MUST HAVE HANDBAGS- A/W 2009

SNAKESKIN. An edgy neutral? Believe it. Dangerously stylish exotic skins blend with virtually any look. Jessica Alba (left) shouldered a buckle-bedecked Tod's tote while Rihanna (right) carried a Devi Kroell hobo.

RUFFLED. Add texture to an unfussy outfit with a ruched or tiered leather tote. Julia Roberts (left) gave her all-black suiting separates a feminine spin with a gathered calfskin design, while Katherine Heigl (right) chose a purse with soft vertical ruffles.

STUDDED. Add instant edge to an autumnal outfit with a punked-out purse. Heidi Klum (left) rocked an oversize fringed tote, while Lauren Conrad (right) chose a pyramid-studded shoulder bag from Rebecca Minkoff.

SATCHELS. Classic equestrian-inspired bags transcend the stable when added to vintage-inspired print dresses. Both Claudia Schiffer (left) and Keira Knightley (right, carrying Prada) went the town-and-country route with their hardware-bedecked satchels.

OVERSIZED CLUTCH. No need to cut down on your evening must-haves when you're carrying a bag this large and in charge. Blake Lively (left) held on to a zipper-accented design, while Rachelle Lefevre (right) accented her red-carpet look with a suede envelope clutch.

 SILVER. Brighten up your fall wardrobe with mirror-bright metallic purses. Camilla Belle (left) carried a high-shine pocket-front tote while Beyonce (right) flashed a Dolce & Gabbana carryall.

CHAIN. Classic and tough, a heavy-link strap gives weight to day and evening looks. Diane Kruger (left) selected an artsy-craftsy embellished Chanel bag, while Kate Bosworth (right) carried a biker-inspired all-black design.

RICH. TAPESTRY. Rich tapestry, embroidery and old-world detailing give a faraway feel to a standout shoulder bag. Whitney Port (left) carried an ornate carpet bag from Gucci, while Rachel Bilson (right) upgraded her jeans and T-shirt with Jimmy Choo's patchwork of exotic skins.

LEOPARD. ake a walk on the wild side this fall with hot spots. Halle Berry (left) held on to a metallic clutch from Louis Vuitton, while Jennifer Lopez (right) got fierce with a Jimmy Choo hobo.


(Source: InStyle)

FASHION WEEK: REWIND- ALEXANDER WANG GOES BIG

Nylon tv covers the Alexander Wang runway show for Spring Summer 2010. The motto "Go Big or Go Home" is relevant throughout the entire collection. Leopard prints, bold shoulders, slim silhouettes, and a funky wedge sets this collection apart from the rest.

Alexander Wang
Designer: Alexander Wang
Date and Location: Saturday, Sept. 12, Pier 94, 711 12th Avenue
Photos: slide show

* “O.K., so it’s not a conventional love story, but the Alexander Wang tough-chick muse has found herself a jock. … That plot thickened into sweatshirt-leather combos that surely will be considered among the most trendsetting looks at New York fashion week.” (Associated Press)
* “Very much a mega-triumph.” (Fashion Wire Daily)
* “There is something raw and wild about Mr. Wang’s work that is pushing utilitarian sportswear in a new direction.” (International Herald Tribune)
* “These are the clothes your high school cheerleaders should’ve worn had they Alex’s uncanny knack for making the routine look special again.” (Refinery 29)
* ” ‘Our girl wants investment pieces.’ Those are mature words coming from downtown fashion’s pied piper — but Wang’s take on ‘timeless’ means a classic gray sweatshirt fused with a corset.” (Style.com)
* “A three-gun salute for Wang; this collection pressed all the right buttons.” (The Daily Telegraph)
* “There was much to like in the attitude of Mr. Wang’s collection, especially metallic Fair Isle sweaters and the funny references to football padding.” (The New York Times)
* “Wang took classic American off-duty (and, as in the case of some football-inspired pieces, on-duty) sportswear to a very cool place.” (Vogue.com UK)
* “[A] charmingly wicked take on American sportswear.” (Women’s Wear Daily)

(Source: Nylon tv, The Moment, Alison Cohn