Olsen Twins launch bag collection

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen with their younger sister Elizabeth London - Arwad Khalifeh The Olsen Twins; actresses and fashion icons.  Mary-Kate and Ashley launched their own fashion label, The Row, in 2007. Their brand includes a women’s line, menswear, and a sunglasses collection. But now the pair has decided to outdo themselves, launching their first ever handbag collection at Barneys New York last night. The collection of 9 designs includes a day tote, backpack, doctor bag and classic shoulder bag, metal-framed minaudiere twin and laptop twin. But what really grabbed our attention out of the stylish line-up was the black crocodile backpack priced at a cool $39,000. Yes, I know, for that amount of money you could buy a car or a lifetime supply of bags for yourself and future generations. Usually a bag from The Row would sell for over $1000, but the backpacks are on the same level as prices from top fashion houses such as Hermes, where a bespoke crocodile Birkin bag can cost up to $40,000. The handbag collection must be something special if it represents what Miss Ashley says: “The materials used in each expertly crafted handbag range from smooth, structured alligator to gray calf's leather.” Barney’s Creative Director Amanda Brooks believes that the backpack is worth the steep investment ; “think if you were ever going to spend $39,000 on a bag, that’s the bag you should buy because I think you’d wear it for a really long time,” she told the site. Not only that, backpacks are making a general comeback; Rachel Bilson was seen carrying her Pandleton bag most of last summer, and Lady Gaga carried hers – a mini leather one - in Japan 2 weeks ago. We’ll take one then please. Thank you!