Does the Dior stamped croc tote for Fall look eerily familiar to you? I don’t think it takes a genius to see where its inspiration is drawn from. Not only is the shape uncanny to the YSL tribute tote (which came out last year), they even went as far as using a stamped croc leather, as if no one would notice?!?! So the handle is slightly different and they added an outer pocket but everything else (including the dangling logo) is too similar to ignore! I was discussing bags with a friend who is a director at a large fashion house in New York last year and she had said– “Everyone in the bag business wants to be YSL.” Apparently, Dior does, too. Of course, it could be er…. coincidence. As in, pigs fly south each winter. Dior $1,895 at eLuxury and YSL Tribute tote $1,395 at Saks.com

Our faithful reader Janet alerted us to this MoMA tote bag - a total knockoff of the YSL Raspail painted canvas. It’s so nice to have our readers doing the work for us! Now we can just focus on the bitching =) Now, you all know we love YSL but there are limits to everything and the love ends with this splatter canvas tote. The strange thing is, I like the MoMA knockoff, not only because it is $18 compared to the $995 YSL (it is on sale now for $895, jeez big whoop, it is still overpriced by at least $800) but because it is appropriate for what this really is and should be, a throwaway grocery store cotton tote. Of course the YSL is higher quality, it is structured with a gusset and piping, and the interior is immaculate, but that only proves my point even more, why go through all that trouble for something that is only useful for unimportant events like carrying magazines to the bathroom and pot luck to your in-laws? The one good thing though, MoMA has made the YSL brand a part of pop culture and that is definitely a plus for my “real” YSL bag collection. The MoMA tote is available at their online store and YSL Medium Raspail is on YSL.com.

 

Oh the line between love and hate is truly very very thin. My love for YSL just suddenly got crushed when I got a glimpse of what’s to come for Fall 2008. This “32″ bag is good practical bag, it is 12″ x 12″ and has 5 interior compartments! Great! Too bad it has been badly scarred. The “Y” design on the bag looks like branding. Yes, we know leather comes from cows but do you really need to be that obtuse about it? How terrible! It is especially odd because the 3 lines of the Y just kind of sits there randomly. Even without the scarring, the bag is a boring ole bowler style. When I said I wanted excitement, I didn’t mean the tortured kind. It is seen here with croco embossed nubuck in English Pink (ok, fine, the color is delightful) for $1995. It will also be available in black and brown super supple soft leather for $1895 and an ostrich for $5495 in a beige-y color called “Pear”. I am sure this will be a huge seller for them because of non-logo logo and because this bag is so easy to use. You will see it a few times and get used to it but keep in mind how you first felt about it when you saw it. I know I will even if they make it in some to die for color I can’t live without. Just in case though, I better make a note because I do get weak when it comes to YSL.

It looks like both Tina and I need therapy. Either that or YSL is seriously paying us some big bucks to gush non stop about them (people at YSL, please email us if this sounds like something you would be interested in). Well, neither of us have discipline when it comes to YSL because I just bought the Marjorelle in blue patent, it is a different blue than the Muse blue but it is so bright and beautiful!! I love it!! Then I saw this picture of this embroidered Downtown on Elle.com and immediately picked up the phone to call my girl at the YSL boutique. It is so fun for Spring, I started fantasizing about how great would it be for the beach and for traveling!! Uh, turns out this is the mini version of the downtown, as in, it is in total, 6 inches tall (just slightly bigger than this actual picture). Useless you say? Not for my 3 year old daughter who would think it’s cool for about a day. Seriously, what is the meaning of this? I was told it was only done in that size and none of the buyers bought it so it will not be made. Gee, what a surprise. Just when we thought YSL could do no wrong. Well, just the merchandising was off, I would have totally gotten this in the medium Downtown, if it was about $875 (because it is canvas). Maybe instead of giving us money, they can hire us to merchandise for them.

Medium Besace in heat treated, crackled leather in “Sahara” color- $1,895I am starting a support group for YSL addicts. I’ll go first, (picture me standing with a name tag on while clutching my YSL bag) “Hi, My name is Bag Snob Tina, and I am a YSL addict. It’s been two weeks since I got a YSL bag and a month since the blue T strap shoes rocked my world.” Seriously, everything YSL just screams French boho chic and is so irresistible to me this season! My latest desire is the Besace bag above, now I am not a messenger bag type of girl and never have been. Even in college, I walked around the USC campus with my Chanel classic flap bag in black caviar in lieu of a back pack or messenger bag (as Kelly mentioned, I even packed an entire outfit in it one night when I stayed over her apartment!). But the Besace Messenger bag in gold distressed leather is totally speaking to me. Not that I have any need for a messenger bag but if I were an urban mom running on and off subways and trekking all over central park with my kids, this is what I would buy. The two front straps slip right up to open (or you can leave it unfastened for that messy chic look) and there is a large back pocket to stash the stuff you need to access quickly like keys and cell. The body strap (with adjustable 16″ drop) has a cool buckle detail but is still practical because it’s on a leather strap. 16″x12″ means this can also double as a diaper bag, computer/work bag or travel bag. But it’s not limited to female YSL addicts! If I were a dude looking for a cool messenger/briefcase, I would get this in luggage brown or distressed black leather. $1,895 at YSL boutiques (call Fatima 310-271-4110) and at Saks Fifth Avenue. “Thank you for listening to me. I feel better already! Now, your turn, tell me about your YSL habit.”

