All I want for Christmas...or even earlier!

As Christmas is under five weeks away, my Christmas wish list is in full swing here at CarrieMe HQ.

Anya Hindmarch has really understood the many different reasons we may fall in love with handbags and created her own formulae that results in true love.

At the top of the list is therefore naturally the Anya Hindmarch Tinsel Carter Clutch, beautifully elegant with a strong seasonal feeling - perfect for standing out at the office Christmas party whilst allowing the bag fill up with memories of cheer.  With tinsel, bells and glitter this bag is truly reminiscent of childhood and Christmas trees, all the joy that comes with decorating the tree in a more sophisticated and adult form, not to mention its easier to carry!

Tinsel Carter Clutch, Anya Hindmarch

As the Christmas list is increasingly growing I have decided to categorise.....  

Clutch bags are now a sub category in the handbags section (have I told you how much I love handbags...) and the Lauren by Ralph Lauren Shenandoah Luxe Clutch is high on the list competing with Anya's Tinsel, its classic elegance in gold suede, still allows you to be the main attraction, rather than your bag taking all the glory. 

Shenandoah Luxe clutch, Lauren by Ralph Lauren 

Finally in the top three contenders for the clutch to open on that special day, is another love of mine from the Anya Hindmarch collection - the Melchoir Clutch.  Shaped like a bauble that looks encrusted with gold, two shades of colour to excite your magpie side, and like the star that is followed in the traditional story, all eyes will be following you around the room with fascination and envy that is dripping with luxury.  

Melchoir Clutch, Anya Hindmarch

Now you have seen some important competitors for my Christmas list, its time for you to finish writing yours....remember leave it lying around surreptitiously under something, easy to spy, as everyone appreciates some well meaning hints, rather than rush around last minute or risk disappointment with something dreary, that your fabulous partner in all other ways might buy! 

Well done Anya Hindmarch, you deserve this award!

Anya Hindmarch with Ruth Rogers and Helena Morrissey 

http://www.harpersbazaar.co.uk

We are so proud - Anya Hindmarsh was named Business Woman of the Year at the Veuve Clicquot sponsored awards... and she's come a long way since receiving her first Gucci handbag at age 15, studying in Florence and then opening her first shop at 19 .... to now having over 200 outlets!

Anya Hindmarsh receiving the MBE in 2009
www.expressandstar.com

She was also honoured with an MBE from the Queen for her services to the British Fashion Industry in 2009 and two years later she became a British trade ambassador and non-executive director of the British Fashion Council.

So go for it Anya, you deserve the recognition, in fact its long overdue!

We love her new collection for Spring/Summer 2012 which show the variety of styles, sizes, colors and textures she plays with, allowing you to find the perfect bag whether for everyday or a show-stopping evening... not sure how much stock she'll have left though, these are fast moving items, go get yours quick!

Maeve Shoulder
 www.fashion-style-for-you.blogspot.co.uk

Rubber Nevis Tri-Colour
 www.fashion-style-for-you.blogspot.co.uk

Valorie Clutch
 www.pursepage.com

Beaded Marano Clutch
 www.pursepage.com

Spring and Summer Totes for 2012
 www.bagwhiz.com

The best handbags are in London!

Did you know that it wasn't until the 1920s that handbags really came into their own.  At this time, they were a symbol for female independence - a woman with a handbag could travel without a man, carrying her own things, which was a revolutionary concept in those days... as don't forget, women used to be considered the property of men, thank goodness things have moved on!  

The Italians and French brands such as Prada, Gucci and Chanel dominated the handbags market at this time, but now, it seems its in Britain where we can find the best handbags, especially in London.

Alexander McQueen, Mulberry, Lulu Guinness, Anya Hindmarsh and Burberry are leading trend setters and some of most important handbag brands around at the moment.

Lulu Guinness always plays on the fun quirkiness of being girly - we love her clutch bags, her use of recycled ideas like the old camera design and the flash sunglasses giving the bag her own personality!

These 2 examples of Anya Hindmarsh's current collection, show how she experiments with different materials and colours to create beautiful designs for different occasions... I'm definitely coveting this red bag!

But of course Burberry are queen's of the statement bag, and check out their new designs above with colour blocking.

As for Mulberry, we're loving this green pastel tote - bring on the summer it says to me!

As for McQueen, their handbags are very stylish, feminine, and chic!  This is a real knuckle duster ... and yet the designs also include these textured clutches and fold over zipped versions that look like hot pants with the fold down magnetic flaps and zippers.  Pure imagination!

So which would you pick for a night out?