Monica Botkier's previous career as a sought-after fashion photographer has served her well as a designer.  She doesn't shy away from color and frequently uses materials with exotic looks and textures to create a dramatic mood.  Beloved by models, editors and fashionistas, Botkier's designs typically retail for $500-1,000 and are sold in Saks, Neiman Marcus and boutiques worldwide.  Although her guest collection for Target doesn't include signature details like a luxe jacquard lining, you can get several distinctive bags and have enough left over for a some shoes and a tank full of gas!  There are some definite hits as well as misses...read on for details.

Let's start with my favorite piece...a fabulous fuschia bag that stays true to Botkier's  signature, streamlined style.  The Target Fuschia Pink Hobo ($39.99) looks similar to the Isis bag that retails for $600 in her main line collection--both have an instantly recognizable trapezoidal shape.  The Target version is crafted from a soft leather-look PVC with a charcoal metal/stud/ring trim.  Other cute details include a detachable key chain with a studded tassell and a charm with Target's signature bulls-eye on one side, 'Botkier for Target' on the other. At 16" x 13", it's large enough to hold your 'stuff', but thin enough (3") to mold against your body without bumping everyone you pass.

My other favorite, the Gray Python Satchel ($39.99) is similar in style to many of the python bags she's done, so I was curious to see how it would translate here. Although not as well done as Devi Kroell’s faux-watersnake (last year's guest collection), Target's PVC version is much lighter with more detailing such as the functional outer pockets, twist lock closure, working side pockets (w/hidden snap closures) and a removable clip keychain w/a ‘botkier for target’ charm. It’s not huge (14" x 10.5" x 5.7") and can be carried on the shoulder or in-hand. The interior (as well as the fold-over flap closure) is lined in a black twill fabric and trimmed in faux-python around the interior zip pocket and 2 free pockets. My only concern is that the material might be too shiny for day use and the straps are only attached by 2 stitches and a metal rivet, so they could tear easily if you tend to overstuff your bag (guilty as charged…).

The White Python Shoulder bag looks better in terms of the material (not as shiny), although I'm disappointed in the chain strap and hardware.  It doesn't have the heft of the real thing and sounds 'tinny' when it clangs together.  However, for $29.99, it's a cute and fun addition to your bag wardrobe.

The Hobo Bag (in silver or gold) is a disaster…it’s one of the cheapest-looking, most hideous things I’ve ever seen. At $49.99, it’s the most expensive bag in the collection, proving once again that money can’t buy taste.  The unstructured, un-Botkier design features a crackled material that quickly rubs off, leaving large dark bald spots.

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