Fashion Highlight: Hayden Harnett NYC style purses and cuffs

How cool is it to run a successful fashion business with your partner?  Well maybe you should ask Toni Hacker and Ben Harnett - the duo behind Hayden Harnett, a handbag and accessories company based in Brooklyn.  Toni is the designer-in-chief (with a fab design team) and Ben the business guru.

I've met Toni, Ben, and a few designers at their LES store and at the two sample sales I've been fortunate to attend (psst they have a sale now and you can get 50% off if you get 4 items!)  They started with handbags and leather accessories and have added on scarves as well.  They used to design clothing and I have a few of their beautiful sand washed silk pieces - with leather trim - so chic!  Make clothing again some day please!

The style of the purses and accessories are quite New York to me because they are chic and slightly funky, but totally wearable and fun.  Think of this as perfect for the girl lounging in the Lower East Side or brunching in Brooklyn Heights.

Bags

I can't mention their handbags without mentioning their best selling handbag, the Havana (I gifted this to my future sister-in-law and she loves it!)  It's a great size and squishy enough to hold everything.  It isn't cheap at $525, but they now have the Havana2 version for $398.  It is a pretty versatile though and some colors will go on sale occasionally so look out for them!  Isn't the atlantic patent color lovely?

The Biblio bag is a new favorite.  I'm a sucker for a satchel and love the braided leather hangtag.  At $650 it's nothing to sneeze at but such a great investment.

The Ibiza bag is another classic bag in their collection.  My bestie gifted me this bag when I went to grad school and I loved to convert it from an everyday purse to hold my notebooks to a travel tote (ahh gotta love the roominess!)

Cuffs
Hayden Harnett have created several seasons of edgy and modern cuffs.  They usually entail their trademark luxe leather and awesome studs.  The Hadley cuff in Turks is a prime example of this and I just love the color.

Scarves
This is a newer addition to the Hayden Harnett family.  The brand now makes bespoke scarves (regular ones are a reasonable $65 too!)  I actually thought of this for mother's day before my husband already picked out a gift for my mom.  You can create your own design and have it imprinted on the scarf.  How lovely would it be to wear a painting made by a loved one or imprint an image from a special trip?

Saddle Bags/cross-body bags for Spring (most under $200)

I'm no cowgirl, but I do love a functional bag combined with some aesthetically pleasing touches.  You already know how much I love cross-body bags, and saddle bags are essentially the same types of purses.  They are usually made of a durable material, have a long strap that can be worn cross-body, and have an button closure for easy access to your items.
While the traditional camel color is classic, I love the updated colors and embellishments (the chunky studs on the Proenza Schouler bag make me swoon as does the price on the red hot iguana version!)  You can still get a neutral color, but spring is the time to bring a fun, bright color as well!

What cross body bags are on your list for spring?

1. HOBO International Camilla Cross Body bag, Amazon, $128
2. Making Waves Mint Green purse, Lulus, $48
3. River Island Cross Body bag, ASOS, $35.81
4. Co-Lab by Christopher Kon Carissa Crossbody, Amazon$38
5. Blue Proenza Schouler PS11 Classic Shoulder bag, SSENSE, $1,950
6. Poppy leather whipstitch crossbody, Coach, $178

Fashion and Function: ONA Camera bags and accessories

Are you a photography geek like me (or wannabe geek!)?  I didn't realize how beautifully moments could be captured until I got my DSLR recently.  My new camera has certainly traveled the world and help me tell a story of my trips.  But it has been a journey to find stylish, yet practical camera bags to store my delicate (and pricey!) camera and accessories.

I recently discovered ONA bags and was instantly intrigued.  "Ona" means to feel, believe or experience with the eyes and is at the core of the effects produced by photography and style.  The styles range from messenger bags to backpacks to inserts and I really like the clean, classic styles.   The bags are well-made and contracted of durable materials like vegetable-tanned leather for the Brooklyn bag and wax infused canvas for the Union Street bag; they not only have room not only for a camera and a few accessories,  but have pockets for  your other necessities like a wallet or iPad (a must if you want to transfer pictures from an Eye-fi card!)  I really like the beautiful combination of form and function.

Brooklyn, $309

Roma, $59

Union Street, $279

Do you think nice camera bags are worth the splurge?

