Next up in a gals’ endless repertoire of accessories is handbags. Bags, bags, and more bags! Don’t you just love them? Even though fall is almost over, designers are already springing forward. The look for spring is all about vibrant and lush colors, animal print, floral, and feminine chic. And Texas designer Elaine Turner has plenty of that coming to you in the Spring and Travel 08 collections.

Bona fide Fashionistas know that its not about one solitary bag to suit all your fashionable needs, instead, these days handbags define, enliven, and enhance one’s look with the switch of a bag. Elaine Turner gave an exclusive look into her Spring ‘08 and Travel Collection at the flagship store in NorthPark Center last month. Those who are familiar with the Elaine Turner line know that the handbags are about novelty, mixed-in-materials, texture, and print. Keeping that in mind, owning a few of her handbags can take you very far, and that’s also what her new collection is all about.

The theme for the Spring Collection ‘08 is “Destination Glamour,” says Turner the former ready-to-wear designer. “It’s all about where the bag is going to take you.” Elevate casual to semi-casual and semi-formal to formal wear with a gold Bella or a Nicole, both new styles. And the secret is all in the design of the bags: simplicity, exotic, and architectural. Also, expect lots of straw, metallics, and colors like bronze, gold, and silver in the new line. They all sport the Palm Beach chic look.

As for the Travel Collection, Turner says it’s about “feeling chic, and being functional.” The bags are coated and protected (thank goodness), versatile, and fit nicely into a carry-on or luggage. When you’re ready the bags transform into a beach, gym, or day bag. The new Travel Collection arrives in stores like Tootsies and Nordstrom in March and Turner also plans to launch additional accessory collections such as shoes and belts sometime in the near future.