January 2012 - Page 3

Float away with Louis Vuitton’s littlest accessory

Jan 17, 2012 by Amanda Mull

Usually, Louis Vuitton artist collaborations are easy to describe. The French brand tends to err on the side of big, bold, graphic visuals, and subtlety usually isn’t a common trait among its collections with the likes of Stephen Sprouse and Takashi Murakami. To say that the twee, low-fi animation of the brand’s recent video, The Great Journey of Little Bagcharms, is unexpected would be an understatement. It’s a good kind of unexpected, though.

Vuitton teamed up with artist Christian Borstlap to animate this short film to fete the launch of the new Louis Vuitton Montgolfiere Bag Charm, a hot air balloon carrying a classic trunk. Even if you have little interest in the charm itself, the video’s old school line drawings and the sweet song that accompanies them are a nice little respite from your lunchtime food coma. Check out a larger picture of the charm and pricing information after the jump.

Balenciaga bags make their NeimanMarcus.com debut!

Jan 18, 2012Jan 17, 2012 by Amanda Mull

Although long a brand that had some trepidation about its digital presence, Balenciaga seems to be opening up to the beautiful pastime that is Internet shopping. Its website recently got an overhaul that made shopping on it a much friendlier and more comprehensive experience, and yesterday, one of our lovely Twitter followers pointed out to us that the brand is now available on NeimanMarcus.com. Glory hallelujah!

Balenciaga bags have been sold via Neiman Marcus’ site once in the past; a few years ago, the Dallas-based department store and its website were the exclusive purveyors of Balenciaga’s limited edition designs celebrating the Motorcycle Bag’s 10th anniversary. It seems as though the line has come to stay at NeimanMarcus.com, though, and although it’s mostly basics right now, I bet that the offerings will expand if the venture is successful. Check out some of our favorites from the first assortment after the jump or shop the entire selection via NeimanMarcus.com. Squeal! Sorry, that just slipped out. I’m kind of excited about this, okay? (Psst…there are also a couple of shoes!)

Sunday Funday: Newspaper Manicure

Jan 15, 2012 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

2011 was a year where I began my nail polish obsession. I always enjoyed a good manicure but I never loved painting my own nails and I relied on salons to get the job done. I owned all of 5 polishes. But then something clicked and I became obsessed, and went from owning 5 polishes to now owning over 250 polishes. This is an intense addiction, but it is one where I actually use everything that I buy. I change my manicure every few days and try new polishes and new techniques.

Last week, I asked on Twitter what kind of manicure I should give myself and ginnnyna suggested a newspaper manicure. Truth be told, I never heard of this before but decided to do a google search and see what I could find out. The technique is simple and the finished design is totally nifty.

Also, I have been going bananas for rings and bracelets recently. Because my bags are held by hand, I love making them stand out even more by upping up my accessory game. Both rings in the photo are from Plukka and I am completely obsessed. If you love unique jewelry, check out their website which has a really interesting set up: what they make is what you want and the more people that order an item the less it costs each person.

What’s In Her Bag: Katie Rodgers of Paper Fashion

Jul 26, 2021Jan 13, 2012 by Vlad Dusil

Travel around the world (literally and figuratively) with Valextra

Jan 13, 2012Jan 13, 2012 by Amanda Mull

Sale season is starting to wind down, but if you’re willing to look hard, there are still some great pieces to be had. The small accessories treasure trove is especially plentiful this time of year; during the milieu if discounts and bargains and coupon codes, most people look for big items like bags or shoes or coats. If you’re so inclined, a new wallet or cosmetic bag can likely be yours right now for far under retail.

I’ve done some looking, and by far my favorite deal in small leather goods right now are the Valextra International Passport Holders. Even though the brand is known for being a little bit pricey (above and beyond the normal price levels for this industry), at more than 50% off via Barneys, I can assure you that you’ll never misplace your passport again.

