March 2007 Archives

This is a metallic silver alligator clutch with 18-carat white gold hardware encrusted with 1,500 black and white diamonds. Is it fab? Yes, only because just one is made every year. And sure, having a clutch full of diamonds has got to make a girl feel a little like Marilyn Monroe but what does that really get you? To be honest, as far as clutches go, this is not even all that. The style is very mature, the shape is typical and having all your diamonds on one clutch doesn't seem to make much sense. For $100,000 wouldn't you rather have one giant perfect rock? According to Abazias Diamonds, I can get a flawless emerald cut diamond that is 3.73 carats and D color (the most perfect of white) for the same money. Or you can go wild and get a 6 ct with a less desirable H color but still excellent clarity of VS1 for 100K. I personally think color is more important than clarity because you can see how white a diamond is with the naked eye but you need a special microscope in a pitch dark room to see the inclusions (flaws) of a diamond. For more diamond entertainment, you can check it out yourself at the Abazias website and play with the super fun diamond finder. To purchase the clutch, contact Lana Marks at 212-355-6135.

This week's Web Snob is sure to please. Get your dose of fashion for your relaxed Friday and get ready for a fun weekend!

Fab Sugar has a Spring Handbag Guide you will want to see!

Coquette shows you the latest fashions in Nude, the new "in" color.

Beauty Snob looks young from head to neck with the new Natura Bisse Tensolift Neck Cream.

At last! eBeautyDaily discovers why our hair turns gray!

Girlawhirl's Fall 07 Fashion Wrap Up.

Papierblog looks at the Indian Fashion Week that was including a look back at Manish Arora.

Hayden-Harnett is out of the bag and into apparel. Second City Style has the interview with the designer about this super cute new line.

Britney Spears hires Rachel Zoe, or at least Stylebites is sure of it

The beauty of Valextra is in it's simplicity of design and uncompromising Italian workmanship. Actually, it's so simple that the splendor is lost on most consumers as it takes a very special woman to understand the subtle luxury of a Valextra bag. The Valextra woman is not an attention seeking bimbo, she is a woman who delights in the satisfaction of quiet opulence without need for giant logos nor monogram. These are not trendy bags that last one season but bags you collect and actually use, year after year after year. A worthy investment for any true Bag Snob! I am really into the lipstick red Linea bag and the white alligator bag in medium, definitely on top of the list for my next bag purchase! At Barneys New York in Dallas 469.221.4725

Top left: Red Boston bag, Top right: Canvas/Leather travel
Bottom left: Alligator bag Bottom right: Red Linea bag

Marni Balloon Bag $1,317, available in three sizes
If the balloon bag from Marni does not bring out the frisky youthful side of you I don't know what will. What a fun and fresh take on the hobo bag! I like the detachable long shoulder strap so you can adjust to your bag mood accordingly. The interior is lined in canvas which you can access without any zippers getting in your way. There are many colors available but I am digging the gray patent leather, not as flashy as silver but still shiny and glam. Consuela Castiglioni has developed a cult following in the 12 years since she launched Marni under the Castigioni family business, Giwi Furs (which explains all the fabulous fur boleros she does for Marni!) but is poised for mainstream success after showing stellar collections season after season. Marni has always been an easy line to wear, you throw on a Marni dress and wrap a Marni bag around your wrist and instantly feel hip and cool. The launch of its online boutique last year means you can score hard to find Marni goodies and feed your Marni addiction 24/7! www.marni.com
Marni Dress $1,101
If you live in Dallas and want instant gratification, you can find a large collection of Marni at 4510, the ultimate boutique for the fashionable set. I was there yesterday and bought a half dozen pieces from Marni, Dries, and other fabulous designers that I can actually wear during the day while running around with my toddler or dress up for date nights with my husband. Brian Bolke of 4510 understands it's every women's desire to look stylish without having to put too much thought into it so he stocks the store with effortlessly chic pieces for women of all shapes and tastes. He also has an amazing selection of the Marni patent balloon bag, dresses and shoes! Go check it out for yourself- 4510 McKinney Ave. or call 214-559-4510 and ask for Heather Hayler, my new fave S/A there, just don't hate her for being so skinny and cute :)

$950 at Neiman Marcus
There was a day when I wouldn't be caught dead in a designer's secondary or "bridge" line, merely because they were usually designed as an after thought and poorly made. That said, there are some bridge lines created not merely to offer a cheaper version of the original but for a younger and alternative taste. Hogan and Miu Miu have actually surpassed the popularity of it's predecessors and rightly so. Check out the latest Dune bag from Hogan in silver metallic, it's way cuter than anything I've seen from Tod's this season and half the price! Hogan is made with the same gorgeous detail and high quality leather you've come to associate with Tod's but with a funkier edge. The Dune bag has all the makings of a great bag, soft slouchy leather with functional outer pockets that blend with the design instead of standing out like a sore thumb (or tongue). It also comes in bronze with matching flats, the season's must have shoe. The price is not bad either, $950 at Neiman Marcus.

