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· Beauty Notes: Check Out May's Vogue
· Fantasy Web Find of the Day: Aridza Bross Josy Bag
· Fashion Notes: What I Really Bought For Spring
· Fantasy Web Find of the Day: Melanie Dizon Jinni Fringe Clutch
· Fashion Notes: More on Anya Hindmarch Bess...
· Fashion Notes: I HATE IT BAGS!
· Fashion Notes: Il Bisonte
· Fashion Notes: Freddy & Ma custom handbags
Comments
· April 19, 2008 10:00 PM by
kuri
· April 23, 2008 11:58 PM by
Dain
· April 26, 2008 3:44 PM by
Colleen Shirazi
· March 23, 2008 9:34 PM by
Carol
· March 24, 2008 12:34 AM by
~Joy~
· March 24, 2008 3:23 PM by
Dain
· March 24, 2008 6:33 PM by
chez
· March 24, 2008 8:36 PM by
Colleen Shirazi
· March 25, 2008 12:50 AM by
Dain
· March 25, 2008 2:26 PM by
Colleen Shirazi
· March 25, 2008 2:28 PM by
Colleen Shirazi
· March 25, 2008 4:31 PM by
Dain
· February 27, 2008 1:51 AM by
Colleen Shirazi
· February 27, 2008 4:14 AM by
Dain
· February 25, 2008 5:40 PM by
Duygu
· February 25, 2008 6:30 PM by
Dain
· February 19, 2008 10:32 AM by
kuri
· February 19, 2008 12:57 PM by
Dain
· February 19, 2008 10:49 PM by
Colleen Shirazi
· February 20, 2008 12:28 PM by
Dain
· February 21, 2008 12:10 PM by
Colleen Shirazi
· January 6, 2008 9:55 AM by
Dain
· January 6, 2008 1:51 PM by
Colleen Shirazi
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Beauty Notes: Check Out May's Vogue
Posted by Dain, Saturday, April 19, 2008 4:04 PM (Eastern)
In spite of that boring queen of arrogance on the cover, Gwyneth Paltrow (the article is called "Gwyneth's Guide to Life"—BARF*), it's got an excellent nostalgia piece on the French manicure (are they tacky? too young) from Sarah Brown and an essay on pursuing long lost perfumes by Erika Kawalek that are both well worth browsing.
And Vogue has finally announced
Additionally, there is an advertisement for the Croc, now available in heels with a criss-cross... wait, what am I describing the shoe for? It's the punch line that's important. Splashed across the ad is, "What a Croc! It's hard to believe the parents were ugly." Sometimes, I venture to guess that the people behind fashion are not the brightest bulbs in the box.
On a completely unrelated note, are white pants doable? Won't they get dirty? I think they're chic to look at, and I'm really not about dark colors in the first place, but oh the stains, the stains!
There is also an article on the new creative head of GAP, Patrick Robinson. I applaud Vogue for focusing on the mass-market, which is far closer to reality than, say, the superhero-inspired imaginative fluff piece (sure, it's creative, but that's sculpture, not clothes).
* Celebrities are beautiful, rich, and famous. This is not the same thing as important and intelligent or even, interesting... or even, talented. She's an ok actress, if she weren't pretty her woodenness would have long ago been laughed out of Hollywood by any self-respecting critic. Perhaps I am too idealistic. With all that money, Ms. Paltrow, surely you can hire a doctor to surgically remove your head from your own ass?**
** Ok, bitch-a-thon over. I just don't trust anyone who names a child Apple, although my friends and I did hypothesize that she may be naming children after the Pentateuch. And frankly, I just don't think celebrities are important. I'm not saying anyone can win an Oscar, but it's not exactly a Nobel Peace Prize.
Labels: bags, beauty notes, celebrity, magazines, nails, perfume, shoes
Fantasy Web Find of the Day: Aridza Bross Josy Bag
Posted by Dain, Sunday, March 23, 2008 12:26 PM (Eastern)
Ahhhh... I found it. My dream bag. Let me count the ways.
- Leather so gorgeous it actually makes my mouth water.
- Magic words: vintage 70s-inspired, handcrafted artisanal quality aged leather from a small Parisian label, Aridza Bross.
