July 2008 Archives

An entire wall covered with Longchamp's famous colorful nylon totes

This week La Maison Unique Longchamp celebrated their 60th anniversary (on Bastille Day!), with a party on the rooftop of their gorgeous Soho boutique. The event was catered by Tastings, the catering arm of Payard (which I recognized immediately since I live right by the wonderful Patisserie and Bistro...the downside to fab catering is that I think I gained 5lb...), and was DJd by Paul Sevigny. There was also an art installation by Belgian artist Jean-Luc Moerman produced by Deitch Projects. Jean-Luc Moerman has actually designed 60 bags for Longchamp (to commemorate their 60 years), that all have his signature loops and scribbles. At the event you could get impermanent tattoos to match the art (of note was a bald man who had a tattoo put on his shinny head!). Among the celebs in attendance were Julianne Moore, Susan Sarandon, Brooke Shields, Lindsay Price, Fern Mallis, Robert Verdi, and countless other movers and shakers in the fashion, art, and entertainment worlds. It was truly an amazingly well executed event to celebrate all of Longchamp's contributions to the handbag industry. See more photos after the jump!

For 10 years, the Louis Vuitton City Guides have been capturing the spirit of cities. Now with the new 2009 edition, there are many new destinations, a new design, and new sections. To celebrate ten years of traveling throughout Europe, the new collection of Louis Vuitton City Guides will appear in a revised format on 15 October. I received a set of the LV City Guides right before I left for my trip to Paris and it was the most useful thing next to having my passport! The guide is full of wonderful suggestions for restaurants, hotels, sightseeing as well as local destinations that are not usually on a tourist's radar. With my Louis Vuitton guides, I discovered many treasures on my trip-- including a 250 year old candy store in Paris which is still operated the same way it has been since 1761 with all the candy made on site! The newly revised City guides will be available at LV boutiques worldwide on October 15th. Whether you're headed to Asia, Europe or just a quick getaway to Miami-- get the City Guides from LV before your next trip and you will have the best time of your life! Prices range from 25 Euros and up.

Photo: courtesy of Louis Vuiton

Renee Rouleau's Synergy 7 is the ultimate Beauty Snob facial!

Tot Snob loves Enchanted Enfant Couture!

Purse Blog has Blake Lively's style: D&G Handbag!

The Thoughful Dressershows you how Rules Are Made to Be Broken!

Fab Sugar has a Fall Glimpse: Ice Ice Baby!

You don't really think of Gianfranco Ferre when you are shopping for a bag but they have really amazingly interesting bags. They are avante-garde and very engineered, that is the only word I can think of because their bags are technical and futuristic almost in design. They have an entire mens bag collection that most will debate as to whether it is for men. When I saw this bag, I totally went nuts until I realized it was printed python instead of real python. Their bag collection is not cheap so I don't know why they wouldn't just make this with the real deal, and exotic skin these days have come a long way in durability, pliability and finishes. It is still a kick ass fabulous design with the the diagonal pleats and loose bow, except I would rather have it in a textured leather if it can't be in real python. And how cool would this be in croc? Nancy Gonzales uses the softest crocodile that folds and bends so I don't see why this couldn't be accomplished with that skin. This is a new bag for Fall that is not out in their boutiques yet so I do not have a price. I guess the reason most people don't know about Ferre bags is because their PR is inept or non-existent. I went through 2 different sources to contact their corporate office for details on this bag and although both were able to speak to someone, they would not or could not give answers. Well, it could be a good thing, no one would ever know what this bag is, you could stump your friends and make a game out of it. I will update with more info when (and if) I get it. But I will be checking out their Two Rodeo boutique more often now!

Are you loving the Mod Squad trend of late? Live life on the edge with this slightly edgy and super cool Coppola tote in contrasting patent leathers and nude handle. Green has been everywhere but an all green bag might be a bit too much and hard to use, but in this combo it is win-win. I am not sure I can rock it in my advanced age but for a young and hip chick with some high boots and mini-skirt, it is smoking hot and beyond! You also get all the functional trappings of a reliable Anya Hindmarch bag, girls should learn to be practical at an early age, it will save time and frustration which leads to wrinkles =) At Saks Fifth Avenue for $1235.

