Nancy Gonzalez adds python to her signature crocodile skin with the aim of offering twice the luxury and twice the looks. However, sadly this tote somehow ends up being less than the sum of its parts.

I really can't fault the exotic ...

Versace is the latest high end label to release a limited edition purse line to commemorate the Year of the Dragon. The Italian fashion house joins Coach and Bally in ringing in the Chinese New Year.

The structured design ...

You'll stand out in any crowd carrying this Python Box Clutch from Emilio Pucci.

I'm sure you'll either love or loathe the loud neon orange snakeskin, but I'm besotted by this bold choice. Pucci handles the shocking hue beautifully, keeping the details to a ...

Dubai is one of the most luxurious destinations on the planet, so it makes sense that Gucci's new limited edition Marrakech handbag, which is available exclusively in the UAE capital, is incredibly opulent.

Midnight blue and metallic taupe python comes together in the Middle Eastern inspired design. ...

I spend a lot of time writing about handbags, and just about as much daydreaming about the ones I could never afford. You know the ones; those gorgeous things that could clean out your bank account in an instant. I can't imagine my ...

Reese Witherspoon has bowed to pressure from PETA and vowed to stop carrying her python skin Chloe Paraty purse.

It's believed Witherspoon's decision came after she watched a documentary, sent to her by the animal rights group, which outlined the appalling way snakes are treated ...

Reese Witherspoon is the latest celebrity to feel PETA's wrath after she stepped out carrying a python skin Chloe Paraty purse. PETA glibly declared that "No matter how much Reese paid for that bag, the animals paid a higher price."

The animal rights group then went on to ...

A diva is a woman who knows how to stand out. She might be a little demanding at times, but she's got such presence that she can be forgiven almost anything. Just like the human equivalent, this Diva Shoulder Bag from Roberto Cavalli ...

Michael Kors injects a little luxury into our everyday with this Fulton bag from his MICHAEL diffusion line.

As it's from the more affordable MICHAEL collection, we're given embossed leather rather than genuine python skin. This isn't a bad substitute though; the scaly texture ...

Oh, Valentino, how do I love thee? I could count the ways or I could count the decades. Either way, the Valentino line has stolen more than its fair share of my heart. Even after the main man's retirement, the house still manages to surprise and delight with bags like ...

Ghibli delivers a healthy dose of luxury with this Jeweled Reptile Clutch purse.

With embossed leathers coming a long way in recent years, bags made from authentic python skin are becoming a bit of a rarity. PETA might not approve, but this blue snakeskin is really ...

Saudi Arabian couture designer Effa has expanded her fashion range with the release of a line of exotic clutch purses.

Effa designs with modern, independent women in mind, the kind who love being up to date and in touch with the latest catwalk trends. The Effa Made ...

Clara Kasavina abandons her usual intricate metal work for this python Suzy clutch.

Python is arguably more luxurious than metal, but funnily enough this clutch doesn't feel as special as her usual handiwork. That natural mottled python skin is lovely, but I feel like I've seen ...

Bottega Veneta takes a break from its usual woven handbags with this Breezy hobo.

I must admit, I'm struggling to see the hobo in this hobo. With its boxy shape, relative structure, and lack of bohemian embellishments it really doesn't look like any hobo I've ever ...

As soon as I heard the name of this exotic new satchel from Valentino, I knew it was going to be a winner. Rockstud? Seriously? Sold.

The python skin on the Rockstud is seriously beautiful. I've never seen such complex coloring on snakeskin. It's truly exotic, and yet the muted ...

Exotic prints are a hard thing to get right. All too easily they can become tacky imitations of the luxurious skins they're mimicking. Michael Kors shows his design prowess with this Kingston tote.

The neutral color palette and expertly rendered scales make the Kingston's finish seem ...

Reed Krakoff wouldn't have been one of my picks for top accessory designer a few months ago, but I'm really warming up to his low key brand of elegance. This leather and python clutch is seriously cool.

