It’s strange, but true: I tailor my outfit to match the handbag I want to carry for the day. Now while you (fellow handbag lover that you are!) may completely empathize, as a handbag designer, I have to swallow the bitter pill that fashion ‘accessories’ were created to complement fashion, and not the other way around. Fashion runways have long dictated the colors and styles of fashion accessories for the season.

That’s why I’m a regular at industry tradeshows in New York, Los Angeles, Hong Kong and Dubai. Tradeshows provide an insight into new market trends and silhouettes. One of my favorite shows is the APLF Fashion Access Show in Hong Kong. Held from October 3-5 at the stunning Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, this comprehensive fashion accessories and lifestyle event featured hot designers, trendsetting brands, collections of high end accessories and - most important of all – it’s a great place to find out what’s hot for your 2008 handbag wardrobe! 500 exhibitors and 6000 buyers from more than 60 countries can’t be wrong – they are the movers and shakers of the fashion world after all!

So get ready: just for you, here’s a little guide to what trends will be hot next year. Start picking up pieces now for your collection and you’ll be a trendsetter, not a follower once the clock strikes twelve on New Year’s Eve!

Concept
There were four major trends that have come under the spotlight for 2008 fashion – and all as diverse and flexible as the world we live in. So whoever you are, wherever you are from, 2008 is bound to bring you a style that you can follow with your heart.

TREND 1: MARRIAGES OF OLD AND NEW
The Trend: This trend is about unearthing precious concepts from the past and evolving it for the present, bringing with it the surprise of anachronism. Infuse conventional themes with your personal style and modern twists to create fresh, new looks that still have the pull of days gone by.

What to Look For: The most fashionable girls will start their purchases with a clutch, preferably with those adorable kiss-and-lock clasps your granny’s purse used to have. Antique finishes, doctor-style bags and anything with a frame. Have a look at the delectable Dolce & Gabbana Large Leather Frame Bag ($1284, Bergdorf Goodman).

A must-have shape that will cause you to look back to the 80s is the crossbody strap.


TREND 2: DRAMA QUEEN
The Trend: Enter a dream world that inspires you to take one step closer and then, once you have, get drawn into a space that you never want to leave. Seductive, captivating, fascinating, unconventional, exhilarating, glamorous, confident – these are the perfect adjectives to describe the products under this trend. The drama queen is back so dust off those high heels and pick up bags that scream: “I’m here! Look at me!”

What to Look For: interesting hardware, new shapes and unconventional accents, animal prints treated in new ways, strange never-before-seen features, quirky bags, unusual placement of pockets and patent leather. One “I-must-carry-this-right-now” bag is the always-adored Dior Gaucho Saddle Bag ($745, Shop.com).


TREND 3: HOMES FOR THE HI-TECH
The Trend: With technology evolutions in recent times, consumers have had to adapt very quickly. There is almost an urgency to use these new ‘toys’ that have become a source of pleasure. And new items to carry bring a need for pockets and spaces to house them.

What to Look For: bags with specialized pockets for gadgets and electronics such as ipods, laptops, blackberrys, flash keys and more. This is a big trend for ‘man’ bags.


TREND 4: MELTING POT
The Trend: Globalization and increasingly nomadic lifestyles have caused us to search different places and cultures for something that truly reflects the diversity inherent in our world. This trend fuses cultures in a way that brings forth a kaleidoscope of cultures and experiences, in a bid to bring true understanding and unity into our daily lives.

What to Look For: ethnic silhouettes and details, a ‘story’, artistic influences, touches of fusion, accents such as feathers and beads, a rich tapestry of fabrics and unconventional color combinations. Check out this beautiful ethnic fusion satin and suede "cloud" motif hobo bag with jade rings from Shanghai Tang ($315, ShanghaiTang)


Now you know what features and accents to look for, don’t buy them in the wrong colors! Watch out for next blog which focuses on the color trends for 2008 and you’ll be able to pair these fantastic new trends with the colors that are totally en mode in the coming year!


Author: Natasha Shamdasani (Want to become a Handbag Correspondent?)