Lacing Up for Fall

Attention all fellow handbag lovers: We now have a new beauty to crave for Fall.

Her name? The "Laced Julia"

Her designer? Catherine Meyer creator and CEO of Follis

Her claim to fame? She was just awarded the top prize for Best Handbag in Overall Style and Design at the 4th Annual Independent Handbag Designer Awards, which took place on June 16 at Parsons the New School for Design and was presented by none other than InStyle Magazine.

For starters, let me say- This isn't a review. I wasn't paid to say this stuff; I just plain love this bag. I receive emails from time to time about emerging talent and collections on the fashion front and I just felt compelled to share it with you Blonde Ambitioners. What can I say? I've never been good at keeping things to myself.

Though something tells me this bag won't be under wraps for long...

The "Laced Julia" is a gorgeous chocolate colored, soft-leather handbag that will be featured in Follis's Fall 2010 line, which will be released in September. Her clam shape and unique crisscross lacing detail helped her to stand out in a sea of over 900 submissions for this year's contest.

The win gives Follis the opportunity to design a limited edition handbag with accessories icon Kate Spade, as well as have the Follis line sold at Saks Fifth Avenue stores across the country.

Know what I love most about Follis? All handbags in their Fall 2010 line retail for less than $350, which follows their mission of creating chic, functional handbags at a price we budget-consious fashionistas can afford. Double yay! You can check out Follis and find locations to purchase your own bag here.

An upscale handbag that won't leave me eating Ramen Noodles for the next six months? I'm in. Will I buy this when it comes out and carry it around til the handles fall off? You bet.

How about you guys? Thoughts on the "Laced Julia" or any of the other handbags from Follis?

Be blessed, lovelies-

Photo credits: Follis