The BeaValdes for CoutureLab Horus Crystal Clutch is something you don't see every day.

This astonishing creation combines expert beading, big, green crystals and layers of feathers and dark crystals at the base. The unusual shape is sensual and unexpected, and with the tuck-away-able delicate chain, this can even be worn on your shoulder. That half-hexagonal shape at the top is a flap; this satin-lined masterpiece has a simple, well-concealed magnetic closure.

It's a decadent, elaborate vintage look with a futuristic twist, and the overall effect is absolutely dazzling. We'd put this on a shelf as a work of art when not carrying it.

The BeaValdes for CoutureLab Horus Crystal Clutch is available from CoutureLab.com; price available upon request.

While the economic slump may still be in full bloom, and some people are rushing to invest in gold, others are buying tangible assets of a different kind. Artcurial, a French based auction house and the only one to dedicate two sales annually to the Hermes label, recently pulled in over 1 million dollars during their latest sale held on November 10, 2009. Some items, including a Birkin bag sold for above the estimate and even the original retail price.

If you don't want to have to wait until spring and the next auction, Luxury-scarves.com has the most comprehensive collection of vintage Hermes scarves on the market. The site is the brain child of an antiques dealer, who began collecting the "carres" while scouring markets and secondhand shops for his other business. What began as a personal collection over ten years ago really has developed into an incredible resource for collectors and fashionistas alike.

There are plenty of dealers who collect and sell Hermes items. What makes this site so unique is not only the size and scope of the collection but the manner in which it is organized. One can search for a scarf based on name, color, size, condition, material or designer. Once a chosen item is located five different views of the scarf are shown along with its name, who designed it, when the scarf was first produced, subsequent reissues and available colorways and materials. The condition and any other point of reference, for example if the item has an "S" stamp is also noted. The price of the scarf is listed in both euros and dollars. There is in fact an on-line database of over 1,000 scarves with photos to be used for research and non-commercial purposes.

Should you desperately want a vintage Hermes bag to complement your scarf feel free to browse the sister site Luxury-shops.com which features all types of vintage designer items including several new and used Birkin bags ranging in price from $10,000 to over $50,000 for one made of matte alligator.

Metallics are all the rage this season, and the Jasmine Sloane Leather bag does up the trend in a big way with scale-effect metallic leather in silver, double leather handles in metallic bronze, and an oversized signature Vivienne Westwood orb in bright goldtone. It has a slouchy, pouchy shape that's a little bit casual and a little bit evening sophisticate. All together it strikes me as a mini disco ball with handles and a zipper. Lined in beige gabardine cotton with an interior zip pocket it also features a logo-embossed leather luxury tag/zipper pull. £799

A mix of worn-out looking and brand new, this Gancio Esotico Shoulder Bag by Salvatore Ferragamo functions as both a unique eye-catching accessory and a fairly timeless staple. Waxed python leather makes for an interesting texture and pattern on the body of the bag with fondente brown leather trim adding a pulled-together and finished look. Goldtone hardware in all the usual places plus a large gold ring/Gancini bit detail on the front and smaller rings used to attach the shoulder straps. Overall a very cute yet sophisticated bag, $2,390.

Chanel is opening a new boutique in Shanghai on November 25. Peter Marino is the architect for the new space and was inspired by the Paris apartment of Mademoiselle Chanel. It is a fitting city for the famous couture house to unveil a new store as Shanghai is known as "the Paris of the East".

According to the architect, the idea was to give this new boutique a residential feel by combining hand picked art, antiques and other objects with a refined store decor. The fashion house has also commissioned original artwork by french artist, Jean-Michel Othoniel, to be displayed. The art of shopping is to be a subtle experience at this unique salon where customers enter the apartment-like space, can sit on sofas and have individual items brought to them as opposed to jostling elbows with other shoppers while browsing the merchandise. It is to be a different, more elegant, experience for the customer. Peter Marino is quoted "The result is comfort, quiet elegance, timelessness. The chic of Chanel."

Karl Lagerfeld has also designed exclusive products only to be sold in the Shanghai location to celebrate the stores opening. These include a classic quilted flap handbag with an inside signature "Shanghai Karl Lagerfeld", sling-back heels with a metallic CC logo, various items of clothing including a tweed jacket and skirt with gold trim.

The boutique has an excellent location in the newly opened The Peninsula hotel. The latest addition to the luxury travel market the Art Deco styled hotel has a terrific location on the Bund, the waterfront promenade in Shanghai.

Partnering with The Elton John AIDS Foundation, Jimmy Choo has launched Project PEP, a line of bold, punk rock accessories whose sales benefit the Simelela Rape Center in Cape Town, South Africa. The collection comprises 11 items -- bags, shoes, a cuff, and mobile accessories -- that range in price from $85 - $995. The shoe pictured, the PEP LOOP, is $975. Take a look at the gallery for a few more items from the collection.

The Dolce & Gabbana Miss Martini Patchwork Pony Shoulder Bag is a fun way to work a lot of animals prints into your outfit at the same time.

