Fashion and the Steal

My Favorite Eye-Catching Bags

I'm a sucker for a good bag. Although I prefer the sophisticated and functional styles for daily wear (I'm a working girl after all), I am very drawn to unusual, artistic pieces that are still somehow, timeless.

Below are my three favorites (two are at least seven years old).

I love Trussardi's printed leather, the leather whip-stitching, and bone handle and toggle.

I was lucky enough to stumble on this hand-crafted cigar box bag with thoughful inserts to keep the bag's contents in the bag. The inside still has a smoky cigar smell.

This unique top handle satchel can hold a lot ... It's about 18" long.

I admit I am a little on the advant garde side and have been guilty of altering bags to get the desired edgy effect ... I once dyed a tomato-red leather bag black, then used acetone to get an acid-wash effect with touches of the red bleeding through (I still have it).

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

A Peek at Luxe Paris Living

This beautiful renovated Paris artist's workshop is on the market. It obviously has great light in addition to an amazing terrace (see second picture).

Why do I have an app for properties in France? I did a semester in France and never quite recovered.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Celebrities Loving Max Mara Coats

Yes, Max Mara's coats are quite luxurious. They feature fabulous materials including cashmere, alpaca inlays, leather and fur. More importantly the coats call to you ... Inviting you to curl up in soft, warm comfort of its lushness.

What celebrity has been spotted in these coats? Eva Mendes, Byrdie Bell, Dianna Agron, Jessica Alba, Emma Stone and Claire Danes.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

For Those Who Like It Sweet & Spicy

I was browsing the sales at Rue LaLa yesterday and noticed they had chocolate covered jalapeños listed. I thought that was an interesting combination.

I have purchased the chocolate covered strawberries and pretzels ... For the family. I am not a chocolate lover. I think it's my karma for stealing all of the Halloween candy when I was a toddler. My mother eventually found my "stash" under my pillow.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

One Way to Repurpose an Airplane

I was browsing through Luxe magazine when I saw a unique ad (pictures are below). Motoart developed this brilliant desk. They recycled the wings of an airplane, creating an innovative, three-legged desk. I gather the legs are part of the landing gear.

I would love to see it with a tufted, satin Louis-style chair in a solid or animal print. A James Bond looking tuxedo-stripe would be nice too. I'd top it off with an elegant chandelier. That kind of stimuli would motivate me to pop open the laptop and get to work.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Giambattista Valli Accepted into the Chambre Syndacale de la Haute Couture

Why is this a big deal? He not only achieved the prestigious status of a select few. He also did it in record time. Giambattista Valli was accepted after five months instead of the usual five years.

The members were obviously impressed with his July 2011 showing in Paris. You can watch editorial comments and highlights from the show in the video below.

Members include:

Interior Style

Several pictures of interiors have caught my attention lately. So much so that I've accumulated a collection on my phone.

I do tend to be drawn to industrial, loft-like style mixed with exotic, world pieces and Victorian-flavored accents. I guess you could say that I like the unique, in my clothes and surroundings.

Below are a few pictures from the stockpile.

I love this vanity

The tufted stool and chandelier make this closet special

The contrast of these amazing wood panels and the sconces is striking

This closet has that industrial feel

Sophisticated escapism

Mediterranean touches in the city

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Madonna's Film W./E. Nominated for Golden Globes

Watch Madonna speak about the Golden Globes nomination of her film, W./E. The film is based on the true story about Wallis Simpson, the chic (and twice-divorced) American cast such a spell that, in 1936, her lover, England's King Edward VIII, gave up the throne to marry her. They both also happened to be fashion icons.

When Gaultier Teams up with La Perla

You just know the result will be something that's super sexy. Imagine the combination of Gaultier's brand of edginess and La Perla's signature lace ... I'll just call it a physical expression of how bottled sexy looks.

I love this perforated leather and lace corset.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Karl Lagerfeld's Karl at Net-A-Porter

Net-A-Porter released this video on their exclusive, upcoming Karl collection. See exclusive coverage of this breaking story. Watch insider reports as the events of this fashion phenomenon unfold.

"Be the first to get up-to-the minute updates as we follow the mysterious disappearance of this style icon's highly anticipated new line."

Latest News from the British Fashion Council

The British Fashion Council is still pushing forward despite the ongoing drama with the fashion weeks schedules.

Yesterday: They released the shortlist for the 2012 BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund.

The shortlisted designers showcase the best developing Womenswear and Accessories labels in British fashion, with potential to develop into global fashion brands: Jonathan Saunders, Marios Schwab, Mary Katrantzou, Meadham Kirchhoff, Nicholas Kirkwood, Peter Pilotto, Richard Nicoll, Roksanda Ilincic and Zoe Jordan.

Today: They released the provisional London Fashion Week schedule.

The dates are:

Womenswear Catwalk Shows & Exhibition: Friday 17th February - Tuesday 21st February 2012
Menswear Day: Wednesday 22nd February 2012

To view the full schedule, go to LFW.

