September 2011 - Page 3

What’s In Her Bag: Meredith German of Meredith Wendell

Sep 23, 2011 by Vlad Dusil

Fashion Week Handbags: Prada Spring 2012

Sep 25, 2011Sep 23, 2011 by Amanda Mull

I have a few favorite days of the year: Christmas, Halloween, the first day of college football and New Prada Day. Luckily, New Prada Day comes twice a year (or four times, if you count Resort and Pre-Fall, which I do if I’m feeling desperate), and one of those days was yesterday! Naturally, Miuccia didn’t disappoint – Prada Spring 2012 was playful, feminine and incredibly smart.

Prada’s bags tend to ground her more fanciful and esoteric collections, and although this was an relatively accessible line that didn’t need as much grounding as past seasons, the bags were still classic Miuccia. Glossy, structured satchels on a ladylike scale were given counterpart in crocodile clutches with elaborate midcentury hardware reminiscent of chrome automotive fixture from the era. If you’d rather go the extremely literal route, there are also a couple of clutches with leather cars stitched onto them. Check out the full gallery after the jump.

Quickly, ladies, get yourselves to the Hermes NYC sample sale!

Sep 23, 2011 by Amanda Mull

Hermes handbags, accessories and scarves? On sale? We could barely believe it ourselves, but we caught word late yesterday that Hermes would be hosting its New York City sample sale this morning, starting at 9 a.m., at Soiffer Haskin, 317 W33rd Street. So that’s like, what, an hour from now? Just enough time for you … Read more

Chanel Classic Flap in Yellow Alligator

Sep 22, 2011 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

The Northeast prepares for the arrival of fall with a bout of dreary, rainy, grey weather. It is the perfect cuddle under a blanket drinking coffee while watching all of your favorite shows return weather. It is also the perfect weather to bring back a Chanel classic from the Paris-Shanghai (MÃ©tiers d’Art 2009-10) collection to brighten your day.

This is not mellow yellow, this is an in-you-face bright and sunshine-y yellow. On top of that, it is the Chanel Classic Flap in alligator skin yellow. Yellow is said to be the color of happiness and I can tell you this, when I look at this bag I smile from ear to ear.

Louis Vuitton’s Milan mannequins have Speedy bags on the brain – literally.

Sep 22, 2011 by Amanda Mull

Images via Women’s Wear Daily

As I learned first-hand last week, Fashion Week isn’t just runway shows. Like any huge trade show (and at it’s core, that’s what it is), Fashion Week brings with it a whole slew of special events, openings and parties that are designed to cater to those who are attending or interested in the shows. Which is why we have these pictures from the Milan, where Louis Vuitton has staged an exhibit of outfits mixed and matched from Marc Jacobs’ tenure at the brand at the city’s newly reopened Via Montenapoleone 2 flagship store.

The Louis Vuitton: The Art of Fashion exhibit, styled by Katie Grand, is intended to highlight the craftsmanship and modern relevance of the company’s clothes and accessories, but my eyes can’t help but go to the mannequins’ heads (or lack thereof). Grand told Women’s Wear Daily that the Speedy shape was used for the standing mannequins to purposefully comment on the place of the handbag in Louis Vuitton’s history; the accessories are quite literally the brains behind the Louis Vuitton operation. More pictures of the exhibit, after the jump.

Fashion Week Handbags: Marchesa Spring 2012

Sep 22, 2011 by Amanda Mull

Images via Vogue.com

While we wait for the Milan shows to start in earnest, now seems as good a time as any to post the small but very beautiful collection of bags that graced the runway for Marchesa Spring 2012. I know that bags are an afterthought for the gown-heavy line, but they’re always so beautiful and special that I really wish Marchesa would do more. Like, lots more. One for every dress? Is that too much to ask?

It probably is, so we’ll have to deal with the four that the show gave us for the time being. For me, the clear winner is the lunar-beaded blue-grey option at top, which is so pretty that I’d like to sit it on my desk and gaze at it longingly while I blog. Maybe I’ll print out the picture, tape it to my wall and do the same thing. Check out the rest of the bags after the jump.

