General Fashion (Page 8)

First, I’d like to say that I’m so incredibly happy that Chanel Haute Couture chose to do something more interesting for their show this season than they did for their show last season. Although, if you find silver and white boring, this may be another loser for you.

It was a winner for me, however. For the first time in his lengthy career, Karl Lagerfeld created a collection that completely eschewed black and navy – in fact, it eschewed color of any sort, save for a few traditional Chanel suits with a culotte twist (I just dry heaved a little bit there), which were rendered in various pastels. The collection was beautifully draped, beaded and rendered in the most unforgiving color palette you can imagine for the construction of clothing, but it all worked exactly as it should have. Of course it did; it’s couture.

Of the few shows that we’ve seen so far Givenchy Haute Couture felt the most like couture to me. As the line between a normal runway show and a couture show continues to blur and fewer brands present the highest of high fashion as time goes on and the customer base dwindles, I still thoroughly enjoy seeing a full-on, beads-and-feathers-and-funny-hats shindig.

Thankfully, that’s exactly what Givenchy gave us. Modernist lampshade-esque hats topped looks from ballgowns to jumpsuits, rendered in lace, beading, feathers and ruffles and then dipped in pure, unadulterated fabulousness.

Good news, everyone – it’s cool to be an uptight, rich plutocrat again! Adjust accordingly.

Really, where would those ideals be more appropriately on display than at the Christian Dior Haute Couture show this week in Paris? John Galliano styled his Cruella-meets-English-nobility show with riding crops and streaks of Bride of Frankenstein grey hair, and although I didn’t adore this collection as much as I did the lingerie-as-outerwear show from six months ago, I couldn’t help but smile. Haute Couture Week is like getting a big, beaded, sparkly fashion hug.

The trend toward chain link totes seems like an obvious choice this season. Although totes are somewhat on the practical side of the handbag spectrum, the addition of chains to ordinary totes makes them into something special. These totes featured are far from your generic 9-to-5 envelope tote and are just as adept at toting around loads of stuff during your busy weekdays. Or they would also serve a practical purpose on weekend getaways.

Chain straps do add a few extra ounces of weight to a handbag, so they are not for everyone. I know that when I overpack a tote I feel the strain on my shoulders at the end of the day. If you are looking for just a touch of chain link on your bag for added glam then there are also styles such as the Burberry Barbed wire that feature just a touch of chain as an accent.

Great googly moogly, people. I sit here every day and talk about $2500 handbags like they’re the most normal thing in the world, so most sane people would consider me somewhat desensitized to luxury prices. And they’d probably be right – I sort of consider Balenciaga bags to be a steal, since most of their motorcycle styles are still priced under $1500.

But even the fact that I don’t live in objective reality when it comes to the prices of designer duds can’t stop my mouth from falling slightly agape at the fact that those in the Fashion Ivory Tower want us to pay $73,000 for the Balmain Crocodile Tail Leather Jacket. Let’s get a better look, after the jump…

Welcome to the new year and new decade. Thanks to all of our loyal readers and members, 2009 was a great year for PurseBlog and PurseForum. For 2010 we have many more big things planned and truly look forward to sharing with you over the next twelve months!

We want to ask you: What handbag designers do you want to see us cover more in 2010? If there are specific bags, stories, or designers you want to see featured on PurseBlog, let us know in the comments below and we promise to pay close attention to your requests.

Looking forward to sharing 2010 with you all!

When it comes to Christmas I typically have a few things I’d love to have, but I rarely consider myself one to have a wish list. However, this year, there are a few things that I would absolutely love to have. So, whether any of these things are given to me or I end up getting them for myself, I am pretty sure I am going to make everything on my list mine!