High-end clothing, accessories and housewares are all coming to Target

Jan 13, 2012 by Amanda Mull

An ad from one of Target’s previous designer collaborations

The fashion industry is always finding new ways to surprise, delight and confuse me (sometimes all at the same time, which might be the case today), but yesterday’s news from Women’s Wear Daily that Target, the suburban bastion of cheap leggings and toilet paper that we all know and love, would soon be moving into the high-end boutique business caught me particularly off guard. We all know Target for its now-discontinued line of Go! International collaborations with up-and-coming designers (although more collabs with established brands, like the one with Jason Wu, are forthcoming), but the megachain’s newest venture, The Shops by Target, takes the idea to the next level. Get ready for some swanky stores-within-stores.

Check out Louis Vuitton Pre-Fall 2012

Jan 13, 2012 by Amanda Mull

Images via Louis Vuitton

As I’ve mentioned previously this week, the non-season seasons really irk me, as an accessories lover. Even Louis Vuitton, a company that knows where its bread is buttered (the brand didn’t even start making ready-to-wear until Marc Jacobs’ advent in the 90s), doesn’t release handbag shots with its standard lookbook for pre-season collections. C’mon, Vuitton, throw us a bone!

Because we have so many LV addicts in our audience, though, I thought I’d publish the lookbook itself, which includes several peeks at what this line will have to offer, purse-wise. There’s a little fur, a little matte leather and a little bit of saturated color. In short, most of these bags are a whole lot of wearable. I’ll take the emerald green duffel right now, thank you. Full photos after the jump – the immaculately detailed, incredibly luxurious clothes are worth a look as well.

The Look for Less: Neon Python

Jan 13, 2012 by Amanda Mull

If I’m being accurate, this post actually comes to you via my mom. A few days ago, she emailed me a link to the Marc by Marc Jacobs Totally Turnlock Python Shine Messenger with the message, “Doesn’t Marc know that Proenza does this bag better?” And, well, yes. Marc probably knows that! In fact, the Proenza Schouler PS1 Pouchette just debuted in a very similar color of acid yellow. If you’re on a budget, though, I think that the Marc version is a pretty reasonable alternative.

Fill in the Blank: The Valentino Rockstud Panther Print Calf Hair Tote is…

Jan 12, 2012 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

I’ve already got Fashion Week on my mind and one of my favorite things about Fashion Week is bag stalking. Come February, editors, buyers, and miscellaneous cool people alike will be hitting Lincoln Center both wearing and carrying their finest. I have plenty of handbags in my arsenal, but sometimes an oddly different bag stands … Read more

Introducing the Lanvin JL Bowling Bag

Jan 12, 2012 by Amanda Mull

Lanvin isn’t a company that messes with its stable of handbags often. Sure, seasonal styles come and go, but rarely does the French house launch a new design that will be added to the small group of bags that it produces season after season. Staring with Summer 2011, the Lanvin JL Bowling Bag will be the newest piece on that very short list.

The bag, named for Jeanne Lanvin, comes in several sizes and a variety of leathers and colors right off the bat. The photo above and those after the jump all feature the medium size, but Lanvin indicates that a smaller version, shoulder bag and clutch will also be available. The smaller bowler in black or chestnut leather is already available via Bergdorf Goodman for $2545, and the medium python iteration can be found at Luisa Via Roma for $5950. The rest of the prices for the range have yet to be announced. Check out some more pictures after the jump and let us know how you feel about these new bags in the comments!

Eek! An Hermes price increase is coming at the end of January!

Jan 12, 2012 by Amanda Mull

Hermes Steeple Canvas Horse Tote, $2700 via Hermes (for now)

Hold on to your horses, folks. Or at least hold on to your Hermes Steeple Canvas Horse Totes – prices for the most expensive handbags in the world are about to get even higher.

Want it Wednesday: Chanel Sport

Jan 11, 2012 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

You wouldn’t think the words Chanel and Sport would go together. Leave it to Chanel to make traditional sporty items incredibly chic by adding their luxury touches. While there are countless items in their sports category, it seems that none of these are currently available. I even searched on eBay and had no luck tracking down the amazing yet silly Chanel rugby football.