Monthly Archives: February 2009

Jimmy Choo Lola & Riki

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Nothing screams bohemian quite like a tribal perforated pattern. Well, I see you nodding your head yes.

While Lola is white and Riki is black, they are both very well accessorized in laser-cut metals. I mean let’s face it, what’s there more than metals to bring bohemian out from age-old to a whole new hippie look with a luxe bent? Metals do it well.

And when Lola’s slouchy and laid-back as she goes well with any of your summer dresses, Riki plays it well on a more mysterious tone when you tote it around with your leather jackets on. Still, with a bohemian twist of course.

Wait no longer and get either Lola or Riki while she and she are still available at net-a-porter.

Lola Medium Slouchy Tote (£1,293), Riki Lazer-Cut Leather Bag (£1,316)

Images are courtesy of net-a-porter.com

Gucci Joy Boston Bag

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The Boston bag is probably the most popular model among bag designs. It is simple, timeless, classy, practical and versatile too, works seamlessly from casual to business. There is no wonder why almost every big designer from Louis Vuitton (and its famous Speedy that sells every minute you spend reading this) to Burberry, Fendi and Gucci has its own version of Boston. Gucci started producing many version of its Boston bags since last year. When it first came out in coated canvas, i was thinking “how original it is!” (in a cynical way, of course) but (not) suprisingly, over the course of one year, the model has sold extremely well, I could imagine them flying off the racks as speedy as Vuitton’s panic attack. Like it or not, Gucci Boston is here to stay. The prices, like in the case of other Boston bags in general, are relatively attractive. Gucci Boston bag is currently available  in at least 15 variations of styles, materials and colors. Price starts from USD630 for classic coated canvas version to USD1,095 for full Guccissima leather version.

Images are courtesy of Gucci

What were they thinking? – Givenchy Mini Fringe

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Seriously? What kind of reaction are they trying to achieve from making this bag? Anyway, this will end up on the 80% off rack by the end of this season. Eel leather or not, i dun see anyone paying USD1,575 for this…thing (i almost said “baby” and it would be so wrong). It might work well with your Halloween costume in the next October. Dun even bother to rush to get this bag in Barneys.

Image is courtesy of Barneys.com

Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas Kalahari

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Louis Vuitton African-inspired Spring/ Summer 2009 collection might be the most anticipated collection this season. We are talking about killer shoes and accessories but the bags? So far, i am not sky-highly impressed. The Kalahari in Monogram Canvas is the first piece to be released. The bag is fun but in a  not-very good way reminds me of Monogram Canvas knock-offs. So far, any limited Monogram Canvas collection has always sold-out and became highly sought after when the season is over but in times like this, will people still splurge on what i call “vanity” bags? The Monogram Canvas Kalahari comes in PM  (left) and GM (right) sizes and priced at USD2,260 and USD3,390 each. I look forward to seeing the leather version (the one featured in Madonna’s ad) in more details. That one could be more exciting.

Images are courtesy of Louis Vuitton

Hermes Hac 32

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Note: this item is no longer on sale but it is one hot vintage bag that i can’t stop thinking about and no, it is not Hermes Birkin; It is actually Hermes HAC (Haut a Courrois), aka the “original Birkin” before its handles got elongated and its body got slightly shrunk to fit Jane Birkin’s requirement of seizing her bag into the airplane cabin seat when she travels.

This pre-owned HAC was on sale on Luxury-shops.com for USD8,609 and is now sold out. I dun know which lucky owner got this treasure, but congratulations if you are reading this. An Hermes HAC is high on my list now and unlike a Birkin, it is more masculine (especially the bigger ones), more versatile and comes with shorter wait-list, therefore P-E-R-F-E-C-T! By the way, if this bag somehow looks familiar to you, Ms Katie Cruise carried one a few months back in size 40 or 50 (the one featured here is 32), which in my opinion, was way too big for her petite built.

Check out luxury-shops.com for rare, pre-owned treasures. You could turn your pre-loved items into cash here too.

Image is courtesy of luxury-shops.com

The Gems from Prada and Miu Miu

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The Spring/ Summer 2009 bags from Prada and Miu Miu are generally pretty exciting. Some of the bags have the quality to be a keeper and that is what we need in times like this. I particularly like the three Miu Miu bags on the top row but the Pradas are outstanding too.

