I’ve been hearing rumblings about this statement for a few weeks, however it’s lastly official: buddy of PurseBlog Rebecca Minkoff has signed on with Saks to create a line of bags at a higher cost point than what a few of her fans may be utilized to. a lot more info as well as pictures, after the jump.

According to Minkoff, the bags will be produced utilizing materials as well as hardware that didn’t make monetary sense to utilize in her lower-priced line, like increased gold-covered hardware as well as fine calf skins. based on the photos I’ve seen, the styles will be a lot more complex as well as hardware-laden, however still maintain the style for which Minkoff is known. (In fact, a few of the styles are precisely the same, just with different materials.)

I am of two minds about the collection – on the one hand, nicer materials do expense a lot more money, so it makes sense that the end product would be a lot more pricey. Alternately, however, a few of Minkoff’s long-time clients feel as though the high quality of her present bags has taken a hit (I don’t own one, so I cannot personally attest to this, however I’ve seen the comments both in the comments on the blog as well as in the RM section of The handbag Forum), as well as I’m sure that they’ll feel snubbed in favor of clients that can pay a lot more for the high quality that they already feel that they deserve.

There’s likewise the concern of whether Minkoff’s bags have an audience at a higher cost point, as well as I mean that that stays to be seen. With costs ranging from $550 to $2,000 (which would be for an exotic, I would hope), the line is definitely playing for a different audience than has gotten utilized to getting RM bags at sample sales as well as otherwise discounted prices. We understand that it’s possible for a brand to make a successful lower-priced line (hello, Marc by Marc Jacobs), however I believe it will be substantially harder for a brand to go from mid-range to high-end. The cost expectations that have already been set may be as well difficult to overcome.

As far as the styles go…I believe that the art deco buckles are a bit much, however the increased gold hardware is an fascinating idea. I’m not sure that I’d be ready to pay $550 for a few of these bags, however, let alone $2,000 – do you plan to make a purchase from this line?

Photos by means of Minkette.com