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The 'Man Purse' is a Hot Item at Fashion Week

By Serena Solomon | September 9, 2011 2:03pm | Updated on September 9, 2011 2:09pm

LINCOLN CENTER — It's usually only women flaunting the handbags, but not at this New York Fashion Week.

The man bag and purse — or "murse" — is one of the hottest items being sported by male fashionistas at this year's event.

Despite a stigma of being overly feminine, handbags this year are commonly seen slung over the shoulders of male spectators at fashion shows.

"The men like bigger bags so that they can fit everything in it," said Jorge Gonzalez, who trains models to walk the catwalk. For the Cuban national, his gray leather Balenciaga bag has enough space for laptops, sporting clothes and anything else he needs for the day.

"I love it," Gonzalez said, cradling his prized accessory.

Even when man bags were below the fashion radar, some stylish men took to the women's section.

"I used to wear a lot of women's bags that were androgynous, not too feminine," said Jay Nicolas Sario, a designer and former Project Runway contestant. He had a Filsen canvas backpack with leather trim over his shoulder.    

For fashion editor Quentin Washington, he needed to overcome the stigma attached to "murses."

"I feel like pop culture has made it more acceptable," he said. "Everyone now is in love with using a bag as an accessory."

Now a bag is simply a part of his everyday fashion. 

"I look to see what bag goes with my outfit, which is a little weird and different, but I accept it," Washington said before heading into the tents for a runway show.