Kooba

You know what the Kooba Blair Bag reminds me of? Marisa Tomei’s Oscar dress. Versace’s dove grey origami extravaganza was a site to behold and probably the dress with the most mixed reviews of the night. Everyone either loved it or hated it, there was very little middle ground, and I absolutely loved it. The construction of the dress was flawless and detailed, and it had fashion tongues wagging about whether or not we were seeing an origami trend emerging. Well, if this and several other of Kooba’s Spring 2009 bags are any indication, that may indeed be what we’re seeing.

The Blair bag is definitely more tailored and structured than the average hobo, but it would be impossible to do an origami reference without a good bit of structure. My favorite part is the shoulder strap – it’s quite sculptural and stiff in real life and holds its shape very well, but surprisingly, it still felt fine on my shoulder. The bag makes a statement, and it’s different than a lot of what I’ve seen out there, although I think we’ll be seeing more bags of a similar theme from other designers in the future. I was also a big fan of the color in person – it’s the only bag I’ve seen so far this season that, despite being very light in color, is not a pastel and would look good when worn with white. Most non-white light bags kind of clash with white, but I think this has enough blue undertones to go with it perfectly. Buy through ShopBop for $675.

I am so thrilled that Kooba has decided to remake the Mandy Clutch for this season that I could practically wet myself. I missed the boat the first time around in black and red with gold hardware, and now the Mandy (never call me Mandy, by the way, I hate it!) has been reissued in slick black patent with shiny silver zippers. And if you know me, there are few things out there that I like more than patent leather and silver hardware. Put those things together on a clutch that I already liked in the first place, and you’ve got me drooling. Which is exactly what I’m doing right now – this clutch is the perfect size, the perfect shape, and the asymmetrical flap is the perfect touch.

I know that I’ve opined previously that patent isn’t a spring fabric, and black certainly isn’t a spring color, so I have no idea why this is being released at this particular moment. I don’t really care, though. Sometimes a bag is hot enough to be released whenever the designers feel like it, and Kooba has such a winner on their hands here that the season is of little import. I’d carry this bag whenever I possibly could. Buy through ShopBop for $365.

I have one problem with the Kooba Ava Satchel, but I think that one problem is overshadowed with the things I like about it. We’ll start with the positives, because I’m in that kind of mood today. First, the color. It’s undeniably gorgeous, and even better in person than in photos (and also more grey than the silver that you see here). It’s dark and charcoal-y with just enough silver for a touch of glamor, but not so much that you couldn’t wear it with almost anything. In larger incarnations, the color makes for a great everyday bag. In this smaller bag, it’s a super-versatile clutch that will go with any night-out ensemble in my closet. Another positive is the leather, which Kooba is known for. Many metallic leathers get stiff or even rough when treated to increase their shine, but the leather on this bag is super supple and just as soft as any non-metallic bag you’ll find. The size is also great – small enough to take to a bar or out to dinner, big enough to actually put stuff into it.

And now for my problem – the little handles that peek out of the top are horribly awkward in real life. They’re not long enough to be actually useful, and they’re oddly shaped and don’t stand up straight. I’d rather they were let off completely, but they can be tucked in without much problem, allowing the clutch to be carried by hand or with the long chain shoulder strap that is also included. If you’re looking to add a super-versatile clutch to your wardrobe, this is a great option, despite its flaws. Buy through Bloomingdale’s for $495.

I’m on a Kooba kick right now. From time to time, I find myself coming across several different handbags all from the same brand that I have to share. The Kooba Bailey Clutch is a fabulous clutch that can be worn with several different outfits to several different events. At first, I wasn’t sure how I felt about the patent leather, but as I kept looking I found myself liking it a bit more. The soft, smooth red patent leather is used with this geometric inspired envelope clutch. Silvertone metal trim ads a chic, edgy aspect to the clutch. And although I tend not to use a shoulder strap with a clutch, this chain shoulder strap might actually come into use. But, what I like the most is how versatile this handbag is. As I sit here typing, I can already imagine the outfits I would pair this clutch with. Buy through Saks for $395.

I think for me, today is all about color. There are days when I find myself gravitating towards black or neutrals and then other days when I find myself craving color. The Kooba Talia Shoulder Bag definitely fills my crave. Yes, the first thing I noticed was the bright pink (the bag also comes in an electric yellow) color. But then, as I kept looking, I found myself falling in love with the shape of this handbag. True, the shape isn’t anything too far out there, but it is slightly different than most shoulder bags on the market. I love how the soft pleated leather works well with the triangle rind hardware. Come to think of it, it isn’t that often you see triangle hardware, perhaps that is one of the things I like the most. See, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel – just a tweak here or there can make all the difference. Kooba tends to put out handbags I like and this one is no exception. Buy through Saks for $625.