I'm usually a strictly black clad monochrome sort of girl, but ...

VBH lets its luxury materials do all the talking with this Pellicano Python Tote.

VBH does its best work when it's playing with exotic materials like this. It respects the skin and allows it to shine without any unnecessary complications. In a peachy beige tone the Pellicano is ...

With a little black clutch the magic is in the detail.

In the case of the Sutton clutch, Michael Kors has put the effort into those very details. The first touch is in the fabric choice, a  genuine python leather that, as always with exotic skins, oozes class ...

Kooba goes wild with this python printed Kiley satchel.

I usually love snake scales, but frankly I think they confuse what could have been a very elegant purse. I find myself trying to look past the mottled skin to take in the Kiley's unique structured shape, and the ...

As I've said before, MICHAEL Michael Kors really has a way with faux snakeskin. This Sloan clutch is a great example of how it makes sleek, exotic looks happen at affordable prices.

The material on the Sloan is awesome. The faux python looks ...

Because it's been around for decades, Gucci is one of those household name sorts of lines. But that doesn't mean it's always consistent. The house has been through a lot of ups and downs in the past twenty years or so. Right now, it seems to ...

Gucci shakes off its stuffy image and puts on the glitz with this Malika clutch.

Gucci is ordinarily so staid and refined, that I hardly believed it was behind this playful purse. Happily it's just as luxurious as any handbag we'd expect the Italian fashion house to produce, ...

Ghibli takes the road less traveled with this Woven Python Satchel.

When I first saw this bag two thoughts entered my head: "It's very pink" and "It's very woven." These aren't qualities I've ever desired in a python bag, and after seeing this satchel I've learned ...

Chinese Laundry calls this hobo Le Opera, but there's nothing high class about this python printed purse.

The smoky gray snake print doesn't do a bad impersonation of the genuine article, but it gets obscured by all those pockets. They serve a practical purpose ...

Carlos Falchi generally lets his exotic skins speak for themselves. But he shows us his whimsical side just in time for spring with this Floral Cutout clutch.

The red python Carlos Falchi uses is truly stunning, but it's given an added dimension with the flower appliqués. ...

Gucci is one of those household name sorts of lines. Although it has gone through many changes in the past few decades, I love when it revisits their classic, equestrian-inspired aesthetic. Especially when it adds contemporary new twists, as it's done on this gorgeous python shoulder bag.

The deep, rich ...

Exotic lovers claim that there's no substitute for the real thing, but I think this Josie wallet from Abas might make them change their minds.

It might not be made of real python skin, but the leather on the Josie is every bit as beautiful, particularly ...

We've often waxed lyrical about Clara Kasavina's dramatic and dazzling evening purses, but I'm not feeling quite as bowled over by the Rosita puff clutch.

Its python finish is undeniably gorgeous. The silvery surface toughens up the snakeskin, making its oversized scales seem even ...

Anya Hindmarch's aesthetic is sometimes unreliable, but often fabulous. This Lacing shoulder bag is a great example of where I hope her look is going.

I know it's not really PC, but I love snake skin, python in particular. The amazing variations in color and give the material ...

Laurel & Sunset celebrates flamboyance with this Dirossi satchel.

There's certainly nothing subtle about this baby. Its synthetic body is meant to mimic python skin, and it might have pulled it off if it wasn't that lurid shade of purple. The mottled pattern is ...

Disclaimer: I am really about to rave right now. This is one of the coolest bags I have ever seen in my life. Bottega Veneta has taken its signature chic and made it into something exotic and amazing. This small python messenger bag is a great example ...

Roberto Cavalli is one of those designers that I don't pay that much attention to. Perhaps because his flashy Italian style just doesn't mesh well with my own, or perhaps because of the line's prohibitively high price ...

Lanvin is one of my favorite lines. Not only is it the oldest fashion house in Paris, but it's managed to stay entirely relevant in today's market. This Reflex shopping tote is a great example of how it's pulling off modern design.

