June 2012 - Page 2

Just Can’t Get Enough: Vanessa Hudgens and her MICHAEL Michael Kors Satchel

Jun 22, 2012 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

Even though celebrities have a ton of money and are gifted items left and right, it is refreshing when they find a bag that they truly adore and carry it on multiple occasions. It makes them seem more like us, as cliche as that sounds. Lately, I’ve noticed that Vanessa Hudgens has been seen cuddling with her new boyfriend, Austin Butler, (I consider him new because I still think of her as being with Zac Efron) non-stop. They seem like they are really into each other.

But you know what else it seems like Vanessa Hudgens is really into? Her MICHAEL Michael Kors Satchel. Vanessa has been seen multiple times carrying her version of this school-bag in embossed ostrich finish over the past week. She can’t put it down and I can see why. The casual cool vibe fits LA style and Vanessa’s constant music festival vibe. While the bag is sold out, there are similar versions available via Neiman Marcus.

Yves Saint Laurent to be renamed Saint Laurent Paris – what will become of the bags?

Jun 21, 2012Jun 21, 2012 by Amanda Mull

When I first heard the rumor that Yves Saint Laurent‘s new creative director Hedi Slimane was looking to change the iconic French luxury house’s name, admittedly, I scoffed. “Silly slow-news-day gossip that will never be substantiated,” I said to myself. Because what else could it be? Almost all of YSL’s branding over the last 10 years has centered squarely on the importance of the brand’s initials, and the Y in particular – from the incredibly popular Yves Saint Laurent Cabas ChYc to the Yves Saint Laurent Easy Bag, practically every major bag that the brand currently sells is predicated on the Y. Even many of the men’s bags use the logo heavily, and YSL’s logo is a stylized set of initials. The name is the brand.

And then today, the brand confirmed to Women’s Wear Daily that by the time Slimane’s first collection debuts in the brand’s stores in 2013, Yves Saint Laurent will be known as Saint Laurent Paris. The WWD article mentions changes to the ready-to-wear line specifically, and also that the YSL name will be used for “institutional” purposes, whatever that means. Additionally, the iconic YSL logo will remain in use in some capacities. Otherwise, Slimane will return YSL (SLP?) to the branding used in 1966, all the way down to the fonts. What the article makes no mention of, however, is what will become of the heavily Y-branded bags.

The Many Bags of The Olsen Twins

Mar 4, 2013Jun 21, 2012 by Amanda Mull

While doing photo research yesterday to bring you this retrospective on The Many Bags of The Olsen Twins, one thing became starkly apparent: Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are ahead on…well, basically everything. Looking through pictures of them from 2007 wasn’t a trip back in time like it normally would be when dissecting a celebrity’s style; five years ago, they were both dressing like every single fashionable girl I know dresses today, and they were getting called trolls for it. Little did we know, they were just paving the way for the rest of us.

The Olsen Twins have a tendency to do the same when it comes to handbags. They were the first to carry the crazily popular Alexander Wang Rocco Bag, way back when it was called the Coco, and they were also among the first to rock the Proenza Schouler PS1 and Celine Luggage Tote. Their appreciation for a vintage Fendi crocodile tote caused the brand not only to reissue it, but also to dub it the Fendi Twins Tote. And that’s not even counting their gorgeous, obscenely priced bags for The Row. Check out all of that and more after the jump.

Hermy, the $550 Hermes plush horse

Jun 21, 2012 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

Many friends, friends of friends and other miscellaneous acquaintances are pregnant or have recently had babies – I’m just at that age. I’ve been getting baby shower invites left and right, and lucky for me, there is nothing I adore more than shopping for kiddos. Who doesn’t love pint-sized Burberry coats, Ralph Lauren polos, and Gucci leather booties?

I have always said that the Hermes Hermy Plush Horse is one of the best nursery gifts. Yes, it is absurdly expensive, I’ll grant you that. But for the mom who loves fashion, this Hermes design is the perfect addition to your little one’s new room.

Want It Wednesday: Rebecca Minkoff Jacket, Bib Necklace, Theodora and Callum Scarf Top

Jun 20, 2012 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

Hello Summer! We are hiding inside today, with the AC on full blast and the shades down to keep the sweltering heat from entering PurseBlog headquarters. But no matter how hot it is, we always have our minds on the next thing we want to add to our collections. From the coveted Rebecca Minkoff Becky Jacket to a long statement necklace to a great summer cover-up, the PurseBlog team has a new list of things we want this Wednesday.

10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About THE OUTNET.COM

Jun 20, 2012Jun 20, 2012 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

I rave constantly about Net-A-Porter as one of my favorite online shopping destinations, but it occurred to me recently that some of you may still not know about its sister site, THE OUTNET.COM. With deals on some of our favorite designer pieces, THE OUTNET.COM has been constantly filled with products from designer bags to the most sought after shoes since its launch in 2009. As the site has grown, there have been many additions that not even I knew of, including the fact that THE OUTNET now has items exclusively made for the site. I know from first-hand experience about the out-of-this-world finds that can be had on the site, and I’ll share my story with you all soon.

Though we are in the midst of one of Net-A-Porter’s semi-annual sales, you can visit THE OUTNET.COM year-round for great deals. We chatted with their team to find out 10 things we didn’t know about THE OUTNET.COM that you probably didn’t know as well.

