Nowadays, everywhere you look in New York, you're bound to see someone toting a handbag from one of the top designers. With the exception of a few up-and-coming names, most of these labels are well-established and launch amazing new bag designs with every season.

The five top designers of the most sought after bags are Ed Hardy, Prada, Burberry, Fendi, and Dolce & Gabbana. Many women, who seem otherwise perfectly sane, will spend an absolute fortune for one of these particular designer's bags. This article will look at some of the reasons why each brand is so desirable.

While Ed Hardy and Dolce & Gabbana are rather new to the designer handbag scene, the most popular brands are long established. Prada sprang into existence in 1913. Burberry was founded in 1856. They've been around for a while.

The handbags created by these five designers are much more than just a fashion statement. The quality of design and craftsmanship are what make these bags so special. The handbags are usually constructed from expensive and often Italian leather. The quality of the leather is excellent, being supple, smooth, and flawless. Seams are neatly tucked. The inner lining of these bags is usually of a remarkably high quality, consisting of custom-made and durable satin or silk fabric. The bags are finished with stitching that perfectly matches (either naturally or having been dyed to match) the leather of the bag. The handbags usually have a few features that are unique to the particular designer. An example of this is the modified typeset of Prada, with the 'r' in Prada being put in a bent rather than straight position.

Bags from these five designer labels have become an essential item for so many fashion-conscious women around the world because of their sheer quality and the skill that's gone into making them. With these handbags dangling from the arms of the rich and famous, they have also become a must-have accessory for those wanting to be a little different.

Ed Hardy, well known for displaying his art on a huge and diverse selection of products (including the folders my kids take to school every day), offers expensive designer bags across a wide price range that are graphically different from your typical designer fashion-very, very different. While Ed Hardy also has an affordable line of handbags, his designer bags allow those with their own sense of style to find a high-end designer level handbag that fits their personality.

Prada and Fendi are known for their high end leather and craftsmanship, both of which are easily identifiable as authentic when compared to the well-made fakes currently on today's market. Their quality cannot be matched, regardless of how hard these knock-off designers may try. Burberry, like Ed Hardy, has its own flavor, its clean, soft lines and supple leather easily distinguishable from every other brand by its innocuous appearance.

It doesn't matter if your style is posh New York City, the rural American countryside, mosh pit, or soft rock. This lineup of the top five handbag designers includes a design for every style. If you're the type of person who likes to go out of their way to make sure their purse matches their clothes (or their shoes, which are a personal fave), Ed Hardy's designs can be seen on affordable clothing as well as high end boutiques, and his grunge and artistic styles aren't limited to any generation or income.

On the higher end, Prada and Fendi, featuring the world's most amazing leather and forward thinking designs, have catapulted to a must-have for any fashionable woman's attire...especially if you're looking for that perfect bag likely to turn your mother-in-law green with envy at the next family reunion. Burberry and Dolce & Gabbana have their own distinguishable looks and have earned their place among fashion's must-have bags.

Whichever bag you choose from the top five designers, it will definitely put a little swing in your step when you venture out for the day.