The It Brands

I was really hoping to have more to report with the release of more Balmain Handbags to the public, but unfortunately, it looks like they’re sticking with the uninspired messenger bag style that we first saw with the Balmain Crystal Leopard Suede Bag.

Balmain is such an interesting, trend-setting line that I’m disappointed that they didn’t choose to do more with their handbags. This is just their first effort, though, so maybe we can expect more in the future. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1915-$3925.

Alexander Wang is fashion’s ultimate it-boy these days. He’s the king of downtown cool and has played a huge part in the tough leather and shiny studs trends that we’re seeing on anything and everyone these days. Whether or not you like him, he has probably influenced what you’re going to be wearing for fall.

He showed his Spring 2010 collection over the weekend at New York Fashion Week, and I can’t help but think that with all the hype, he couldn’t have produced anything that would have wowed anyone. Not genuinely, anyway – so much is expected from him based on his last presentation that he probably would have had to find Jimmy Hoffa in the front row for anyone to be shocked.

But what he gave us was kind of cool anyway. His main influence seems to have been something with which I’m quite familiar – football. Wang took the term “American sportswear” quite literally and created a collection full of deconstructed prepster looks and not-so-subtle nods to athleticism. There were dresses and tops that were constructed partly out of tighty-whitey underwear, deflated football handbags, and even a letterman’s jacket or two.

This collection seemed to lack a bit of the intense focus and clear perspective of Wang’s previous collection, but there were flashes of greatness. A divine caramel leather jacket worn by Angela Lindvall was among my favorites, and I bet that there are hipsters in Brooklyn right now trying to figure out how to fashion a shirt like the one Magdalena Frackowiak wore out of men’s underwear.

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I know that Valextra is much-lauded as a brand of staid and classic bags that are extremely well-made out of the finest leathers, but…I just don’t get it. I can’t wrap my head around it.

It seems like I’ve seen the Valextra Babila Top Handle everywhere – on celebrities, as one of Barneys.com’s much-lauded “obsessions,” at the finest stores. But I can’t help but find them unbearably plain and dull – the emperor appears to have no clothes.

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A lot of you liked the Proenza Schouler PS1 Leather Pouchette I wrote about last week, but expressed some concern at being able to coordinate the color and finding enough uses for a clutch. Well, since I like to be service-y, I thought I’d show you guys something that would satisfy both of those concerns: the Proenza Schouler Medium Suede PS1 Bag. I’m normally not much for off-white, but I think the color (which is referred to as “sand” on the website) is perfectly suited in this bag. It enhances the vintage feel, but the relatively clean lines of the bag’s structure give it a modern edge that keeps it from being too sloppy.

The suede looks thin enough that it would slouch like a champ once broken in, and although suede is a color that can attract dirt, I almost feel like this bag would look even better once it looked a bit used. The design isn’t at all gimmicky, and nothing about this bag will look dated in a few years – in fact, I’d really love to have one, since I don’t think I’d ever get tired of it. The size also looks just about perfect for everyday use. Buy through Barney’s for $1595.