Fun Finds: Great Expectations Clutch

Literary love + fashion forward fun = Kate Spade's Book of the Month Club clutch

Great Expectations Book clutch, Kate Spade, $325

Why not make a literary statement as a fashion statement?  This could totally fit my Kindle too - nice!

Do you have any unexpectedly fun possessions?

Designer Thursday: Clarevivier Handbags

I am an unabashed handbag lover and am always happy to find new (to me) brands.  I discovered Clarevivier through either an article or sale on Lucky once.  I was struck by the simplicity, colors, and timelessness of these bags.  When I shop for handbags, I consider one that can either go with everything or is unique it hardly matters what you wear with it.

Clarevivier makes classic, leather bags that appear like they could be passed to a daughter in future years AND they're reasonably priced.  Gotta love that!

Here are a few favorite bags:
Messenger bag - ♡ the poppy and gray colors!  Ooh and it comes with a cute, detachable clutch!

$345 here 

The La Tropézienne bag with tanned Italian leather looks like it was made for weekend trips or a stroll through an Italian market.

 

$320 here

This cute mini sac bag is great for times when one just needs to carry the basics.

$169 here

What do you think of this collection?

Does what's inside matter (in a handbag)?

Is it crazy to buy a bag because you ♡ the lining?

Well call me crazy because unique handbag linings have pushed me into purchasing a bag.  Of course I select a bag because it's functional, stylish, and fits with my lifestyle.  But I've stood in the Hayden Harnett and Lauren Merkin stores and the final catalyst to whipping out my credit card was a fun lining.  Similar to polished red soles on shoes, printed handbag linings are like an exclusive chic secret, but people will only see if they really get to peek in my bag,

The Neiman Marcus exclusive City Classic Craquele is of course a timeless style and has been on my mind lately.  That bronze is so lovely and I love the funky lining.

The Rebecca Minkoff Morning After bag not only has a fun name, but almost always has a whimsical lining inside.

Then there's a lining that becomes another bag!  The Hayden Harnett reversible tote is polished black and can become a sparkly sapphire with a quick inside out flip!  Brilliant!

Photo sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Has a handbag's lining ever pushed you to purchase it?  Do you have any handbags with fun linings?

Lauren Merkin sample sale - August 11 - 14 in NYC

LAUREN MERKIN SUMMER SAMPLE SALE

TUESDAY, AUG 11 – FRIDAY, AUG 14
11 am - 7pm

&

Saturday, Aug 15 - 11am - 4 pm

Lauren Merkin Showroom
231 WEST 29TH ST
SUITE 201
BETWEEN 7TH & 8TH AVE
212 239 2459

PAYMENT ACCEPTED:
CASH. AMEX, VISA, MASTERCARD, DISCOVER
No Checks please. No Phone orders

Prices 40-70% off:
Tatum Bubble Lambskin – was $325, now $150
Diana Metallic Lambskin – was $250, now $75
Large Plum Tote Lambskin – was $575, now $295
Plum Tote Lambskin – was $450, now $200
Edie Quilted Lambskin – was $450, now $200
Blake Satin – was $275, now $100

There are also always samples at super discounted prices for $15-$80. Look for the bargain boxes as well!

Designer Thursday - Lauren Merkin clutches for the wedding

Never say never.

I am completely absent-minded and am worried I will forget things if they aren't connected to me. So I always used purses with shoulder straps. I liked clutches because their simplicity is perfect for formal events. But I didn't think I would ever use them because I would just forsake them on a cocktail table.

Then I found Lauren Merkin. She has a few basic styles and has dozens of variations of the style. Color, material, and texture are varied to produce dozens of different looks.

The Lucy has a nice depth and clutchable shape
The Caroline is elegant and poised (perfect when Diane Lane wore it on the red carpet)
The Louise is slim and functional - this is the one I'm using for my wedding day ($25 because it was 2 seasons old and I almost got it when it was on sale for $90)! The lace like crochet in ivory is perfect with my theme and dress! I have already used with my spring and summer dresses.

Sigh, I don't know why the shot is sideways, but you get the picture. I love the delicate detailing!If you're ever in NYC, Lauren Merkin has amazing sample sales twice a year. I've been lucky enough to pick up $15 samples and select styles up to 90% off ($90 at most). I got a few of the bridesmaids clutches too. Lauren Merkin had so many great styles and I was able to pick ones that fit each girl's personality. Her handbags are also at least 50% off at the sales.

Lauren Merkin also has sales online as well. Now that's something I can hold onto!