September 2011 - Page 2

Orange you loving this Proenza Schouler PS11?

Sep 28, 2011 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

Proenza Schouler PS11, $1,555 via Net-A-Porter

Last week I used “Argh” in place of “Are” in a post title and this week I am using “Orange” in place of “Aren’t”. My past English professors must be jumping for joy over my clever titles. But this title needed the play on words because I am seriously pining over this fall color-blocked version of the highly coveted Proenza Schouler PS11.

You will hear my endless love for fall in the upcoming months. It’s by far my favorite time of year as I love the leaves changing, temperatures dropping, crisp air, pumpkins, Halloween, apples, football and everything in between. To satisfy my love of fall, Proenza Schouler revamped its PS11 in a very autumn color family, including orange, rust and merlot textured leather.

Fashion Week Handbags: Salvatore Ferragamo Spring 2012

Sep 28, 2011Sep 28, 2011 by Amanda Mull

Images via Vogue.com

For Fall 2011, Salvatore Ferragamo gave us handbag after handbag in black, white or grey, and the collection served as a stark contrast the use of color that permeated most of the other collections for the season. For Salvatore Ferragamo Spring 2012, though, there isn’t a trop of black or grey to be found. You might as well entitle this collection Ferragamo and the Amazing Technicolor Handbags.

There were a couple of multi-textured neutrals, but the vast majority of the bags were bright, cheery colors in suede, exotics or some combination of the two. The aqua blue alligator day clutch in particular attracted my attention (and admiration), but how could it not? That’s the kind of bag that begs heads to turn.

Net-A-Porter’s Bag Guide will amaze you

Sep 28, 2011 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

We love the folks at Net-A-Porter and as their site continues expanding so does their imaginations. We have the first look for you all at their new Bag Guide which focuses on trends for the upcoming season. NAP labels Jewel Colors, Modern Minimalist, Snakes & Leopard, The 70’s, and The New Clutch as the major … Read more

Fashion Week Handbags: Versace Spring 2012

Sep 28, 2011Sep 28, 2011 by Amanda Mull

Images via Vogue.com

I have some relatives who live in South Florida. I haven’t visited since I was a teenager, but my memories of Floridian seaside kitsch are still very clear: pastel starfish and seahorses and shells. Lots of them. Adorning everything from t-shirts to upholstered furniture. If the bags from Versace Spring 2012 are any indication, Donatella Versace may have spied on my childhood vacations quite frequently. For a brand so inextricably linked to Miami, these designs make a certain amount of sense.

The starfish and seashells gave way to an endless array of studded, quilted satchels and crossbodies that reminded me a little bit of Marc Jacobs circa 2008, but considering the bags that Versace has made in that same period of time, these designs feel like an improvement. If nothing else, they look very Versace, which is something that the brand’s established customer base will probably enjoy quite a bit.

Carlos Falchi Hobo: Python vs Croc

Sep 27, 2011 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

Last week, exotic handbag designer extraordinaire Carlos Falchi had an event at Bergdorf Goodman in New York City. Naturally, I had to pop in to say hi and see the newest designs from the master. His area at Bergdorfs was filled with fans and shoppers picking out designs and having Carlos sign them. With the shopping mood in full force, I began to examine every Carlos Falchi bag I could get my hands on. Everyone including myself were buzzing about the superb quality and the fact that his bag are made in the USA.

Right now I am coveting the classic Carlos Falchi Hobo in both python and crocodile skin. As fall attempts to set in, I find myself drawn more and more to brown bags and both of these are stunning options.

Fashion Week Handbags: Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2012

Sep 27, 2011 by Amanda Mull

Images via Vogue.com

As I flipped through the images of Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2012, one song played in my head: “Be Italian,” from that movie Nine that no one saw last year. The film may not have been a masterpiece, but the spirit of its most famous musical number couldn’t have been any more dead-on for Dolce’s spring collection. From bracelets decked in miniature red peppers to handbag straps dangling with faux dried pasta, I’m suddenly jonesing for a big plate of fettucini bolognese.

For a side dish, I wouldn’t mind one of Dolce’s ladylike straw (…is that wicker?) top handles, preferably in baby blue. Raffia and materials like it are set to be a big trend for spring and there’s nothing we can do to stop it, so we might as well embrace the designs that do it best. Perhaps because the brand has used woven materials in many of its bags for a number of seasons, Dolce & Gabbana’s straw options are better than most, with or without the added pieces of penne.