- Simplicity. As much as I adore over-the-top prints and color combinations, for some reason this does not extend to bags—It, hardware vomit, logos, creepy animal skins, "fashion", arm candy, ew, vile. I want a bag to carry always that will age and wear, not an accessory to match.
- And yet, it's not just a plain leather sack. It's a tasteful design—delightfully vague and slouchy but wonderfully and simply accented by equally curvaceous lines in the stitching, pockets, even zipper pulls—but always it is the quality of the material that's primarily on display, which really brings us back to point #1.
- Let's be practical. The handles? Sturdy, with generous drop. Pockets? Four on the outside, inside zipper, and cell pocket. Lining? Yes, in cloth. Dimensions? 12" x 10" x 6". Colors? Noisette offers whisky (shown above), chocolate, and taupe, while Anthropologie has red. But, it comes in blond leather, too, at Goldyn. Price? $499, though it varies.
- Absolute perfection. I'm deliberating over color choices. They are all so nice.
Labels: aridza bross, bags, fantasy web find of the day
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March 23, 2008 9:34 PM, Carol said...
*wolf whistle* March 24, 2008 12:34 AM, ~Joy~ said...
This one is a winner and something you could carry for a very long times. March 24, 2008 3:23 PM, Dain said...
Now I just need to decide on a color......... March 24, 2008 6:33 PM, chez said...
my personal choice would be one of each color. March 24, 2008 8:36 PM, Colleen Shirazi said...
It is a bit reminiscent of some handbags I saw in the 70's. It's the soft slouchy shape and the leather. The 70's ones wouldn't have been red or natural, they would have been in the colors shown on the Noisette site. March 25, 2008 12:50 AM, Dain said...
I bought it. >.< In the shade pictured above. March 25, 2008 2:26 PM, Colleen Shirazi said...
Good choice. March 25, 2008 2:28 PM, Colleen Shirazi said...
= don't think it's as versatile March 25, 2008 4:31 PM, Dain said...
I went with Carol's advice: go with your gut instinct. Sometimes the best reason to choose to buy something is no reason at all. |
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Fashion Notes: What I Really Bought For Spring
Posted by Dain, Friday, March 21, 2008 12:34 PM (Eastern)
Now that I'm able to splurge on nicer, better things, I find that the allure of designer clothing has diminished enormously. I'm rather content with my J. Crew and Anthropologie, and sometimes I dream of indie French labels like A.P.C., Isabel Marant, and Vanessa Bruno. Sure, there's Nicholas Ghèquiere changing the face of fashion at Balenciaga, and the ever-original Miuccia Prada, the dreamy purism of Raf Simmons at Jil Sander, and the subdued good taste of Alber Elbaz at Lanvin (these are the only fashion shows I still really rate), but I'm not at the point where I can afford art.
I wrote up my top five for spring a little while ago, but this is what I really got for myself:
Labels: APC, bags, j crew, manolo blahnik, shoes
Fantasy Web Find of the Day: Melanie Dizon Jinni Fringe Clutch
Posted by Dain, Saturday, March 15, 2008 7:58 AM (Eastern)
I'm looking out the window and thinking, crap, why is it SNOWING? So, a little mood brightener seems appropriate:
Labels: bags, fantasy web find of the day, melanie dizon, tv
Fashion Notes: More on Anya Hindmarch Bess...
Posted by Dain, Tuesday, February 26, 2008 6:42 PM (Eastern)
My sister asks, "Won't you get bored with one bag?" I shake my head, I am not like that. I find something I really like (it is usually quite plain, with minimal hardware, and with lots of nice leather) and wear it as long as I can. I had my first nice bag stolen in Bosnia, along with my passport, wallet, and first pipe, I'd had it for three years, a nice warm brown leather that had aged beautifully. And I was pissed because it was my only bag, and I had to get a new one. I finally found an even better one, immense enough to carry anthologies or function as a weekender. But now, I need something more modest in size. The Prada is simply too expensive. The Philip Lim intrigued me at first, but it looks cheaper than it is, like something designed by Banana Republic.
