March 2007 Archives

I am super irritated by the latest trend of clear PVC see thru bags; not only are they ugly and cheap looking, they're outrageously expensive (like this Dolce bag - $1,725 for a piece of plastic crap). Why would you want to expose all of your personal belongings to the world? How embarassing each month during that "time" to have your feminine products in full view. This is an extension of the pantyless generation who flash their baby making parts at photographers desperate for attention so unless you are Paris, Brittany, or an employee at Neiman Marcus, there is no reason to be caught dead with any of these ridiculous bags. And seriously, keep your business to yourself! At Neiman Marcus

UPDATE: I was so agitated I forgot to mention the detriment to the environment and to our health from production of PVC! This is why there are so many weird cancers in Taiwan (the world's largest manufacturer of PVC). Read our next post about "I'm not a plastic bag" and how you can help!

More PVC bags for your entertainment after the jump

Halle Berry is one of those gorgeous girls who wake up looking beautiful (her hottie boyfriend is not so bad either :). But how do you think she looks while running errands? I personally like her sleek pulled back hair, big movie star sunglasses, and simple gold chain necklace. She's casual yet there is still a bit of glam about her. I am not as crazy about her strapless jumpuit. What do you think? Snob or Slob? And can you guess the designer of the bag she's totin'?

Judging from the Chloe Fall 2007 collection, this is possibly the last of the great bags from the House of Chloe. It didn't move me enough at first to dip into my Bag Snob fund but it's definitely growing on me, especially in the white cracked leather version. A retro bag inspired by 1970s luggage (which would explain all the dangling tags Kelly hates), the Bay is one of the hottest bags of the moment not to mention a favorite of fashion editors in New York. Aside from the annoying luggage tags, I like the quilted detail on the functional outer pocket, it zips from corner to corner so you'll actually be able to put large items in it like wallet, keys, or blackberry. Wear it with these super chic Chloe circle buckle flats and you'll instantly update your summer wardrobe.
At Net-a-Porter, Bag for $1635, Shoes $520. Free shipping til March 28 with code: FREESHIP

From Page Six of the New York Post: "Anna Wintour is as picky with words as she is with her wardrobe. According to one Vogue-er, "They are expanding the Vogue Web site and getting more involved with the Internet. But Anna hates the word 'blog' so much, she refuses to call anything on her site a blog and has charged her staff with coming up with a new word that isn't as garish-sounding. She wants it ASAP - in time for launch." However, a source close to Wintour said, "Anna just doesn't want people to refer to stories as blogs, because they're not. It's an improper use of the word." A rep said, "Anna has nothing against blogs." source: Page Six.com

I agree with Ms. Wintour regarding the word "Blog". My friends and I prefer to call ourselves Online Publishers.

Check out this week's must read Web Snob!

Beauty Snob has a beauty secret only breastfeeding moms would know about and it has to do with pretty feet!

Fab Sugar helps us transition our wardrobe from Winter to Spring with layering options (the look includes a Bottega bag!).

Coquette loves the sleek look of dressed up bermuda shorts and gives her favorite picks.

Wrapped in peach-pink satin and midnight-black lace, KRiSTOPHER's sure these Lacey Bruno Frisoni Shoes are pure you.

SheFinds - Once you go Brazilian – you never go back -- Funny Video!

Second City Style's Annual Beauty Olympics Week 2: Lips/Eyes. We tested 100's of products so you don't have to.

If you just read the profile on Julie Gilhart, style guru extraordinaire, you are probably wondering, "what are these Thomas Wylde bags she speaks of?" Here is one that we are diggin' in distressed leather. The rock 'n roll style makes this is a total LA bag. I can see myself running around wearing something casual, not necessarily matching, and rounding off the whole thing with this tote for the look of being stylish without bothering to try (I've lived in LA long enough to be aware of the ridiculousness of it all but sadly enough, I actually claim this to be a personal style of mine). I love the showy studs - I am usually turned off by tacky bedazzling of any kind but the pattern on here is chic and interesting and is not placed there randomly just to be fancy. It also has the very functional exterior pockets we love so much and the bag hangs nicely under the arms for city girls who need to do a lot of walking without their bags getting in their way. At Net-a-Porter for $2275.

