Trends

When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Or, in the case of luxury retailers, they plan cocktail parties.

As it turns out, the opening of a temporary Hermes Hamptons store that we told you about a few days ago is not an isolated incident; instead, it’s a high-profile part of a larger trend. With fewer people able to afford their products, and some of those that can balking at the idea of conspicuous consumption, stores are having to do more to attract customers than they ever have in past memory.

The most obvious way to increase purchases would be to cut prices, but when a huge part of a brand’s image is their prohibitive price points and exclusive reputation, doing this that a big-box retailer like Best Buy would do to to attract customers isn’t what’s on their mind. Keeping the brand’s mystique intact is essential in order for them to keep doing business when the economy picks back up, and destroying their image of exclusivity now would probably be the luxury retail equivalent of throwing the baby out with the bathwater. In order to survive long-term, people like Saks need you to be willing to still pay full price when things are back to normal and we’re not all afraid of losing our jobs.

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I’d seriously doubt that there is anyone reading this that has not felt some effect of the economic circumstances that most of the world is currently facing. If you don’t know what we’re talking about, then you’ve probably been living in a hut on an island somewhere. If that’s the case, then your tan looks nice and you probably want to turn around and head back before we delve in to the rest of this post. Trust me, you don’t want to know.

Ok, for all of you non-hut-dwellers out there, level with me here. The malls aren’t as crowded, and if you talk to the sales associates for a while, most of them will freely admit that business is down. There are bankruptcy rumors for pretty much every retail business I can think of, and while certainly not all of them are true, some of them probably are. But there are people still buying bags, and maybe different bags than they would have a year ago. Maybe not, though. Everyone internalizes these huge financial issues differently, and ultimately everyone is going to deal with them differently as a result. And consumers aren’t the only ones trying to sort all of this out – brands are too, and so are retailers. So what does all this mean?

Make the jump and we'll chit chat about it a bit more.

This has nothing to do with handbags, admittedly, but it is an urgent fashion message that I feel needs to reach the public as quickly as possible. Ladies and gentlemen, jumpsuits are not your friend. Oh, the fashion magazines want you to believe that they are. They want you to think “hey, one piece outfit, that’s so easy!” But it’s not easy, dear readers. It’s heinous. It will take your midsection and turn it into a lumpy sack of cottage cheese. Think you’re immune? You’re not.

A jumpsuit will find the area you hate most on your body and practically paint a target on it. It’s like a “look at me!” sign for your love handles, saddle bags, or tummy pooch. Do you have the audacity to have a top bigger than your bottom or a bottom bigger than your top? Well the jumpsuit says that they’re now the same size, despite whatever conventional reality says! Why? Because they now both have to be covered by a single garment! And it’s not just the catwalk, ladies – I have seen these in regular mall stores, beckoning the clueless masses to cross over to the dark side and dress in a waist-eating, belly-fat-hugging jumpsuit. Do your future self a favor. Don’t ever be in a position to be photographed in one of these, because the pictures will haunt you forever, and you’ll embarrass your children. Just say “no!” to these unflattering monstrosities, and remember:

Friends don’t let friends wear jumpsuits.

Picture courtesy of Net-A-Porter

So, if I’m being honest with you guys, I’m just looking for a reason to post this photo. That’s all this is. Because this is possibly the coolest bag pic I’ve seen ever, and that’s saying something. It’s the lead shot for the Net-a-Porter Bag Guide, something that may interest you in and of itself, but I’m more distracted by the picture. Not only is the model’s dress adorable, but she’s got an enormous Alexander McQueen Large Patent Tote to climb into, and who could really ask for anything more than that? The bag is big enough in real life that an Olsen twin could probably move in to it, and as it is in this shot, I think it might have more square footage than my apartment. I’m looking for a new place – I wonder how much the rent on this one would be? Buy through Net-a-Porter for $2395.

Patent leather designer handbags are hot this season. Designers captured the trend early on and adapted accordingly. As a result, very visually appealing bags have been created, some of which I would like to introduce to you.

Top row, left to right:
Marc by Marc Jacobs Patent Utility Tote ($438.00 via eLux) – Michael Kors Large Patent Satchel ($1,195.00 via eLuxury) – Tod’s Patent Restyled D-Bag Media ($1,495.00 via eLuxury)

Bottom row, left to right:
Alexander McQueen Elvie ($1,495.00 via Net-A-Porter) – Fendi Large Patent B Bag ($2,070.00 via Net-A-Porter) – Marni Oversized Patent Tote ($1,449.00 via Net-A-Porter)

Black and white will always be the combination known to deliver sleek and sultry style. Clean lines, fresh concepts, and edgy style, the black and white combo has been wowing the fashion crowd since the beginning of time. The Italian brand Valextra, that you will hear much more of, touts definitive excellence in each piece and has a stunning shopping bag that shows off the black and white color combo. The Valextra Shopping Bag shows off refined white leather trimmed in black for a perfect streamlined everyday bag. The price is $900 and it can be purchased at Valextra, Italy or via Barneys New York, NYC, (212) 833-2583, and Saks Fifth Avenue, NYC, (877) 551-SAKS.

Via Style

Prada hit huge with their Grauffre bags and is still trying to keep a good thing going. Introducing slightly antiqued and shaded pebbled leather, Prada has released a variety of Bowler Handbags. Saks has the natural tan version of the Prada Leather Bowler which will be available in the next few months. This bag is sure to be a hit, sporting antiqued pebbled leather along with gold tone hardware and a removable chain shoulder strap. Available for pre-order via Saks Fifth Ave for $2,050. Prada appears to feel confident that the Bowler’s will be one of the next huge trends, therefor they have created different renditions. My favorite versions are the Prada Patchwork Bowlers with fringe (can be seen below). Typically, I would not be drawn to a fringe bag, but the fringe strap is just enough and makes this bag overly fashionable and chic. What do you think, Fab or Drab?

Special thanks to Padparasha on tPF for sharing the pics!
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The New York Times On the Street reports that red handbags are the color for spring. Brilliant red leathers, patent, canvas, and other materials have been spotted on the chic ladies of NYC recently. Not rouge, but vibrant red. I am on the outs, only owning a fall-rouge Chloe Paddington, but maybe I need to invest in the color of spring. Can you name some of the bags shown in the picture?

Via NYT

(Row 1, L-R: Betsey Johnson, Gucci, Gucci, Versace)
(Row 2, L-R: Fendi, Chanel, Fendi, Emporio Armani)

Metallics have been totally hot for a few seasons now. From matte metallic to bold metallic, another metallic is here for spring, only this time, it is silver rather than any shade of gold. Not a brushed silver, a shocking, bold, in-you-face, look into my mirror and see your reflection, silver. We all know the Louis Vuitton Miroir handbags have made a huge hit, and now many designers have followed with the new mod color for spring and are implementing them on their handbags. What do you think? Totally yay or nay? Where would you wear this bold silver color?

Thanks to Fab Sugar for the picture and silver bag breakdown!

Today is the day of LV here. We started off on a high note with the smash hit Louis Vuitton Aumoniere Satin Multicolore but we unfortunately must end on a low note with with Louis Vuitton Handbags Spring 2007. Something went horribly wrong when Marc Jacobs sent out the Louis Vuitton Spring 2007 line this past week in Paris. Actually the clothes themselves showed off beautiful layers along with matte colors. But the handbags just had so much going on it looked like an art project from a kindergartener. I hate to hate this much, but I just can’t seem to help it- these bags are just a major no for me. Marc did end the show with a sexy white shirt that read “LV-OE,” it is just too bad I did not “LV-OE” the handbags. TACKY!

{Via Style}