Manolo says, it is not often the Manolo features the handbag, but sometimes the object is so striking and unusual that the Manolo cannot resist. Such is the case with the Elefante handbag from Arnoldo & Battois, the two young Italian designers.

This shape is so out of the ordinary, so organically pachydermish, that it literally made the Manolo do the double take when he came across it. It is not exactly beautiful, but rather it is arresting.

And, no, it is not for every taste. Such the item would most likely only work for the bohemian, downtown girl. It is too scary for the ladies who luncheon.

And now, the Manolo asks, would you carry it?

Manolo says, Ugly Purse Week continues here at the Manolo’s humble shoe blog, with this, the High Heel Shoulder Bag.

First Rube: “Hey you got your purse in my shoe!”

Second Rube: “Hey you got your shoe on my purse!”

Manolo: Two great tastes that do not go together.

P.S. From the Manolo’s friends at the Styledash.

Manolo says, while the Manolo is not in the least way opposed to the luxurious items, but sometimes they seem ridiculous.

The Louis Vuitton Tribute Patchwork is this summer’s ultimate status bag, ringing in at $52,500. […]

“We find the customer there is a very sophisticated client,” said Brigid Andrews, Northeast regional vice president for Louis Vuitton. “When there’s something that is this special, I’m really not surprised that we had a client who wanted it for her own collection.”

The company made the bag that special not only by price tag and design — 14 LV bags were cut up and sewn together to make it — but also by offering only five for sale in North America and 24 worldwide.

R&B superstar Beyonce Knowles got one. The other four? Their names have not been revealed. […]

The Tribute Patchwork is Louis Vuitton’s most expensive and exclusive bag to date. Though Washington has long bemoaned its second-class status when it comes to fashion, Louis Vuitton’s president for North America, Daniel Lalonde, said the market has shown an exceptional “appetite for show bags.”

The Tribute Patchwork is handmade at a workshop in France and is made up of pieces of 14 Louis Vuitton handbags, including the monogram denim from spring 2005, the Lady Steamer with Alligator from fall 2006, the Cuir Tresse from spring 2007 and the Talentueux Suhali from spring 2003. Andrews said Louis Vuitton’s creative director, Marc Jacobs, designed the Tribute Patchwork “as a celebration of the history of Louis Vuitton.”

The Manolo’s purse blogging friends have been talking about this for many months now, but the Manolo has heretofore restrained himself.

But now this story has annoyed the Manolo, not because of the price of the purse, but because it is so terribly ugly. This is the example of how price alone, and not quality, nor beauty, is being used to define that which is luxurious.

If this purse were truly beautiful, and not simply the inside-joke, hillbilly patchwork cob-job the Manolo could see paying this amount, but as it stands this is ridiculous.

P.S. Ugly Purse Week Continues!

Manolo says, the Manolo he has always been amused by the Lulu Guiness and her witty way with the purses. This one with the feathers and the fan shape, it is dressy but not stodgy, rather it is whimsical, and yet would be most suitable for toting to the fancy party, preferably with the well-dressed man on the other arm.

Manolo says, this it is the famous Duct Tape Bag from the Vanessa Jean. The material and the colors they make the Manolo smile with their funky wit.

Yes, it is certainly not for everyone, however, if you are the young hip girl of the downtown, it is perhaps right for you. And best of the all, it is the inexpensive treat, selling for under $70 of the American dollars at the LoveMyBag.com!