...

Dolce Gabbana hand bag US $76.00   16 Bids Auction Ends: 21h 49m Make it yours...

Critical acclaim and a celebrity following are no insurance for surviving the global recession. Just ask Luella Bartley! The Designer of the Year at the 2008 British Fashion Awards has been forced to close down her Luella label following the loss of one of its main suppliers.

Luella's Italian production company Carla Carini shut down last month. This means that the orders for Luella's spring/summer 2010 collection could not be completed. This inspired VSQ, the company in charge of the brand's distribution, to withdraw its support.

The decision to close down operations is a blow for Luella's fans, which include fashionable young Britons like Alexa Chung, Lily Allen, and Pixie Geldof. But Ms Bartley says we shouldn't count her out just yet. She is currently exploring options to take the label forward.

She's got the support of online fans, who are expressing their Luella love by adding a "Save Luella" banner to their Twitter avatars. I'm not sure whether anyone with clout will listen to the cyber outpouring, but only time will tell!

[Source: Luxist]
[Image Source: Luella]

Luella Bags on eBay

LUELLA BARTLEY HAND STITCHED GISELE SATCHEL BAG WOW US $799.00   Auction Ends: 22d 6h 33m Make it yours...

GOLDENBLEU Luella PATENT LEATHER TOTE RED BAG $59500 US $89.99   0 Bid Auction Ends: 6h 2m Make it yours...

LUELLA BLACK PATENT LEATHER ANNIE CLUTCH BAG RRP £450 US $117.25   28 Bids Auction Ends: 1d 1h 34m Make it yours...

The news buzzing around Louis Vuitton's future advertising campaigns right now is that Madonna is out to make way for some fresh faces. The European style pre-fall starring with Missy Rayder were a hint of this change in direction, but the recently confirmed faces of the luxury brand are even more of a shift.

Following in some famous footsteps including Madonna, Naomi Campbell, and other recognizable faces is edgy new "it" model Lara Stone. The Dutch beauty is set to star in the label's upcoming spring/summer 2010 campaign.

Stone isn't the only hip, twenty-something model chosen by Louis Vuitton, however. Young but experienced Daisy Lowe will also star in upcoming ads for the brand. The previous face of Marc by Marc Jacobs will be starring in a sexy shoot showcasing LV's ready-to-wear spring/summer 2010 beachwear range that will also include shoes, bags, and accessories.

Though there's no word yet on particular themes for the upcoming photo shoots, both are guaranteed to be interesting and possibly provide a much-needed infusion of excitement for Louis Vuitton.

[Source: My Fashion Life]
[Image: Models.com]

Louis Vuitton Handbags on eBay

Louis Vuitton Bronze Monogram Vernis Houston Bag US $800.00   1 Bid Auction Ends: 29m Make it yours...

LOUIS VUITTON PARIS AUTHENTIC LV LOGO LEATHER TOTE BAG US $199.99   0 Bid Auction Ends: 49m Make it yours...

Authentic LOUIS VUITTON Brown Antigue Pochette Plate GM US $239.45   Auction Ends: 1h 4m Make it yours...

The name L.L. Bean is more likely to evoke images of the great outdoors than the High Street. But the American brand is set to up its fashion standing with the launch of its signature collection.

"This is for modern, everyday dressing," explained the brand's vice president, Chris Vickers. "My goal is not to challenge you. My goal is to make your life better."

The makeover is all thanks to Rogues Gallery's Alex Carleton, who's injected fun preppy looks, cute prints, and more silhouetted shapes into the brand. Thankfully he hasn't done away with the staples altogether. Those oversized totes we all used to carry books to college are still there, as practical as ever.

Unlike so many signature collections, L.L. Bean's line promises to be kind on your wallet. Shirts will cost between $50 and $70, while the sports jackets will sit at around $200.

The L.L. Bean Signature collection was unveiled in New York City last week, but we'll need to wait until March 2010 to get our hands on the goods.

[Source: The Glamazon Diaries]

L.L. Bean Totes on eBay

LL Bean Boat and Tote Bag US $5.00   0 Bid Auction Ends: 2h 18m Make it yours...

L L Bean Tote Bag US $20.00   0 Bid Auction Ends: 1d 21h 12m Make it yours...

LL Bean tote bag US $3.25   6 Bids Auction Ends: 3d 6h 28m Make it yours...

Anja Rubik has been working hard in the fashion industry lately. This Polish model seems to be involved in all kinds of projects including designing for Poland-based brand Quazi and starring in some of the advertising campaigns of fashion's biggest names.

She has created quite a statement in multiple Gucci ads, and now the blonde bombshell is once again starring in a Giuseppe Zanotti campaign. She must have made quite an impression for the label in her recent spring/summer 09 shots.

In fact, the ads must have been quite popular since Giuseppe Zanotti reunited Rubik with her spring/summer photographers Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin. The Rock Couture campaign was expertly styled by fashion editor Emmanuelle Alt.

With clutches and boots featuring multi-colored crystal star details, this collection from the label is playful, sexy, and effortlessly chic as is the supermodel showcasing the items. See more from the fall/winter 09 ad campaign at View on Fashion's website.

[Source: View on Fashion]
[Image: Cocumag]

Giuseppe Zanotti Handbags on eBay

GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI DESIGN Gold metallic clutch purse NWOT US $299.99   Auction Ends: 21d 22h 19m Make it yours...

GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI SUEDE TOTE WOMENS HAND BAG ROSE US $217.35   Auction Ends: 14d 20h 10m Make it yours...

GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI SILK HANDBAG WOMENS BEIGE US $233.45   Auction Ends: 14d 20h 10m Make it yours...