September 2012 - Page 4

Fashion Week Handbags: Proenza Schouler Spring 2013

Sep 17, 2012 by Amanda Mull

As we mentioned last week, Proenza Schouler tends to put its most directional accessories on the runway instead of the bags and leather goods that actually fly off of store shelves. That’s the case for most designers, but Proenza is particularly notable because there’s such a wide gulf between the runway bags and the rest of the line; you needn’t look further than Proenza Schouler Spring 2013 for proof.

In addition to the new Proenza Schouler Record Bag, the collection’s runway accessories included several very interesting patchwork purses with futuristic pieced hardware. In fact, “patchwork” hardly seems appropriate for a look that was a lot less hippie-dippy and a lot more postmodern than the term usually implies. Will those bags be a retail success? Likely not, but the Record Bags might do well, and you can expect to see notes of all these looks on PS1s and PS11s (and PS13s, if we ever get to see them) to come. Check out the full collection after the jump.

The Bags of Celine Spring 2013

Sep 17, 2012 by Amanda Mull

First, a note on semantics. Most brands term their four big collections of the year Resort, Spring, Pre-Fall and Fall, in order of debut. Celine, ever marching to the beat of its own drummer, prefers to go with Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter, in order of debut. Logically, not only does that fit with Celine’s penchant for well-considered minimalism, but it just makes sense. In the context of the fashion industry, though, it can be a bit confusing. So while these are The Bags of Celine Spring 2013, remember that this is actually a resort collection.

That being said, there’s a lot of interesting stuff going on here. There are beautiful multi-texture Luggage Totes and Trapeze Bags, of course, but there’s also the debut of the Celine Edge Bag, a moderately structured shoulder bag that’s particularly striking in a mixture of black leather and red-orange calf hair. My favorite of the collection, though, may be the Celine All Soft Shoulder Bag, a hobo-esque version of the Celine Cabas with a fold-over closure that lends itself well to the brands signature mix of bright-and-neutral colorblocking. The emphasis on shoulder bags in general is interesting, and it might signal a larger industry trend toward those shapes. Check out the full lookbook after the jump.

Handbag to watch: Jil Sander Malavoglia Tote

Sep 14, 2012 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

I get used to talking about many of the same designers from day to day because let’s face it, they make great bags and they make bags that I love. But there are so many other options out there, and I would hate to leave worthy accessory designers out of our coverage. That’s precisely why I spend hours browsing online, flipping through magazines, and checking out lookbooks – so I will know as much of what’s available as possible.

Jil Sander is not a foreign name to the fashion world – quite the contrary. But Jil Sander bags have only been a blip on the radar, they have never reached out and grabbed my attention fully. That is, until now. Right when I saw the Jil Sander Malavoglia Tote, I knew it was a beautiful bag that deserved its own feature. So here it is for you Malavoglia Tote, your own post on PurseBlog. You earned it.

Will this new Celine design be a hit?

Sep 14, 2012 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

[poll id=”98″]

Pre-order these Proenza Schouler Spring 2013 runway bags now!

Sep 13, 2012 by Amanda Mull

Without question, the New York Fashion Week show I look forward to the most is Proenza Schouler’s. The brand’s collections always feel fresh and directional, and even though they only show a couple of bags on the runway per season, those pieces are usually a good indication of what’s to come from Proenza’s full accessories line, as far as prints, textures and colors go. We’ll have a more comprehensive look at the bags from Proenza Schouler Spring 2013 soon, but for now, we’d like to talk about the Proenza Schouler Record Shoulder Bag.

Tory Burch Spring 2013: The Best She’s Ever Done

Sep 13, 2012 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

Tory Burch has come such a long way, and Tory Burch Spring 2013 proves that Tory has found her fashion groove. Of course, Tory has made a huge name for herself for years and filled an important gap in the market with her well-priced ballet flats, logo bags and tunic tops, but there is so … Read more

I love both Joanna Hillman and her Tom Ford Handbag

Sep 13, 2012 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

I’m not going to lie, one of my favorite aspects of fashion week is seeing people who exude style walking in and out of the shows. There are lots of people who try too hard, but some just have it, and Joanna Hillman, Senior Fashion Market Editor of Harper’s Bazaar, might be my top fashion crush right now. Her signature red lip and blonde hair can’t be missed and her impeccable style has everyone that passes by her doing a double take.

I saw this image on Twitter, and it is all kinds of wonderful: one of my major bag loves right now being carried by a style maven with a twist of humor involved. Fashion girls eat, see! Well, actually, fashion girls put really expensive and gorgeous handbags on their lunch tables and Instagram photos to make us all jealous, and it works.

