What's in a name? To the handbag junkie, absolutely everything! Chic and original designs can be found everywhere, but let's face it, there's nothing like chic & original combined with the status and luxury of a big brand name. When you get a bag with a brand name, you know that you are purchasing status and reliability as well as design.



Louis Vuitton: The biggest name in leather handbags also happens to be the oldest name in fashion branding. Who better to hold the title of top leather hand bag brand than a company that started out as a high end luggage producer? Vuitton's trademarked monogram was the first designer label in contemporary fashion history. Watch out for fakes though; only about 1% of branded ?Louis? are authentic! If you are fortunate enough to possess one, you are in great company, as Louis is a favorite with more than a handful of mega stars.

Gucci: Sales of leather accessories, including fashionable hand bags, continue to bolster Gucci sales year to year. The hallowed GG logo is recognized all over the world as one of the pinnacle brands in fashion and quality. The latest lineup from Gucci includes the Peggy and Romy medium shoulder bags, with snappy compartments and sizzling appeal.

Zara: Price may no longer be an issue when it comes to some of the world's top brands in hand bags, thanks to innovative fashion company Zara. The company exploded out of Spain in 2000 with a marketing plan that provided high fashion at reasonable costs. Even the large fashion houses that compete are taking notice; Louis Vuitton designer Daniel Piette called the company both innovative and devastating. Zara's big strength comes in identifying what its customers want rather than trying to tell them what they need, a strategy that is literally paying dividends.

Hermes: One artist at one time on one piece of fashion has propelled Hermes to prominence as far as handbag brand recognition. If you're carrying a Hermes bag, you can be absolutely confident in its originality. These bags are made from unique materials including exotic leathers made from the hides of alligators, crocodiles, ostriches, and smaller lizards, and may contain precious gems and stones to add value and status. The most famous Hermes model, the Birkin, continues to be popular. At one time, a hand bag enthusiast who could afford a Birkin had to wait for 6 years for delivery, but the expansion of the company (still without assembly lines!) has enabled the bags to be shipped ? even when custom ordered ? within a year.

Unfortunately, we can't all afford to carry these branded badges of honor and excess. But the good news is, for those of us who just can't resist handbags, the designs created by world famous designers quickly filter down to the masses in affordable creations that are equally stylish and appealing, without the pedigree and its matching price tag!