Sarah Jessica Parker debuts Fendi’s new It Bag (UPDATED)

Jun 20, 2012Jun 20, 2012 by Amanda Mull

Fendi and Sarah Jessica Parker have a long history with each other. Back in the halcyon days of the early 2000s, exposure on Sex and the City exploded the Fendi Baguette from an industry obsession to a full-on It Bag that was recognizable to people who might never have previously considered buying a bag that expensive. The SJP-Fendi nexus not only provided several plot points for the show (one in which Carrie’s Baguette and Manolos are stolen, another in which a fake Fendi becomes a metaphor for Charlotte’s marriage), but it also paved the way for every It Bag from the Chloe Paddington to the Celine Luggage Tote.

The brand and the fashion icon have gotten together again, this time for what I think might be the real-world debut of a bag that Fendi seems to hope will garner the sort of traction that the Baguette and Spy (and to a certain extent, the Peekaboo) have previously enjoyed. Having Sarah Jessica Parker trot out a monogrammed version of the bag pre-release is a great place to start the hype machine, but you know what would be even better? If Fendi would tell us what this tote is called. I can’t find a single mention of the name anywhere. I asked on Twitter, I scoured Fendi’s Facebook, I Googled endlessly. Still, nothing. Check out even more versions of the bag after the jump, and if you know the name (I bet one of you does), let us know in the comments.

UPDATE: Since I was researching this post yesterday afternoon, Neiman Marcus has added the bag to its site for pre-order in both black and red. The name of the bag is still unknown, but it can be had via Neiman Marcus for $2260, delivery date TBA. Hat tip to commenter GPC for the info.

UPDATE 2: Nordstrom also received the bags for pre-order today, and they’re calling it the Fendi 2Jours Elite Tote, which is a terrible name for a beautiful bag. They have it available in red, black, tan and white. Unlike Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom is offering all four colors for immediate delivery. Hat tip to commenter Dee.

Go behind the scenes of the Louis Vuitton Fall 2012 campaign with Marc Jacobs

Jun 20, 2012 by Amanda Mull

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=uTI69Unc6e4 Sometimes designers’ motivations behind the images they choose to represent their brands can be impenetrably opaque, but other times, the general idea is pretty obvious. Everyone understood immediately where Prada’s 1950s-car-culture-inspired Spring 2012 collection came from, for example, and the motivations behind the runway show and campaign for Louis Vuitton Fall 2012 are equally … Read more

Shop our Chanel picks with Madison Avenue Couture at RueLaLa!

Jun 19, 2012 by Amanda Mull

There are so few things in fashion that have the kind of iconic status that a Chanel bag has. Even people who profess no knowledge of the industry can identify one on sight, and they’re a near-universal symbol of sophistication and eternal style. They’re also some of the most highly sought-after and expensive bags in the game, and if you haven’t been on the hunt for one lately, you might be surprised at how hard they are to find in the size, color, leather and hardware of your choosing.

Unless you’re a RueLaLa member, of course. Now through June 21, Rue members can shop an exclusive collection of vintage and pre-owned Chanel bags in a plethora of sizes and rare prints and colors, plus plenty of Classic Flaps, Reissues and Medallion Totes in neutrals to satisfy the needs of ladies just starting their personal Chanel collections. Act quickly, though – once someone snaps each bag up, there’s no more where that came from. Check out our picks of the best of the best after the jump, or shop the full sale (with clothes and jewelry too!) via RueLaLa.

Hermes employees implicated in French counterfeit ring bust

Jun 19, 2012 by Amanda Mull

In and of itself, news of police busting up a counterfeit handbag ring is not exactly breaking news. Enormous luxury brands put pressure on authorities in Europe and America to stanch the flow of fake bags into their markets, usually from Asian manufacturers and distributors unaffiliated with the mainstream luxury industry in any way. Police bust the rings fairly regularly, proudly displaying crates of confiscated goods on the news, only to have more sprout up in the defunct rings’ places. If you’re interested in high-end handbags, you probably know this narrative well by now.

When I heard about a counterfeit Hermes ring recently raided in France, which was first reported in Women’s Wear Daily last week, I expected the story to be much the same. What I didn’t expect was that Hermes employees would also be implicated. So far two have been dismissed, although it’s not clear if they were also among the dozen arrested, and the company thinks that several more employees might be involved. Care to guess what they were doing?

Alexander McQueen debuts the Heroine Satchel

Jun 19, 2012Jun 19, 2012 by Amanda Mull

Other than the brand’s signature Skull Clutches, it’s been a while since Alexander McQueen made a splash with a handbag. Because of the sculptural nature of shoes, McQueen’s architectural, avant-garde aesthetic has always lent itself more easily to eye-catching footwear, and other than clutches, that’s been where most of the McQueen accessories creativity has gone over the few years, particularly since the death of the brand’s founder.

The brand can do a great day bag on occasion, though – remember the Novak, in all of its angular, tailored, mid-century glory? McQueen is returning to that feel for Fall 2012 with the Alexander McQueen Heroine Satchel, but is it a great bag, or just an average one?

The Glamourous Gucci 1921 Collection Cherry Crocodile Shoulder Bag

Jun 18, 2012 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

Sometimes I forget about my love of Gucci. I get a little set in my ways and comfortable, much like a long relationship. But then something catches my eye and I every feeling of love I have for a brand comes back ten-fold. Gucci was on my long-time, back-burner love corner for a while, but most recently it has moved back to the forefront of my mind. From the absolutely stunning 1970’s bags, to this glamorous 1921 bag, Gucci is on a roll.