Want It Wednesday: Tod’s Tote Bag

Sep 12, 2012 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

I have a confession: I’ve never owned a Tod’s bag. Don’t get me wrong, the brand makes some absolutely beautiful bags, but I’ve always been more drawn to its shoes, namely the iconic driving loafers. With occasional exception, the bags usually don’t speak to me – that is, until now. I am positively obsessed with this bag, in every way possible. It is stunning, simple, and from the moment I laid my eyes on it, all I wanted was to pet it, own it and carry it.

The soft grain leather with offsetting tonal side panels forms one of the most alluring bags I have seen in months. There is something about the shape of the bag, the color options and the finished product that makes the Tod’s Tote Bag the bag I can not stop ~~wanting~~ needing this Wednesday.

Fashion Week Handbags: Marc Jacobs Spring 2013

Sep 12, 2012 by Amanda Mull

Let’s be honest: It’s been a while since Marc Jacobs had a huge hit handbag. The brand continues to put on the show of New York Fashion Week, and Jacobs’ influence the course of trends and the fashion industry as a whole cannot be understated, but when it comes to Jacobs-helmed brands, both Louis Vuitton and Marc by Marc Jacobs have done a better job of making handbags fly off the shelves over the past few years. Will Marc Jacobs Spring 2013 change that?

Maybe. The entire show was more restrained and focused than most people are probably used to seeing from Jacobs, and the handbags followed the stark, striped 60s mod feel of the dresses and suits. Most of the runway bags had handles too short to be carried in the crook of the arm, which is a detail that’s commensurate with the collection’s referenced era but also likely hurdle to retail success. It wouldn’t surprise me if they were lengthened at retail, though, and if that happened, there are some stripe-y numbers that I’d definitely consider carrying myself. If you’re looking for an evening bag, the clutches in particular were quite strong. Check out the full runway collection after the jump.

Look for Less: Gold and Black Box Clutch

Sep 12, 2012 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

I have a hard time finding really good look-for-less handbag matches lately. I guess that goes for all of fashion, really; so many times, it seems like the “look for less” is really just an awful copy of something that was done much better by someone else. But in this case, I’ve found two beautiful clutches that carry a distinctly similar aesthetic while still being great pieces on their own. Today’s high-low pairing features Bottega Veneta and BCBGMAXAZRIA in a battle of gold and black box clutches.

Diane von Furstenberg Spring 2013 goes back to the future

Sep 11, 2012 by Amanda Mull

Diane von Furstenberg‘s clothes have maintained an almost staggering level of popularity for decades, largely because they’re so wearable. Diane has a keen sense for what stylish women want to wear in their everyday lives, and coupled with a somewhat attainable price point, she sells clothes, shoes and housewares hand over fist to exactly those women. The era with which von Furstenberg is most closely associated, though, is the 1970s – she launched her company in 1970 and introduced the iconic wrap dress in 1974. It seemed appropriate, then, that Diane von Furstenberg Spring 2013 would so strongly reference the shapes and colors of the era that shot its designer to fame. The clothes were every bit reflective of the jetset summer social schedule of a young princess.

At the same time, though, DVF’s collection looked forward. As we reported over the weekend, the runway show was dotted with participants and spectators (and Diane) wearing Glass by Google, a slim pair of glasses that takes in the wearer’s point of view with a tiny camera attached to the frame. The footage will be edited into a video that will debut on the official DVF YouTube page later in the week, but until then, check out the collection through our lens.

Bergdorf Goodman taps Gucci, Balenciaga and more for limited edition 111th anniversary handbags

Sep 11, 2012Sep 11, 2012 by Amanda Mull

For a department store like no other in the world, any ol’ anniversary celebration just doesn’t cut it. Where most companies might be tempted to celebrate 75 or 100 or 120 years in business, Bergdorf Goodman has saved up all its celebratory energy for a singular date befitting a singular store, and this year, its feting its 111th anniversary with a whole host of special goodies, all the way from special shopping bags to custom iPhone cases to limited edition bags, shoes and clothes from some of the world’s most sought-after designers. When we heard who would be contributing purses to the effort, we couldn’t wait to see how they’d turn out.

The collection recently launched on BergdorfGoodman.com, and with handbags from Gucci, Fendi, Chloe, Balenciaga, Proenza Schouler, Nancy Gonzalez, VBH and Judith Leiber, there are plenty of heavy-hitting limited editions to choose from. Some of them, like the Gucci totes with the Bergdorf facade embossed on the front, are already sold out, but my personal favorites – the Balenciaga convertable tote and the purple Proenza Schouler PS11 – are still up for grabs. Check out the handbags after the jump or shop the full selection of 111th Anniversary pieces via Bergdorf Goodman.