For serious shoppers seeking the ultimate status symbol, nothing compares with the white alligator and diamond Chanel bag, which costs a disarming $260,150. Or, for the slightly more frugal, the $42,500 Louis Vuitton Tribute Patchwork tote. It used to be that a simple, versatile black bag would do for both day and night. So when did the designer purse phenomenon reach such epic proportions? Barbara Atkins, fashion director of Holt Renfrew Canada, says the “it” bag craze began when Hermes designed the Kelly bag for Grace Kelly, which became famous in 1956 when the princess appeared in Life magazine with it on her arm. The Kelly was followed by the Birkin bag, named after actress Jane Birkin. Today a coveted Birkin can command hundreds of thousands of dollars (following several years on a waiting list).

What’s Your Office Style? Even as stocks fall, this luxury sector continues on its positive trajectory. Luxury spending on apparel and accessories in the U.S. totaled $800 million in January, according to Kamalesh Rao, director of economic research for Mastercard Advisors, a macro-economic report that tracks U.S. retail across all spending. This marks an 8% increase over luxury spending in 2007. Meanwhile, online retailer eluxury.com reported sales of luxury handbags (those over $500) increasing by 11% last year, confirming that luxury bags have maintained their must-have status.

“When it comes to these bags, customers have really stretched themselves,” says Atkins. “It’s not uncommon today to see people wearing outfits from H&M; or Zara with a $2,000 purse on their shoulder.” That’s in part due to a “need” created by celebrities. “Today’s customers go online constantly to follow celebrity style–they’re checking out what comes down the runway before it even gets a mention in the magazines,” says Atkins. “They clamor to get on waiting lists, scarcity breeds excitement and the new ‘it’ bag is born.” The ultimate allure of a handbag, however, is that one size fits all.

“It represents something from high fashion that any woman can wear, regardless of her body type,” says Jayne Mountford, vice president of trend reporting for Stylesight, a New York-based trend forecasting company. Making those bags accessible are companies like Bag Borrow or Steal, an online rental service that works like Netflix (nasdaq: NFLX – news – people ) for handbags. Customers can pay a weekly, monthly or annual fee, ranging from $9.95 to $59.95, for access to a collection of over 3,000 authentic designer handbags. Rentals go from $6 to $275, depending on the type and exclusivity of the bag. Tapping into a burgeoning sector, the company, which started in 2004, now boasts half a million members who can borrow bags for as long as they like with the option to buy the bags outright at discounted prices.

“Many of our members already have several designer bags,” says Bag Borrow or Steal chief marketing officer Jodi Watson. “But they want the variety and the accessibility without the commitment of buying their own every time they see one they love.” While rent-a-bag companies serve the masses, true luxury spenders want exclusivity, and design houses like Louis Vuitton and Chanel are rising to the challenge.

The Louis Vuitton Tribute Patchwork bag, launched in December to an already sold-out audience, was assembled from 14 different LV bags cut up and sewn together like patchwork. Only five were up for sale in North America (Beyoncé Knowles bought one) with 24 available worldwide. Chanel one-upped the designer by introducing an alligator-skin bag trimmed with white gold and studded with 3.56 carats of diamonds–only 13 were available worldwide.

While some over-the-top “it” bags get snatched up before they even hit the shelves, others are making their way into stores this month. Two extremes will score big this spring: the large, hand-held satchel or tote with multiple interior pockets, and the medium- to large-sized envelope clutch.

Purses with “it” potential for spring have a classic, ladylike vibe such as the YSL Majorelle, the champagne-hued Roger Vivier with his signature buckle flap and the metallic Gucci Queen hobo. Other, more playful contenders include the candy-colored Richard Prince for Louis Vuitton Motarde frame bags, the chic, green calfskin Kate Spade tote and the Carlos Felchi python clutch in bright orange.

With many high-end bags made in Italy and the Euro still going strong, prices for bags hitting stores this month could continue to rise, forcing the aspirational consumer to cut back. But the rich likely will not go empty-handed. “The very wealthy, the people for whom these bags were always intended, will continue to buy their ‘it’ bags,” Atkins says. “For these women, no price is too high.”

