February 2007 Archives

Lion's Group International (owned by Texas gazillionaire Tom Hicks) purchased Jimmy Choo in 2004 and decided they've made enough money on their investment so they've sold it to TowerBrook Capital for $364.5 million dollars this week. Tamara Mellon remains as figurehead and says she plans to expand into sunglasses, lingerie, and swimwear under the Jimmy Choo brand. Sandra Choi, Jimmy Choo's niece, will stay on as Creative Director. Maybe we'll see an improvement in it's line of bags but don't hold your breath.

Coach, the most popular affordable bag line ($195 - $300) in the world, has aspiration to capture the higher end market with it's new line named Coach Legacy (an alligator bag is $10,000, leather bags range from $495-$795). My question is, if you had ten grand to blow, would you buy a Coach bag made in China? Or would you go straight to Hermes and invest in a birkin or kelly? My opinion is that you can not go high once you've established yourself as the bargain brand because there is no perceived value attached to the brand. Existing luxury brands, however, do well expanding into lower end lines. For example, should Hermes ever branch out to the lower end market, they would do a bang up business because who wouldn't want a little piece of Hermes at a fraction of the price? I mean look at the Legacy bag featured above, I don't care what they call it, it still looks like a $200 Coach bag to me. "Coach Legacy" boutiques to open in LA on Robertson Blvd. and in New York on Bleeker St. in the Fall. What are your thoughts on Coach's new higher end line?

My husband surprised me with a Vantage Volante DB-7 Aston Martin convertible in shimmering pacific ocean blue that sparkled in the sun when we got engaged 7 years ago (how else was he going to lure me to Texas from LA?). It had seats made of cream colored Connolly leather trimmed with blue and it was magnificent! Connolly leather is the best in the world, the smell is incredible and it really is soft as buttah, I want to make bags with it! There was a red button to start the car (like an airplane!) and even when pushed over 90 miles/hour, it was the smoothest ride you'll ever take. I sold it when I became pregnant but I will get another one the minute my son is out of his car seat. It is my favorite car in the world, thus, the news of LVMH's impending purchase of Aston Martin is a scary thought to me. Are they going to replace the lush Conolly leather with vinyl seats covered in the LV logo?

I have not seen anything from the Fall '07 runways that have excited me as much as Phillip Lim's interpretation of the season. He's been a favorite of mine since he debuted his ultra stylish and very wearable 3.1 line a few seasons ago. I wear his clothes often, it's so easy to grab one of his cute little dresses or long gowns when I want to feel special! I purchased a fabulous dove grey full length gown from Barneys that is reminiscent of old Hollywood glam from Phillip's recent collection and I can not begin to describe to you how well each pleat and fold fits on my body. Everything is perfect about the 3.1 line, the look, the fit, and the best part, the affordable price point.

We are really loving Celine these days, as if you couldn't already tell. Since Celine's Bittersweet won the poll as everyone's favorite shiny mirrored bag, we thought we'd share the white pebbled leather version with you as well. White is in fact THE color that goes with everything, not black. That is why every Spring there is a frantic search for the best white bags out there. This may not be THE best (the Lanvin Maxi-Miss is), but this bag is much more versatile and practical. Another Celine favorite is the Buffalo tote in silver, which is a flashier alternative to white for summer nights. I love the clean simple lines of this bag and of course, the very handy outer pockets are really well thought out. You can't go wrong with the classic beautiful elegance of Celine. Bittersweet at eLuxury for $1050 and Buffalo tote at Neiman Marcus for $1250.

Photo by Mario Testino- courtesy of Carine Roitfeld

It's fitting that we kick off Fashion Week with an exclusive interview with the most fashionable woman in the world, Carine Roitfeld. You know her as the stylish Editor of Paris Vogue but did you know that it's her family, not fashion, that rocks her world? Carine is a devoted mother and has been with her partner, Christian Restoin, for 30 years! Her children, Julia and Vladmir, are both studying in the US but she stays close with daily phone calls and taking several vacations with them throughout the year (they just spent the holidays in Australia and they often rent a house in St. Barts for the summer). She is a fiercely loyal and faithful friend and no matter how busy or tired, it is important to her to make time for a quick lunch or coffee with friends because she values the relationships in her life more than the latest "it" bags. She is infatuated with shoes however, and when asked what her favorite shoes are of the moment, she says "YSL" and was seen in the entire collection of killer stilettos last Fall. You won't ever catch her in flats unless she is on the beach! For looks off the Spring '07 runway, she says she loves "Prada" and we couldn't agree more! Although you will not find her cooking on a regular basis with her hectic schedule, she is known to whip up a gourmet feast with friends while on vacation (although in LA, she prefers to dine at Mr. Chows). She's been called terrifyingly chic, I found her to be terrifyingly nice, she replied to my emails personally from her Blackberry and was very accomodating about scheduling our phone interview. Even though she was in the midst of pre-Fashion Week rush, she took time to answer our questions:

Beauty Snob shares the "Miracle" cream from Chantecaille!

Fab Sugar reports from the Fall '07 runway- Miss Sixty delivers a lot of flash with a bit of trash.

Wedging your bets. My Fashion Life checks out which wedges are the best investment

Coquette brings you wide-leg jean picks inspired by Kate Moss

The spring couture runways are gorgeous as a geisha & just as elaborate says Fashiontribes.

Whether you're in love, lust, or just some serious like, StyleBakery.com offers some red hot Valentine's Day gifts for him and her

Spring for a Steal! Second City Style tells you how to budget for next season’s wardrobe.

It's hard to see what this bag is all about from this picture but believe me, it is majorly cool. We are continually impressed by Miu Miu and all their different creations, from the super cute Bow Satchel to this ultra street chic woven metallic bag. The gold metallic is slightly distressed so it's not super shiny gold, it's shimmery and gorgeous. I really love the sheer woven exterior over-sized pockets because it gives the bag its edge but it is also extremely functional. Think of those times when you have a bottle of water, keys and your wallet all in your hands while you are trying to a) put money in the meter b) get coffee on the run c) pay a valet or d) take your pick of any of my frazzled disorganized moments throughout my day. Just throw everything in the outer pockets until you get your act together and walk away with calm and dignity. Available at Bergdorf Goodman for $1475.

Our lucky winner of the Nuti Ostrich Clutch is Claire from Beverly Hills. Congratulations! She will be looking quite fabulous this Spring with the amazing butter ostrich in her hands. She is in shock and doesn't believe she actually won but we will have her send us a little note when she receives the bag to let us know how much she loves it. Don't forget to enter our Valentine's Sweepstakes to win the Red HOT Poppie Couture clutch!!

Metallic clutch $750
With the Oscars just around the corner you can bet your bag collection that stylists are racing to find the next "it" clutch for starlets to pair with their gowns. My bet is on Roger Vivier, I have always loved his shoes (I am only 5' tall so of course the man credited with inventing the stiletto is my hero!) and now I am in love with his fabulous line of clutches. His signature buckles have adorned the feet of Hollywood icons for decades (remember Catherine Deneuve's pilgrim buckle pumps in "Belle du Jour"?) and now it sits prettily on his bags. Even though Vivier passed away in 1998, the house of Roger Vivier is stronger than ever after being purchased by Diego Della Valle of Tod's (and you wonder why I love it!) in 2000 with Bruno Frisoni as it's creative designer. There is a mile long wait list at Bergdorf's for this silver metallic clutch so you better get on it now, my prediction is that it will sell out before Spring arrives. $750 at Bergdorf Goodman

Roger Vivier crocodile clutch available from the rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré store +331-5343-0000 and the London store on Sloane St. +44 (0) 20 7245 8270