This fun coin purse or what I call a clutch pouch is what everyone needs when using their favorite clutch. I talked about the floating cards and bills in clutches yesterday and this is the perfect solution for that. I used to use a card holder for my cards, but what about the money? You put it in the zip pocket (if there is one) but it still has a good chance of falling out. And is not the most organized. This pouch does not have card slots, it is like an envelope but it is big enough for all your cards and a pretty good size wad of cash (plus it holds coins which causes problems in a clutch). It makes using your clutch a totally streamlined operation. These come plain without the YSL Paris flagship address but I just find it so kitchy and cute because it is shaped like an envelope. It is $195 and comes in anthracite (which I got), black and metallic gold. There is a larger size but it will be too big for traditional size clutches (those are $245). This is only available this season and they are selling out fast so if you want one call Fatima at YSL Rodeo Dr. 310-271-4110.

Muse in Gray Blue $1,395 Call Fatima at YSL 310-271-4110

I’ve always admired the Muse from YSL but never had the urge to actually purchase one. Mainly because it was such the “it” bag a few years ago. Everyone I knew had one and if they didn’t, they were planning to get one. But as the years go by, I find myself thinking about the Muse every so often. I kept thinking “Is the design something I will get sick of in a few years?” Obviously, the answer is no, the Muse is probably the most classic and iconic bag from YSL, even above the Mombasa. Most of my bags are so serious and I really need an oversized casual bag so I’ve been looking, and looking, and looking. But somehow, I always come back to the Muse. Then I saw this, the latest color for Spring, and I fell in love. Hard. The color they call gray blue is absolutely perfect, it reminds me of a pair of Earl jeans I had that I washed over and again to get the perfect shade of faded bright blue. The Muse has that ‘je ne sais quois’ nonchalance and effortless style that only the French seem to be born with (the only non French girl who has it is Kate Moss). There are three sizes, the oversized, large, and medium. The oversized Muse in the photo above is 34cm (13.6 inches) on top, the bottom measures at a very large 44cm (17.7 inches). I of course will get the large (16″x 11″- $1,295) or medium (10.5″x9.5″- $1,195). The oversized version above is only $1,395, a bargain compared to most designer bags out there today! Call Fatima to order 310-271-4110.

Photos courtesy of YSL- USA

 

 

Many of you went nuts over the YSL Majorelle when I first featured it last month, that is until you found out it is only available in patent leather from YSL boutiques. Well, check out what you can pre-order from Neiman Marcus right now, a pale gold distressed leather version! I already ordered mine (delivery not until late April in two months). It is the medium size at 15″x11″ (15″ being the widest part on bottom, the upper part is much smaller) which is still a bit big for me but I can swing it as it will be my fun and casual bag of the season. It costs a bit more than the patent leather version but I love the distressed leather in a shimmering gold shade called “Volcano” that will age and patina beautifully. As we have said many times, metallic is no longer a seasonal trend, it’s here to stay! I can’t wait to use this over the summer, how delicious will it be with sun kissed skin!?!?!? Order yours today before they sell out! At Neiman Marcus for $1895.

Oh my, this has been an amazing few days of great bags here at Bag Snob! Thanks to the fantastic PR team at YSL, we have exclusive photos of the latest from the House of Fabulous (aka YSL)! Muse addicts can now satiate their obsession with the Muse Two from YSL. The edgy and hip sibling to the uber popular bag- the Muse, Muse Two is available in multiple sizes and leathers that we predict will make a major splash with bag snobs worldwide. The large is 38cm x 17cm x 28cm (15″x 6.6″ x 11″) with 7″ straps at $1,895 and the medium is 31cm x 15cm x 24cm (12″x 5.9″ x 9.5″) with 6″ straps at $1,645 for the leather and the mock croc versions ($5,995 for the ostrich). There is also a multicolor patchwork version and it is seriously the best patchwork bag EVER.