handbag blog

If beauty really is in the eye of the beholder, these following designers need to get their eyes checked.

Luca Luca

Biggest loser of the week is Luca Orlandi. We loved the feminine dresses in his last collection but for fall he showed models with shapeless bodies and bland faces which didn’t help his equally bland, yawn inducing collection.

Micahel Kors

We are truly disappointed with Michael Kors, being fans of his previous collections. His fall vision was a mish mash of Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger discards. Someone forgot to memo Michael- rugby stripes only look hot if you are an eighteen year old male model for Polo.

Derek Lam

Derek, we love you, you know we do. The last time we saw you we pledged our undying loyalty but we are a bit concerned after seeing your fall line. Skintight leggings were not cute in Madonna’s Lucky Star video and they’re equally ugly now, especially with those scary furry capes.

Kate Hudson

Just for fun, we took a peek at Donatella’s private party for the Versace store opening and were horrifed to find out that Kate Hudson had been eaten by a pack of wolves.

That’s it for Fashion week in New York, we can’t wait to see European designers’ take on the season. Stay tuned!

You’d be wise to put your money towards a carefully handcrafted bag from Tod’s this season, especially if it is on sale! We LOVE Tod’s and have snatched up its fabulous bags for years, sale or no sale Tod’s bags are a good buy. Tod’s is one of the few design houses that still use highly skilled leather craftsman to handcraft its bags ( I have a well worn white Rodeo bag by Tod’s from 6 years ago that still looks new, not a stitch out of place! Unlike my Paddington, less than a year of use and the stitching is coming apart on the handle). With Diego and Andrea (the two brothers who propelled Tod’s to the top of Hollywood “it” girl lists) at the helm and in control, we are confident that they will never sell out. Derek Lam was hired earlier this year to create a line of clothing for this family owned design house and we can’t wait to try on the collection!

Emma Media Tote in metallic
Don’t let the simple lines of this tote fool you, it was made with painstaking detail and attention to quality. Check out the hidden pocket under the tear drop shaped side flap! The soft metallic gold leather is a classic and will last you for years, think of it as the new beige. At 13″ wide, it is roomy but not overpoweringly big and the adjustable strap makes this either a great traveling tote or shoulder bag. 30% off at $799.

Kate Easy Tracolla

This is a gorgeous classic shoulder bag in dark brown leather. I love the clean lines of this bag, it just exudes understated elegance. $769 (discounted from $1100).

We’re not usually suckers for print ads but check out the latest fall campaign from Tod’s, one of our favorite designers if you haven’t noticed. Do you not want to dive in and live the Tod’s lifestyle on the palazzo? This girl is so chic in her Derek Lam designed Tod’s clothes and hip Tod’s bags, but not in the trying too hard way, it looks so easy and effortless (and yes, I know she has a posse of stylists and make up/hair people). I also love how these Tod’s bags pop out against the background, it’s not colors you’d pick out at the store but it’s a gorgeous contrast against fall’s somber palette. The scarlet red “Chopper” bag in calfskin is $1690, the jewel tone blue “Bensonville” is $1390, both at Tod’s 333 N Rodeo Dr, Beverly Hills, (310) 285-0591

I am loving the influx of talented young Asian designers recently (and I’m not biased just cuz I’m Asian :). The favorites, Peter Som and Derek Lam, delivered strong collections with rave reviews. Their Park Avenue clients should find plenty to buy for luncheons and social galas next spring.

Peter Som

“I was thinking about pared-down luxury??ot minimalism,” the designer said. “My aim was to spin texture and tone with a light touch.” Which he succeeded with this to die for collection of light palette colors ranging from dove gray to buttercream with shots of navy for evening. I love the juxtaposition of the floaty frocks mixed with jackets in jaquard and burlap fabrics, it gave the collection more depth and texture while retaining the lightness he strove for. Can I also say how cute Peter is with his cherub face and sweet smile?

Derek Lam
One of my personal favorites is back with an incredible collection. Derek loosened up his silhouette for spring with crisp raw silk A-line shifts and traded Stretch Merino Wool Legging for full trousers (thank god cuz no one over the age of 16 should wear leggings outside the gym) but kept his signature draped goddess style gowns that I adore.

We also discovered a few new favorites on 7th Ave who are sure to take the fashion industry by storm.

Richard Chai
Chai said his goal with this collection was to “make artfully crafted, special pieces that can be worn casually,” we love the gauzy dresses with folded pleats and structured coats he showed in shades of cream and baby blue.

Akiko Ogawa
Japanese designer Akiko Ogawa looks like the quintessential girl next door and her collection for the most part was filled with figure flattering dresses in layers of eyelet lace and cinched waists which is perfect for a girly girl like me. I also loved the belted trench coats, it’s so chic to wear as a dress. She showed them with stockings which I won’t be wearing but is perfectly acceptable if you’re Angelina Jolie and a man-eater.

Y & Kei
“Young Couture” was the theme of Hanii Yoon and Gene Kang of Y & Kei’s latest collection. Lots of bows, intricate embroidery, and appliqued lace make for one of the prettiest collections of the week.

Jason Wu
So he’s only 23 years old and he’s bettern known for designing dolls but with his second collection, Taiwanese designer Jason Wu has proven he’s a force to be reckoned with in the fashion world. This is an incredible collection that shows his diversity and maturity as a designer, whether it’s a playful chiffon blouse with shorts or a drop dead white evening gown cinched with a black sequined belt, Jason delivers it all perfectly. He’s recently signed an exclusive with Saks Fifth Avenue- you can find his fabulous creations at the New York, Bevery Hills, and San Francisco locations.

