General Fashion (Page 9)

Even though the eighth night of Chanukah was last Friday, that doesn’t mean it’s too late to make my wish list. Besides, I spent the holiday at college and celebrated with my friends every night- while that was lovely and fun, my first Chanukah away from home lacked an essential ingredient: the presents. Let’s face it: I’m notoriously difficult to shop for, and even my parents stick to my wish list or a gift certificate due to my extreme pickiness. Let’s not call it pickiness, let’s call it “selectivity.” Yes, I like that.

If you are in search of a unique evening bag for your holiday and New Years celebrations consider the Lanvin Aumoniere satin pochette ($750 at Net-a-Porter). This adorable petite bag has a very vintage inspired look to it. This bag could have been your grandmother’s and looks just as modern today as it might have fifty years ago. Translated as “little pocket” the Lanvin Aumoniere is made of classic black satin and features satin drawstring handles which gather up to close the bag. There is also an optional gold-tone metal chain strap which I think detracts from the elegant simplicity for of the Lanvin Aumoniere satin pochette. Inside you’ll find a small pouch pocket with just enough space for keeping your keys and cel phone in place. The expandable sack-like shape of this bag, although small is perfect for toting your evening essentials as you welcome in 2010!

Two nights ago, on December 1st, we had the privilege to be invited by our friends at Fendi to the opening of this year’s Design Miami Vernissage in the Miami Design District.

For the second consecutive year, Fendi co-sponsors the events which feature an array of Limited Edition unique retail environments, art installations and the world’s most influential design show — Design Miami/.

Back when I wrote about the fantastical, confusing, reptilian shoes that Alexander McQueen showed for his brilliant Spring 2010 runway show, I remember thinking that the only person that I could see actually trying to wear the shoes in any serious way was Lady Gaga. Apparently I can predict the future, so if any of you would like to know if you should dump your current boyfriend, you know who to ask.

Get your sparkle on this fall. It seems Swarovski crystals are one of the fiercest trends of the season. With the influence of Swarovski crystals by Balmain on everything from boots, to handbags and jeans, the tiny bits of Austrian sparkle are not just for jewelry any more. We love a bit of glitz now and then and all taken in moderation.

Halloween is approaching quickly. It is one of my favorite holidays. I love seeing people en route to a costume party or just running an errand dressed in full Halloween attire. The creativity of the costumes seen on San Francisco streets is an inspiration to behold. Many of the costumes seen on Halloween are extremely ornate and beautiful or shockingly frightening. I may not be dressing up in my traditional costume ball attire this year, but I do have my eye on some spooky clothing and skull inspired handbags to join in the frightening fun on October 31st.

Between the half-shoes/half-claws shown by Alexander McQueen and Chanel Spring 2010 being show in a barn with smirking models, I thought I had seen every ridiculous thing that Paris Fashion Week had to offer.

And then at Louis Vuitton Spring 2010, creative director Marc Jacobs saw fit to attach furry tails to the bags. Yep, that happened.

As far as bags go, the show started…dreadfully. Most of them appeared to be made of dip-dyed cotton canvas in candy colors with coordinating fluffy appendages streaming off the back, which were sometimes bigger than the bag itself. After a dozen looks, I thought I was in for a very unpleasant show.

But after a little while, things started to look decidedly better. I’m not sure if it was just the fashion show version of Stockholm Syndrome, I guess that’s always possible, but things rallied a bit during the middle and end portions of the show. Instead of canvas bags with animal parts hanging from them, Vuitton returned to the leathers and embossed logos to which fans are slightly more accustomed.

Which is not to say the bags were boring – they weren’t. The opposite, in fact. And they weren’t entirely successful, but I appreciate the combination of colors, materials, and textures that Jacobs attempted in order to make something new out of one of the most recognizable logos in the fashion world. The collection was heavy on messengers, and the ones that combined logo leather with smooth in different colors were probably the best bags of the show, in addition to the duffel bags made of similar textures. Please, Marc Jacobs, if you’re out there: please give the tassel-covered bags a rest. Thanks.

The more I look through the bags from the last half of the collection, the more the eclectic ideas and influences grow on me, and I’m not sure what my final opinion will be once the dust of fashion week has settled. One thing is sure, though; adventurous collections like Louis Vuitton, John Galliano and Alexander McQueen are what make Paris the world’s reigning fashion city. New York has some catching up to do.