Personally, I am a fan of metallic handbags. There is something edgy, chic and downright eye catching about metallic handbags. The Kooba Gemma Tote is no exception. I’ve had my eye on this handbag for a little while now and I thought it was high time to write about it. The rose gold metallic leather tote has the right combination of girlie and edgy. Hinge detailing and the buckle strap work well together. Kooba puts together some really great totes. There is always plenty of room to store what you need to without the bag seeming too bulky or awkward. I am all for large totes, but not when they are so large they become a burden to carry. I hate walking around and having my bag bump into my surroundings. This tote is a great size. I think the only thing I worry about is if the color will become outdated too quickly. What do you think? Buy through Bluefly for $328.95.

Oh, and speaking of Kooba, make sure you check out the Kooba Blake handbag today over at Purse Blog. It is day 5 of our 12 Days of Handbag Giveaways and you can enter to win!

Sigh. I am not happy with what I see. You might remember that I am one of Kooba’s biggest fans. In fact, I still carry around my very first Kooba which was given to me by Megs several years back. Yet, when I came across this bag, I found myself literally speechless. I really don’t know what was going on when the Kooba Side Sling Shoulder Bag was designed. I am all for thinking outside of the box and pushing the envelope, but I think this bag is a miss. There are several elements that individually work, but when combined, I just don’t think I like it. The yellow leather with silvertone hardware might work together if the shape of the bag was different. And, I am still trying to figure out how you access the contents of your bag. Do you squeeze your hand through the cinched top closure, or is that zipper on the side actually a way into the bag? Don’t get me wrong, I am sure there are plenty of people out there who could pull this off, yet, when all is said and done, this bag isn’t for me. If it is up your alley, buy through Bluefly for $381.

I’m at one extreme or the other with Kooba – I either love their bags, or I completely fail to understand what they were trying to accomplish with them. I’m rarely, if ever, anywhere in the middle, and I consider this fact to be to Kooba’s credit. Rarely does a bag make me HAVE THOUGHTS, be they good or bad, on a design level, but Koobas almost always make me think a little bit about what they’ve attempted to create. And, ladies and…well, mostly ladies…that’s success right there. In an over-crowded luxury handbag market, getting a consumer to stop and notice is half the battle. And with their new Rio Metal Tipped Patent Leather Tote, they’ve won the other half of that battle (with me, at least). A beautiful dark red shade, shiny-but-not-too-shiny patent leather, an eminently usable and functional shape, and those interesting metal bits there in the middle. I’m not sure what those are for, but I like them. I can only dream what other colors this beautiful bag might come in once other retailers start receiving their shipments.

Pre-order via Nordstrom for $645.00.

I’d like to preface this by saying that I really don’t like messenger bags on grown women, particularly those with any breasts to speak of. They create this odd boob-droop issue in the same way that a seatbelt does, and usually make one boob sit higher than the other. And that’s weird, right? I think that’s weird. It always makes me sort of uncomfortable to see a girl like that.

That being said, if you’re a cross-body enthusiast, I think that the Kooba Jenny Convertible Crossbody Bag is about as good as you can do. In a shiny-but-not-too-shiny black patent, the bag is the right size to still be a purse and not a utility bag, and being smaller than the average messenger gives it a signficiant advantage: the loaded-down weight of a messenger bag is often the cause of the previously mentioned boob-mangling. It has an interesting look to it without being flashy, and the outer adornment is minimal, just the way I like it. Beautiful bags don’t need gimmicks.

Another thing that attracted me initially is the word ‘convertible’ in the name – other messenger-haters like me can simply enjoy this as a shoulder bag, no boob-mangling required. Buy through Saks for $595.

As we dive into this year’s holiday season I find myself constantly wondering what I am going to buy for others and of course what I might treat myself to. So, the economy is down, is that going to have a huge impact on how much you spend this year? Even if you are going to need to be a little more cautious this holiday season, there is nothing to worry about, there are plenty of reasonable and amazing handbags to choose from! Take the Kooba Hobo Bag for example. The shape of this bag is what instantly caught my eye. For some reason I am a total fan of the loose shape and structure. Although it looks like a typical silver purse, the color is actually iced lavender which is perfect for so many occasions. The hobo is roomy enough for daily use while stylish enough to be carried out in the evenings. In typical Kooba fashion, the interior of the bag is supple lining with several different pockets for quick access to your essentials. So, whether you are carrying this around while shopping for others, thinking about buying for someone else this holiday season or adding it to your collection, buy through Bluefly for $357.