Recently in Fashion Category

Bag Snob was accredited once again to cover the shows at Bryant Park and invitations have started arriving since early January but unfortunately neither of us can make it :( Kelly is going to our college best friend's wedding in Hawaii (Congrats Creighton!) where I should be as well but I have family issues to tend to so I won't be in Hawaii nor New York in Feb.

But no worries, my fabulous Web Snob partners (Rachel, Stella, Lauren, and Lesley) will keep me updated during the week with photos and reviews! Here is the schedule for the MB fashion week so you have something to look forward to!

There were a lot of surprises on the Golden Globes and not least of which is Sasha Baron Cohen winning for Borat (I personally think he’s brilliant and had the funniest acceptance speech, if you can call it that). I don’t think anybody expected Eddie Murphy to ever beat out Jack Nicholson for any award involving acting skills and of course the underdog of underdogs, Jennifer Hudson proves that American Idol cannot be trusted for picking out real stars. I hated the Devil Wears Prada but how can you not love Meryl Streep? Don’t we all wish we could be like her? Dignified, humble and get everything you want without having to be a bitch about it. OK, enough gibber gabber, let’s get to what we all want – the fashion. I loved that there was a lot of color and tons and tons of WHITE!! Many were highly questionable but where’s the fun for us if celebrities don’t take risks?

It's time to welcome the arrival of a new year again, whether you choose to celebrate at a black tie gala or kick it at home with loved ones, you will need a new outfit! Here are Bag Snob's favorite looks of the party season for snobs of every taste and budget :

The High Maintenance Snob:

Black tie- Bottega Veneta's single strap "Goddess gown", the name - self explanatory, the look - timeless. A gorgeous evening gown with gathered bust details and pockets on each hip, now you have a place to put your hands when posing for the papparazzi. $2,480 at net-a-porter

Cocktail- Alexander McQueen's embroidered tulle cocktail dress is a true work of art. Layers of nude silk and tulle with black floral embroidery floating delicately on top, it is an item for a serious collector of fine clothing. As I always say, collecting handbags and clothing is an art, as evident by the current exhibit of Nan Kempner's couture collection at the Costume Institute at the Met. If you happen to be in the city, you must go view this magnificent collection. Alexander McQueen Dress $8,280 at net-a-porter.

Casual- Loro Piana's crystal cufflink silk blouse is understated glamour with subtle feminine allure, I love it when a woman wears cufflinks, it just oozes self confidence and major sex appeal without trying too hard (I often steal my husband's cufflinks, it's so much fun to share jewelry with him!) Pair this silk shirt with leather pants and you'll have a sublime outfit for a casual party with friends. $785 at Vivre.

Snob worthy bag- Bottega Veneta's metallic suede box clutch is an immaculate finish to a fabulous outfit. $1,980 at net-a-porter

The Shoe- Rene Caovilla's crystal strap shoe with 4 inch stiletto heel is the ultimate in high maintenance glam, imagine having to wear these all night wiating for the ball to drop! $995 at Vivre

Chanel wallets
It seems everyone is on the hunt for the perfect wallet, we've received numerous emails from readers who can't seem to find one that fits all of their needs. I've gone through half a dozen wallets myself in the last few years and my favorite is my Chanel long caviar leather wallet with separate compartments for foreign currency, checks, cash, and credit cards. Wallets are very personal as they contain our entire lives in them and they are used more than any other accessory so we want them to look pretty, be functional, and they need to be sturdy enough to stand the abuse they are put through on a daily basis! With that in mind, here are a few of the best choices online:

If you are as sick of browsing through sale racks of somber black clothes from Fall as I am then you will love all the fabulous Resort/Cruise items being delivered to Net-a-porter in my new favorite shade, NUDE! First, Christian Louboutin's Yoyo Zeppa slingbacks in nude patent with white raffia platform, I have this shoe in three different colors but none as hot as the new nude! This will elongate your feet and make you look like you have mile long legs. Get it now before it sells out! $650 at net-a-porter

Calypso's wrap dresses have become wardrobe staples and the latest version in blush pink silk is girly glam and a pretty color on all skin tones. Those of you lucky enough to be heading to warm weather this holiday need to grab one of these easy to pack dresses. It is flattering on everyone, the high waist is also perfect to wear as a maternity dress. A bargain for $235 at NAP

No outfit is complete without a great bag, check out Miu Miu's latest trendsetter, the drawstring bag in pale nude distressed leather. The drawstring feature on the four outer pockets allows you to adjust the pocket size when you need to haul extra things around. $1,155 at net-a-porter

Bag Snob tip of the week: a few key pieces will instantly update your wardrobe, this season, go nude!

Renaud Pellegrino metallic tote- was $1050 now $734
Vivre is having a bag sale starting today until Sunday, Dec. 10. Save 30 - 50% off for 5 days! Now is your chance to get the fabulous VBH clutch we've been salivating over and the must have B.Romanek croc clutch that all the celebs are loving! We've always obsessed over clutches and I love using mine during the day, too. It's just so chic and ladylike!

I spent the last two weeks in LA and I can not tell you how great it was to be home with my family and close circle of best friends! In addition to spending quality time with loved ones, I went to fantastic parties and restaurants, including the opening party of Skin and Bones- Parallel Practices in Fashion and Architecture- at the Museum of Contemporary Art in downtown LA.

This exhibition explores the common visual and intellectual principles that underlie both fashion and architecture. Both disciplines start with the human body and expand on ideas of space and movement, serving as outward expressions of personal, political, and cultural identity. Architects and fashion designers produce environments defined through spatial awareness--the structures they create are based on volume, function, proportion, and material. Presenting the work of international fashion designers and architects, the exhibition examines themes such as shelter, identity, tectonic strategies, creative process, and parallel stylistic tendencies including deconstruction and minimalism. The exhibition is curated by MOCA Curator of Architecture & Design Brooke Hodge and is accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue.

The exhibit showcased contemporary architects alongside designers such as Olivier Theyskens (my new obsession, watch for him at Nina Ricci next Spring), Elber Albaz (my hero), Alexander McQueen, and Viktor and Rolf. In addition to expanding my knowledge of architecture, I got to rub shoulders with A list celebs such as Demi and Ashton, Debi Mazar, and Eva Mendez. The exhibition was beautifully presented as were all those in attendance.

After viewing the exhibit my friends and I hung out at the party, the bar was set up under a giant contemporary sculpture in the courtyard and kind of scared me as I was expecting it to drop on the bartender at any moment. But all was well and we drank the night away gazing the stars in la la land, literally.

There is a good article in the Telegraph about what you should consider keeping in your closet for future resale as vintage. This is especially important for the avant-garde gals because it is the outrageous that stand the test of time in the vintage market. I suppose that makes sense, my black Prada sweaters will not be so exciting in 20 years but how I wish I didn't get rid of my purple Thierry Mugler jacket with the giant pointed Joker like collars! Apparently that is hot commodities these days! Or my Versace print denim jacket. It makes me laugh just to think about it. I might have to rummage through my parent's house to see what I can salvage. As for bags, you've heard this from us before - buy the classics and spend a few extra bucks on Chanel and Hermes. They will only increase in value over time. Remember the Cristobal Balenciaga inspired Edition bag Nicolas Ghesquiere did for Balenciaga? That for sure is a collectors item. Another for sure vintage worthy bag is this Pierre Hardy. Spend wisely and you will be making money!

We are thrilled to hear that Derek Lam has been promoted to Creative Director at Tod's. It is clear that Tod's has had a fresh direction of late and it is one that we have been loving. He has revitalized this legendary house by giving it back some much needed youth but still keeping in mind the impeccable feel that is Tod's. Our only concern is that he tends to be a little embellishment happy in his bags but let's just hope that that is something he strickly keeps for his eponymous line. We obviously love the Bensonville so we are not too concerned. So how did he get here? He graduated from Parsons and went to work for Michael Kors for 12 years. We see that Kors has not recovered from this loss. He started his own line in 2002 and in 2004 won the Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation Award for new designers and won the CFDA Perry Ellis Swarovski Award in 2005. Certainly with this resume he can get a job anywhere but we feel Tod's is the perfect fit for Derek with his flirty girly designs and we cannot wait to see what he has in store for us now that he has total control and power!!

Just a reminder, Vivre's private sale for Bag Snob readers ends in 24 hours (Sunday at Midnight)! I've gotten most of my Christmas shopping done, have you? VBH classic envelope clutch never goes on sale, retail is $695 but now a bargain at $521! Code BAGSNOB at check out.