I really like Anya Hindmarch. She doesn't design bags that are intended to be displayed on the arms of starlets and those who emulate, but rather for real women. Consequently, as beautiful as they are (and delightfully anti-It), they are carefully organized for quotidian existence. The straps will fit easily over the shoulder (11 ½" drop) and will not slip off, and there are all sorts of useful pockets. I like the easy, saddlebag style of the Bess: smooth, voluptuous blond leather that is minimal enough for casual outfits, but just enough hardware to posh it up for ladylike outfits (you could wear this to work, for example, but not to a ball), but at heart, it is easygoing and very left-bank (I have a lot of hippie outfits too). It is lined in suede, a luxurious if somewhat impractical touch, plus a divider, a zip pocket, and an open pocket. The dimensions are 14" x 11" x 3", admittedly larger than I'd like but that is very respectable (I really wish they made the Alessandra still). At $1200 (at Saks), it is expensive enough for me to plan carefully, but I think it isn't so expensive that the utility is that much less in value, considering the following:
- I am largely disinterested in the "fashion is fickle" school. I am a serialist who loathes clutter. I have never found complaint over my wearing the same outfits so often, indeed, quite the opposite. I've always been deeply influenced by an article I read once, which opined, "the truly stylish rarely change their clothes", and I feel this is really true. It shows that you know what you like, and you have confidence that your taste is good.
- I don't collect clothes, I wear them. I think clothes look better when worn and worn in, it shows that they are part of your life, rather than statements about your life. Bags, I think, are notoriously the latter. I like a plain bag that shows aging and wear; that is much cooler than "Oh my god, that's Dior! Kate Hudson wore that to her last premiere! How much was it?!".
You know...Granted, this song is ironic. I like to obsess over my purchases before, but not after; to me, a bad purchase lingers in the mind. You have to think about it constantly: does this match? this strap chafes. is that a nick? are people noticing it? A good purchase, on the other hand, you can forget about.
Labels: anya hindmarch, bags, fashion notes
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February 27, 2008 1:51 AM, Colleen Shirazi said...
Nice bag. I think the useful aspect of a handbag is often overlooked, in favor of the look of the bag. February 27, 2008 4:14 AM, Dain said...
I've had white bags before without much trouble. I'm pretty good about keeping clean (it is part and parcel of being anal), except when I'm drunk, and I don't do that very often. |
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Fashion Notes: I HATE IT BAGS!
Posted by Dain, Monday, February 25, 2008 5:39 AM (Eastern)
Seriously. I do. While I understand the mania for an object as eye-catching as a handbag, they drive me nuts. So expensive, so transitory, so communicative (the arm carrying this is fabulous!). Sure, I can appreciate the gorgeous leather and quality craftmanship, but the presence of it-bags is such an onslaught, and they seem to grow increasingly ludicrous...
>_>
>_<
Give me a break. I just want one handbag (the transfers of necessaries from bag to bag gets on my nerves). Once I've fretted over the initial purchase, I never want to worry about again, whether it'll last, whether it looks good, and even whether it matches, for anything sufficiently transcendent is generally beyond question. When you are conscious about the attention your handbag is getting, you'll eventually get tired of it, jealously watching over its condition. Luxury ought to simplify your life, not make it some sort of vulgar interplay between idol worship and vanity.
Here is an example of an it-bag I rather like, far outside of my budget:
Better is this 3.1 Philip Lim Camera Bag ($628), the color is unusual but not difficult and the price is far more palatable. It seems a little less compelling on the Pink Mascara pics, though, and suede is a bit of a hassle. I'll have to examine it in person.
I also admire Bess from Anya Hindmarch ($1200), it still has that nondescript quality but looks a little more luxurious, but that'll really hurt my wallet. This might do best, but it doesn't hit that "wow" button quite as well as the Prada does. So I'm not sure which way to turn... I suppose what I need to do is go and try them for myself.
Labels: 3.1 philip lim, anya hindmarch, bags, fashion notes, prada
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February 25, 2008 5:40 PM, Duygu said...
I love purses I'm obsessive about it!.. February 25, 2008 6:30 PM, Dain said...
Oh, so do I, and I'm beyond obsessive, just downright anal, it's just... I wish Marc Jacobs would just stop. I'm thinking Anya Hindmarch. She designs bags for women to use, rather than for magazines to push, so they're beautifully made but also well organized (useful pockets, straps that are just the right length). I wouldn't mind supporting her; she's an independent and pursues her own instincts, like Manolo. |
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Fashion Notes: Il Bisonte
Posted by Dain, Monday, February 18, 2008 6:47 PM (Eastern)
I'm considering these:
But I'm not sure which would be best. The last one is the one I've been considering, but still the wrong color.
