The subject of celebrities at New York Fashion Week is a little bit odd. Most of them are paid to be there by a designer whose show they’re attending or a brand or product that they represent, which means that many of them are wearing and carrying clothes from that designer in what can be a fairly transparent marketing scheme. The whole point of a fashion show is marketing the new collection, though, so I can’t gripe too much. And no matter how a bag got into a celebrity’s hands, I always enjoy seeing what they carry.
And then there’s the models. They’re also paid to show up, of course, but they’re generally not bedecked in the duds of any particular designer. Instead, they’re carrying something that, more often than not, perfectly punctuates their “model off duty” look and makes us all wonder why we can’t figure out how to dress like that in our downtime. (Because we’re not models, probably.) It’s an interesting contrast, and one that we’ll explore fully in the slideshow below.
No fashion week style roundup is complete without Vogue Nippon editor-at-large Anna Dello Russo. In this photo, she’s wearing head-to-toe Prada, along with a Prada Flower Clutch. Shop Prada via Neiman Marcus.
Jada Pinkett Smith may be paid to show up, but the brand that brought her didn’t give her a bag to carry, apparently. Instead, she’s toting a classic Yves Saint Laurent Envelop Clutch. Shop Yves Saint Laurent via Net-a-Porter.
Karlie Kloss is the leader of the pack in the new crop of supermodels, and her back of choice is a seasons-old Dior Libertine Hobo.
Professional It Girl Harley Viera Newton also chose Dior – the Dior Lady Dior Tote, to be exact.
Newcomer Sami Gayle is on a show called Bluebloods that I’ve never personally seen, but I’d like to get a closer look at her BCBGMAXAZRIA Thea Clutch. Pick up the same bag for $83 via Macy’s.
Models off duty often go for a classic, like Crystal Renn with her black Chanel Classic Flap.
And then there’s the traditional model-It Bag combo, demonstrated here by Hilary Rhoda and her Celine Trapeze Bag.
At fashion week, there are a lot of people who aren’t “famous,” per se, but they are notable within the fashion world. Michelle Harper is a brand consultant, and she chose an Hermes Birkin to punctuate her ensemble.
Shay Mitchell, another newcomer best known for her role on Pretty Little Liars, chose a Diane von Furstenberg Carolina Lips Clutch for her showgoing experience. Pick up your own for $345 via Neiman Marcus.
Smash star Katharine McPhee was also on the DVF bandwagon – she toted a small Diane von Furstenberg Spherical Kiss-Lock Minaudiere. $345 via Neiman Marcus.
Paris Hilton doesn’t get invited to fashion shows so much anymore, but her sister Nicky Hilton is still a regular around Lincoln Center. On this particular day, she carried a black Hermes Kelly.
On the opposite end of the Hermes spectrum, inimitable comedian Joan Rivers went with a classic combination – a big fur and a big Hermes Birkin.
On a slightly more “ethical” note, singer Colbie Caillat went with the vegan Stella McCartney Falabella Foldover Clutch. Pick it up in a different color via Neiman Marcus for $895.
I’m not sure which show Petra Nemcova was headed to, but she was headed there with a black Celine Luggage Tote.
Yet another celeb with DVF, this time Coco Rocha carrying a cream Diane von Furstenberg Tonda Minaudiere. $345 via Neiman Marcus.
Rounding out the DVF contingent, Vanessa Hudgens carried a Diane von Furstenberg Mini 440 Shoulder Bag to the designer’s show. Shop Diane von Furstenberg via Neiman Marcus.
In what has been perhaps my favorite fashion week handbag moment so far, Angela Simmons showed up at Lincoln Center with a beautiful, bright Hermes Constance Shoulder Bag.
What pose was Alexa Ray Joel trying to strike here? Uncertain. That’s definitely a Louis Vuitton Alma Bag in her hand, though. Pick one up for $1,830 via Louis Vuitton.
This black-white-cobalt version of the Celine Luggage Tote that I spotted on Eve is one of my favorite iterations of this bag ever.
Nicky Hilton again! We told you she was a regular. This time, she’s carrying a Rebecca Minkoff Alaina Mini Bag to the Rebecca Minkoff show. Pick one up for $417 via Bloomingdale’s.
Another model, another beautiful classic bag: Selita Ebanks and a Chanel Mini Classic Flap Python Bag.
It’s not just models and actresses who are coming and going from New York Fashion Week – you can spot designers here and there as well. In this case, we saw Rachel Roy carrying a beautiful taupe Hermes Kelly.
This fashion week has seemed to be the week of the newcomer actress, so let’s end with another one: Krysta Rodriguez, Broadway actress and costar on Smash, carrying a Rebecca Minkoff MAC Bag. $295 via Bloomingdale’s.
So the ultimate question as far as Im concerned is (excluding the DVF, Minkoff, and BCBG, which were more than likely gifted) why are there no American designers on the arms of these models, actresses, and designers during NY Fashion Week?
I’m sure plenty of models/actresses wore Alexander Wang,3.1 Philip Lim or PS bags.
I can’t speak for others, of course, but I never really think to include more American designers than I would wear on a normal day when I go to shows at Fashion Week. Beyond whether or not you should wear or carry something from the designer whose show your attending, I don’t think most people think about it.
Wow, whoever that is in head to toe Prada looks like a fashion victim to me! Yikes!
That’s kind of what she’s know for, for better or for worse.
I love seeing celebs barrying RM!! It’s nice to see them with less expensive bags instead of always carrying birkins!