Archive for August, 2005

Bag Bliss the bag blog
Date Added: August 24, 2005

Marc by Marc Jacobs | Schooly Handbag
Marc Jacobs introduces this vintage school-girl inspired handbag line for this autumn winter season. This fall line is decorated in either rose print; corded suede; solid color leather with contrasting trim; shimmering polka dot pattern; or patchwork plaid. Most of the bags in this line are embellished in beautiful rich deep shades of blues and purples. This collection of handbags is casual, perfect for daywear, and good addition to your fall wardrobe. In my opinion the cutest bags in this collection are in the satchel shape. The design of the satchel bag along with the pattern translates into the vintage schoolgirl image.
Get yours today at eLUXURY.com

Date Added: August 27, 2005

Brighton | Aspen Line
The inspiration for this new line came from down jackets worn by the Aspen ski crowd. The handbags from this Aspen collection are also known as the ‘cubby bags’ for their close resemblance of a down jacket. This line is decorated with trapunto-quilted fabric in hues of red, pink or black.

August 15, 2005

Bulga
It’s all about the woman. Natalia Konovalova, designer behind Bulga, was first introduced to fashion working as a model, but has been in love with women’s wear since she a was a little girl living in the former Soviet Union. Inspired by her mother, Natalia has always been fascinated by exactly what it means to be a “woman” and studied fashion throughout her teens with uncommon interest, searching for how a woman’s sense of style reflects her individual personality.

At the age of twenty, Natalia’s life changed forever when she won “Princess of Kazulkum” and was whisked away to the United States to pursue a career in modeling. It was during this time that she first became acquainted with the fashion industry and was inspired to create something of her own, “It has always been important for me to express myself,” says Natalia, “Fashion was going to be how I finally did it.”

In a courageous move, Natalia enrolled in New York City’s Fashion Institute of Technology and after four years of hard work graduated with a fashion degree in women’s wear. Fresh out of school, Natalia started to examine a fashion market saturated with overpriced hand-bags with “hand-made” looks. That is when she decided the time was right.

She started designing her bags under the name Kono Valova but wanted a name that better matched the inspiration she felt when creating her line. Her answer came one day out of the blue while she was casually glancing over an antique globe: “I was looking at all the old names for towns in my country and my finger came down on a town called “Bulga”. After I looked it up I literally fell out of my chair; the English translation of Latin word “bulga” is leather bag!

Today, Bulga is the culmination of years of experience and outstanding talent. Natalia is creating her handbags for the independent, cultured woman who is well traveled and loves the arts – a woman who is sexy, smart, confident and seductive, who knows what she wants and when and where. “It is not about an age,”insists Natalia, “it’s an attitude!”

Leather is Natalia’s favorite medium and she loves playing with the shapes and colors of her bags. The designs are dependably classic with fun, feminine accents often found inside the bags through the fabric linings. Her tailoring background can be seen in the exquisite silhouettes of the handbags.

Though she loves her designs, handbags are just the beginning. After studying the history of Gucci Natalia decided to start small and hopes that one-day the Bulga name will be a complete line of women’s clothing. Until then, Natalia will continue to focus her keen sense of style on her beautifully crafted bags.
source: www.bulga.com

Date Added: August 14, 2005

Brighton | Full Moon Line
This collection has a classic and plain look to it that will go with any outfit. This Full Moon line reminds me of the Coach hobo in the Hampton collection. They are similar in quality and price. What really catches your eye on this piece is the glamorous rhinestone buckle; it really captures your attention.

August 3, 2005

Kooba
Kooba exemplifies the fusion of fashion and function for Fall 2006. Incorporating the hottest runway fashions and transporting them to your arm, this season’s collection offers structured styles, soft Italian leather, a rich color palette and the finest hardware.

Highlighting the new collection is the debut of the Paige, an updated oversized tote with pocket details and belted accents sure to become a classic Kooba silhouette. The Lena, a sophisticated double belted shoulder bag, and the corset inspired styling of Brynne, Annie, and Keira are guaranteed to be favorites of the season.

As always, popular designs from past seasons return in new colors and fabrics. Carla and Ginger, two of Kooba’s signature styles, reappear in soft suede and metallic brown leather; and once again the timeless styling of the Sienna and Frankie are back in deep luxurious hues of raisin, teak and bourbon.