EDIT: The travel duffel on the bottom right is the "natural" leather, the undyed blond leather.
Labels: bags, fashion notes, il bisonte
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February 19, 2008 10:32 AM, kuri said...
I love the color of the first, but the style is only okay. Maybe I'd like it better in person. I like the comfortable look and pretty spring-like color of the second a lot (the leather looks buttery), and the last doesn't work for me at all in yellow - is this their blonde leather? February 19, 2008 12:57 PM, Dain said...
I think this is the "cognac" color. The blond one is "natural". It's rather confusing. I think I like this one in the dark leather best... It's less bulky than a traditional messenger bag, but just as classic. February 19, 2008 10:49 PM, Colleen Shirazi said...
The blond leather looks sort of naked to me. I vote for dyed leather of some sort. February 20, 2008 12:28 PM, Dain said...
I know deep down inside that a rich brown leather is the most versatile of all, and beautiful in its own right... I think the blond leather thing is my trying for a slightly "off" unique color. February 21, 2008 12:10 PM, Colleen Shirazi said...
Sometimes you have to play with the pieces to get it right. |
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Fashion Notes: Freddy & Ma custom handbags
Posted by Colleen Shirazi, Sunday, January 06, 2008 2:54 AM (Eastern)
This is a post from our deprecated Fashion Blog. I started to miss it, so am reposting it here.
freddy&ma custom handbags
This is not a press release (although they do have one). It's pure word-of-mouth, or word-of-Net these days; I got this link from another board.
They do have a completely interactive bag-designing website...which I can admit I thought would be a bore. I'm not a bag person, I loathe all-Flash websites in the main, who needs to spend time designing a bag...et cetera.
When I got there I realized the bags were good. Started out with the fine intention of making a bag from each designer on the site...about six bags in, I realized this was not a good idea at 3 o'clock in the morning. So, the samples above are just from the first 8 designers.
They have solid colors too, will soon have more selection...all-leather bags and so forth. They have some special bags to benefit charitable causes. I will emphasize again that there are many other designers and their patterns, many ways of putting together "your" bag. You may email "your" bag to your friend for her to critique, as well.
Most intriguing of all, according to their press release, these bags are made in the U.S.A. I had to read that two or three times for it to sink in. There is not much about that fact on the freddy&ma site, which I think is a mistake. There is an enormous, not-talked-about-much sentiment for Americans to "buy American." Not just American designers (but thanks anyway), but especially American labor.
The price range is in the two to three hundreds, which admittedly is more than I pay for a bag; however, I will guess the quality of these bags is up there with the (far more expensive) imported designer bags.
I will leave you with a size description from the charming copy on the site:
Dims: 14.5" x 13" x 4.5"
Carries: new gossip rags, afternoon protein bar, new blouse you bought during your afternoon 'dentist appointment'
Enjoy!
Labels: bags, fashion notes, freddy and ma, indie
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January 6, 2008 9:55 AM, Dain said...
These are fun to browse, but I wish they offered customizable leather bags. But I suppose that's much harder to do and more expensive. January 6, 2008 1:51 PM, Colleen Shirazi said...
Definitely. I don't do cloth bags myself, they don't wear as well as leather, they tend to get dirty easily... I think their original idea was to use designer prints, but it wouldn't hurt to develop custom leather bags. |
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April 19, 2008 10:00 PM,
Totally agree with your take on Paltrow and celebrities. And the IT bag.
I just can't risk white pants (or white other bottoms). I'll even get stains on merely light-colored fabrics. Definitely lovely to look at though.
April 23, 2008 11:58 PM,
I'm so arrogant I can't bear to see other people who are arrogant. : (
: D
April 26, 2008 3:44 PM,
I don't pay enough attention to celebrities to find them annoying (though they are pushed in your face at times)...but I never consider any of the ones you've heard of, to be unintelligent, however they may act. They're far richer than I'll ever be.
Hollywood has always been about nepotism...usually it's the ones who aren't related to someone who are good-looking, though, which is likely why people make such a big deal out of Paltrow.