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All right, class, everyone settle and take your seats. And by take your seats, I clearly mean sit without sitting. We don’t want those thighs spilling over. Anyway, today’s lesson is on the handbag. Every lady needs one, large or small, designer or (god help you) designer knock off. But how do you sell that bag in an ad or editorial? It’s an accessory but that doesn’t mean it can’t be the star of the show. Here we have a prime example:

The all-around brilliant new Bottega Veneta AW 10 ads are almost violent in their beauty, but note how Alla Kostromichova is holding onto that clutch for dear life.

Not to be outdone, her partner in pose, Terron Wood brings his tote to work:

Flailing, contorting, moving, grooving and BAG!

Now one of my favorite bag poses of late has to be from the Spring 10 Gucci ads, featuring Natasha Poly and Ryan Kennedy.

There’s a lot going on in this picture and it’s all genius, but my eye is drawn immediately to that Gucci tote in Poly’s extended branch of an arm. And then to her freakishly long, pin-thin legs. But first the bag. Dangling there in all its glory.

Remember kids, it’s a prop, so don’t be afraid to use it. Throw it around! Hide behind it! Wear it as a hat! Cradle it as a baby! Just sell that goddamn bag.

And that concludes today’s lesson. Next time we’ll be talking about modeling a shoe. A test will follow.