Photo credit: Courtney Perry for F!D
I had the privilege of meeting one of the most powerful figures in the fashion industry, Julie Gilhart- Fashion Director and Senior VP of Barneys New York, last month in Dallas. I was invited to attend a breakfast with her and although I was inexcusably late she was kind enough to spend an hour with me after breakfast to talk about fashion (and by the way, talking to Julie about fashion is like talking to the Dalai Lama about buddhism!).

Background

Julie grew up in Dallas but always wanted to be a surfer girl (she now surfs regularly). Her first job was at Lily Pulitzer and she went to work for Neiman Marcus after college as the Assistant Buyer to Benita Downing, one of the great legendary buyers of NM who traveled extensively with Stanley Marcus.

 
The Love of Bags
As with all the uber fashionable, Julie has a thing for bags. The classics she loves are Balenciaga (which Barneys was the first to carry in the US) and Givenchy. For Spring she has chosen the Lanvin clutch/tote, the white Balenciaga with gold grommets and the Givenchy Clarabelle. Currently, she has been toting around her fave - the Bottega Veneta beluga tote in black (which Bottega has renamed "Julie"), other than the braided handle, it is non-recognizable as anything but a beautifully made bag. As for the “it bag” phenomenon, she thinks it instantly makes a bag non “it” when it's being marketed or called "it". Either you got it or you don't. When asked if there were any bags to watch for, she had a couple immediately in mind; Valextra, for their beautifully made structured classic lines and Paula Thomas for Thomas Wylde.

With all the hoopla over the Louis Vuitton patchwork mess, Roberto Cavalli must be feeling lonely and neglected. We've refrained from ragging on the leopard and flower prints that usually assault Cavalli designs cuz hey, we've given in to an occasional leopard whim ourselves and Kelly certainly has had her share of floral violations in her Ferragamo days but seriously, there is never, EVER, an excuse for carrying a bag described as "Lace Giraffe". Don't let anyone fool you, Giraffe is not the new Leopard. Just look at this bag, is there anything that remotely resembles a bag that anyone in their right minds would carry? Not only is it an ugly Giraffe trimmed in lace, it's apparently a Giraffe with warts. We know this is the Just Cavalli diffusion line meant for a younger consumer or one with lesser financial means but come on, just cuz one is young or lacking in funds does not mean they have no taste. $430 at eLuxury

Inspired by a vintage Cooper saddle carrier, the luxurious Ricky bag from Ralph Lauren is crafted from exquisite American alligator and finished with custom Italian hardware. It's also one of the best deals in exotic bags on the market. The Burberry crocodile bag is $22,000 and a Croc Hermes birkin is $30,000, in comparison the Ricky gator bag is a mere $14,000, which means you can make your mortgage payment and look stylish. (What's the difference you ask? Alligators are the giant scary reptiles from America, Crocodiles are the giant scary reptiles from the rest of the world). I know what you're thinking, it resembles the birkin but think of it as the American equestrian interpretation. I played around with it and also like the birkin, it's best used open to avoid the hassle of getting in and out of the straps. And seriously, do you not want to dive in to the Ralph Lauren catalogue and live his vision? It's available in half a dozen shades and four sizes, but I love the glossy black version, it's a classic that will last a lifetime. Call Dana Guercio at the Ralph Lauren store in Highland Park 214-522-5270 to purchase!

PRICE UPDATE: $14,000 for 35cm, $10,000 for 30cm, call Dana for the price of 25cm.

It took arctic winds sweeping through New York city for Lindsay Lohan to cover up her overexposed body. We actually think she looks nice while shopping in the Meat Packing district last week. We also love the blush pink metallic bag she is sporting. The first person to name her bag will receive a super cool "Bag Hook" engraved with Bag Snob to identify you as one of us :) We've been hanging our birkins all over New York city with this very useful hook. Leave your answer in comments, our system will clock you so you don't have to worry about cheaters stealing your answer. WE'RE HAVING SUCH OVERWHELMING RESPONSE TO THE QUIZ, WE'VE DECIDED TO GIVE AWAY 5 OF THE HOOKS! I will start posting the comments once the first 5 have responded correctly.

CONGRATULATIONS TO Erika, Rachel, Rachel, Kerrie, and Shopdiary for being the first to answer correctly! Your Bag Snob bag hooks will be on it's way to you shortly~