January 2012 - Page 2

The Louis Vuitton Crocodile Old Speedy Flap will cost you a pretty penny

Jan 23, 2012 by Amanda Mull

Image via Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton’s Spring 2012 runway show was a joy to behold for a variety of reasons: the enormous carousel set piece bearing dozens of the world’s best models, girlish clothes in the most powdery and feminine of pastels, luxury in every detail. The entire collection felt fresh, light and joyful. Personally, though, I was distracted by one thing and one thing only, which was trying to guess how much the littany of crocodile pieces, from bags to jackets, would cost once they hit retail. Not only is crocodile astronomically expensive all on its own, but Vuitton tends to charge a premium for all of its products, above and beyond most another brands.

For the handbag star of the collection, the Louis Vuitton Crocodile Old Speedy Flap, we now have an answer, but go ahead and try to guess before you peek.

Weekend Obsession: Michael Kors Hamilton Handbag for Great East Japan Earthquake Relief

Jan 22, 2012Jan 22, 2012 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

I’m continually surprised by the huge number of Michael Kors bags that I see women carrying in every city that I visit. One of the most recognizable bags from the line is the Michael Kors Hamilton, which has been issued in nearly countless colors, sized and materials. The version above may be the most exciting, though; like other designers, MK is always giving back and after the tragic earthquake in Japan, Michael decided to help.

MK debuted a limited edition Hamilton handbag in support of the Great East Japan Earthquake relief effort during Fashion’s Night out in Tokyo and to follow its success, the U.S. will launch this bag for a 24 hour period starting tomorrow, Monday January 22nd. The bag will be available only through a link from the Michael Kors facebook page and in select Michael Kors retail stores.

What’s In Her Bag: Amy Smilovic of Tibi

Jan 22, 2012 by Vlad Dusil

Balenciaga is the latest star of a Thursday Friday tote

Jan 20, 2012 by Amanda Mull

First Hermes (and then no more Hermes because they got sued), then Chanel and now Balenciaga – tote company Thursday Friday seems like it won’t be satisfied until every iconic handbag under the sun (except any made by Hermes because, well, you know…) has been immortalized on its Thursday Friday Together Tote Bag. This one, naturally, is called the “Moto.” Clever.

Fill in the Blank: “Dolce & Gabbana’s Miss Sicily Crocheted Bag is…”

Jan 20, 2012 by Amanda Mull

Spring 2012 is all about mixing color and textures, and as you can see, some designers took that idea to heart more than others. I normally love the Dolce & Gabbana Miss Sicily Bag in all of its sometimes strange iterations, but this 70s crocheted afghan version has me wondering whether it would have been best as a runway idea rather than a retail reality. More than anything, though, this bag seems like a perfect opportunity to play Fill in the Blank. You ladies already know how this works – finish our title sentence in the comments or, if you’re so inclined, buy through Neiman Marcus for $2895.

Alexander McQueen is an endless font of Skull Clutch ideas

Jan 20, 2012 by Amanda Mull

Alexander McQueen Woven Cord Box Clutch, $2075 via Neiman Marcus

There are a lot of reasons that I’m a person who writes about handbags instead of a person who designs them, but one of the big ones is that when I think about a bag like the Alexander McQueen Skull Clutch, I have no idea how I’d move forward with it. Skull clutches have been done in basically every color, finish, embellishment and theme of which I can conceive, and it seems like we should have hit some sort of back corner of creativity by now.

And yet, we haven’t. The team at McQueen continues to churn out both amazing clothes and beautiful accessories at a rate that would surely satisfy the man himself, were he around to supervise. Spring 2012 brings with it an impressive array of box clutches from the brand, and we have a few of our favorites for your perusal after the jump.

Proenza Schouler releases all-red Valentine’s Day capsule collection

Jan 19, 2012Jan 19, 2012 by Amanda Mull

Proenza Schouler Lizard PS11, $6825. PS1 Large Chain Wallet, $1925.

It’s that time of year again. We’re approaching the end of January, which means the beginning of February is nigh and Valentine’s Day is going to be here before we know it. Whether you’re single or coupled, it seems like most women tire of the holiday by the time they reach post-college adulthood, but we’ve got something that might make you anticipate it this year – a fresh crop of Proenza Schouler bags, freshly released to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

Since we’re always up for showing some love to our bag collection, this gesture of affection hits us right in the sweet spot. Proenza has produced a drool-worthy version of its classic PS11 in red lizard, plus two versions of a PS1 clutch with chain straps – one in lizard, one in regular leather. I’ll take all three, thanks. Now I just need a Valentine. Check out all the pictures after the jump.

9 Things: The Best Neon Bags for Spring

Jan 18, 2012 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

Bright bags are big statement pieces and for this season, neon is all the rage. I’ve attempted to wear neon clothing items but I have never found the colors to be very flattering on me, and that is of course why I turn to accessories to take part of the trend in a way that … Read more

Can someone explain to me why Stella McCartney’s bags are so expensive?

Jan 18, 2012Jan 18, 2012 by Amanda Mull

Stella McCartney Ava Faux Python Clutch, $1995 via Net-a-Porter

Like any proud lover of luxury goods, I spend my fair share of time trying to explain to people that we’re not all slaves to a famous name when it comes to paying for accessories. Sure, some of the reason that prices are the way they are is that many of the brands we love have built of a reputation and history for themselves as employing the kind of aesthetic and artistic talent to craft the finest leather goods on the planet. The name is something, particularly when it stands for a history of craftsmanship and quality, but it’s not everything. Or so I argue. When I look at a bag like the Stella McCartney Ava Faux Python Clutch, though, I can’t help but wonder if I’m merely brainwashed.

That Jimmy Choo zodiac thing is totally happening, whether you like it or not

Jan 18, 2012 by Amanda Mull

Jimmy Choo Solar Studded Hobo, $1795 via Neiman Marcus

I warned y’all this was going to happen, so don’t say that I didn’t.

In fact, I warned you back in May that Jimmy Choo seemed intent on foisting the Jimmy Choo Solar Studded Hobo on the fashion world, and it took a little longer than we (or the company, probably) anticipated to get here, but did you use that time to prepare yourself? To prepare your eyes to view…this? I bet you didn’t.

Today in random luxury minutiae: Pencils from Hermes and Louis Vuitton

Jan 18, 2012 by Amanda Mull

When you’re a brand with a rabid, slavish following like French leathergoods giant Hermes, it’s important to think outside the box in order to both maximize profits and cater to your very particular customer’s every need. With quarterly growth in the double digits since time immemorial, Hermes has taken a page out of the Louis Vuitton book and now brands everything under the sun, including the simplest of writing implements: the pencil.

Fancy-pants pens have long been a hallmark of the luxury industry, but the leather-wrapped Hermes Arlequin H Pencil is something different entirely. Pens can be refilled with fine ink and passed down from generation to generation; pencils, on the other hand, are meant to be used up in short order by virtue of their very construction.

A look at the Chanel Spring-Summer 2012 Ad Campaign

Jan 17, 2012 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

Chanel’s 2012 Spring-Summer Ad Campaign combines a mixture of entirely majestic with a touch of athletic to showcase the upcoming collection. Shot by Karl Lagerfeld, the campaign focuses on the clothing and accessories being portrayed in a very elegant manner, as the models pose on different athletic (mostly gymnastic) apparatuses.