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EXCLUSIVE TO FOURTWOFOUR ON FAIRFAX, AND ONE OF THE FIRST STORES IN THE STATES TO CARRY VLIEGER & VANDAM LEATHER GOODS: HANDBAGS AND CLUTCHES.

AVAILABLE FEBRUARY 2011

Guardian Angel Soft Black Leather with gun. Full grain vegetable tanned aniline lambskin leather with embossment. Inner zipped pocket and mobile phone pocket. Soft handles and a detachable shoulder strap.

Buy it here

Since the fashion industry is constantly recycling past styles and struggling to come up with new concepts, often “in the know” stylish types attempt to get noticed by creating or wearing the most expensive or most extravagant item possible (ahem, Lady Gaga). Until now the big status get was the $20,000 Hermes Birkin bag (made famous by Samantha on “Sex and the City”), but it’s nothing compared to House of Mouawad’s new “1001 Nights Diamond Purse,” which clocks in at a whopping $3.8 million.

Encrusted with over 381 carats of diamonds, this heart-shaped bag has been named the world’s most expensive handbag by the Guinness Book of World Records. In it, 4,517 diamonds were used—105 yellow, 56 pink and 4,356 colorless—and it took 10 artisans 1,100 hours to complete. They dedicated four months to the project.

“The Mouawad 1001 Nights Diamond Purse is designed to mesmerize with its lavish attention to detail and elaborate workmanship incorporating thousands of diamonds,” Pascal Mouawad, co-guardian of the House of Mouawad, told the Today Show. The purse was on display at the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition this past weekend, and it is not yet known if there was a buyer.

Crafting luxury items is not new territory for the Dubai-based jewelry company. The House of Mouawad is responsible for creating several of the annual holiday Fantasy Bras for Victoria’s Secret, as worn by Heidi Klum, Tyra Banks, Karolina Kurkova, and Selita Ebanks. Their value is estimated at up to $11 million each.

But diamonds are not the only way to make things expensive in fashion these days. Last year a fancy sweatpants craze swept the nation, and designers like Alexander Wang, Thakoon, Bottega Veneta, and Michael Kors offered expensive sweats from $250 up to $1,000. Louis Vuitton had a line of purses that literally resembled trash bags selling for $2,000. United Bamboo introduced $500 outfits for your cat, while Rodarte presented $500 socks. And last, but certainly not least, a brand called Pistol Panties created a $3,000 bedazzled bikini you can’t even swim in.

While it’s fun to look at (and perhaps make fun of) such lavish fashion items, we’re astonished that there are some people out there who actually buy these things! We’ve rounded up a dozen of the most expensive bags we could find ever in existence. Take a look and let us know if you think they’re worth their hefty price tags.
Photo by: Fadi Al-assaad / Reuters

If you’re looking for something for that hard-to-show-for luxury lover in your life, please look no further than the new Equinox 24k Gold Facial. Yes, that’s right, a 24K gold facial.

“While our new gold mask is simply beautiful, its real benefits are a matter of complex chemistry and biology,” said Nicole Vitale, senior director of The Spa @ Equinox. “Gold powder, when combined with the proper level of silk extract, blocks free radicals to help the skin regenerate quicker and fuller. After a single treatment, your face will look and feel firmer, fresher and vibrant.”

Sure. But does it feel good? The answer is yes – the $165 treatment includes full signature spa facial, which includes a detailed skin analysis, custom facial and décolletage massage. The 24K Gold Collagen Mask caps off the treatment to moisturize, firm and whiten the skin.

After some researching we have found that this new luxurious facial is being offered at Equinox spas in the following cities: New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Boston, Dallas and DC. You’d better get your name on the list now or you might just be left in the 24K gold cold.

Glammed up and glittering for that special night out on the town, Iris Van Herpen’s new luxury Platform Boots are completely captivating and compelling, which they should be at $1,170.

Created using jet black leather and gold accents over the short toebox and heel, these platforms don’t just make a statement, they yell one.

Additional features include a well-designed hidden platform sole and a 4 1/3″ heel that will go perfectly with that new pair of skinny jeans.

Via fashionista.com - Just in case you needed another reason not to purchase Uggs there’s this: they increase your risk of foot fungus.

At least that’s what one podiatrist is claiming. Dr. Olivier Zong, DPM, the director of surgery at NYC Footcare, says that “fungus breeds in dark, wet environments–conditions that are usually seen inside trendy sheepskin boots.” Whats more, Dr. Zong says that once the fungus gets into your toe nails it’s hard to get rid of. Fun!

Luckily for Ugg-fans the world over, not all podiatrists are in agreement about whether Uggs put their wearers at increased risk for foot fungus. “Foot fungus likes a dark moist environment–so any sock and shoe could provide that, especially during the winter,” says Dr. Howard Shapiro, a DPM with Manhattan Podiatry. “Uggs have a wool lining so if anything I would think that if anything they would absorb the sweat [that leads to foot fungus].” Shapiro also notes that he’s never seen an Ugg-related case of foot fungus. “Foot fungus affects about 40% of the population,” says Shapiro, “prior to Uggs it was still affecting 40% of the population.”

Phew. Still gross, but phew. Franca Sozzani, Giovanna Battaglia, Sarah Jessica Parker and other assorted famous Ugg-wearers can rest a little easier.

Though, Dr. Zong may have a point. Feet can gets mighty hot and sweaty in those things, and if you’re worried about contracting an Ugg-y fungus here are some tips from the doc on preventing it:
- Keep your feet dry and clean. Apply a topical anti-fungal medication on any cracking or peeling areas of the skin.
- Wear socks that are made of an acrylic fiber, not cotton (acrylic wicks moisture away from the feet), and change your socks at least once a day.
- Cover your feet with antiperspirant. The active ingredient, aluminum hydroxide, keeps your feet from sweating.
- Don’t wear the same shoes every day. Shoes need about 24 hours to completely dry out from the last time they were worn.

Now you’ve been warned. Slip into Uggs at your own risk.