March 2011 - Page 3

Christian Louboutin turns his Pigalle into a clutch

Mar 22, 2011 by Amanda Mull

We all know that Christian Louboutin has the footwear world on lock, but the stiletto master’s results in the handbag world sometimes don’t have the aesthetic consistency of his shoes. Translating success in one design realm to success in another can be difficult, so creating a clutch that appeals directly to the hearts of those who already love Louboutin’s shoes is a great way to turn footwear customers into potential handbag customers. But this design goes even a bit further than that; the Christian Louboutin Pigalle Clutch takes what should be a novelty and elevates the sophistication level to make this clutch something truly impressive.

My Balenciaga Anthracite City, 4 ways

Mar 21, 2011 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

Vibrant Green Proenza Schouler PS11

Mar 21, 2011 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

What the Proenza Schouler PS1 lacks in structure, the PS11 delivers abundantly.

Just in time for spring, I have my eye set on adding a structured lady-like bag to my collection and I’m itching for something bright. I am dreaming of the Proenza Schouler PS11 in Kelly Green to be that colorful piece in my spring and summer wardrobe. The green hue is vibrant and I can imagine it looking absolutely stunning against a crisp white shirt and jeans, my go-to outfit.

Chanel’s Spring 2011 handbags are here!

Apr 3, 2011Mar 21, 2011 by Amanda Mull

Since Chanel showed its diverse, covetable selection of Spring 2011 handbags in Paris back in October, I’ve been waiting patiently (ok, not-so-patiently) for detailed shots of the designs to hit the web. Now that they have, I feel confident saying that along with Pre-Spring 2011, Chanel Spring 2011 is some of the strongest work from the brand’s accessories team in recent memory. There’s a little something for everyone here, from the staunch Chanel traditionalist to the young woman who wants to mix neon and tweed.

I’m particularly excited to see that the fantastic leather-bound book clutch has made its way to retail, as well as some of the utterly feminine scarf-woven bags. What I loved but didn’t expect to see was a slim black and white clutch detailing the ceiling of Paris’ Grand Palais, where Chanel presents its collections every season. Not only is it beautiful and neutral enough to actually be used, but I could see it quickly becoming a collector’s item among Chanel devotees.

Weekend Obsession: the Perfect Spring Outfit

Mar 19, 2011 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

What’s In Her Bag: Vanessa Flaherty of Coach

Mar 25, 2011Mar 18, 2011 by Vlad Dusil

Rachel Zoe is BANANAS for her Alexander McQueen diaper bag

Mar 18, 2011 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

After Rachel Zoe confirmed her pregnancy, the fashion world began to buzz about her stylish baby on board. While many speculated if she would have a boy or girl and what her baby would be spotted wearing, I was busy wondering what diaper bag Rachel Zoe planned to carry.

Luckily, Rachel Zoe shared with us that she is going bananas for her Alexander McQueen diaper bag.

Chloe is beautiful in stark white

Mar 18, 2011 by Amanda Mull

I’ve already asked many questions of you guys today, which is probably not fair for a beautiful Friday in early spring, but I have just one more: Do white bags make you nervous? They make me very nervous, for a couple of reasons. First, I’m not a particularly careful person. If someone out there is going to have a little ketchup on her finger after lunch, that someone is going to be me. I try, but I’m just not detail-oriented. Second, I wear a lot of dark clothes. Dark clothes mean dye transfers when you’re dealing with light leather. Third, I don’t think twice about putting my bags on the ground when necessary. They’re bags, they’re meant to be used!

Even considering all that, I’m still totally smitten with the Chloe Madeline Runway Satchel. Graphic white and minimalism go together like peanut butter and jelly, although perhaps I shouldn’t use a food metaphor with such a pristine bag; I can almost see the grape Smuckers fingerprints now…

Bag Battle: Jil Sander vs. Maison Martin Margiela

Mar 18, 2011 by Amanda Mull

A quick glance at either the Jil Sander Market Bag or the Maison Martin Margiela Oversized Leather Shopper will let you know that the structure of these bags isn’t some sort of new fashion invention. In fact, they closely resemble the shape and structure of a Target shopping bag, except rendered in luxurious leather instead of thin plastic. Sander’s also includes a leather strap that runs between the handles and allows the bag to be carried like a regular hobo, which Margiela’s doesn’t seem to offer. On the other hand, the Margiela bag wins the size competition, and does so for a lower price. I’m guessing that this bag battle is going to come down to color, though – hot pink and cloudy grey will likely appeal to two very separate groups of shoppers. Me? I’d wear them both, so we need your help to decide this edition of Bag Battles…

Would you still consider buying Galliano’s Dior handbags?

Apr 3, 2011Mar 18, 2011 by Amanda Mull

Like most businesses, fashion tends to gloss over whatever moral and ethical quandaries that might be encountered on the road to aesthetic fabulousness. The use of animal fur, the health and employment rights of models and garment workers, and the absence of women of color not only from magazine pages, but also from the upper echelons of the corporate fashion world are just a few of the matters that industry bigwigs would rather weren’t discussed.

But when John Galliano, Dior’s top creative mind and one of the richest designers in the world, was hauled to jail for an anti-Semitic attack on a couple at a Paris cafÃ©, the fashion world was too shocked to let it slide. When a video of a second verbal attack emerged, in the grand French tradition, it was off with Galliano’s head. With Galliano’s Spring 2011 Dior collection just hitting stores and Fall 2011 to come later in the year, that puts fashion lovers in an odd spot: If you love the work but disapprove of the man behind it, do you still buy the bags?

Pair a bold skirt with this Michael Kors Buckled Bag

Mar 17, 2011 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

Did you wear a little green for St. Paddy’s day today? This is one of the holidays that I think everyone likes to partake in. I mean really, who doesn’t like to drink a lot of green beer and tell random strangers to kiss them since they are “Irish”?

Instead of the green sweater I wore today, I would have liked to wear this gorgeous Michael Kors Pleated Crepe Maxi Skirt and with it I would have paired the Michael Kors Buckled Leather Shoulder Bag.

Introducing: The Nicole Miller Bicycle Chain Bag

Mar 18, 2011Mar 17, 2011 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

With the hundreds of emails that pile in my inbox daily, I am utterly thrilled when there is something that actually catches my attention. I received an email from a Nicole Miller rep about a new handbag line by the company which was inspired by bicycle chains. I was skeptical upon reading the email, but once I opened the image, I found myself totally digging the product.

I am happy to introduce the Nicole Miller Bicycle Chain Bag (I believe this is called the Addison collection). Nicole got the idea for this collection after being inspired by all of the people in her TriBeCa neighborhood riding bikes. Once she had decided on creating the bag, she researched bicycle chains and got to work on the prototype. What I have been told is that Nicole gets far more compliments from men on this bag than any other bag in her collection. That means her bicycle chain bag is not a Man-Repeller rather a Man-Attractor.

Let’s take a closer look at this design from Nicole Miller: