February 2009 Archives

If you can only buy one bag this season and would like to go basic with a black tote, this is a great stylish option. There is only so much one can do with a black tote and I have to applaud Kooba for making an interesting design without losing sight of functionality for the user. The Rio Handbag comes in soft, black leather with silver hardware details with geometric shape which I find appealing. If you don't want the hardware, the backside is a gorgeous display of leather with the same geometric style. 2 open pockets, a pen holder, key chain and one zipper pocket on the interior. Priced at $645 which is not cheap but you have to consider the labor costs and the size of this bag (ultra huge which I can't do but try it for yourself and see). Kooba Rio Handbag At Pink Mascara.

The uber popular Maison pleated tote has a new little sister; one that is more subtle and feminine in its approach to pleats. The biggest trend we saw on the runways, both Spring and Fall 2009 was the creative use of origami folds. Valentino's interpretation is softened and modernized-- with functional shoulder straps to boot. The color is a bit blah but it could be a neutral for all the neon brights of spring ready to wear.

I like this, it has a quiet luxury about it. Quiet bags are the latest buzz word, you don't want to flash any diamonds or embellishments right now as it feels inappropriate when 10% of the population may lose their jobs. But a demure yet luxurious bag is timeless and chic in any economic situation. At Bergdorf Goodman for $3,395 What do you think of quiet bags? Boring or appropriate?

Not into the Burberry tartan on your bag? Either am I! This white satchel with the cute iconic belt is way better than your normal drawstring satchel, the simple quilting and pared down hardware makes this a classic you will keep for years to come. Perfect for all the summer trips you have planned and even if you are staying put, you will definitely need an all around white bag for the season. For the Frugal Snob, ideeli is... well, ideal. It allows you to stay within your budget and keep up to date on all the must have fashion items, but this sale is incredible even for their standards. The Burberry sale starts at $138!! Is that the best deal you've ever heard of or what?? You will need to sign up to get the notice for the start of the sale. Bag Snob readers get free membership as long as you click on the links on this page.

This Shelby is a close sibling to the Edith from 3 years ago (wow, has it been that long?) but it did not make me jump up the way the Edith did when I first saw it. The Edith had a school girl charm that I loved and this is really briefcase-y.  The blue is definitely much better than the brown but still the long brass plaque on the top and those double straps does something to make this bag seem so dowdy.  Something about this is making it look very forced, like it is trying too hard to be different and edgy.  Obviously, Chloe is suffering without a clear direction from a real designer and the mosaic rehashing of old designs is boring.  I can still see a young hip chick rock out with a bohemian jeans and slouchy sweater look but seriously, if you're that cool, you will make anything look good.  For me, it is a thumbs down.  The Chloe Shelby Tote at Luisa Via Roma for $1400.  (Jump to see the train wreck who has this bag!)

Fab Sugar - Kate Moss in Hot Pink!
Couture Snob - Knock Offs: Do or Don't?
Bag Snob - Exclusive peek at Nancy Gonzalez Fall 2009 bags!
Beauty Snob - Blast your fat away, and eat it too.
55 Secret Street rediscovers Erno Laszlo.
Stiletto Jungle Madewell for ShopBop capsule collection.
Allie is Wired The Hills is ending for Lauren Conrad. Bag Bliss has fallen for the Spring 2009 Fendi Peek-A-Boo Bag
Coquette is loving the one shoulder fashions.
Debutante Clothing admires vintage couture designer Valentina. 
Fashion Pulse Daily Favorite collections from New York Fashion Week .
KRISTOPHER is wanting, wearing, and hating Belgian shoes.
Second City Styletrends we found during New York Fashion Week Fall '09.
Shopping and Info checks out: Givenchy for Spring 2009.
Shrimpton Couture's Real Life Vintage Spot from Karla's Closet
StyleBakery.com10 ways to recession-proof your wardrobe.
Stylehive First lady of France Carla Bruni's style, a few ways to get her look!
The Beauty Stop 2009 Academy Awards hair disasters. The Fashion Bomb Lisa Price of Carol's Daughter: celebrity beauty musts & year round skin care!
The Shoe Goddess channels her inner candy striper with these quirky DSquared2 shoes! TheMakeupGirl'sBest looks of the 2009 Oscars!
Tot Snob - Ben Sherman for Boys!

Whew! I am still catching up from Fashion Week and then coming home to another whole host of more events. I am finally settling down to cover all the bag showrooms we visited while in New York. We were able to preview the Fall 2009 Nancy Gonzalez collection and although we were told to hold off on showing everything, this one bag I can not keep under wraps! It is just too fab and we were also the first editors to visit so as always, we like to have the scoop on anything amazing. Nancy Gonzalez does edge the only way she knows how - classic and hardware free. The grommets are covered with croc and the front and back panels are python while the side gussets are crocodile. This liquid gray finish and color is so divine I was dying to get one in my hands immediately!! There are 3 compartments, the front and back python panels are large slide in pockets the entire width of the bag, and the center opens generously to a compartment full of the essential pockets and zips. The price will be $3100, most likely will be available at Bergdorf Goodman but buyers haven't even seen this bag yet! And look at the tiger print behind it, it is the same bag but in printed pony hair. There is a belt like that that I have to have!!

Urban street style bags rule today.  I am really into this tote from, gulp, 7 For All Mankind.  I remember when they launched the bag line a couple of years back but I didn't pay much attention-- I mean I was over my 7 jeans why would I want 7 bags?  Guess again.  This is not only an edgy and cool bag, it's quite versatile at 14"x12".  What did it for me was the staple banding at front and back though, it's just so... tough girl chic.  The wrinkled leather further gives it that rock n roll disheveled look-- this is actually giving me the urge to pierce something (kidding!).  What a great bag to travel with or use on rainy days/errand days/work days-- in fact, it's so gently priced you can use it as a gym bag if you wish.  Seriously, $595 is a very difficult price point but this one hits it!  That's our new catchphrase.  We hate the word cheap-- who wants to carry something that is "cheap"!?!?   So we're referring all frugal snob bags as "gently priced".    

7 For All Mankind Metal Link Large Tote at Shopbop.com

The "Coco" duffel from Alexander Wang generated much buzz before it's runway debut (thanks to Mary Kate Olsen who was seen totin' the bag around town weeks before fashion week!) and we now eagerly await it's arrival at stores in July. I'm just concerned that knock offs and copy cats will abound before the actual bag hits. While celebs are a fantastic marketing tool to promote a new bag, it may also be the death of one if released too early. No matter, I'm obsessed with this and will still get one; and I will await the original. Retail price is currently estimated at $899. What about you? Will you cave in to a copy cat earlier or patiently wait for the real thing?

Alexander Wang bags currently at Shopbop.com

Karl Lagerfeld shot the latest catalog for the House of Chanel starring Jerry Hall and a much much younger guy. I'm all for the younger man/older woman thing but the male model they chose looks almost underage but hey-- not judging!

The Chanel Upside down bag ($2,675) in patent white leather is fun and sure to be a collector's item but I'd feel, well, upside down carrying it.  I already have the 2.55 in white patent so no need to repeat.
The Chanel 2.55 ($3,295) in tie dye pink lambskin, however, is super fabulous!  I love the ombre shades of pale pink; it's subtle, sexy and very youthful.  I think I've found my summer bag!  I always invest in Chanel bags, no matter the economic situation; they are timelessly chic.

Call Alexis at 214-520-1055 to order!

(Jump to see the catalog!)

We love attending presentations, especially presentations with bubbly! Mulberry presented hands down the most chic presentation of Fashion Week. They took over the Library at the SoHo house and transformed it into Snow White's dark forest, complete with apples and sequined bugs! There were half a dozen velvet chairs and love seats around the room which meant full capacity was around 15 people per show (they had several showings that day). It made for a very intimate setting and of course allowed us a clear view of its retro chic ready to wear collection and latest bags. I had no idea Mulberry made such amazingly stylish jackets and dresses. I almost lost sight of why I was there-- to report on the bags!  While the Bayswater showed up in different incarnations (as a clutch, elongated, and in funky prints) it was the hobos in luxe leathers and ostrich skin that caught our attention. We also marveled at the large selection of Man Bags-- finally our Man Snobs will have a brand to covet!   Check out Mulberry website for more details.

Mulberry Bags also at Net-a-Porter.com (Jump for more photos!)