Top (from left, Miu Miu): Phyton Shoulder (USD3,950), Ruched Bag (USD1,520), Wooden Handle (USD1,395)

Middle (from left, Prada): Cervo Bowler (USD2,290), Nappa Tote (USD1,350), Pitone Messenger (USD2,2,95)

Bottom (from Left, Prada): Pitone Shoulder (USD1,895),  Pitone Tote (USD995), Pietre Evening Bag (USD1,395)

Images are courtesy of saks.com and net-a-porter.com

Designer Highlights – Miuccia Prada for Prada and Miu Miu

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Landing on Anna Wintour’s good book is one thing, being the main reason she flies to Milan? That is Miuccia Prada. Afterall, which other woman is as influential as Miuccia in the fashion industry today?

When Miuccia took over the old luggage house of Prada from her family, little did everyone know that a Ph.D. holder in Political Science would one day dictate the way we dress season after season and change the way we see black nylon bags. From its debut in the early 90s until now, Prada black nylon bags remain one of the most iconic, desirable and unpretentious bags around.

When Prada became a global fashion power brand, Miuccia started Miu Miu as the antithesis to the self-growing identity of the brand she had revived. Whether Miu Miu had originally been meant to channel her true design passion which she had to gradually compromise with Prada or simply just another smart business strategy to ride on Prada’s growing success, we will never know for sure. What we know is Miu Miu, once a younger diffusion line of Prada has also grown to a power brand, capable of being totally free of all its attachment from Prada.

With both Prada and Miu Miu, arguably the most powerful Italian fashion houses next to Gucci, Armani, Versace and Dolce and Gabbana, under her helm, Miuccia is a living legend. In 2006, Miuccia Prada was being named as one of the Magnificent Seven in today’s and future’s fashion by US Vogue’s Anna Wintour. Miuccia is the only woman and the only Italian designer designing for an Italian house (two Italian houses, actually) in the list.

Will Miuccia Prada be the Coco Chanel of Italy? I think she already is.

David Beckham with Louis Vuitton Taiga Pégase 50

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David Beckham might need to work hard to prove that he is still worthy of playing in the European soccer arena again but he does not need to prove to anyone his impeccable sense of style. The uber cool soccer start is seen in this picture, just landed in the airport in Bremen, Germany yesterday with his Louis Vuitton trolley suitcase. The Taiga Pégase is understated and sharp just like the dashing suit and skinny tie David is wearing here. Louis Vuitton Taiga Pégase is available in size 50 (USD2,530) and 60 (USD3,030). Available at your nearest Vuitton stores or eluxury.com.

Image is courtesy of people.com

Valentino Maison Studded Tote

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The Valentino Maison studded tote reached the “It” status last year, repeatedly spotted being toted by the girls in ‘Gossip Girls’ and the women in ‘Lipstick Jungle’ in various colors, too many, i lost track after the red and the white. This combo of brown body and black handle is interesting but it reminded me of a Philip Lim tote with the same color combo, in a good way since i remember liking that bag too. The thing about this bag is it costs USD700 more than the patent leather version. Would you pay that much more for the exact same bag minus the glossy checmical coating? The leather must be buttery soft, i am sure, but i would rather stick to the patent version, in a more exciting color such as turquoise and put the extra USD700 elsewhere. This one is available at Bergdorf for USD2,495 if you prefer the natural.

Image is courtesy of bergdorfgoodman.com 

Marc Jacobs Robert Jennifer Shoulder Bag

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Hello pretty! I have become pretty suspicious of Marc Jacob’s Spring/ Summer 2009 bag collection after my most recent post on the Amazon shoulder bag but this bag is totally different in a very very good way. Simple flap bags like this have been making a come-back with big designers (see Lanvin and Dior) and this Marc’s piece is easily a winner. You see the purple and green metallic details woven onto the quilted leather? Those are actually leather! How interesting is that? This bag is perfect – pretty, interesting, trendy and the tassels and the padlock work without making the whole bag look overdecorated. This is the hottest piece of Marc Jacobs bag i have seen so far for this season. Available at eluxury.com now for USD1,995. Well done, Marc!

Image is courtesy of eluxury.com