July 2008 Archives

The Miu Miu Vitello and Matelasse bags were both major hits for the brand not to mention widely copied. No surprise they decided to combine the two looks for the Vitello Patchwork this fall. Of all the patchwork bags from Miu Miu (many of which we disliked) this one is the most wearable. I can see Kirsten Dunst rocking this come Fall with her Miu Miu boho style dresses. The harlequin patchwork and softly ruffled front pocket add to the cuteness of this bag, and cute is what Miu Miu is known for. The funky alternative to its more serious older sister, Prada, the Miu Miu girl is a free spirit who sets the trends, not follow them. Miu Miu Vitello Patchwork Bag - 15"x12.5", $1,445 at Saks.com

I don't know how Chloe is staying in business with bags like this. I was never a fan of the Heloise but this small version with the ridiculously long handles of ropey knots takes ugly to a whole new level. Seriously, those knots look like turds. And the entire thing is way out of proportion. It is also drawstring, another pet peeve of mine when it comes to bags, it is just not something that makes sense and it is extremely unattractive. It also has those big ass tabs like the Bay bag, again, not something I was in love with. It's like they just put all the grossest details of their bag collection on one bag. The only thing remotely acceptable is the teal blue color, which I am thinking I need for Fall. But trust me, it will not be a Chloe because at this rate, I doubt they will have anything I would spend money on. But then again, I am known to be wrong =) But PLEASE, make me wrong and shock the hell out of me!!! $1600 at Browns Fashion.

Les Trois Generations: Louis, Georges et Gaston avec les Ouvriers D'Asnieres en 1888

It has been three weeks since I toured the original Louis Vuitton home and Atelier in Asnieres (a small suburb just outside of Paris) but I have been putting off writing the actual entry because frankly, I feared I could not convey my thoughts properly in words and do it justice. How do I share the privilege of touring a home that carries with it the legacy of one of the most important fashion dynasties in the history of fashion without sounding contrived or boastful? It is a delicate balance of offering factual details of the visit with my interpretation of everything I saw that day-- one that I hope I achieved through the following pictorial tour. I am posting the pictures in the order that I took them so that you can feel as if you were on the tour along with me. I sincerely hope you enjoy it as much as I did! I have newfound respect and understanding for the brand but this entry is not about the latest "it" bag or a discussion of whether or not we should purchase Louis Vuitton bags; rather, it is a stroll through the history of time.... so grab a drink and have fun :)

Bag Snob gets ultra luxe with Tod's Dokt Bags!

Beauty Snob gets moisturized with Clinique Superbalm!
The Brows Have It at 55 Secret Street.
Stiletto Jungle- Public Library "Obama Rama" Tee.
Friends: The Movie? Allie is Wired has the scoop!
Coquette - Summer's bohemian embroidery details.
Debutante Clothing checks out Vintage LA style.
Fashion Indie- Fall beauty trends to watch for.
Fashionable fun in the sun- Fashiontribes.
KRiSTOPHER is wanting, wearing, and hating sexy masks.
My Fashion Life goes crazy for the Samsung F-480!
Second City Style-helpful tips to stretch your fashion dollar.
How to rock Duffy's retro-glam style from Stylehive!
The Shoe Goddess has the Jimmy Choos for you!
nitro:licious-alternatives for the "famous" Balenciaga gladiator wedge sandal!

