Overture Judith Leiber Handbag Collection — Prelude To A Style Dream

Overture Judith Leiber Vanessa Clutch in Ombré Leather, $395

Overture Judith Leiber Danielle Faceted Clutch, $495

Overture Judith Leiber Olivia Snakeskin Print Leather Clutch, $295

Overture Judith Leiber Ava Moiré Leather Evening Bag, $395

Overture Judith Leiber Devin Iridescent Studs Clutch, $995

Overture Judith Leiber Jessica Clutch in Vamas Metallic Leather, $350

Overture Judith Leiber Vanessa Clutch in Tak Metallic Leather, $595

Overture/ ō-və(r)-chər/n.

1.  an opening or initiating move toward negotiations, a new relationship, an agreement, etc.
2.  an orchestral composition forming the prelude or introduction to an opera, oratorio, etc.
3.  an introductory part, as of a poem; a prelude or prologue.

Tomorrow, handbag designer Judith Leiber launches her first contemporary collection, Overture Judith Leiber, which features elegant yet whimsical pieces at more affordable price points. By dubbing the collection “Overture,” Judith Leiber Creative Director Jana Matheson hoped to convey the notion that these pieces would introduce the Judith Leiber brand to a younger audience, serving as a prelude to the operatic clutches and minaudieres they would later covet as they settled into adulthood. Not only do the 31 pieces in the Fall 2012 collection feature lower price points, they also manage to strike the right balance between sophistication and punchy, whimsical, cheeky style, making them ideal for nights out on the town.

Unlike the crystal-encrusted, animal-, heart-, and cupcake-shaped minaudieres over which Park Avenue matrons swoon — or, for that matter, the Austrian-crystal encrusted an hand-beaded box clutches spotted at red carpet events — the Overture handbags convey a more irreverent approach to style, one bound by less rules regarding propriety or etiquette and instead guided by a feverish desire for self-expression, an urge to stand out from the crowd, and a coquettish disposition. This feat is accomplished via the use of foil treatments, embossed python patterns, crystal baguette and domed stud accents, metallic stitching, striking colorways, and statement-making jeweled closures shaped like oversize bows or shaped into faceted dome shapes. To balance out the more modern aesthetic elements, the silhouettes of these bags remain rather classic and streamlined, with box-shaped minaudieres, envelope-shaped soft clutches, and framed evening pouches in abundance. Retailing for $295-$995, the debut Overture Judith Leiber handbag collection is currently available for pre-order at JudithLeiber.com, with pieces shipping August 15th.

Pictured above are some of the standout pieces in the Overture Judith Leiber collection, starting with the Overture Judith Leiber Vanessa Clutch in Ombré Leather ($395 at JudithLeiber.com), a rectangle clutch made out of metallic Italian leather in an ombré color scheme, with the main deep wine color offset by the lighter toffee-ish color along the center. Measuring 6″ in height, 7.5″ in width, and 1″ in depth, the clutch features concave sides and is embellished with a garnet-colored crystal bow sitting atop the bras-toned top lock. 

For those who relish Art Deco fashions, there’s the Overture Danielle Faceted Rectangle Clutch ($495 at JudithLeiber.com), shown second from top, a cheeky minaudiere crafted out of silver-tone metal and featuring a fully faceted exterior that creates a jagged, uneven surface which, in turn, allows light to bounce off in every direction for an even more dynamic feel. Measuring 6″ in height, 7″ in width, and 1″ in depth, this minaudiere also features an oversized bow detail along the top, this time in a clear crystal color.

In addition to crocodile skin patterns, the collection relies on quite a few snakeskin prints in unexpected hues. Take, for example, the Overture Judith Leiber Olivia Snakeskin Print Leather Clutch ($295 at JudithLeiber.com), pictured third from top, a slim rectangular clutch with a rounded top surface creating an arched shape along the upper edge. Made of Italian leather, the piece features an iridescent metallic snakeskin print  in romantic shades of aqua, merlot, and yellow gold, plus it’s topped off with an exaggerated, oblong-shaped, translucent, garnet-colored ornament  along the top.

For those seeking a versatile piece in a classic black shade, there’s the Overture Judith Leiber Olivia Ava Moiré Leather Evening Bag ($395 at JudithLeiber.com), shown fourth from top, which features a pouch-like silhouette with pin-tuck details and a disco-tinged silver metal top frame. Crafted out of black Moiré Italian leather, the bag is roomier than many of its counterparts, measuring 6″ in height, 10″ in width, and 3″ in depth.

Traces of rocker chic style surface in pieces like the Overture Judith Leiber Devin Iridescent Studs Clutch ($995 at JudithLeiber.com), pictured fifth from top, a soft leather piece in a mixture of gold, silver, bronze, pewter, and copper shades, with an iridescent finish adding to the alchemy-esque allure. The front of the clutch is covered with pyramid-shaped square studs in silver and gold metal colors and topped off with a faceted, amber-colored jeweled ornament. If this piece is a bit too subtle for you, try the Overture Judith Leiber Vanessa Clutch in Tak Metallic Leather ($595 at JudithLeiber.com), pictured last above, made of Italian leather in a tarnished silver color, with an embossed snakeskin pattern adding an exotic vibe and creating a sense of texture. Sure to melt even hearts of glass, the piece is embellished with a fistful of silver- and gunmetal-toned studs in domed round shapes and elongated oblong forms, as well as with larger clear-colored crystal beads in leaf-like shapes — all sprinkled in a seemingly haphazard manner. Adding to the blinged-out effect, the top of the rectangular minaudiere bears a jeweled bow ornament, with three curving strips of crystal-encrusted silver metal at the center of the bow, resembling a knot.

And, for a dose of white heat, there’s the Overture Judith Leiber Jessica Clutch in Vamas Metallic Leather ($350 at JudithLeiber.com), a slim rectangular minaudiere in a snowy white, snakeskin embossed Italian leather, finished with a cloudy, slightly opalescent jeweled top closure in a faceted, domed shape.

It may be colled Overture, but this collection is far from cursory or elemental, its pieces so exquisitely detailed that they speak in operatic tones.