“I Love Ice Cream” Collection by Harajuku Lovers (above)

Harajuku Lovers collections, perfumes, handbags, makeup bags, etc. are inspired by the electric street scene of the shopping district in Tokyo, named Harajuku. The Harajuku Lovers collections were also created to capture the self-expressive attitude and iconography from Gwen Stefani’s albums. The trully unique pieces are artfully created as an embodiment of the notion of East meeting West.

By creating a vibrant style that’s as distinctive as DNA, additng the new Harajuku Lovers makeup bags to your collection will enable you to have a daily celebration of your sweet-tooth with these eye-catching, unique, colorful bags.

What is more attractive and desirable on those hot summer days than a scoop of two of this colorful, cool ice cream?

“I Love Ice Cream” Poster (above)

The “I Love Ice Cream” Collection by Harajuku Lovers includes these four beautiful peices:

1. Brush Case (holds brushes, pens or pencils)

Brush Case, “I Love Ice Cream” Collection by Harajuku Lovers (above)

2. Clutch (very roomy convenient piece to have on the go)

Clutch, “I Love Ice Cream” Collection by Harajuku Lovers (above)

3. Organizer (no more trouble having everything in one place)

Organizer, “I Love Ice Cream” Collection by Harajuku Lovers (above and below)

4. Travel Bag (cute accessory to take with you when you go away)

Travel Bag, “I Love Ice Cream” Collection by Harajuku Lovers (above and below)

I also saw a crochet cherry adorned handbag from this collection, which looks very cute.

Handbag, “I Love Ice Cream” Collection by Harajuku Lovers (above)

Valnetino, Red Patent Leather Histoire handbag (above)

Valentino Spring 2009 collection has another version of the Histoire handbag in red patent leather – the Histoire tote – a slick red patent leather carryall with a braided buckle belt to cinch it closed. Two simple yet elegant shoulder straps emphasize the classic style of the handbag.

Valnetino, Red Patent Leather Histoire Tote (above)

But nothing new, except maybe for those woven leather bags and especially in metallic leather that caught my attention:Michael Kors Women’s Newbury Woven Embossed Large Satchel (below)

Totally impractical because of those large openings on the sides, but nice woven pattern and leather texture.

Burberry Women’s Woven Small Satchel (below)

Great pattern, where narrow metallic leather straps are woven some space apart from each other into burberry patterned canvas. A+ idea; though, I wouldn’t buy it only because of the style – it so reminds me of my grandma’s bags. Sorry, Burberry…

Elliott Lucca Women’s Shopper (below) 

Deep raspberry color; great assimetrical woven pattern; perfect buckle details; beautiful braided woven handles. I would buy this bag for my mom.

In 2009 the Italian fine jewelry company Luca Carati, a company that brings diamonds to life, is going to celebrate a twenty-year anniversary of quality and style. Founded in 1989 in Valenza (Veneto Region), the Luca Carati Company, whose every jewel is produced in-house in all its phases, continues to deliver exceptional designs that capture the essence of elegance and style. The company, though still quite young continues to expand into the most important world markets, and today almost all of the collections are exported. 

The collections bearing the Luca Carati name play on the balance between innovative and classical concepts, and the ability to combine different precious materials with diamonds in various elegant and refined shapes. The company’s meticulous attention to detail is also demonstrated in the process of careful evaluation and selection of diamonds, which come from most important world markets (first-cut stones, always only natural, white, or colored, with cuts from brilliants to Princess, Baguette and Tapered).

Who are the Luca Carati jewelry collections for? All women, evryone of them is so different and unique, but also all of them share the same desire to express femininity in the ways they see it fit.

Think of the neo-romantic woman and embroider her with simple and up-to-the-minute flowers of gold and brilliants.

Think of the minimalist but glamorous woman and refine rounded shapes in precious stones and in the varied colors of gold.

Think of the regal and sophisticated woman and mold precious waves to sweetly wrap the body and luminously alight on the skin.

Then think of the dynamic and bewitching woman, playing with the soft geometries of washes of brilliants.

Prada Medium Red Patent Leather Bowler Handbag (above)

Miu Miu Red Patent Leather Tote (above)

Dooney & Bourkey Red Patent Leather Medium Chiara Bag (above)

There is also a smaller version of the Chrystie bag, a small shoulder bag.

The designer of these wonderful pieces of art is Monica Botkier, a New York native, born in Brooklyn. Her career in the fashion industry began as a freelance photographer for such high-profile employers as Seventeen, Surface and Fitness magazines.

Designer Monica Botkier (above)

“I fell into bag design quite by accident. I was doing fashion photography at the time, and I had always been into photography, taking pictures as a kid and then majored in it in college. I was shooting a lot of great bags and this was during the early part of handbag craze.

I remember seeing the YSL Mombasa bag on a shoot and I fell in love with it. I bought one and then later on I purchased one or two other designer handbags, but found that they didn’t always suit my lifestyle and wanted to be able to afford more bags with that same designer style and quality. So, I decided that I would design my own bag. I sketched out the bag, and used leather skins that I had leftover from having photo portfolios made. So I took this to a woman in NYC and she made it for me, but I had to source all the hardware.

This bag went with me to my photo shoots and the models and editors were really interested so I started taking orders. So then I started taking orders for bags from a lot of the girls in the Conde Nast building. And then I showed it to Barney’s and then they picked it up. Things happened really fast, it was in April of 2003 that I made my own bag and then by July and August of that year I was in Barneys!”

Immediately there was a strong response to the Botkier Trigger Bag. Friends and family encouraged her to “spread the wealth” and make the bag available for the general public to enjoy.

Botkier Trigger Bag (above)

Drawing her inspiration from the fast paced and on the go lifestyle of New York women, Monica Botkier launched the first Botkier collection in 2003. A unique use of color and design technique, coupled with superior materials, made the Botkier Collection an instant hit that continued to grow and expand long after its unveiling.

Each bag has story. That is Monica Botkier’s goal- to produce bags that complement individual style while possessing durability and long-lasting quality. As the wearer becomes older, the bag becomes timeless and an indispensable asset to the wearer’s wardrobe. Gwyneth Paltrow, Sarah Jessica Parker and Lindsay Lohan already know that quite well.

Christian Louboutin, Point-Toe Patent Boots (above)

To me, the only downturn in these boots, otherwise perfect, are self-covered (leather covered) heels, which I find quite impractical.

Yves Saint Laurent, Large Tribute Tote (above) 16″W X 16½”H X 2″D