The Bag Coalition - Fall 2010 handbags + giveaways!

Handbag Report is hosting an exclusive Onna Ehrlich giveaway

Senora Cartera features the Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2010 Collection: Back To Basics

Handbag du Jour reviews fifties-inspired Fall 2010 bags by Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton’s fifties-inspired Fall 2010 bags - #pfw

Just when we thought we’ve seen every iteration of the logoed Louis Vuitton bag, they go and make a brand new one. And another one. Marc Jacobs channeled the fifties era in his Fall 2010 Louis Vuitton show and the models wore corseted full skirted dresses accessorized with high ponytails, chunky heeled pumps adorned with flat bows and a slew of structured handbags. The Speedy silhouette gets a makeover in various materials, ranging from smooth and simple calf leather with a single raised LV logo, an ostrich and canvas pairing, laser-cut and burnout LV monogram canvas, crocodile and patent vernis, embellished in sequins, and woven. Despite the use of a single silhouette, the variety of bags will appeal to all bag lovers – from die-hard Louis Vuitton fans to ladies who lunch and all gals in between.

Project Runway star Korto Momolu set to launch signature handbag line at Dillard’s

We heart Project Runway - even though they keep knocking off our favorite designers season after season. One of which was Korto Momolu. Though we seriously loved Leanne Marshall’s final collection, Korto really stole the season - she rocked every challenge and should have won. Same for the designer all-star challenge. But Korto’s doing just fine, as she’s set to launch her a signtaure line of handbags on February 15, 2010 in all Dillard’s stores and online at www.dillards.com. The launch will include a nationwide tour from February to March 2010, kicking-off in her home state of Arkansas. She will also visit major cities including Dallas, Houston, Memphis, Atlanta, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, New Orleans, Charlotte, Las Vegas and Phoenix.

Her signature handbags (one of which we’ve featured before) have the same styling that she puts into her clothing. Inspired by her native Africa, her bags are made with rich fabrics and vibrant colors, and with details like bullhorn handles, they have tons of personality and are full of Korto’s character. In short, they’re luxurious, exotic and beautiful. We can’t wait to see the Dillard’s collection! In the meantime, you can check out her line of handbags here.

Also on February 15, she’ll be debuting her Fall 2010 collection of handbags and apparel at New York Fashion Week, which we’ll be covering on What’s Haute. Stay tuned to see more of what’s in store from this lady, both on and off the runway!

From Dillard’s:
“We are very excited to bring Korto Momolu’s collection of jewelry and handbags to Dillard’s.” “It is thrilling to watch a new designer begin her career in such an exciting fashion. Dillard’s is committed to innovative design and bringing our customers new and exciting labels.”

From Korto:
“This partnership with a worldwide brand like Dillard’s is thrilling for me, because it will enable me to expose even more people to my aesthetic and continue to make my brand a household name.”

Beyonce and her Balenciaga Arena Day bag party it up all night in Paris for Men’s Fashion Week

Beyonce may have said ‘buh-bye’ to her alter ego, Sasha Fierce, but it doesn’t look like she bid adieu to Sasha’s ‘fierce’ fashion sense. Mrs. Carter and her hubby Jay-Z were spotted leaving L’Avenue restaurant in Paris before heading to see some shows at Paris Menswear Fashion Week this week. She rocked quite the edgy look of an acid-washed denim-look boucle cropped jacket, studded black leggings. She accessorized with matching 3.1 Phillip Lim studded black fingerless gloves, black Ray Ban sunglasses, a Balenciaga Arena Classic Day bag in Outremer (bright blue) and Louboutins on her feet, of course. Looks very ‘Sasha Fierce’ to us.

Photos: Splash News

Rihanna j’adores Chanel

You know it wouldn’t be a normal fashion week without several Rihanna sightings. She hit up the Chanel show draped in Chanel from head to (almost) toe - sunglasses, bustier, blue tweed skirt, multi-chain necklace and a velvet bag with sequins? Can’t say it was our favorite Rihanna look but at least she tried to represent for Chanel. Supermodel Claudia Schiffer also took in the show, as well as Prince! Prince, Rihanna and Karl Lagerfeld all under one roof? Better clutch your Chanel pearls…

Barson/Wireimage

Moschino Cheap & Chic - Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2010

“Fashion is full of chic!” tote bag seen on the runway at Moschino Cheap & Chic - Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2010. Love it!

D. Venturelli/Wireimage

Bags on the runway at Bottega Veneta - Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2010

Bottega Veneta debuted its Spring/Summer 2010 collection in Milan and the ready-to-wear pieces consisted of lots of simple neutrals. But the bags, oh the bags! Most consisted of yellow tones, from Bottega’s traditional woven totes, to yellow tie dye and a few reptile skin bags. We can’t wait for the pieces to be sold in stores soon!

