Just last night I had a dinner party at my house to bid farewell to one of my best friends. It was classy and swanky with lots of food and drinks. Wine is the most ideal choice for any dinner party and a big bottle was brought by one of my friends. To my surprise, when the bottle was finished my friend grabbed the cork and put it in her purse. I asked her why she did that and she simply stated that she collected them. I’m sure it’s not uncommon to hear of people collecting the corks from wine bottles but for a moment it surprised me. You always hear of people collecting shoes, baseball cards, or even cars but corks? I had never heard of this before but I instantly thought it was interesting! She proceeded to tell me that she collects them and puts them in a jar as decoration in her house. So I guess corks have a fun use to them once you’re done with your bottles.
At the age of 13, Kara Ross discovered her true calling in a tourmaline stone she found on a family trip to Kenya. Her parents allowed her to design a ring around the stone and her future was cast. Kara is now a Gemological Institute of America Certified Gemologist and has spent the last five years designing her own jewelry line. It’s no surprise that she approaches handbags with the same eye for craftsmanship and love of special materials.
I had the pleasure of touring the Kara Ross NY showroom recently and was blown away. Like a kid in a candy store, I ogled beautiful jewels, stunning showpieces, amazing handbags and a sneak peak at Fall 2011. While I can’t share the Fall highlights with you…yet, I can share some of the special items for Spring/Summer!
With Kara Ross, the materials are an important feature of the bag. Python, alligator, ostrich, snake, lizard, stingray and even cork and sequins are embellished with crystals, stones and jewelry grade metal accents. One beautiful gem-like bag is this seafoam green alligator Dea featuring geometric black onyx with metallic accent. A smaller sized clutch, it fits beautifully in the hand and is one of my favorites from the collection.
Events like these make me wish I was in the NY area. Kara Ross is hosting a decorate-it-yourself type purse event at Bergdorf Goodman on Thursday, November 4th.
Kara will be there, hanging out on the first floor between the hours of 1-5 pm, helping customer’s customize the new Celina clutch in the skin and stone of their choice. Prices start at $1320.
Last night the stars were out in honor of Tinsel Town’s leading ladies, at Elle’s 17th Annual ‘Women in Hollywood’ Tribute at The Four Seasons Hotel.
Pictured above is beauty Kate Hudson (wearing Prabal Gurung) with beau, Muse frontman Matt Bellamy. And do you see that pretty little silver purse sitting on the table? For the event, she carried her Kara Ross NY Gemma B in Silver Foil Python with Hematite.
If you’re in the New York area, you must make it by Henri Bendel’s 5th Avenue window sometime from tomorrow November 3rd until November 9th. As well as check out the new limited time only Kara Ross pop-up shop in the store and meet the designer!
For the spectacular window display at Bendel’s, Kara created a one-of-a-kind vintage inspired studded “Purse dress,” which all handbag addicts must find amusing. The dress (modeled below by Kara’s daughter Avery) is adorned with the hit bag of the season, the Swarovski crystallized Nox bag sewn into the side.
We have also received word, that there’s going to be a larger than life 5ft by 8ft Nox bag made completely out of broken glass pieces in the display. You can’t miss it!
Also featured in the window will be two original bejeweled python purses made with Crystallized Swarovski Elements. Produced in a pink metallic glazed python in Kara’s classic Nox & Dea styles.
Enjoy the display!
Back in April, I wrote about the Up and Coming Designer: Kara Ross. In my post, I featured the gorgeous Python Gemma Clutch. Although she was already in the process of making a big name for herself, it seemed as though many Bag Bliss readers had not yet heard her name or seen her wonderful designs. Since then, however, things seemed to have changed a bit. I have been seeing more and more by this designer popping up all over the web. In fact, there were even some Python Gemma Clutches up for grabs on Gilt not too long ago! Boy, I am so sad I missed out on that sale!
So what has Kara Ross been up too since this last Spring? Her new Fall collection for 2009, of course! One of the new pieces for Fall is this Velvet Gemma Clutch. It looks like Kara Ross has traded in eye-popping color for ultra chic. This lovely black velvet clutch features an onyx stone accent on the front and raised seam detailing throughout. It would look gorgeous paired with a simple evening or cocktail dress, perfect for those formal occasions during the Fall and Winter months. Definitely something worth checking out!
The Kara Ross Velvet Gemma Clutch is available in Onyx. It retails for $455 and it measures 10″ x 5″ x 4″. Find it at NET-A-PORTER.COM!
The Chat: Kara Ross Gemma!
Founded in 2003, Kara Ross New York, LLC is a rapidly growing luxury good company. The designer is known for her eclectic designs and use of alternative materials. Interestingly, however, Kara Ross is also a certified GIA gemologist. This probably explains her apparent love of incorporating beautiful stones into her pieces.
Best known in the handbag world for her gorgeous clutches, Kara Ross is also known for her unique jewelry designs. And just last year, her designs won the FGI Rising Star Accessories Award. What an impressive accomplishment! Especially since her company is in its earlier stages and still has much more growing to do!
Although it was difficult to choose just one bag by this designer to write about, I chose to feature the Gemma Clutch because it appears to be one of her most popular designs. This delicious little clutch is available in a wide variety of colors and fabrications. What I love most about the Gemma Clutch is the genuine stone embellishment on the front of the bag. I also love its simple, envelope styling and hidden magnetic closure. This clutch is so gorgeous, I’m not sure if I’d be able to save it for special occasions only. I would be tempted to take it out with me all the time!
Shop Kara Ross at *NET-A-PORTER.COM*. There you will find the Gemma Clutch available in Turquoise or Biscuit.
The Chat: Kara Ross
If you haven’t noticed yet, over at online sample sale site Gilt Groupe they have a special section on their site called “Personal Offers”, dedicated to featuring single items at a deal. And ever now and then, when were lucky, they put a handbag up for grabs.
This week they’ve added the limited Kara Ross Gemma B clutch in anaconda print clutch. And get this – it’s over 50% off! It retails for $1,205, but only on Gilt you can snatch one up for only $568.
The small sized anaconda print clutch features a flap cover opening with invisible magnetic closure. Also features a black gem detail with gold hardware. Interior canvas lining with small patch pocket and embossed metal logo. Measures 10″L x 1.25″W x 4″H.
Designer Kara Ross just unveiled her new boutique line, Kara by Kara Ross. Read about it on The Fashion Row.
What do you think about the new Kara by Kara Ross Bags?
The Work Bag:
The Beach Tote:
The Weekend Bag:
The Evening Clutch:
