September 2006 Archives

As my Bag Snob partner stated, Fashion Week is exhausting! But SO much fun and a good excuse for imbibing a large amount of champagne and buying everything at Barneys. We caught up with old friends and made new ones, saw a couple of shows and also had a few celeb sightings that we'll be dishing about later. According to the Wallstreet Journal, we were one of only 40 bloggers who were accredited with a press pass from IMG, the company that runs Fashion Week (thanks Andrew!) and extended invitations to the shows. Lesley Scott from Fashiontribes (the mother of all blogs!) even scored a seat in the forth row at some shows! Maybe next season they'll seat us next to Anna Wintour :) But on to the important stuff. More spring '07 fashion! Oscar de la Renta, the king of low key elegance, showed another strong collection full of floral prints and bold colors. This is a younger collection than what we're used to seeing from Oscar with higher hemlines and youthful silhouettes but still filled with his mainstay evening gowns that socialites and movie stars love.

Oscar de la Renta

In this highly anticipated and much talked about 2nd season for 3.1, Phillip Lim takes down 7th Ave with a collection that will make Marc Jacobs cringe with insecurity. Well, there were few glitches and tardiness but hey, it's show biz. I worked runway shows before in a past life, and it is never easy (Naomi Campbell claimed the tents were too cold and refused to go to makeup; Tatiana Patitz eats it on the runway when her roman style strappy sandals come undone and the rest of the models wouldn't go after her). But all that is irrelevant cuz I'm telling you, this guy is taking over! His Spring collection is mostly white and very simple, but the cut, fabric and just the right amount of detailing makes every piece wearable on a daily basis yet fit to be a collectors item. Now, who else can you say that about? This is what we all look for when we build our wardrobe, polished yet wearable, and as simple as that sounds it is nearly impossible to get it right, but ladies, here it is. I own several of his dresses including a little white strapless from Net-a-Porter that I wore everywhere ALL summer. His spring '07 line was crisp and refreshing and so easy, I know what I'll be wearing next summer.

Fresh off the runway is Carolina Herrera's gorgeous spring collection from this morning. Now here is a woman who oozes taste and style, she couldn't be tacky if she tried. Carolina Herrera is one of my all time favorites because everything she designs is so flattering and feminine! Her collection was once again filled with elegant stylish dresses, I especially love the little red silk dress with detachable shaw, I can just see myself dazzling Stella Bennet and my fashionista girlfriends in it! (come on, you know you dress for your girlfriends and not your boyfriend or hubby cuz what the hell do they know) You just feel good when you are well dressed and you will ALWAYS be well dressed in Carolina Herrera.

Who is funding this stupid line of clothing now that she's separated from Russell Simmons? Or is it part of her pre-nup? Kimora Lee Simmons is the epitome of tacky and bad taste, as seen on the runway Friday night during her show (let's not even get into those Baby Phat ads where she's dressed up as a blonde hooker). She sent models out wearing 'grillz' made from rubies and diamonds as a diversion from the ugly clothes she showed (those of you not down with ghetto accessories, go to Jewel Snob for crash course and yes, that's also me. What? did you think I was only into bags? :). I tried to find something nice to say about her collection but it is hard when every single piece looked like the fashion "don't" section in Glamour. You know, like don't wear giant tropical leaf on head when going out in public, don't forget to wear your bra under your vest, don't cinch a jacket with shoulder pads with a leopard belt while wearing fingerless gloves, don't tease your hair more than a foot high, etc. Well, the Bag Snob's advice to Kimora Lee is DON'T divorce Russell Simmons cuz you're better as a hip hop mogul trophy wife.

I am completely exhausted from Fashion Week, shopping (my legs, feet and credit cards no longer work), eating (Blue Ribbon Sushi, yum!!) and partying (let's just say vodka was had and it is not leaving my body) in NYC but I wanted to do a quick update on what we're seeing that's making us want to spend more money. More to come later in the week when the headliners show.

Diane von Furstenberg

No need for any review here, size 6 please and here is my credit card. Diane is a staple in my life.

Europeans know that Longchamp is the brand to buy when looking for a lightweight and functional travel bag. Better known for it's ultra light nylon bags that fold into the size of a card, the design house is branching out with a new line of luxurious leather and suede bags with Kate Moss as it's latest muse (by the way, who isn't Kate working for these days?) The new 4x4 travel bag (no idea about the name, maybe it fits stuff for 4 days and 4 nights?) is available both in camel leather and chocolate suede and has multi pockets both inside and outside the bag which I love for stashing beauty essentials that I can access easily on a flight. As you can see, this is a roomy travel bag, Kate can almost fit in it. We are off to New York for Fashion Week so we might treat ourselves to one! My bet is they are featherweight compared to our birkins. At Longchamp worldwide or call 1-866-LONGCHAMP

Fab Sugar is kirked over Jessica Simpson's sunglasses but I'm wondering what the hell she is wearing and what kind of bra she has on under that??

Have you heard about this? eBeauty Daily reviewed nail stickers from Avon. I don't know if I'm ready to give up my weekly ritual of manicure/pedicures, and I really can't see myself using stickers on my nails.

eBelle 5 has a nice history of Hermes and a really cheap vintage on eBay. Can it be real?

Fashion Addicts Diary warns of credit card debt as Marni's online store opens. Luckily, Marni is well priced for all its cuteness.

Fashiontribes' pick of the week is this totally fab Fendi tunic.

We love Kate Moss but the people at Ostentatious Style REALLY love Kate Moss.

Luxist has a story of a stolen wedding gown. If you're the bride who plans on wearing this for your big day, I have one word for you: karma.

Fashion Style Chic is really excited about L.A.M.B.'s new line of bags. Gwen Stephani is ultra cool but we will need to see for ourselves if her bags are worthy.

The Stylephile has someone to spruce up my closet? Hook me up!

High Fashion Girl show some really amazing Japanese designers.

Couture in the City - Absolutely red is the best color for gloomy weather in the midst of a somber fall palette.

Ever wonder what's on the dessert tray for the Bag Snobs? Bag shaped cookies of course. Red Envelope have these adorable edibles exclusively from Eleni's Bakery in Manhattan's Chelsea Market. Go ahead and indulge, 10% of proceeds go toward Entertainment Industry Foundation's Women's Cancer Research Fund.

Check out the sleuthiness of Paz at Daily chronicle show, she uncovered the secret to the Hermes Kelly.

We agreed to host the Carnivale of Couture for next week. We feel it is appropriate, since this is the week of September 11 and Fashion Week, to honor Americans who have contributed to fashion (as in designers, historical figures, celebrities) as well as fashion icons that are purely Americana (for example jeans). So here is our quest for fellow bloggers: What American icon is the most influential in what is going on in fashion today, in general or personally? Please email links to us by Monday. Thanks.

In the movie Team America: World Police, Gary, the actor, goes undercover as a terrorist with this disguise. Thus was the inspiration for this Ferragamo Sami bag. I think the movie is brilliant and awe inspiring. Trey Parker and Matt Stone would be proud knowing they fathered this creative design. Maybe not, but the idea of a disgustingly hideous patchy facial hair bag is not exactly something you can come up with totally on your own. At Saks for $1590.

Which bag costs more?

A )Louis Vuitton Monogram Leopard Pleated Steamer Bag- Pleated canvas (another word for plastic covered PVC), faux leopard pattern on sheared calf, golden watersnake trimmings, removable "tortoise" acrylic (also a word for plastic) chain.

B) Hermes Blue Jean Togo Birkin size 35cm in palladium hardware- 100% handcrafted togo leather, 100% handstitched, takes 30+ hours to complete.

Answer: