February 2008 Archives

Remember how amazing Oscar's Spring '08 collection was? The Fall collection is even more stunning! Presented once again at 583 Park, Oscar wowed the house with yet another jaw dropping collection. Mr. de la Renta is indisputably the greatest American designer in fashion history. Over 40 years of gorgeous gowns, beautifully fitted suits and classic cocktail dresses yet he manages to make it appear fresh and modern every time (63 looks this season, the most we have seen all week!).

As I’m traveling and lamenting the fact that I should have brought more practical traveling accoutrements, I am loving this travel tote from Smython more and more. I am literally sitting on a plane right now, carefully balancing my birkin between my feet and using a stupid shopping bag to carry my water and sandwich lest they spill and stain my precious. Why the birkin? Well, I don’t trust the airline to deliver it back to me and besides I didn’t want to use an extra large suitcase so that I can properly pack it. I know, why do we go through all this? What I really need is a big travel tote (15.75" x 11" x 6") that is light (linen) and in a color that doesn’t easily dirty (and linen is easily cleaned with mild soap and water, but of course spot clean only) but is super cute and trimmed in my favorite color (turquoise). Voila!! I am going to call Smythson as soon as I get off the plane to order this dream travel bag of mine. The color combo of the linen and turquoise is so beautiful and has the perfect peppy pop of color you need when traveling. It’s perfect as an overnighter and really really perfect as a carryon. This can even double as my work tote when I have a lot of stuff or when I am taking my kids to auntie’s house for babysitting. The removable shoulder strap will really come in handy at the airport so unlike the rest of my bags that come with a shoulder strap, this one will stay in the bag and be used. At Smythson boutiques worldwide or online for $1450.

OK, so he wasn't actually at anything Fashion Week related, we saw him at dinner at Waverly Inn. He was just walking out as we were going in and Tina was wearing a coat from his last collection at YSL so he agreed to pose for a quick picture. He was very nice and told Tina the coat looked great on her. We've seen Ashley Olsen, Anne Hathaway, Chloe Sevigny, Rachel Zoe (ew), Angie Harmon and I can't even remember who else but it was Tom Ford that got Tina excited like a giddy little girl.

Photos courtesy of Elle.com

This collection speaks directly to my fantasy of living the high life in the country, including the medieval jousting techno music. The everyday relaxed fur hoodie or fox hunting outfit is something that can translate to suburban life, (to get back to reality). Sure the Robin Hood feather hats are a bit much for the sidewalks of New York city but if you undo the spectacle for the runway, it actually is very wearable. And then of course Carolina goes all out on her dresses and gowns - so beautiful, full of the style and grace of the olden days. My absolute favorite is the rust and silver jacquard vest with feathers over the blue corseted gown. I love the masculine with the super feminine. She also has gowns and dresses that are all out lady-like glamour - the lemon-drop colored textured chiffon dress as well as the silk twill and chiffon print dress with the copper trims. The gown to drool over is the brown melange taffeta strapless gown with feathers. I don't know how you will ever sit with the loose bow on your bum but it is by far the best look going down the runway. The entire collection stayed true and cohesive to her inspiration of the countryside with its riding outfits and elegant dinner gowns. It is always fun going to major shows like this with so much fanfare. I just wish I wasn't so distracted by the lady sitting in front of me with the purple slinky head band. So strange.

I just want to weigh in on this bag to dispel the accusation that we love anything python. We hated the B bag so as you can see here the B hobo is doubly bad. The oversize buckle sits stupidly in the middle of this unoriginal hobo. Why does it have to be so big? It’s awkward and unbalanced, like the B belt - who the hell is going to wear that and look proportionate? It’s like 2 feet high so you need at least a 6 foot torso. Seriously, Zena the Warrior Princess would have a hard time pulling that look off and could probably use it to slay dragons or whatever it is that she slays. I just don’t understand the obsession with this big buckle. I expect to receive hate emails tomorrow for talking about this because I know people who love the belt, but hey, that’s the price I pay to be a blabber mouth. So back to the bag, I find it to be an imprudent use of precious exotic. I am going to start a new organization called PAWS, People Against the Wasteful use of Skins. And we will cite bags like this as not deserving of exotic skins. I guess if you love the hobo you can get it in leather and look like a mindless slave to fashion but please save the exotic for better things. At Bergdorf Goodman for $3520.

Photos: Elle.com

Diane von Furstenberg is one of our favorite designers, season after season, she never ceases to amaze and delight. I arrived in New York on Sunday and headed straight to the tents for the DVF Fall 2008 show and the collection did not disappoint. For Fall '08, she said she was inspired by "a muse who always knew she would find her way through the rain drops... the mystery, the unknown, the infinite possibilities of a foreign affair." One who would stride through the dark streets of Berlin with a secret in her heart and diamonds sewn into the hem of her dress with a wardrobe of slender and feminine silhouettes. Classic tones of camel and charcoal were the focus, punched up with flashes of fuchsia and chartreuse silk jacquard. Houndstooth and tweed fitted jackets juxtaposed against sumptuous silk velvets and ornate embroidery gave the collection depth and character. High glossy heels and asymmetrical mini felt hats(by Jennifer Behr) finish the sultry look reminiscent of a modern day Marlene Dietrich. The DvF muse also flees to Shanghai, in mandarin collared silk dresses of florals and vibrant color- the grouping was sensuous and beautiful- my 95 year old Grandmother from Shanghai would approve. This is by far one of the best collections Diane von Furstenberg has shown, one that I will be clamoring for come Fall.

We are in New York and having a great time. I spent Sunday afternoon roaming around the city between shows (it was almost 50 degrees when I arrived, my friends say I brought the sunshine!) and soaking in the amazing energy of the greatest city on earth. I bring my toddler son here 3-4 times a year and he has grown to love "N'york", as he calls it. He especially loves going to the parks and many playgrounds the city has to offer. Like my son and I, Gucci loves New York, too! Gucci's brand new bag will salute the city it loves, 100% of the proceeds from the limited edition Gucci Loves NY bag will benefit the Playground Partners of the Central Park Conservancy. This donation will go towards the maintenance and operation of the 21 children's playgrounds in Central Park. For more information on the Conservancy, visit www.centralparknyc.org. To purchase the bag, please visit Gucci's new Flagship store at 725 Fifth Avenue.

The playful bag will come in three sizes: Small- $570, Medium-$640, Large-$690. Available starting Feb 8th.

Kelly and I are off to Fashion Week for the week and will be blogging from New York. Please bear with us if we do not post as regularly (in between party hopping we are hoping to get lots of work done!). We will be bringing you coverage both from the runway and backstage (Vera Wang, Diane von Furstenberg, Carolina Herrera, Oscar, just to name a few! Plus interviews with Bobbi Brown, Nars, and Orlando Pita!) We're also visiting major bag designers (think Zac and Anya) so we can give you sneak previews of what's to come for Fall 2008. You'll get to see the excitement of Fashion Week firsthand here at Bag Snob so stay tuned!

At 43, the editrix whose dad wrote the lyrics to Annie thinks like she's 25 and knows a trend when she sees one. Which is why, after six years at Allure, she bolted for—of all places—Us Weekly. Though it lacks hauteur, fashion flacks say landing a shot of a Simpson sister holding a label's latest It bag in one of Morrison's coveted red-carpet pages moves more merch than a full-page image in a highly art-directed Condé glossy. And when one of Morrison's minions calls in a sample, even the most prickly of PR reps tells the messenger to hustle.