A RUN FOR ‘ITS’ MONEY
CALL them the anti-”it” bags, the handbag collections from a rising crop of Los Angeles designers that are good enough to make you give up dropping your rent on a bag that everyone already has. Forever. Forget the flashy L.A stereotype of studded pink hobos and over-adorned totes. These lines are understated, well priced and have the casual sensibility and ease that California designers do best. Naturally, more than a few have made it onto the arms of celebrities, giving these talented designers exposure to the rest of the world. Which means they won’t be flying under the radar for long. So get ‘em while they’re hot -- or not.
Designer: Mollie Culligan, Hollywood
You may have noticed Culligan’s quilted leather “Lula” bag on the arm of Lucy Liu’s corporate go-getter in “Cashmere Mafia.” Or maybe you spotted the oversized “Provocateur” clutch in the mitts of punky Brit model Agyness Deyn. Polished or punk, Jack Rabbit bags work because of the classic shapes and edgy details -- like Chanel with a bit more attitude. Culligan (Fun fact: Her grandfather invented the water-softening system.) began designing bags three years ago after friends teased her about carrying a canvas sack. “I’m the most utilitarian girl,” she says. But not when it comes to her own collection.
Jack Rabbit Collection
$300 to $700, at American Rag, Satine and www.thejackrabbitcollection.com
Poppie Couture
Designer: Poppie Harris, West Hollywood
The woman behind this line of Skittles-colored clutches is an endlessly upbeat L.A. native who decided to make a functional handbag -- a clutch with all the structure you’d want, but which also pops open like a coin purse to make it roomy enough for more than a tube of lip gloss. The bright patent bags make a statement without loud hardware, grommets or crazy decals, and Katie Holmes and Jennifer Aniston have discovered what that pop of color can do for a luncheon suit or a red carpet ensemble. For spring, Harris is making larger bags, including totes in raffia with a neutral canvas trim, that will work well with the season’s relaxed looks. A departure from the bright stuff, but still chic.
$350 to $650, at poppiecouture.com
Deere Colhoun
Designer: Lindsey Colhoun, Malibu Canyon
Colhoun launched this line of lightweight leather bags last spring, shortly after leaving her post at Goldenbleu, a San Francisco accessories maker. You’ll find similar craftsmanship here, but Colhoun has abandoned the retro look and shiny patents for softer shapes and weathered leathers. The “Sienna” tote -- which Kate Hudson has been carrying everywhere, in black python -- is the Indiana Jones of bags: a little battered, a little stylish, with tons of room for gear. It’s luxe but not obnoxiously so.
$465 to $815, at Millie in Newport Coast, deere colhoun.com and www.revolveclothing.com
Kristen Lee
Designer: Kristen Lee, Silver Lake
Lee knows cool. Her shoe line, launched in New York’s East Village and now based in Silver Lake, is for the self-assured girl who can carry off open-toe suede boots and satin platform Mary Janes. Lee added bags to the line two years ago, and they’re just as edgy: white perforated leather clutches and -- her best yet -- stylish metallics, such as the “Don’t Shoot the Messenger” bag, right, a snake-embossed leather in pewter and bronze with ‘70s gold hardware. It is -- weirdly, despite it all -- low-key stylish. Each season she releases a tight collection of handbags designed to travel from daytime meetings to evening mojitos. In September, Lee plans to open a Hollywood boutique that’ll stock her full line and several others.
$250 to $300, at Fred Segal Santa Monica, Satine, Hillary Rush and www.shopbop.com
Rebecca Minkoff
Designer: Rebecca Minkoff, Los Feliz
For four years, Minkoff designed her own clothing line in New York. Then her friend, actress Jenna Elfman, needed a bag to carry in a film. Minkoff took a stab at making one, and -- just like that -- a simple, structured satchel called the “Morning After” bag, right, was born. Now, 2 1/2 years later, the bag is sold in department stores, and Minkoff has created an entire line with a busy girl’s life in mind (the supple leather-and-suede “Date” clutch and the gold studded “Kiss and Make Up” makeup bag). “I like to keep it light,” Minkoff says. And she does. The styles have a California feel -- no over-the-top flash, just a great look without all the drama. No matter what she calls them.
$200 to $600, at Saks Fifth Avenue, Fred Segal and www.rebeccaminkoff.com
Lockheart
Designers: Trang Huynh and Jennifer Tash, Venice
Huynh and Tash are the original team behind Isabella Fiore, the heavily adorned line of leather goods. And you can see the aesthetic in Lockheart, the line they started two years ago: That bohemian-folk touch, the rich colored leathers, the detailed hand tooling and bold contrast piping. Their signature on this line is a big, gold lock closure; the rest of the hardware is hefty too, but placed so that it feels chic. For spring there are floral textured clutches, above, in soft colors.
$295 to $795, at Saks Fifth Avenue and www.bluebee.com
