Recently in Feather Category

It's not easy being a glamorous movie star these days.  Paparazzi chase you down your driveway and sell your photos to magazines who tear you apart for your weight, your clothes, and your choice of lovers.  It's enough to make a girl want to stay home and curl up with a book or movie but not this bold fashionista!  Lucy Liu has been one of my favorite actresses since her first growl as Ling on Ally McBeal and I always love her fashion choices.  Unconventional and chic, Lucy pulls off things with effortless style.  Like the exotic feather Joet below from Kotur ($598 at Neiman Marcus 1.888.888.4757) -- a unique little stunner that she carried to Obama's Black and White Ball held last Thursday.  We love Kotur and were not surprised that Lucy does, too.  She was seen wearing Kotur again last Saturday at a Trump International Hotel event where she used the sleek and long Miller (photo above).  I love that she paired such a severe and contemporary bag with a printed and silky soft pleated dress-- the contrast is what makes the outfit interesting and totally Lucy.  Miller bag $348 at Kotur.com (jump for more photos!)

When I created a category for "Feather", Tina asked "Why do we need that?".  So that I can rip on bags like this, that's why!  If she had asked, "Why do bags need feathers?" then the answer would be, they don't.  This looks like something you wear to a Mad Hatter party but on your head.  At least this is appropriately named the Cancan, as if it is supposed to be part of a costume or something.  Can you imagine dealing with those sprigs of feather bobbing around all night and what about trying to get in and out of there?  Well, these concerns are moot because anyone who would use this is not going to be practical.  I guess, as a stand alone piece without function, it is quite interesting and kind of nice.  There is volume and movement that you normally don't get with a bag.  With a simple dress (and I do hope whoever uses this keeps everything else simple), this is a fantastic way to make a bold statement.  At Neiman Marcus for $1215.  Also comes in black with red trim, it is very bad, at least the purple make it more tolerable.

We'd like to take a moment and introduce you to our newest advertiser, Couture Lab. It is the brainchild of one of the original founders of Net-a-Porter, Carmen Busquets. Couture Lab offers one of a kind, offbeat items that transcends time and trend. The site is not intended to please the masses, but rather, for the few who crave items that will tantalize and thrill. Like the Bea Valdes clutches made especially for Couture Lab. I am obsessed with the Marharlika evening bag. If it were any bigger, it would be garish but in a tiny size-- it's a glittering jewel of a bag. The beaded details are lavish but appropriate for an evening bag and the little tiny feathers add whimsy and fantasy. I am not one to love such embellished bags but these are so uniquely ornate that I couldn't help but admire the imagination and creativity it took to create.