Fashion Week Handbags: Bottega Veneta Spring 2012

Sep 27, 2011 by Amanda Mull

Images via Vogue.com

Bottega Veneta never disappoints. I realize that’s something of a strong statement, but I honestly can’t remember a time when I’ve looked through the handbag images from a Bottega show and thought, “Eh, these are ok.” The bags are always utterly luxurious and usually quite functional on top of it. Tomas Maier knows where his brand’s strengths lie, and as a result, the bag lovers in his customer base always get something utterly lustworthy for their patronage.

Despite a design or two that doesn’t quite pass muster (riveting just make ostrich skin look strangely mottled on a few of these bags), Bottega Veneta Spring 2012 stands out as a very strong handbag collection in a season that’s seen a few stinkers from brands that are usually reliable. Ladies, Bottega is still the Bottega you all know and love.

Fashion Week Handbags: Gucci Spring 2012

Sep 26, 2011 by Amanda Mull

Images via Vogue.com

Will the hobo be making a comeback for spring? If Gucci has anything to say about it, the answer is “yes.” Ladylike satchels and small crossbody bags have been the currency of the accessories industry for the past several seasons, so much so that Gucci Spring 2012‘s stable of chain-strapped hobos was more than a little surprising to see.

In a move that was more in keeping with current trends, most of the hobos were done in an exotic of some sort, but they were all the same familiar, triangular shape that all of us probably have somewhere in our closets from a few years back. I would have liked to see a larger variety and more of the compact exotic clutches that graced a few model’s hands, but as it is, the collection makes me wonder if we’re going to see a shape-shift in the handbag market anytime soon.

The Row Alligator Backpack is $34,000

Sep 26, 2011 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

The Row Alligator Backpack, $34,000 via Net-a-Porter

Two ridiculously expensive black alligator bags in one day, oh my! We previously reported that The Row would release and price their alligator backpack at $39,000. If you have 40 large to burn, then I have good news for you: the actual retail price is $34,000 and it is available now at Net-A-Porter.

The bad news for the majority of the world is that $34,000 buys a nice car, college tuition, mortgage payments, or a yearly salary. So hop on the “not-going-to-buy-this-bag-ever” train with me if you fall into that category.

But sticker shock aside, let’s talk about the design of The Row Alligator Backpack.

Reed Krakoff joins the $30,000 club

Sep 26, 2011 by Amanda Mull

Reed Krakoff Alligator Hobo, $30,000 via Net-a-Porter

A $30,000 price tag always sticks out to me, probably because when I was growing up, that’s how much I thought a car cost. Naturally, I’ve since learned that sometimes cars cost less, and even more bizarrely, sometimes handbags cost more. The Reed Krakoff Alligator Hobo, however, comes in at 30 grand on the nose.

Black alligator seems to be the preferred method of delivery for that many thousands of dollars worth of handbag, if this design and The Row’s backpack (which has now been identified as alligator instead of our original guess of crocodile) is any indication. For my money, I’d want something a little more adventurous, but I suppose that versatility is of the essence when one is actually considering spending that much money on a single bag.

Fashion Week Handbags: Fendi Spring 2012

Sep 26, 2011 by Amanda Mull

Images via Vogue.com

Forgive me for a moment while I indulge in a bit of Internet vernacular: I am disappoint, PurseBloggers. For the past few seasons, I’ve thought that Fendi was on something of a roll when it came to runway bags; Spring 2011 was of particular note, and I had high hopes for what Fendi Spring 2012 handbags would look like. Well. Let’s just say that those hopes were summarily dashed by what happened at the actual show.

I’m not here to critique the ready-to-wear, but I think it’s relevant to say that the entire thing made me think that Fendi really, really wants to be Prada when it grows up. Karl Lagerfeld made a lot of overtures to the wearable, intellectual, modernist quirk that has become Miuccia’s signature, but the final products felt like the designs were reaching for something they didn’t quite accomplish. That’s doubly true for the multicolored studded bags and all the totes that look like they’re birthing suede hobos. Maybe these bags are just so different that I need to give them a chance to grow on me, but right now, I simply don’t get it, with the exception of the couple clutches with the extra-short fur trim. Those can stay. Cathy Horyn disagrees with me, though, so I’m probably wrong.

PurseBlog Asks: How much do you think this bag costs?

Sep 24, 2011 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

Take a look at this bag and guess how much you think it costs before you click to find out the answer.