Gilt Groupe is having amazing bag deals this week! Today they have Marc Jacobs bags on sale. Make sure to pop over and check it out. Signing up is easy and the deals to be had are amazing. Get your shopping fingers ready, sale begins at 12:00 p.m. EST!
While I am not 100% on the bandwagon, the Alexander Wang Coco Bag is the most coveted bag of the season thus far. It popped up on Barneys and then sold out. It popped up on ShopBop and then sold out. And now it has popped up on Net A Porter but is also already sold out.
If you are trying to nab the Alexander Wang Coco you have to continue checking back to each store. They continuously update their inventory and you may be one of the lucky ones. I must say the leather looks like pebbled smooth scrumptiousness and the studs do add the perfect edge.
Finally. FINALLY. I’ve finally found a Christian Louboutin handbag that I love without reservation and without criticism. I’ve been looking for this bag for a long time, and I’ve seen lots and lots of mediocre (or worse) handbags from Mr. Louboutin during my quest for one that I adore. But the Christian Louboutin Loubistuds Clutch is here now, and it has comforted me and made my long journey worth the time spent.
Something that I’ve loved about Louboutin handbags since they started it is the tiny pair of red-soled heels that form the kisslock on top. Not only does this bag feature that cute little detail, but it also has row after row of shiny, pointy studs to satisfy the rocker trend about which the fashion world is abuzz. It looks like the folks at Louboutin took great care in considering how this bag would be carried, though – the studs come to a point, but appear to be a bit domed off and not at all sharp so they won’t hurt your hand. The double center pleats give the bag a bit of structural variation without taking away from the over-studded effect, and overall, this is a clutch that I would kill to have in my collection. Buy through Luisa Via Roma for $1519.
My opinion on these new little wristlets from Prada is yet to be determined. Part of me looks at them and merely sees a stage prop perfectly suited for Shakespeare in the park. The other part of me thinks the colors are drab, materials are not feasible, and price is outlandish. Both of the Prada Velluto Wristlet Pouch are designed with velvet which is a material little known to the modern handbag market.
One is made with mustard velvet and the other with a gold velvet design on top of a blue satin body. That is just it, the mustard, is a color which at times can look beautiful on leather but looks like a baby’s diaper in velvet. Both have a drawstring cinch at the top and a wrist strap. The more I think and talk about it the more this piece has shown me it is fit as a prop and not much else. Dimensions are 6″W X 8″H X 5″D. Buy the designed version for $450 via Saks and the mustard version for $395 via Saks.
In the case of the Valentino Catch Satchel, I don’t even really want to talk about the bag. It’s kind of boring and I feel like it’s already been done a thousand times, and the patent black doesn’t feel particularly current in a season when thick, matte biker leather has become the thing to have.
What I want to talk about it the clasp (is it a clasp? Actually I don’t think it is) on the front. It’s a crystal-encrusted Valentino logo, and the part of me that has somewhat questionable (ok, tacky) taste absolutely loves it. And then I wonder – why don’t more designers do hardware like this? It gives the front of the bag a shimmer that normal, shiny silver hardware could never replicate, and it’s delightfully whimsical and silly-feeling (and I mean silly in a good way, I assure you). So maybe they should try again with the bag, and leave the super sparkly stuff on the front like it is. Even if it’s questionably tasteful. Buy through Nordstrom for $1895.
Gilt Groupe has a Botkier sale starting today at Noon EST. Click on over there for a chance to get an amazing bag from Botkier at an even more amazing price!
I have a relative that only wears Celine bags. No joke. But I can hardly imagine her slinging this Celine Tribute to Charley Harper Cut Out Tote over her shoulder. It’s so different than most of Celine’s bags: nice leather that’s not too soft, boxy shape, squat handles.
I like it, but I’m always attracted to cutesy things- no one can say that this little bird on the front is not cute. However, I would never actually wear it. But there is no denying its cuteness. I think this does a good job as a tribute to the late modernist artist Charley Harper, though if it was up to me I’d like to see something a little less front and center- combined with a cute lining that featured his prints. Nevertheless, the bird face fits the artist’s style to a T.
That said, I’m a big fan of resin chain straps as opposed to metal chain straps (it doesn’t get cold like metal!), especially chunky black ones like this. Luckily it is removable, though, because this bag would look a lot nicer, and less overwhelmed with detail, as a tote instead of a tote-with-a-long-strap. Buy through Bloomingdales on sale for $1,085.
Bally isn’t a brand that we often mention here. Sure, they make nice handbags. But so do a lot of people, and in the past, I’ve had a hard time finding Bally handbags that I have something to say about either way. Sometimes ugliness isn’t the worst sin; sometimes, it’s worse to be utterly unremarkable.
What isn’t ugly or unremarkable, though, is the Bally Multi Zip Hobo. In fact, this bag is quite well-done and executed nicely. We’ve seen plenty of bags over the past few months that use zippers as a decorative feature instead of just a functional attribute of necessity. The idea is particularly brilliant – not only is it visually stimulating, but it’s a fun play on the expected structure and construction of a handbag and the role that all the parts play. This Bally hobo pulls it off in a particularly sophisticated way – smooth, rich-looking strips of black leather separated by industrial silver zippers. Perfect. Buy through Luisa Via Roma for $1774.
Infuse a little rock glam into your look with a studded clutch handbag. This trend combines black leather of various textures with stud details for added embellishment with an edge. We are loving the various applications of chrome and even black on black studs.The “Moto” clutch from Botkier resembles a mini biker jacket translated into a clutch with its zippers, studs and flyaway tasseled zipper pulls. The Kettle peace clutch sends a summer of love vibe with a peace sign onto an envelope design with zipper closure.
Taking studs to the max, Sonia Rykiel covers one entire side of her clutch with circular studs and tops it off with a tassel zipper pull. The Burberry studded plates clutch is a bit more subtle with an elongated zip clutch touting black on black studs for a more subtle translation of this handbag trend. The Treesje London clutch combines shiny patent leather and touts a cool graphic edge with randomly placed round flat studs. Pair any of these studded clutches with a pair of destroyed skinny jeans, loose oversized tee and cage sandals for cutting edge look. Or to dress up your evening look, a LBD would complement a black leather studded clutch as well.
Shown here from top left clockwise:
Botkier Moto Clutch, $395 at Zappos.
Kettle Black Studded Peace Clutch, $136.50 Sale at ShopBop.
Sonia Rykiel Studded Leather Clutch, $400 at Net-a-Porter.
Burberry Women’s Studded Plates Leather Clutch, $556.50 at Bloomingdales.
Treesje London Clutch in Black Patent, $106 at Revolve Clothing.
There are few more joyous occasions in fashion than Paris Couture Week, although this year’s flamboyant celebration of clothing and artistry has been somewhat hampered by the depressed economy and the impending departure of one of the genre’s greatest voices, Christian Lacroix. The fact that he was able to put on a show at all is the big story of the week; suppliers and industry friends helped the designer piece together a last-minute collection and presentation for what could be his last couture show if his brand doesn’t find a backer quickly. It demonstrates an odd sort of collegiality among fashion industry workers that many on the outside looking in might overlook in the midst of so much glitz and fabulousness – it takes an army of people to make this happen for us a few times a year, and they work extremely long hours for really modest pay. That so many of them donated their time, skills and goods to Lacroix to put together what may be his final show is kind of touching, particularly in an industry known for ego and elitism. He’s not the only one to put on a show for fashion editors and couture customers this week, though – we’ve got a rundown of the best looks from the best shows, after the jump.