Congratulations to our winners! Fendi - Rachel F. of UTAH
and Miu Miu - Anne B. of Alabama

Choose the Miu Miu Ruched Frame or the Fendi doctor bag

Left Bag: $2995 Right Bag: $2595 Left Bag: $3495 Right Bag: $3850 Many of you asked me about the Mademoiselle group of bags from the Chanel Paris-London collection after I posted my Paris splurge and I am just following up. Unfortunately my purple bowler bag with petite matelasse is not available in the US-- my friend Melinda has been on a relentless hunt for it and I had to break the bad news for her last weekend. I did offer her a solution, fly to Paris and pick it up in person and enjoy a nice vacation! Though I am fairly certain Jessica from the Paris boutique will send it to her, it would make for a better story if she actually flew out herself, don't you think? The entire group is fabulous in glazed calfskin but I especially love the petite matelasse, it's a fresh and young version of the classic Chanel quilt, I am certain Mademoiselle Chanel herself would approve. Call Alexis at the Chanel boutique if you are interested in any of the above bags. 214-520-1055 Photos courtesy of Chanel USA

I am in a disco mood because I have been going out lately and discovered that it still can be fun if you're with the right people and stick to Grey Goose and soda (no colorful and sugary cocktails and no mixing)! Maybe I have been hormonal for the last 4 years and thought it was my age making me so crotchety but I am feeling quite frisky these days. And with this new spring in my step, I am in need of this total disco bag for nights out with a fun party dress. It is made of the metallic mesh like those halters from the 70's. I was a decade too late to party at Studio 54 (plus I don't and never have done drugs so I wouldn't have been happy there) but if you can time travel, you would bring down the house with this bracelet clutch! The bracelet is removable if you need a clutch for a more serious occasion but what is great is that the bracelet is a fabulous cuff all by itself. A definite 2-for-1 deal here because that cuff will run you a good $400 by itself. At Net a Porter for $1165.

Buy a purse with purpose…more than just for looking fabulous! Abi Ferrin has her chic new clutches made in Cambodia by women rescued out of the sex trade- $80.

All you have to do is buy a bag to help provide food, shelter, and education to woman and children rescued from prostitution in Cambodia. How easy is that? For only $80, go ahead and buy one in all 10 vibrant colors. I especially love the bright green, turquoise, and yellow for the summer. For a little extra flare, Dallas jewelry designer, Rachelle Dauphinee, has added jewels to some of the clutches ($425). These clutches are sure to give Lauren Merkin a run for the money. I’ve been grabbing one of my Ferrin clutches over my numerous Lauren Merkin pocketbooks before almost every outing this summer. Ferrin was invited to show in New York fashion week this year. Hurry and jump on the the Abi Ferrin train. We will see big things from her. She is getting hot, fast! For more information go to www.abiferrin.com or call 214.565.0055.

Guest Blog by Kari Schlegel

Beauty Snob digs the colorful MAC Electro Flash collection!

Adorable Florabunda Tots at 55 Secret Street.
Stiletto Jungle-score Season One of Gossip Girl on DVD for 35% off.
All About the Pretty gives us a glimpse at NARS Cosmetics Fall 2008 Collection.
Bag Bliss gives you a glimpse of the latest Balenciaga Perforated Purse collection.
Sweet 'n sexy style with lace, a favorite of Coquette.
Kristopher blogs what she's wearing, wanting and hating in Miami.
Second City Style thinks that if a prairie dress is not quite for you, try a dirndl skirt instead.
StyleBakery.com gives us 10 Rules of Summer Style
Fashiontribes -Top 10 most interesting trends from the Fall 2008 couture shows.
Allie is Wired Fashion Face-Off: Leighton Meester or Cassie?
Stylehive -with 6 sexy, eco-friendly bikinis!
Stylenotes nabs an exclusive interview with designer Ulla Johnson!
The Shoe Goddess -fabulous shoes from Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week!
Papierblog recommends Marc Jacobs kitten heels!
I'm Not Obsessed debunks Acne myths!