Would you carry an iPad case as a clutch?

Sep 22, 2011 by Amanda Mull

What if the case in question were the acid yellow Proenza Schouler iPad Case, which is easily the least iPad-case-looking designer iPad case I’ve seen since the advent of the product? How many more times do you think I can work the phrase “iPad case” into this post? I’d say that the over-under is six.

Anyway, this thing’s kind of a looker, right? And at $685, it’s cheaper than any of Proenza Schouler’s other clutches by a long shot, and unlike most spendy iPad cases (1), this one actually has a functional front flap pocket and the same detailing as the rest of the brand’s handbags. So I ask you: Why not leave the iPad at home, throw your regular stuff inside and carry this iPad case (2) as a clutch?

Want it Wednesday: Alexander McQueen Cites Chanter Python Hobo Bag

Sep 21, 2011 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

Whenever I see an intense cobalt blue bag, I am in love. If someone asked my favorite color, I would explain to them that a very vibrant and bold electric blue always gets me. That is why tracking down the perfect Celine Mini Luggage Tote was one of my biggest accomplishments in the handbag world to date.

When I opened up Net-A-Porter.com today, I got that same feeling of joy upon seeing another pretty blue bag. But this is not a Celine bag, it is an Alexander McQueen bag. To further my love, the Alexander McQueen Cites Chanter Hobo Bag is designed with supple matte python skin which is my favorite way to see the skin used. DROOL.

Fill in the Blank: The Bottega Veneta Leather Leaf Clutch is…

Sep 21, 2011Sep 21, 2011 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

Bottega Veneta Leather Leaf Clutch, $3380 via Net-A-Porter We all know that Bottega Veneta masters the art of intricate leatherwork. However, there may be a time when the beauty that is created is simply not necessary and the Bottega Veneta Leather Leaf Clutch may be one of those times. Don’t get me wrong, this bag … Read more

Fashion Week Handbags: Burberry Spring 2012

Sep 21, 2011 by Amanda Mull

Images via Vogue.com

Burberry and I have an odd relationship. I find myself lusting after the brand’s ready-to-wear and outerwear every season without fail, and often its boots as well, but my feelings about the British brand’s bags are often a tad…fraught. I can honestly say, though, that there’s not a single bag from Burberry Spring 2012 that I wouldn’t carry.

Perhaps the biggest surprise from the collection was how little leather it included. In fact, only a few of the woven clutches were entirely leather and a couple of the larger totes were suede and croc (be it real or faux, I’m not sure), but the overwhelming majoring were woven raffia with croc trim. That’s something of a departure for the brand, and the resulting totes and clutches felt on-trend (expect to see lots of raffia for spring) and modern. Particularly the fun little clutches, which may have a rather small retail audience but which I’d be delighted to carry to any summer party.

Oscar de la Renta Spring 2012

Nov 25, 2014Sep 20, 2011 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

YOU GUYS, Oscar de la Renta is THE man. He may be one of many men, but he is also THE man. Vlad and I had the pleasure of attending his Spring 2012 runway show last week starting with behind the scenes access. Oscar does not merely put on a show, he puts on a production that is meticulously planned with each and every detail overseen by Oscar himself.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York Handbags: Diane von Furstenberg Spring 2012

Sep 21, 2011Sep 20, 2011 by Amanda Mull

Images via Vogue.com

As we already discussed in our general review of Diane Von Furstenberg Spring 2012, DVF was all about lightness for spring, much more so than usual, and that choice certainly carried over into the season’s handbags. There are a lot of whites, ivories, lilacs and dove greys to be found among these leather goods, with an occasional shot of emerald or cobalt to make sure that everyone stays awake.

Not that it would be a problem without the brights, of course. Von Furstenberg’s company has shown great growth in its handbag designs, and although I’d chuck the folded, hand-slotted clutches out of this collection entirely, everything else makes beautiful sense, both in the context of the clothes and the season itself. Pay special attention to one of the newcomers: a ladylike, structured shoulder bag with an elongated top flap. I can’t wait to see the full range of colors it will be available in at retail.