"Miss Viv"

Another sign of a recovering economy: The It Bag is back. Not since mutual funds started imploding in ’08 has there been any real frenzy over a status handbag, so to see a buzz develop over one is more reassuring than anything the Dow Jones could ever tell me. It also helps to have solid A-listers toting you around, and Roger Vivier has them in spades: Miss Viv’, the sleek bag that officially debuts for Spring 2010 in Vivier boutiques this month, is oft-glimpsed on the arm of French First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy (including during a quick visit to New York with her husband in late March), while Sarah Jessica Parker (second only to Michelle Obama in US style quotient these days) is also a fan. Roger Vivier creative director Bruno Frisoni designed Miss Viv’ for Bruni-Sarkozy, who debuted the bag during France’s Bastille Day celebrations last year. For Spring 2010, Miss Viv’ (available in two sizes) has been crafted in a giraffe-print pony with chocolate croc-embossed handle and fold ($18,500); black or pink patent and garnet washed leather ($1,995–$2,525); and lime croc-embossed leather ($13,100, small size). Then again, when it comes to an It Bag, the renewed idea of “price is no object” may indeed represent a turning point for us all. Roger Vivier, Bal Harbour Shops, 305-868-4344

(Ocean Drive magazine)

While they're the ultimate in sleek chic, this is not the type of bag that comes to mind when I think "it bag." When I think "it bag," designers such as Marc Jacobs, Lockheart, B. Makowsky, Dolce & Gabbana and of course the Roger Viver, embellished and bejeweled lovelies that are synonymous with the name. I do realize, that there is a market for this type of bag among the ladies who lunch and that woman of a certain age, but make mine a statement bag.