Hermes, which already produces the world’s most expensive functional handbags, the Kelly and the Birkin, has unveiled four new designs, each priced at $1.9 Million.

The miniature totes, which are crafted from gold and studded with thousands of precious stones, double up as high jewellery.

Significantly smaller than the popular leather versions, they are designed to be worn as a bracelet, with the handbag strap resting on the wrist.

One of the most talked about pieces from the ongoing London Fashion Week is a Richard Nicoll handbag that can power a cell phone.

Nicoll unveiled the elegant white tote — which was designed in collaboration with phone company Vodafone — at his presentation February 19.

Designed to charge Blackberries, iPhones and androids while on the move, The Telegraph reports that the final product will go on sale this Spring.

Rising London-based designer Mary Katrantzou has collaborated with French label Longchamp for a collection of Eastern-influenced handbags.

Designed with the vision “When East meets West”, the line continues Katrantzou’s signature patterned aesthetic, and includes an array of totes adorned in Eastern-inspired motifs such as orchids and paper lanterns.

With a pre-exclusive launch scheduled January 23, the line will be available at Parisian boutique Colette, whose e-commerce site offers international shipping.

In celebration of the Year of the Dragon, Coach has collaborated with Chinese artist Zhang Lan to put his stamp on a collection of exclusive items.

Mr. Lan’s dragon illustration, in the traditional style of ink painting, adorns Coach’s iconic tote shape, as well as an assortment of matching small leather goods.

The gold design pops against a backdrop of the brand’s Signature pattern in mahogany.

Byron Yiu has made his fortune by turning traditional shopping habits around and re-selling rich women’s luxury handbags in Hong Kong.

Yiu’s Milan Station retail chain buys trendy bags — luxury tote or shoulder bags to evening clutch – from the ladies who lunch in Hong Kong’s upscale neighbourhoods.

Locally known as “tai tais”, the small and often thrifty demographic, rarely seen without Prada, Chanel or Gucci on their arm, provides the retailer with a steady flow of bags which are later authenticated by Yiu’s team.

Gucci created a limited edition bag collection for Summer 2011, which will be exclusively sold in the flagship stores in Capri, Cannes, Marbella and Monte Carlo.

A different color for each boutique: sea green for Capri, lavender for Cannes, orange for Marbella and bright red for Monte Carlo.

The collection consists of three elegant proposals: the Tote Bag, a casual-chic shopping bag in caracas raw linen fabric and leather trims; a practical zipped wallet and a beige pashmina shawlwith the color of the boutique where it is sold.