Is it me or does Sara Michelle Geller look like a dwarf carrying this Lanvin Kentucky tote? If you're only 62 inches tall, you should not carry a bag that's a third of your height and dragging down to your ankles. This is a bag made for glamazons like Charlize Theron and Cameron Diaz. Sara Michelle should have gone with the Kansas tote, it would have made her look taller and saved her from the risk of tripping over her own bag. Lanvin bags at Barneys New York.

Photo: People.com

Actual size of YSL Downtown Mini

We're annoyed with monstrously large bags that sleep parties of 5 but what about the opposite end of the spectrum? Baby bags so tiny that only monopoly money will fit inside are just as useless. Our Guest Editor, the Bag Wh*@# (Real life fashion editor of one of our favorite magazines!), reports:

The other day, I almost took a tinkle in my La Perlas because of something I saw. The Downtown patent YSL bag is being produced in mini size...so your pocket-sized Olsen-esque friend or spoiled toddler can carry her very own. I don't think they were thinking of MK and Ashley but whoever is under five feet, hates big satchels and wants the fashion can stop complaining because YSL has the bag for you. It's completely sick and wrong -it's only about four dollars less than the mid size or xtra large versions. It turns out that Marc has minis on Mercer too. And you know you can get L'il Louis Speedys and baby Birkins that fit in your palm. What's going on here? Everyone's so....adjustable an accommodating....I'm not sure I like that. The Bag Wh*@# doesn't want to ever be common or pedestrian.

Speaking of strange bags-did you hear that Paris Ho-ton and Nicole Bitchie will be gracing a Harper's Bazaar cover shortly? Will that SELL? Who cares other than Samantha Thavasa? I'm sure there will be some stirring and shaking but the Bag Wh*@# is too much of a lady to discuss rumblings in someone's trousers. I guess I'm suppose to know this but who the hell IS Samantha Thavasa? The stuff is neither witty, drop dead gorgeous or chic. They're barking! Get rid of these two. Am I alone here?

This is one of the best bags I've ever laid my eyes on. It's a totally brilliant design combining black lizard and ostrich with the stark simplicity of natural linen. There is amazing texture and interest, yet the whole thing is serene and clean and just gorgeous! Even the hardware is understated chic topped with black onyx for the Kara Ross touch. She is a jewelry designer and dabbles in bags but this clutch obviously shows that she is not stretching her talents. Look at the interior - the flap envelope pocket, magnetic closure and functional removale strap are features that seasoned bag designers are known for. I can use this all summer, it's all I need (for my clutch needs that is)! At Vivre for $1995. Don't forget, Bag Snobs get free shipping with coupon code: BSBVIV.

We have to give props to Gwen for daring to be seen in her L.A.M.B designs, including the hideous Rasta Bag. I mean have you ever seen Jessica carry her namesake line of bags or shoes? Gwen is a rock star in the truest sense so she gets away with things like pink corn rows, purple braces, and basically dressing like a clown. Here she is in front of the Ivy on Robertson, the trendiest place to see and be seen. I remember back in my senior year in high school when the Ivy was a place to go to for a nice quiet lunch before a shopping treat with my aunt. It's now a total zoo! Anyway, how do you think Kingston's mom looks on her way to lunch? Snob or Slob?
(By the way, Gwen was on top of our "It" girl list and is one of my heros, just so you don't think I am 'biased'.)

White Karung clutch $380


Purple Ostrich leg wallet/clutch by R & Y Augousti, $204 at Barneys.com

My friend Terry (who just had twins, congratulations Tei Tei! Love you!) has been obsessing over R & Y Augousti furnishings for years, when she saw their new line of clutches and wallets last summer, she totally flipped and started harassing me about doing a story on them. The husband and wife team met at a London design firm after graduating from design school and have worked and lived together for almost 20 years. (Ria is Filipina like Terry and Yiouri is Greek, click here to read interview with them) Their line of furniture and home accessories have graced the rooms of the fashionable set since it launched in 1990 and now they plan to decorate the arms of their clients as well. I love the line of exotic clutches and wallets made mostly of python and ostrich, the pieces are classics with contemporary sensibilities. Price points are also very reasonable; most clutches are under $350 and are sold at Barneys New York. Call 469.221.4725 or drop by Barneys to see for yourself! While you're there, you should check out their home accessories too, I like the trays and picture frames, they're small chic pieces you can add to any decor.

Above pictures courtesy of R&Y Augousti