When she decided to start her own bag-making business, her mother was supportive, but firmly told her she was on her own. "Hay naku hindi ako gagawa niyan, ikaw matutong gumawa niyan," Bamba recalls her mother saying. "So sabi ko, sige, sige, coach bags dahil sobrang gusto ko nga siya, nag self-study ako for one month," says Bamba.She researched for tutorials and later enrolled in a one-week Negoskwela seminar. One month later, BambaG was launched.Bamba used to run a small production named Tsukiko, but this time she felt the business needed another name. Fortunately, her own nickname was close enough to her product, thus the name became BambaG. She created the BambaG collection website and began posting promotional materials on Facebook. Like other online businesses, the products are either delivered in person or shipped. But although the Internet is a big help for small businesses like hers, Bamba notes that many people still prefer to see the product for themselves."Maraming mas gusto yung meet up, yung inaalok mo sila, hindi online. Mas gusto pa rin nila yung parang dinadala ko yung bag tapos pinapakita sa kanila," says Bamba.While the material is basic, the types of bags are varied and so are the designs. Bamba gets inspiration from everyday things like radios and ice cream, and of course, love.Last February, she featured a Valentine collection of Love Bags with sweet designs. For those allergic to sappy drawings, there's nothing to worry about because Bamba's idea of a love story is not your usual boy-meets-girl formula. In fact, inspired by her favorite artists like Tim Burton and Angus Oblong, Bamba comes up with designs that can be disturbing. "Gusto ko talaga ng ganun. Sabi naman ng nanay ko, ano ba yan parang ang brutal," she laughs.While the idea may not seem too great to her mother, it seems that Bamba's style sits well with more than a few people, as the business is going pretty well.Especially now that fashion trends COACH WALLETS tend toward the unique, Bamba's unusual designs are attractive to many. "Usually ang binibili ng mga tao yung unique talaga, yung mga handpainted, yung wala siyang ulit," says Bamba. But her own favorite, the sorbetes design, remains ignored. Perhaps it's just as well, so Bamba can keep at least one Her current collection features box-type bags, buckle-up bags, mailman bags, sling purses, snap totes, and the recently added Summertide Bag with a detachable pocket.BambaG's summer collection also includes drawstring pants, a loose-fitting shirt, and a dress. She plans to begin making other more specialized bag types like camera bags, although the process would be more complicated and requires a special machine.Eventually, she plans to feature different artists, beginning with those close to her. "Yung mga sobrang hinahanap na nila yung art sa katawan dahil sobrang busy sa work nila," she says.She also accepts customized orders for a minimal fee, depending on the design. "Kasi parang love ko rin yung ginagawa ko, for passion. Sobrang gusto ko rin talaga siya," says Bamba. - YA, GMA News The frontrunner so far has been Sarah Burton, the 36-year-old Creative Director at edgy British label Alexander McQueen. Until a couple of days ago, that is, when a new name came into the picture: Sophie Cranston of the Libelula label.Since the news of Kate and William's engagement last November, tongues have been wagging about who could be designing the dress. Designers hotly tipped to bag the job apart from Burton include Bruce Oldfield, Amanda Wakeley, Phillipa Lepley and Daniella Issa Helayel -- who designed Middleton's sapphire blue engagement dress.But Burton, who took over the McQueen label last year, seemed like a safe bet for such an opulent occasion. Although she is renowned for fashion-forward designs worn by the likes of Cate Blanchett, Lady Coach Jewelry Set Gaga and Michelle Obama, she is also no stranger to designing for upper-crust weddings.Dressing like a princess Harpers Bazaar fashion editor, Sarah Parker Bowles (formerly Sarah Buys) wore a strapless satin fishtail Burton dress when she married Tom Parker Bowles, the son of Prince Charles' wife Camilla, a few years ago.So, where does Libelula come in? Well, Cranston's not entirely new on the scene: She designed the divine black velvet dress coat that Kate wore to attend a friend's wedding in January, sparking some controversy in the British tabloids for her choice of color.Award-winning designer Cranston set up Libelula (named after the Spanish word for dragonfly) in 2003 and numbers Jerry Hall and Emma Watson among her fans. She has a bespoke bridal line in addition to her main collection, designed in her UK studio.classically charming and beautifully understated designs really fin I have had the unique privilege of getting to know Kate and from my experiences working with her as a stylist, I think she might strongly consider a label such as Libelula. Kate has an incredible sense of style and Cranston's classically charming and beautifully understated designs really fit.According to the most recent rumors, Kate has played a big part designing the Cranston dress, which is said to include elements such as a 10-foot train, ivory satin and lace.Kate will be a 21st century princess with a strong sense of fashion and I know that it is really important to her to have input to the design of her wedding dress. It's going to become synonymous with this century's style -- so who can blame her?!She is a modern style icon and someone we could all look to and take inspiration from. Her elegance, charm and natural beauty are the most phenomenal asset to British fashion.Even if it is not Libelula, she could choose another label with a similar design sensibility, or perhaps, for an occasion like her wedding she might favor the opulence and edge of Burton.I can't wait for April 29 to see her dress! Kate has managed to keep the whole world waiting. But in the meantime the guessing games continue ... NEW YORK, N.Y. - It can hold your iPad, wallet, makeup and umbrella - maybe a sweater, too. The tote bag is the clown car of the bag world, fitting everything you need and more.Glamour, however, had seemed immune to this two-handled bucket bag's charm, but that is changing, too, with trendsetting labels offering versions with just a tweak or two to the classic canvas version.Proenza Schouler designers Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCullough teamed with beauty guru (and tote carrier) Frederic Fekkai for a slightly longer, leaner version, while other top designer labels have moved toward more luxe materials, including leather and exotic skins."A tote is the quintessential thing of casual chic," says Fekkai. "It's practical because you can put your Coach Earrings personal belongings and business files in it at the same time, and still look chic and stylish. I think it gives you an accessory that defines very well your attitude that you can do it all."Glamour magazine accessories director Gretchen Gunlocke Fenton says she likes it because you can carry your life in one bag. It's "the best way to consolidate and stop wearing two or even three smaller bags, like you see women doing so often," she says. "Most of us are on the go from morning until night, so having a bag that is roomy enough to hold your daily must-haves is essential."The modern tote roots are humble: L.L. Bean introduced its basic off-white Ice Carrier Bag in 1944, then reintroduced it in the 1960s as the Boat and Tote Bag.Fekkai wishes the cornflower blue leather-trimmed canvas bag now being sold in his salons was just a touch more masculine. The wheelie computer case he uses when he travels for business is OK, he says, but it won't take him from work to the weekend in one bag."Women are luckier than men because they're expected to always carry a handbag, but even men need a bag now for their iPad, iPhone, iPod. A tote is a solution that's not overwhelming."His guess at what those lucky women fill their bag with: cosmetics - definitely, a bottle of water, ballerina flats and maybe two pairs of glasses?Fenton's has the shoes and her gym clothes. And, she adds, now that it's getting warmer, she'll stash her key weekend getaway items in it, too.A swimsuit can't take up too much room, right?