Atlanta - February 20, 2007

Stud Muffin

Haute Metal Handbags

You know where you stand on the style-versus-substance debate. (Designer deodorant? You’d rather have a savings account.)

Handbags, though, are a retail humdinger: You want both.

Southern designer Jillian Joseph feels your pain. And heals it with Haute Metal, her collection of bags made from butter-soft leather and covered in grommets, studs, and rivets. Apparently, Joseph is onto something: She sold everything within ten minutes of setting up shop.

So clearly we’re not the only ones who love Knotical (a braided-strapped carryall), Hand Candy (a brown shoulder bag with multicolored straps and white snakeskin detail), and Bohemian Rhapsody (a Bordeaux-colored satchel with playful brass rivets).

Don’t worry, by the way. She made more.

Imagine your conundrum if she hadn’t.

Available by e-mail order (jsj_designs@hotmail.com). To see styles, go to hautemetal.com.