In the 1930′s Chanel started her jewelry line with a selection of daytime wear chains, pearls and glass gemstone jewelry. The quilted jersey fabric purse with chain strap is a signature of the Chanel style. However, Mlle. Chanel also was a highly regarded designer of costume jewelry.

In the 1930′s Coco Chanel started her jewelry line with a selection of chains, pearls and glass gemstone jewelry that was meant to be worn with her daytime sportswear collection. Later, Chanel presented a design that is still in popular use in jewelry today – that of the Maltese cross. She incorporated this cross into her necklace, pin and bracelet designs.

The Maltese cross is differentiated from other cross designs in that the four arms of the cross are equal in length and they widen as they extend from the middle of the cross. The origin of this cross design was that shown on the back of the robes worn by the Knights Hospitallers – a religious and political order headquatered in Malta in the 11th century.

The original Chanel cross was designed by Verdura and was made of hand-poured glass. Mlle. Chanel’s later designs were inspired by early Persian and Egyptian jewelry. As an aside – Fulco di Verdura, designer of the Maltese Cross collection for Chanel, went on to open his own design house which is still thriving today. My next series of articles will discuss the interesting topic of costume jewelry – what it is – what sets it apart and hi-light various costume jewelry artists.

Later 2.55 models ditched the incredible fabric look of days past in favor of quilted exotic leathers such as ostrich and lambskin. The trend of quilted handbags will likely never die due to its distinct elegance. After all, elegance is always in style.

The Quilted Purses and Wallets of Today
Modern consumers can go to any department store where they will commonly be confronted with many quilted styles of wallets and purses. These items are not typically Chanel, but they are a testament to the high designs of fifty years ago. As mentioned previously, quilting is a subtle trend that has yet to die because of the peculiar refinement associated with the style. One cannot be sure whether it is the actual quilting that makes one feel elegant, or the fact that the quilting is associated with Chanel which emphasizes the sophistication. Regardless, many low-level designers who admired the effect of quilted Chanel merchandise have sought to create their own copies of the design. So now you can purchase quilted accessories at many department stores and boutiques instead of being placed on a waiting list for the latest season’s 2.55 model.

The best way to avoid purchasing replica Chanel quilted purses and wallets is to research the designer carefully. Step into a retail Chanel store and take a look at the craftsmanship and materials used in the manufacturing of these items. There is a reason why Chanel products are so expensive, and if the handbag you purchased off the internet doesn’t have a gorgeous silk lining and costly gold chain, and, instead, is sporting broken stitches and cheap hardware, you’re holding a fake.

However, if your interest is just in purchasing nice looking quilted accessories, then a department store will most likely have a quilted handbag or wallet to suit your tastes.

Murval was founded in the 1990s in Paris by 2 sisters, Muriel and Valerie. They recognized a need for Fashion handbags at accessible prices! Since then, Murval has become a successful designer, and their bags are carried by many finer retail stores around the world. Each season, Murval’s goal remains the same – using fashionable materials, combine new styles with trend-setting colors, at a reasonable price-point. Measures approximately 19.5″ x 13.25″ x 8″. Eiffel Tower charm not included.

Murval was founded in the 1990s in Paris by 2 sisters, Muriel and Valerie. They recognized a need for Fashion handbags at accessible prices! Since then, Murval has become a successful designer, and their bags are carried by many finer retail stores around the world. Each season, Murval’s goal remains the same – using fashionable materials, combine new styles with trend-setting colors, at a reasonable price-point. Measures approximately 15.5″ x 15″ x 3.5″ when not folded.

Private labeled or murval branded, our products are warehoused and shipped from our new Distribution Center. We are able to fulfill any merchandising requirements and used to handling specific logistic constraints.

Welcome to murval at DesignersLA, we are more than happy to assist you when placing your order and answer any questions you may have.