Another reason for me to long for the City of Lights,,, at the risk of being banned from the New York shows forever, I have to say Paris Couture Week makes NY Fashion Week look like amateur hour. Hand engraved "Save the Date" invitations started showing up in my mail box from Armani Prive, Givenchy and others a month before the shows (whereas most of my NY fashion show invites would arrive a day before or worse, a week late). I was invited to the Christian Lacroix Couture show at the Centre Pompidou in Paris this week but could not attend as I am already back home in the States tending to personal business. I was also invited to lunch at the Lacroix atelier with Monsieur Lacroix himself (hosted by the fabulous Becca Cason Thrash) but I had another engagement and arrived in Paris the day after the event. Needless to say, I really have to plan my trips better next season. So I am relegated to drooling over the gorgeous creations of his latest Couture collection while sitting at my desk, but at least I was promised a viewing in person when the collection travels stateside. The private world of Haute Couture has fascinated me for years and now with the guidance of a few of my collector friends, I may be ready to take a swan dive into its gilded world. Did you know that seasoned Couture clients are never late to a show? Mostly because they want first dibs at the clothes. Unlike ready-to-wear, where mass production rules, once an item is spoken for in Couture-- you can rest assured that no one will be able to buy it again, ever. As for Couture bags, it is the ultimate indulgence for bag snobs! (jump for more pictures!)

I feel as if I have nothing nice to say lately. I am going through look books and emails from PR firms like mad, trying to find a snob worthy bag to report to you but am coming up short. I saw this today and was immediately annoyed at being assaulted by yet another hideous bag but then I laughed; I mean it's a silly clown of a bag with multi-patches and colors-- one that is meant to be laughed at! After chuckling over the ridiculousness from Celine called "Watch Me Dance"-- I thought, who would want a giant rubik's cube for a bag? Then I noticed that it is sold out. As in every bag they had, bought. It's a fairly new bag so it's not as if it was sold during the sale extravaganza at 75% off. Whoever bought them all, paid full price. I hope they're having fun with it. If you purchased it, let me know why you like it. Just curious. Was at Net-a-porter.com for $1,200 but is now sold out. Go figure.

I just came home from dinner at Gordon Ramsay at the London West Hollywood. I am unable to do a story I have planned on Robert Clergerie's bags (cool and well priced) because I am debilitatingly ill from food poisoning. I thought the decor was making me sick until I ate the food. I ordered the scallops only after specifically confirming that it was fresh live scallops - it came, I took a bite and it was rotten. I should have acted like Gordon and spit it in my napkin in a dramatic fashion but instead I mistakenly acted civil and swallowed it. Now I am paying for it and unfortunately so are you with a lack of bag story to read. I would not be so angry if the rest of the food was good but it was mediocre at best. So there you have it, a restaurant review instead.

Does the Dior stamped croc tote for Fall look eerily familiar to you? I don't think it takes a genius to see where its inspiration is drawn from. Not only is the shape uncanny to the YSL tribute tote (which came out last year), they even went as far as using a stamped croc leather, as if no one would notice?!?! So the handle is slightly different and they added an outer pocket but everything else (including the dangling logo) is too similar to ignore! I was discussing bags with a friend who is a director at a large fashion house in New York last year and she had said-- "Everyone in the bag business wants to be YSL." Apparently, Dior does, too. Of course, it could be er.... coincidence. As in, pigs fly south each winter. Dior $1,895 at eLuxury and YSL Tribute tote $1,395 at Saks.com

Second City Store is now offering 40% off on Orlando Espinoza when you use the code: Orlando40 and 25% off on all the other designers clothing, jewelry and accessories when you use the code: Summer25 at checkout. Valid through August 31, 2008.

I bought this clutch on sale yesterday and you really cannot fully understand my disappointment. I have to go way back, like 18 years back, to fully explain where I'm coming from. Prada is the reason I am so obsessed with bags, while in college I vowed, just like Scarlett O'Hara, that I would lie, cheat and steal in order to have every Prada bag I ever wanted. It was actually the motivation behind my goal of wanting to make lots and lots of money. OK, so I was shallow but I do not need to apologize, I was 20.
Anyway, Prada is the reason there is even Bag Snob (Tina shared this obsession with me). My closet was like a mini Prada store and it was the proudest accomplishment of my stupid little life. So fast forward to the last few years of pathetic Prada bag designs... there was not a single bag I even wanted much less commit legal and moral crimes to have it. But then things made a turn and there was this amazing ombre clutch, the front flap goes from dark grey to taupe in the back. The leather is so soft and yummy with clean lines that they're known for. I didn't even mind