Photos courtesy of Style.com and IMG

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!!

Are you feeling ladylike? This bag sure makes me want to be prim and proper with a tailored, fitted dress and cute flats. This frame bag is updated yet will still stand the test of time. I mean, it’s a Tod’s (designed by Derek Lam), they last forever and can always be counted on for a bit of sophistication . The woven canvas perfectly compliments the steel blue leather trim. The shape of this frame is unique and is not so big as to throw off the ladylike look you are going for. The bottom is leather and has protective feet so you won’t have to worry about getting the canvas dirty. In fact, all the parts you need to handle are leather. Makes sense. Available at eLuxury for $1100.

I’ve always loved the shape and style of Derek Lam’s pintucked Hildegard bags but the heavy Ram hardware is more than I can carry off. Well, check out the latest from Lam, it’s the great bag without the Ram! How excited am I? This crackled leather shoulder bag will make any boring outfit look cool. I absolutely adore the sheen of the aged and distressed leather, it gives off a funky vintage vibe which the aged brass rivets further supports. This bag reminds me of the super cool looking girls I’d see on Melrose when I was a teenager in LA, you know, the ones who looked like Kate Moss before Kate Moss was discovered. Derek has been surprising me of late (in a very good way) and I am excited to see what he comes up with next. Derek Lam Crackled Leather Small Shoulder Bag $1,300 at eLuxury.

Two of our favorite ladies looking absolutely amazingly gorgeous at the CFDA Awards last night. Heidi Klum is ever faithful in Michael Kors and Uma Thurman pulls off a challenging Zac Posen with her legs that go on forever. The top honor of Womenswear Designer of the Year went to Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCullough of Proenza Schouler AND Oscar de la Renta for an unprecedented tie. Apparently presenter Ellen Barkin didn’t realize it was a tie and there was an awkward moment after she only announced Oscar’s name. Derek Lam, as you know we love him so, won Accessory Designer of the Year. (I have a special story on him tomorrow so stay tuned). The full list of winners is after the jump.

2007 CFDA FASHION AWARD WINNERS

WOMENSWEAR DESIGNER OF THE YEAR:
Tie: Oscar de la Renta and
Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough for Proenza Schouler

MENSWEAR DESIGNER OF THE YEAR:
Ralph Lauren

ACCESSORY DESIGNER OF THE YEAR:
Derek Lam

SWAROVSKI AWARD FOR WOMENSWEAR:
Phillip Lim

SWAROVSKI AWARD FOR MENSWEAR:
David Neville and Marcus Wainwright for Rag & Bone

SWAROVSKI AWARD FOR ACCESSORY DESIGN:
Jessie Randall for Loeffler Randall

EUGENIA SHEPPARD AWARD:
Robin Givhan, The Washington Post

INTERNATIONAL AWARD:
Pierre Cardin

GEOFFREY BEENE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD:
Robert Lee Morris

ELEANOR LAMBERT AWARD:
Patrick Demarchelier

CFDA BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ SPECIAL TRIBUTE:
Bono and Ali Hewson

AMERICAN FASHION LEGEND AWARD:
Ralph Lauren

This was the best buy of the sale season by far. I was at Tod’s LA boutique not even seriously looking for a bag to buy, I was just browsing and wanting to see what was on sale when Carla, the sales associate, brought this Besonville in midnight with lizard trim out from the back. She actually had several bags in her arms but I spotted this one right away and immediately snatched it from her exclaiming loudly, “This is on sale??!!” Believe it or not, not only was it on sale, it was 40% off!! Exotics have never gone on sale before and the fact that this one was still sitting around for me to take home to be mine was just fate. Thank God for pre-sales!! This was a limited edition bag that was made for just the NY and LA stores, so it’s even crazier that it made it all the way to the sale! Just look at the amount of lizard that is on this bag, every pocket, strap, handle and even the key holder are all lizard. And the color cannot be more perfect, I mean how much do we love the blues these days but this in particular would not be as sublime in any other color. I know you’re all waiting to hear the price and I am saving that piece of info for last because it is truly incredulous, only $1290!!! That’s like the price of any ‘ole all leather bag, not a classic like the Besonville and certainly not a Tod’s exotic. But the story doesn’t end there, after the salesgirl realized that I am a Bag Snob (she noticed that my Amex Gold Card said “Bag Snob” on it) she brought me up to the PR office on the 3rd floor and showed me the Fall Collection. Derek Lam designed 2 new bags, both bowling bag styles, that are specifically Derek Lam for Tod’s (rather than just overseeing general design direction for the entire line). There is a quilted tote that is going to be big for Fall and a line of nylon bags similar to the Roxy that became popular after Cameron Diaz was spotted carrying one (Bag Snob featured it before that). We will have specifics and photos when we get closer to Fall.

Look guys! Finally a suitable clutch for men who wear tight pants and need elsewhere to store their wallets. You no longer have to be a South American drug lord to get away with strutting down the street swinging a fab clutch on your wrist (see, I can say this because my husband is Colombian, in case there are PC snobs reading this). Seriously, this has to be for men because the last time I checked I wouldn’t be caught dead with a butch clutch. It’s nice and it’s made well but what’s the meaning of the mini-briefcase shape and pin striped suede detail if it were meant for a girl? I am not kidding, this man clutch would be really great for the right guy. I bet I can find a man who would actually get this, use it and be totally left alone by all who comes into contact with him. Please email me if you are that man, or know that man, just so we can know once and for all, will the Snobs need to launch manbagsnob.com? $990 at eLuxury.