| What’s in a name? To the handbag junkie, | | | | reasonable costs. Even the large fashion houses that |
| absolutely everything! Chic and original designs can be | | | | compete are taking notice; Louis Vuitton designer |
| found everywhere, but let’s face it, there’s | | | | Daniel Piette called the company both innovative and |
| nothing like chic & original combined with the status | | | | devastating. Zara’s big strength comes in |
| and luxury of a big brand name. When you get a bag | | | | identifying what its customers want rather than |
| with a brand name, you know that you are | | | | trying to tell them what they need, a strategy that is |
| purchasing status and reliability as well as design. | | | | literally paying dividends. |
| Louis Vuitton: The biggest name in leather handbags | | | | Hermes: One artist at one time on one piece of |
| also happens to be the oldest name in fashion | | | | fashion has propelled Hermes to prominence as far as |
| branding. Who better to hold the title of top leather | | | | handbag brand recognition. If you’re carrying a |
| hand bag brand than a company that started out as | | | | Hermes bag, you can be absolutely confident in its |
| a high end luggage producer? Vuitton’s | | | | originality. These bags are made from unique |
| trademarked monogram was the first designer label | | | | materials including exotic leathers made from the |
| in contemporary fashion history. Watch out for fakes | | | | hides of alligators, crocodiles, ostriches, and smaller |
| though; only about 1% of branded “Louis” | | | | lizards, and may contain precious gems and stones to |
| are authentic! If you are fortunate enough to | | | | add value and status. The most famous Hermes |
| possess one, you are in great company, as Louis is a | | | | model, the Birkin, continues to be popular. At one |
| favorite with more than a handful of mega stars. | | | | time, a hand bag enthusiast who could afford a Birkin |
| Gucci: Sales of leather accessories, including | | | | had to wait for 6 years for delivery, but the |
| fashionable hand bags, continue to bolster Gucci sales | | | | expansion of the company (still without assembly |
| year to year. The hallowed GG logo is recognized all | | | | lines!) has enabled the bags to be shipped – even |
| over the world as one of the pinnacle brands in | | | | when custom ordered – within a year. |
| fashion and quality. The latest lineup from Gucci | | | | Unfortunately, we can’t all afford to carry these |
| includes the Peggy and Romy medium shoulder bags, | | | | branded badges of honor and excess. But the good |
| with snappy compartments and sizzling appeal. | | | | news is, for those of us who just can’t resist |
| Zara: Price may no longer be an issue when it comes | | | | handbags, the designs created by world famous |
| to some of the world’s top brands in hand bags, | | | | designers quickly filter down to the masses in |
| thanks to innovative fashion company Zara. The | | | | affordable creations that are equally stylish and |
| company exploded out of Spain in 2000 with a | | | | appealing, without the pedigree and its matching price |
| marketing plan that provided high fashion at | | | | tag! |