With the economic downturn, many of our favorite designers are cutting back. But not Nina Ricci. The  French fashion house is expanding its accessories lines!

"When the economy changes, it's not like you want to start eating bad-tasting chocolate," the company's creative director Olivier Theyskens said after showing his pre-fall collection. "You have to stay true to what you're doing, and the house of Nina is about luxury."

Yes it is, and the new handbag and shoe collections have the same indulgent spirit. The hobo, shoulder bag, tote, and clutch purse are available in a range of skins including calf, pony, and alligator. Most of us won't be able to afford Olivier's prized piece: a boxy alligator tote with ribbon detail which fetches $25, 000. Thankfully most of the bags are cheaper than that, averaging around $2000.

Indulgent they may be, but these Nina Ricci handbags are not over the top.

"We've had a propensity toward so much flash the last few years," he said, "and I wanted to make something classic with simple hardware."

The more subdued details favored this year include a brass rope chain and a leather ribbon "you could hold in your hand and play with."

Nina Ricci's new handbag and shoe collections will be in stores this spring.

[Source: WWD Fashion]

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