The perforated tan leather on ...

VBH goes all out with this Vault Python Satchel bag. The fashion house is no slouch in the luxury department, but it rarely creates bags as opulent as this!

This Vault bag is made from exotic brown python. The scaly skin is beautiful just the way ...

Nancy Gonzalez really has a way with materials. All of her exotic skins come from farms that she operates in Columbia, her home. She always lets the quality of the skin shine through, and doesn't muddy up her designs with over-embellishment. This crocodile and python bag is ...

Christian Louboutin's Sweet Charity Bag was basically perfect, and frankly, I didn't think it could get much better. But this silver and purple python version takes it to a whole new level in terms of style and opulence.

There's nothing I love more than snakeskin, except maybe ...

Michael Kors has had a pretty great run this season, particularly if you take into consideration his diffusion line, MICHAEL. He seems to be moving in a hipper, more minimal direction, and staying away from the kind of overembellishment that a lot of designers have gotten sucked ...

Bebe brings us glamour without the high class prices with this Bebe Ruffle Romance bag.

Bebe is a little obvious with its design choices here. Exotic skins always bring a touch of luxury, so it dapples the red PVC with black serpentine scales. Ruffles are the perfect thing ...

I have only recently begun to pay attention to Carlos Falchi's designs, and I am totally blown away. He has an uncanny knack for understanding what modern women are looking for in a handbag. This ombre feed bag is a fabulous, low key everyday bag with an ...

Carlos Falchi started his career as a designer making leather outfits for rock stars. He made costumes for the likes of Mick Jagger, Miles Davis, and even Elvis Presley. Lucky for us, sometime in the early 70s, he turned his focus to designing handbags and never looked ...

Donna Karan is celebrating 25 years in the fashion business, which can only mean one thing: a collection of limited edition handbags to mark the occasion.

First cab off the ranks is this ultra luxurious Python Anniversary Large Shoulder Bag. The authentic python ...

Michael Kors is not one of my favorite designers, but every now and again he makes something fabulous that reminds me why he's one of the most prominent American designers today. This Beverley clutch is a simple, elegant bag with a little bit of edge that ...

Chloe's line of Marcie bags were instantly a hit with celebrities and fashionistas when they came out. This medium sized python version isn't just my favorite of the bunch; it's also my favorite exotic bag of the season.

The light brown python skin on this bag has extraordinary natural ...

Mulberry's Bayswater bag has quickly become a staple in the fashion world. Women looking for an alternative to more expensive It bags, like the Hermes Birkin, have found a viable one in the Bayswater. To be honest, I'm not usually a fan of the bag's conservative aesthetic, but I ...

Lanvin's Amalia bags are modern classics. The line is refreshingly simple and elegant. This gorgeous snakeskin version adds luxe glamour to the sophisticated style in a heavy dose.

The extraordinary turquoise and black python skin has a soft metallic finish that, in combination with the eye-catching color combination, makes ...

Opening this elegant envelope clutch will be like winning an award every day, thanks to the glossy luxury design and the cute package shape.

The Prunella purse should look luxurious, because Kara Ross is charging you a painful $975 to own it. The last thing you want when talking about that ...

Kara Ross has always impressed me with her sophisticated clutches carefully crafted from luxurious exotics. But sadly this Oriental twist on her popular Nox clutch has left me cold.

All of the right elements are there. The nude Painted Desert python is right on trend, a shade that's feminine without being fussy ...

Alexander Wang was little known until a few years ago, when he was "discovered" by Vogue editor Anna Wintour. Since then, his career has made a straight shot to the top, and urban fashionistas, in particular, love his clean, minimal designs and quirky sense of humor. I'm not sure, however, that this ...

When it comes to exotic and rather fabulous skins, Jalda makes some of the most luxurious options on the handbag market.

Take, for example, the Jane tote. This simply designed handbag is made from a genuine snakeskin, hence the incredibly beautiful and authentic texture and exotic pattern. Thanks to the addition of a real ...