An Unusual Favorite in My List of Favorite Things

My list of favorite purchases in 2011 is quite diverse:

A Rachel Roy bustle back skirt in tan and black (I loved it so much I bought it in two colors)
Blumarine silk blouse
A few Elie Tahari and Ports 1961 silk blouses
A Ferragamo patent wallet
D&G ethnic bangle bracelets
A Cross pen
My Yolande satchel ... How funny is it that my name is actually the bag's name?
A treadmill
My iPad & iPhone (I rarely power up my laptop these days)

My most unusual favorite is a printer ... An HP Envy. Why? It's an air printer. So I can print from my laptop, phone or iPad without worrying about wired connections.

It also doesn't look like the typical printer. I think I might be a closet geek in addition to a shopaholic.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Two Sites Join Forces to Bring You Vintage Louis Vuitton Trunks

One Kings Lane is hosting a special sale that started tonight. They are selling a collection of vintage Louis Vuitton trunks and travel pieces that were acquired courtesy of Portero Luxury.

Collectors be warned: The collection is quite extensive.

View the sale at One Kings Lane.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Footnote: I must say that I have much love for the sales at One Kings Lane. I have been a customer for at least three years and love the items I've acquired from them. The list includes beautiful vases, towels, clocks, Versace glasses & bottle stoppers, cloches, and more.

Designer Sale Plus ...

Here are two hot events starting today. Click on the pictures to shop online.

Anastasia Sale (in-store and online)

This store/site has an amazing list of designers ... Checking out the sale is a must.

The Laundress

You've splurged and bought those wonderful investment pieces. The Laundress products can help you keep them in top shape ... And they're having a sale.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

NEWGEN Designers to Show at London Fashion Week

The British Fashion Council (BFC) today released the names of 15 of London’s brightest emerging fashion designers ... They won the BFC NEWGEN sponsorship and will show at London Fashion Week in February 2012.

NEWGEN recipients for autumn/winter 2012 sponsored by Topshop are:

Catwalk sponsorship: David Koma, Holly Fulton, J.JS Lee, J.W. Anderson, Michael van der Ham and Simone Rocha

Presentation sponsorship: Christopher Raeburn and Thomas Tait

Installation sponsorship: Nasir Mazhar and SISTER by SIBLING

Exhibition sponsorship: Huishan Zhang, James Long, Lucas Nascimento, Palmer//Harding, and Tim Soar

NEWGEN was established in 1993. Alumni include Alexander McQueen, Matthew Williamson, Boudicca, Giles Deacon, Jonathan Saunders, Christopher Kane, Marios Schwab, Richard Nicoll, Erdem, Mary Katrantzou and Meadham Kirchhoff.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Valentino Virtual Museum Tour

Here's footage from the press conference and the actual tour video released by Valentino. The conference is hosted by Anne Hathaway with special guest Franca Sozzani, Editor in Chief of Italian Vogue, and Amit Sood, creator of Google Art Project. Hugh Jackman makes a surprise appearance.

A Closer Look at H&M's Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Collection

Here is an exclusive behind-the-scence footage from the photo shoot ... More views of the collection PLUS pictures with detail close-ups.

Included are interviews with Trish Summerville, the costume designer of the film "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo", and also the designer of this collection in addition to model Sara Blomqvist.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

VogueUK's Online Fashion Week

It's perfect for the holiday season ... Fabulous fashion and giving back. VogueUK has produced this wonderful week, starting today, to raise funds for Give as you Live.

The week, December 5-9, features hundreds of retailers who have come on board to offer exclusive and limited edition collections, stunning competitions and never-seen-before content. Names include McQueen, Prada, Chanel, Burberry, Dsquared2, Pucci, Moschino, Jimmy Choo, Harrod's, Armani, Louis Vuitton, H&M, and many more!

To view all of the designers, retailers and schedules for special events, go to: Online Fashion Week.

Special Holiday Pampering Event

Boutique on 57 is hosting a day of special treats on Thursday in New York. There's also a Prada bag give-away.

I just received the invite. It said I could share, do that's just what I'm doing. UPDATE: The invite doesn't come across too clearly with the festive red print and itallics, so here's the info:

FREE PAMPERING, psychic reading, hair & scalp consultation, nutritious & aesthetic analysis, manicure, makeup application, massage, eye brow shaping, book signing, Holiday Designer Shopping Special, champagne, sweets and much more...

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Craving a Bit of Leather

I have been eyeing a few leather jackets for about a month now. Why? I have an old standby that I've had for at least ten years and crave an update.

It's not that simple ... I keep reaching for it depsite owning a newer jacket. The problem is that the new jacket is quite classic and I have definitely grown with my taste in the last few years. I prefer a unique edge to my pieces. Here are some of the jackets that I have been eyeing:

Creating the Lanvin Holiday Window Display

Where: Paris, Rue 22 Faubourg Saint-Honoré

What: A video of creation of the holiday window display at Lanvin

More info: An adorable little girl, a gentleman and two fashionistas ... dressed in Lanvin, stroll in front of the empty windows of the oldest Parisian fashion house.

In the wake of Alber's arrival, all the dresses, skirts, wigs, bags and shoes of the models transform into life before our very own eyes.

It sets the mood for holiday festivities.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

New Missoni Video

Missoni just released this video today. What I love about it, aside from the cinematography, is the light layers of the collection and the less obvious Missoni prints.

I definitely have a weakness for snake prints.