D. Venturelli/Wireimage

Marchesa to launch its first handbag collection

Women’s Wear Daily reported today that Marchesa is launching its first accessories collection. The brand plans to debut its Spring handbags at its presentation on September 16, 2009 at the Chelsea Art Museum during New York Fashion Week. The collection includes 28 clutches and evening cases with details you’d find on Marchesa dresses: beading, pleating and corsetry.
Read more

Amber Rose (and her Accessories) are the Highlight of Paris Fashion Week?

The most talked about thing at Paris Fashion Week is not the designers, or the trends, or even the celeb spottings. Instead, it is what Amber Rose is wearing! You ask who is Amber Rose? Read more

Solange Knowles with the CC Skye Niki Clutch

Although big sis Beyonce is a mega star, lil sis Solange Knowles is certainly no slouch in the style department. Her unique fashion sense consists of pairing odd combinations Read more

MCM (Mode Creation Munich) Assouline Campaign

Celebs were on hand to celebrate the unveiling of the MCM (Mode Creation Munich) Assouline Campaign at W Hotels VIP Lounge - Bryant Park Tents on February 18, 2009 in New York City. MCM unveiled its new styles in addition to its traditional luggage-style bags with the MCM emblem. Read more

Linea Pelle Dylan Folding Clutch

Fashion week staples: comfy but sexy/stylish shoes, coffee, camera for all the fashions/celebrities you can record, tote bag for all those free WWD, Daily and NY Times Style magazines in the tents and a chic clutch for at hand essentials. My pick? The Linea Pelle Dylan Folding Clutch in Black. The soft pebbled black leather actually looks like it has a dark grey sheen and grey is the new black. The studs give it just the right amount of fashion edge. The foldover top makes it easy to clutch and the zip closure keeps your stuff safely inside while you use your hands for much more important things. And it’s only $219 - a very fashion-friendly price!

$219, Pink Mascara

Fashion Fridays - London Fashion Week

I’ve barely recovered from the whirlwind of New York Fashion Week and now we’re already on to the next! The fashion’s seen on London’s runways are a lot more cutting-edge and fashion forward. A standout trend that I noticed from the last few days’ shows was exaggerated shoulders. Many of London’s fashion designers incorporated modern shoulder padded looks into their Fall 2008 collections. Here’s an example:

Source

And here are a few ready-to-wear pieces that also incorporate the trend:

(L to R, top to bottom)
1. Diane von Furstenberg Ramira Jacket
2. ADAM Ruffled Shift Dress
3. Doo.Ri Khaki Trench Coat
4. Robert Rodriguez Silk Blouson Sleeve Blouse
5. Jovovich-Hawk Florance Dress
6. Acne Jeans Blow Print Blouse

What do you think of the exaggerated shoulders trend? Haute to rock or not?

Fashion Week F–k-Ups

Fashion Week is finally over! It’s always an exhausting yet exciting ride. There’s always something going on, from parties to the shows to the celeb sightings and of course, the anticipation of seeing what’s hot for next season! As much as I love fashion week, this week I was screwed over by two big design houses, and I feel it is my blogger duty to share that with you.

First up - Rock & Republic. This is the show I was most looking forward to attending. I received multiple emails from their PR firm confirming my attendance, to which I confirmed multiple times. I also received emails confirming my seating assignment. So I showed up at the tent only to be told that I was placed in the standing section. Even if you try arguing with them at the door, they will not give you a seat. So I figured I’d just wait until I got inside and then seat myself. So I’m standing in line with a few hundred other people for almost an hour and then we’re all told there’s no room, the show is full. However, one of the PR girls grabbed former Project Runway contestant Jack Mackenroth and a few of his friends to come inside (I guess there was extra room if you’ve been on TV). Everyone else was turned away. It didn’t matter if you had an invitation, seating assignment, nothing. I was out. I emailed the same rep who had been emailing me all week to complain about the treatment I received and guess what? No response. So I will no longer be supporting Rock and Republic, thanks to the terrible service I received.

This was one of her many emails to me:

Thank you for your RSVP to the Rock & Republic Fall/Winter 2008 Show. You
are confirmed to attend and your seating assignment will be sent to you via
email later today and will also be available at the door tomorrow.

We look forward to seeing you.

All the Best,

xxxxxxx

* * *

Who: Rock & Republic

What: Fall/Winter 2008 Show

Where: The Tent - Bryant Park Tents
Sixth Avenue at 41st St.