Some of these prints are actually pony hair, originating from Italy and New Zealand, so not only does the bag make it look like you're dating a successful Serengeti fur trapper, but it's soft and stroke-worthy (helpful, because you miss him on his long trips).

In all seriousness, this is super cute. Throw this over your shoulder with a little black dress, put a martini in the other hand, and you might as well be in Mad Men. The bag is 9"W X 8"H X 1½"D, and has a fabulous goldtone chain and logo plate. Added bonus: all these colors are neutrals, so you can totally pair it with your jewel-toned holiday dresses for a very luxe effect.

The Dolce & Gabbana Miss Martini Patchwork Pony Shoulder Bag is available from Saks Fifth Avenue for $1,075.00.

The Kooba Mila Clutch is spangly and sexy.

This python-embossed leather clutch, with its demure, delicate wristlet and gold ring, is the perfect thing to spice up a little black dress -- or a little green dress, a little gold dress, a little purple dress, and so on. The stripy colors are fresh and playful, and give the bag an 80s feel, but not overwhelmingly, like say, Zubaz (warning, may burn your eyes).

We also love the stroke-me texture, the black leather whipstitching at the edges and especially the long shape, which ensures you will actually be able to put things into this bag. This would be an easy go-to for grabbing off your shelf to glam up an outfit -- even your work clothes.

The Kooba Mila Clutch is available from Neiman Marcus for $325.00.

The Lauren Merkin Lotte Feather-Print Clutch is a bright, feathery bag without all the fuss.

Carrying around a clutch that is essentially handful of feathers is certainly glamorous, but it's not always practical. You never want to put such a bag down anywhere, lest the feathers get smooshed, and heaven help you if it rains.

This bag creates a fun, flirty feather look -- but the genius of it is the coloring. Not only is it pretty, but feathers this color don't exist. If the silk were printed with an attempt at real-looking feathers, it would just look fake and half-hearted. Well done, Lauren Merkin, for making this soft silk print look intentional and classy.

This gathered, snap-flap, 6"H x 11 1/2"W clutch is perfect for a night out or a dinner party at a friend's place -- the teal is a perfect accent for a dark ensemble.

The Lauren Merkin Lotte Feather-Print Clutch is available from Neiman Marcus for $200.00.

The DKNY Logo Tote is a classic, dark, wintery tote bag that will surely be a staple for years to come on those lazy days when you want to look pulled together without trying too hard or having to think too much about it. The logo-printed body is accented with black crocodile embossed leather and shiny goldtone hardware. Inside there's a black satin lining and two open compartments separated by a closed (zip-top) one. Also includes a logo key fob and a couple interior pockets (including one for your cell phone). £179

Gucci collectors will soon have a new way to value and sell their objects. The NY Times reports that Christie's will be teaming up with Gucci on a new project to help Gucci fight online counterfeiting. A Gucci museum will open in Florence in 2011 and a website dedicated to evaluating Gucci goods will launch by the end of the year. The "Gucci Collector" site from Christie's, will include a section where people can upload vintage items and get an appraisal. Christie's and Gucci are both part of the luxury megagroup PPR. In addition to providing a service for collectors both the museum and the online website will help preserve the history of the brand. It may also help collectors research potential acquisitions and avoid getting taken in by counterfeits.

The Swar pouchette from Antik Batik is the evening bag for someone who doesn't like their bags too perfect. This suede handbag has a charmingly roughhewn quality. It is adorned with rhinestones, distressed sequins, and chain details for a look that is ornate but not too fussy. The strap has a 22 inch drop and it has a suede lining and zip closure. This bag sells for $238.

Now here's a zebra print I actually like. The Zebra Canvas Shoulder Pouch by Temperley London is a little muted but still very much recognizable and fashion forward. Done in brown and blush in cotton canvas (another reason I like it!), it has brown leather trim and goldtone hardware. The drawstring top gives it a cute pouchy shape while the circular leather base helps it to both hold it's shape and stay sitting up when you set it down. The leather drawstring is pulled through large leather loops and the matching leather handle has a woven circular pattern at the top. One internal pouch pocket in the pale salmon lining, $600.

This Pewter Lizard Clutch by Kelly Locke looks more like a wallet than a handbag, but sometimes that's just what you need. Marketed as a "portable, practical work of art" it is understated, edgy, and contemporary. Crafted of pewter lizard leather with metallic leather accents and silk-thread hand-stitching, it has a suede lining with one interior slip pocket and it comes with a cloth dust bag. $500

And if you like the look but aren't crazy about the color check out these Spotted Hair Calf and Mandarin Lizard versions.

Studs really are popular this year, and this Punk Suede Studded Bag by Balmain is a perfect example. Suede is such a great fabric for the fall and winter and this time it gets a 'tough luxe' treatment with studs of varying size and color laid into the front flap in a dense, abstract design that kinda reminds me of animal print. There's an exterior pocket tucked under the front flap, and the interior of the bag features a full lining and zip-top closure. If you like it you better love it, as it's a bit pricey at $3,925.