February 2011 - Page 3

Fashion Week Handbags: Mulberry Fall 2011

Feb 21, 2011 by Amanda Mull

There’s plenty to love about Mulberry Fall 2011, but one thing that I continually appreciate about Mulberry in general is that the brand always remembers where its bread is buttered: Handbags. Some brands only show a light smattering of purses on their runways, if any at all, but Mulberry knows that a huge proportion of its clientele exists because of the brand’s famous bags, and accordingly, it provides plenty of accessory eye candy during its seasonal presentations.

Fall 2011’s bags include many that will look familiar to Mulberry watchers, although the brand tweaked the Bayswater, Alexa and Tillie bags in a few detailed ways to update the designs for the new season. A few pieces fell flat, most notably an awkwardly studded Bayswater and a small hunter green satchel that didn’t seem to fit the mood of the rest of the collection, but on the whole, I spotted almost a dozen bags that I’d love to add to my closet immediately.

Gallery: Behind The Scenes at Oscar de la Renta

Feb 24, 2011Feb 20, 2011 by Vlad Dusil

I had the unique opportunity to photograph and document the Behind The Scenes for the Oscar de la Renta Fashion Show during last week’s NY Fashion Week.

I found it utterly fascinating to witness the meticulous, yet chaotic routine the models, stylists, makeup artists, and other staff undergo in preparation for the big show. Trying not to get in the way while super models like Karlie Kloss and Lindsey Wixson were hopping from station to station turned out to be a welcoming challenge.

Many thanks to the fantastic Oscar de la Renta team for allowing me to capture these intimate insights into their magnificent show.

View the full gallery after the jump!

What’s In Her Bag: Emily Schuman of Cupcakes and Cashmere

Feb 18, 2011 by Vlad Dusil

Conspicuously Concealed

Feb 18, 2011 by Vlad Dusil

This Nancy Gonzalez bag reminds me of…

Feb 18, 2011Feb 18, 2011 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

The Rebecca Minkoff Morning After Bag. Do you see the resemblance also? The good news is that while there is a similar look, it is plenty different to not warrant too much of a copy-cat vibe.

Nancy Gonzalez is queen of exotic skin bags. We turn to her for every option under the sun when it comes to an exotic handbag. Gone are logos and over-designed elements, since Nancy Gonzalez implements a sleek and understated-designer vibe. Even with the similarities, I really like the Nancy Gonzalez Crocodile Bowling Bag. In fact, I probably like it because I like RM’s Morning After Bag so much.

Fashion Week Handbags: Proenza Schouler Fall 2011

Feb 18, 2011 by Amanda Mull

Proenza Schouler always leaves its best handbag theatrics for venues other than its runway shows, but the purses that grace the hands of the brand’s models are always worth a look nonetheless. Proenza Schouler Fall 2011‘s handbags (and we mean “handbags” literally – all were clutches) were more straightforward and useable than that non-intuitively shaped totes of Spring 2011, and in a variety of textures, finishes and color combinations.

The double-compartment clutches represented a strong option for day-to-night wear, and the bicolor orange-pink iteration is very much in keeping with Fall 2011’s color trends. Also trendy is haircalf, which graced parts of the all-black version as a textural juxtaposition to Proenza’s beautiful leathers. If you’re more interested in the brands PS1 staples than in its runway bags, make sure you check out the limited-time Fall 2011 pre-orders we posted about after the show!

Fashion Week Handbags: Reed Krakoff Fall 2011

Apr 12, 2011Feb 18, 2011 by Amanda Mull

Coach president Reed Krakoff’s eponymous line has only been around for a few short season, but already I couldn’t wait to see what handbags Reed Krakoff Fall 2011 had in store. The brand’s New York runway show didn’t reveal the entire line, but it revealed enough to assure Krakoff’s nascent fan base that aesthetically, he doesn’t intend to fix what isn’t broken.

The collection’s bags were mostly comprised of neutral leathers of various colors and textures, some of them colliding on the same bag by way of a tan satchel with caramel crocodile accents or or a dove grey handbag with a sandy croc flap. The entirely exotic bags, including a gorgeous black crocodile hobo and a glimmering python satchel, stole most of the show away from simpler offerings, but my personal favorite was the simple leather hobo in bright turquoise with a tonal lizard strap. Thankfully, it’ll also probably be the most wallet-friendly of the offerings as well.

