Project Runway - Week 3 Recap

The designers have to design for America’s favorite accessory. Thanks to Paris Hilton, that accessory is not a handbag, or jewelry, but a dog. Bradley struggles with his design and fears getting Auf’d on his birthday. Keith Michael’s newfound arrogance begins to rub other designers the wrong way.

End result: Uli wins the challenge. Her dress is a creative combination of a leopard print and another print. Bradley pulls through at the end and impresses Nina, who says she could see his outfit being shot for Elle. Angela narrowly escapes getting Auf’d again with her puffy party skirt and top. Katherine is Auf’d due to the simplicity of her creation. The judges actually prefer her dog’s hoodie over the plain green dress.

Who do you think should have been Auf’d? Who do you predict will be asked off to leave next week?

Haute or Not: Crescent Hobo

This tan Xhilaration Crescent Hobo is is classic in shape, but adorned with hanging metal coins. Does the trim ruin the simplicity of the bag, or perfectly offset it? Haute or not, it’s a steal at $11.99. So what do you think-chic or just cheap?

The Bow is Back - Bow Handbags

Forget the prom dresses and hair clips from the 80’s. The bow is back and it’s on your handbag. Designers have jumped on the bandwagon and the bow is making a splash all over the handbag world. Available in a variety of styles and prices, you can carry a cute, versatile handbag of your own. All wrapped up in a neat little bow.

Amici Accessories, Bow Bag, $25

Flavio Olivera, Clutch Bag, $364.32

Franchi, Bella Bow Clutch, $180.95

Hand Maid, Hip Clutch, $212

Lorelei, Paget Leather Clutch, On sale now for $105
Marc by Marc Jacobs, Betty, $294.40 (As seen on Frapp Fashion)
Tarah Smith, Martinique

Fashion Has Gone to the Dogs

Long gone are the days when dogs walk the streets on a leash. Modern day dogs travel in style. These couture pet carriers appear to be stylish handbags, but are actually trendy transportation for your four-legged friends. Janet Lee, the founder of Petote, is the reigning queen of the stylish doggy bag. Her offerings include the Bali Pink Metallic Links Carrier ($199) and the Metro Pet Carrier in silver & gold metallic ($399). World According to Jess offers a delightful plaid tote ($224.50) complete with Fido’s or Fifi’s silhouette in leather. PuchiBag gives your pet classic style, with its vintage Barbie carrier ($235). High doggie style doesn’t come cheap.

All items are on sale and available at Pet Sale Ave.

What’s the Deal?

The deal is these fabulous bags are composed of a single piece of leather, chunky brass hardware and beading, and constructed solely by hand by the designer. Deal & Wire Handbags, the label created by Kimberly Golding, already have a celebrity following, of the likes of Paris Hilton and Beyonce. The bags are versatile enough to transition from day to night, and not too trendy that they will quickly go out of style. An even bigger deal is that the bags are priced within your means. Be a queen for the day with the “Queenie” (pictured above). Available exclusively online at Xsori

Haute or Not: House of Dereon Handbags

This week marks a new feature for What’s Haute readers, “Haute or Not”. I decided to start this week’s Haute or Not with a handbag by celebrity glamour gal, Beyonce. Her (and mom Tina’s) clothing line, House of Dereon, was launched during Fashion Week ’06, and the handbags were just released on the website last week. This “Wild Child” shoulder bag is one of three styles on the site. What do you think? Is the bag worthy of carrying Beyonce’s name, or simply not worth the $138 price tag?

Project Runway – Week 2 Recap

Tara Conner, AKA Miss USA, needs an evening gown for the Miss Universe pageant. Her rules are simple, and they include ‘sticking to earth tones, and bust minimization’. The designers get a surprise – they have to work in pairs! Angela is already irritating people so she’s the last one picked for the teams.

End result: Kayne, the one with the most pageant experience, wins. Miss USA adores his (and Robert’s) gown, the jeweled neckline, the iridescent colors. Everyone seems quite displeased with Malan’s brown gown and Angela’s behavior. When it comes down to the wire, Malan gets the boot (though personally I think the dress wasn’t half bad). The judges apparently felt his dress was worse than Angela’s poor attitude. Malan touches viewers hearts everywhere when he cries at the end.

A Full Moon

They say people go crazy when there’s a full moon, and it may be true because I’m going crazy over this bag. The Full Moon by
Luba J combines a topstitched half moon leather trim, quilted leather sides, and chunky braided leather handles, which all put a new twist on the classic hobo shape. Created by two former models, Luba J handbags are the new ones to watch. Priced at $540.

The Doctor Is In

A visit to the doctor has never been so stylish. Carlos Falchi delivers this incredibly luxurious doctor’s bag, constructed of black and white haircalf with crocodile and python trim. A visit to the doctor is usually pricey, but this one will only set you back $696.99 (marked down from $1,395). Forget an apple a day, just carry this bag!

White Haute Snakes

Snakes in the wild scare me, slithering up slowly to move in for the kill. But this is one snake I wouldn’t be scared to clutch. So simple and chic is the Lucia Ivory Python Purse from Lorelei. Kristopher Dukes said it best - the sleek lines and white color make this clutch purely elegant.

Project Runway – Week 1 Recap

One can’t discuss what’s haute in fashion without discussing Project Runway. Since I’m both a drama TV columnist and fashion blogger, I thought it important to offer recaps in brief on the most dramatic fashion show on television.

The designers move into the house; receive their mission – tear apart the house to create original designs. The house gets trashed, but the results are beautiful dresses and an array of random fashion accessories, including a gorgeous necklace and a hideous hat.

End result: Keith Michael wins immunity with a navy bed sheet turned halter dress, layers of necklaces and an edgy hairstyle. Stacy Estrella gets the “auf wiedersen” from Heidi for her failed attempt at transforming a flowy white bed sheet into a gown.

My Flat in London

Don’t you wish you had a flat in London? Well, if you can’t afford one, you can at least carry one of these adorable bags from My Flat in London. The Mini Snap Tote is the ultimate in preppy chic, with Chanel–like quilting and an oversized metal bee nameplate. Even cuter is the Jack Russell, a quilted doggy bag – literally! Both are only $245, so you can have European style, but at affordable American prices.

Ahoy Matey

With “The Pirates of the Caribbean” now in theaters, it’s inevitable that designers pick up on the trend. Tylie Malibu offers a remarkable leather bag in the spirit of pirates, the Handstitched Benatar. The Handstitched Benatar is detailed with studs depicting a skull and an anchor, but is also available in solid colors (Black, White, Teal, and Bronze). Check it out at http://www.tyliemalibu.com/.

A Handbag Line Named Desire

Linda Ly has designed one of the most desirable new “It” bags of the season. The Moorea Tote by Begeren (Dutch for “desire”) is one of the most blogged about new bags and it’s easy to see why. Large, colorful, roomy and uniquely designed, this tote is what handbag dreams are made of. Also, it’s available in 5 delicious colors, and priced at $286, so get yours now because everyone else will be carrying one soon.