Moving from the shoulder to the waist, Kooba has greatly expanded their belt collection. Distinctive hardware, eyelet details and woven leather characterize these versatile styles and silhouettes.

From the streets of New York City to the Hollywood Hills, the demand for Kooba continues to grow amongst both style icons and Hollywood’s fresh faces. Fans include- Mischa Barton, Sienna Miller, Lindsay Lohan, Scarlett Johansson, Eva Longoria, Courteney Cox, Julia Roberts, Jennifer Garner, Jessica Simpson, Sarah Jessica Parker, Rachel Bilson, Jamie-Lynn Sigler and Jennifer Aniston.
source: www.kooba.com

August 1, 2005

Celine
The French luxury house was launched in 1945 by Celine Viplana, and was originally a made-to-measure children’s shoe business that grew into women’s shoes and accessories. Ready-to-wear debuted in the 1960s, when Viplana designed a line of “couture sportswear” or “fashion for everyone.”

The Look is high-end sporty looks, clean and wearable separates, such as swinging skirts, fitted shirts, and soft knits. The accessories-belts, boots, shoes, and bags-have a distinct sexy, city girl appeal.

Michael Kors helmed the label successfully for seven years until 2004, when the reigns were passed to Italian designer Roberto Menichetti. After a disappointing one-year collaboration, LVMH looked in-house to find a replacement and hired Ivana Omazic, a former consultant for the brand. Croatian Omazic had previously worked with Romeo Gigli, Prada, Jil Sander, and Miu Miu.

Worn by Globe-trotting gals with a taste for classics and clean lines, including Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Aniston, Renee Russo, and Lucy Liu.
source: www.nymag.com

August 1, 2005

Chloe
Luxurious, romantic and quinessentially French, Chloe’s ethos is to make luxury ready-to-wear for stylish women the world over.

Having bought the house in the mid 80s, Swiss luxury group, Richemont, placed Chloe firmly on the international market where it has remained a formidable fashion force since.

Producing iconic fashion and launching Chloe’s eponymous and successful fragrance, Karl Lagerfeld became Chloe’s public image in both the 60s and 90s and was succeeded by Martine Sitbon’s unique modern vision during the late 80s.

Miss McCartney joined as Creative Director in 1997, infusing her classic tailoring with the pulse of the street and securing Chloe as the first name in fashion.

Miss McCartney’s design partner, Phoebe Philo, stepped into her head designer shoes in April 2001. Bringing her sass and street edge to the label, Miss Philo continues to produce coveted ranges, including new additions such as swimwear and casual line or younger line, See by Chloe.

As Creative Director of Chloe, Phoebe Philo becomes next in a line of visionaries to head-up the prestigious French House.Having worked with Miss McCartney for four years, Miss Philo played an essential role in the house’s reinvention, bringing to it a youthful, cool sexiness and rock ‘n roll edge.

Born in Paris in 1973, Miss Philo grew up in a suburb of London, enrolling at Central St Martin’s School of Art in 1993. Clearly a maverick talent, she was invited to Paris to become Miss McCartney’s design partner, less than a year after her graduation.

Miss Philo’s understanding of street culture combined with her tremendous respect for Chloe’s heritage has brought a new sassy edge to the luxury label and with it a new casual range, See by Chloe. A less expensive range than the main line, See comprises of the essential sexiness and street cred for which Chloe has become famous.
source: www.chloe.com

Bag Bliss the bag blog
Date Added: August 1, 2005

Gucci | La Pelle Guccissima Collection
The Guccissima embossed logo leather collection recently debuted at Gucci this Fall. The La Pelle Guccissima gives a contemporary twist to the iconic strength of this great tradition, revisiting in leather, for the first time, two legendary symbols of the brand: the GG logo and horsebit symbol.

The new La Pelle Guccissima line by Gucci is going to be one of this years most sought after. The designers used a rich palette of midnight blue, cobalt, emerald, steel gray, violet and mandarin. The eye-catching new embossed signature logo makes it more difficult for counterfeiters to copy. The printing method revives an ancient hot-stamping technique to apply the double G logo or the horsebit motif to the leather, creating an embossed effect.

The famous classic Gucci “GG” signature logo has been reinvented time-to-time, in my opinion this is one of the best lines of the year.