Alexander McQueen tones down his punk clutch

Feb 18, 2011 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

When it comes to Alexander McQueen accessories, the box clutch with skull clasp closure is iconic. With countless renditions ranging from plain leather to overall studded, there is an option for everyone out there. I always enjoyed the studded versions, but I also never saw myself carrying one. I like a little bit of spunk and rock, but I have my limits.

Even though ample studs take over the front of the Alexander McQueen Brittania Punk Leather Box Clutch, the perfectly toned down green leather offsets the studs in a manner that leaves the final product much less harsh.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York: Elie Tahari Fall 2011

Feb 17, 2011 by Amanda Mull

As much as I’m loving spring’s brights, black is always the color of clothing that will have my heart above and beyond any other. With that in mind, it’s not difficult to see why Elie Tahari Fall 2011 roped me in quickly. The first half dozen looks out were assembled studies in the beauty of black and its many textures and transparencies, and when the monochromatic looks gave way to ensembles of white, brown and eventually red, I still found plenty to enjoy.

In keeping with New York’s seasonal trends, red was the only strong color to be found among neutrals, but with clothes this luxurious, it seems unfair to call the colors neutral. Tahari does a great job of toeing the line of high-end wearability, and although I disagree with the inclusion of gauchos in the collection, I’d be excited to wear nearly anything else that graced the runway. Particularly anything black.

Valextra Namaste Big Hobo

Feb 17, 2011 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

I could truly use more yoga in my life. As much as working from home is absolutely amazing, sometimes, believe it or not, fashion blogging is stressful ya’ll! Many of you will know the word namaste, as it ‘is a common spoken greeting or salutation originating from India. It is a customary greeting when individuals meet, and a salutation upon their parting.’ The times I have been to Yoga class ending with namaste always brings a sort of calm feeling to me.

I assume Valextra wanted to give us a beautiful, subtle, and respectful design with the Valextra Namaste Big Hobo. And the design does just that.

Fashion Week: Oscar de la Renta Fall 2011

Feb 24, 2011Feb 16, 2011 by Amanda Mull

If you read our New York Fashion Week coverage over the weekend, you might remember that many critics posited that Prabal Gurung’s Fall 2011 collection represented what might be a wholesale return to luxury for the fashion industry. If you can look at Oscar de la Renta Fall 2011 and think that those critics were anything less than exactly right, I’m not sure exactly what clothes you’re looking at. Certainly not the same garments that we saw at the designer’s stunning, luxurious Park Avenue presentation.

From jewel-toned furs to rich, vibrant brocade to cocktail dresses and ball gowns so jaw-dropping that they could only be a product of the great de la Renta (and will surely be coming to and Oscars red carpet near you), I couldn’t find a single look in this luxury-packed show that I wouldn’t want to examine up close. The amount of detail work that goes into a single ensemble from OdlR’s 60-plus look show could probably eclipse the amount of attention that goes into some entire collections, which is absolutely not meant to cast aspersions on any other designer; instead, it’s a testament to the craftsmanship and care that so obviously go into all of de la Renta’s work.

Check out the full gallery after the jump!

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York: Michael Kors Fall 2011

Feb 24, 2011Feb 16, 2011 by Amanda Mull

We’re only a few days and a few dozen shows in to Fashion Month, but the first clear color trend has already emerged in quite an obvious way: Come fall, you’re going to be seeing red. Michael Kors Fall 2011 followed that theme in a beautiful and uniquely American way, shooting a neutral collection through with a bursts of bright, combustible vermillion.

The collection was admirable beyond just the red, though. Kors’ outerwear in particular shone brightly, with everything from calf-grazing fur vests to floor-length wool overcoats to a stunning carmel crocodile short trench punctuating monochromatic neutral looks in shades from charcoal to chocolate. The feeling of the separates was comfortable and easy but still totally put-together and incredibly chic, which means that Kors likely accomplished exactly that he set out to do. We’re the real winners here, though, for being the future owners of his beautiful clothing.