When: Saturday, February 2, 8pm

Next brand on blast - Peter Som. I received an email from American Express inviting me to an exclusive Peter Som show (to which I RSVPd immediately after receiving it):

Good afternoon,

We would love to have you join us for the Peter Som/American Express Cardmember Only Show on Wednesday at 9 pm!

Let me know if you’re interested as soon as you can.

Best,

xxxx

** INVITATION** INVITATION ** INVITATION **

American Express Cardmember Only Show with Peter Som

EVENT NAME: American Express Cardmember Only Fashion Show with Peter Som

WHEN: Wednesday February 6, 2008, 9:00pm

WHERE: Promenade at the Tents at Bryant Park

After waiting and waiting for a confirmation, almost 24 hours later, I finally received the following email:

Good morning,

As seating is extremely limited for tonight’s Peter Som show, it pains me to inform you that we will be unable to accommodate your attendance.

However, you and your readers can still watch the entire show LIVE, as it happens online.

I sincerely apologize for this inconvenience.

Best,

xxxx

WTF?!?! What kind of operation are these people running? You don’t invite then uninivite people to an event. I don’t care if it was a mistake, let’s be more professional. Get it together people. These brands have to remember that it’s not just celebrities who support them. You can’t treat the ‘average Joe/Jane’ this way because you never know who it is you’re screwing over.

Fashion Fridays - Fall Trend Alert: Ombre

Ombre, from the French ombrer meaning “to shade,” is a dip-dye effect given to fabric in which the color is graduated from light to dark. Designers used the technique to spice up their Fall 2008 collections. Reem Acra and Cynthia Rowley incorporated ombre into silk fabrics, while Costello Tagliapietra and Herve Leger used knits as the canvas. Monique Lhuillier edged up her eveningwear with ombre and Kimora Lee Simmons used bright colors to ombre a few of her Baby Phat dresses.


Even fashion trendsetter Jennifer Lopez gets in on the ombre action:

Credit: RAMEY PHOTO

Shop this trend with these fashionable ombre pieces:

(L to R, Top to Bottom; Click pic for larger)

Guerlain Ombre Eclat Eye Shadow Palette: Four Colors

Alice + Olivia Silk Ombre Dress

Prada Ombre Patent Leather Tote

One Clothing Ruched Ombre Top

Prada Ombre Pump

Jonathan Saunders Brunelle ombre coat

Multicolored Ombre L.A.M.B. Carlisle Clutch

Matty M Twist Neck Ombre Silk Top

Ombre Peeptoe Pumps

Haute Off the Runway: Victorya Hong

Latest Project Runway cast-off Victorya Hong held her own runway show last night in New York’s Altman Building. Her Fall 2008 Na Be collection consisted of simple separates, a departure from her slightly edgy looks on the show. Such basic pieces was a bit risky for her first major fashion week showing but her brilliant construction saved the day. Silhouettes were perfectly tailored and done in basic simple colors. A dose of the season’s hottest color, yellow, was injected into a few of the pieces. The collection was very safe; not over-the-top which might be expected from a Project runway designer, but she kept it simple and made it work.

Image Source: WireImage

Haute Off the Runway: Baby Phat

Baby Phat channeled 1940’s flappers, mixed them with 90’s B-Girls and gave us their Fall ‘08 collection. Kimora Lee Simmons’ runway shows never cease to dazzle and amaze with her bold interpretations of the past and over-the-top visualizations of the present. Simmons’ 2008 flappers wear feathers in place of fringe, fitted minidresses with cargo pockets in place of ruffled skirts, and flouncy bustier tops with ‘Hammer’ pants. As is typical of Baby Phat, a wide range of colors was on display along with the Fall season’s trends - ruffles, accordion pleating and bishop sleeves with charmeuse, satin and silks as the fabrics of choice. Realistically, you likely won’t find any of these looks on Baby Phat.com but since Kimora is the representation of fantasy, why shouldn’t her collection be?

Image Source

Haute Off the Runway: BCBG Max Azria

The BCBG Max Azria show was everything you’ve come to expect from the designer. Silky cocktail dresses, ultra-feminine tailored suits and ethereal chiffon fabrics were present in full force. Color palettes consisted of muted neutral tones like cream, taupe, and rose, with a few unexpected punches of colors like gold, red and blue. Ultra-feminine styling and details were incorporated into each piece - there were lots of flounces and ruffles, exaggerated pleating and bubble skirts which are obviously making a comeback. The entire collection was full of predictable Max Azria designs however all of the pieces were fabulously tailored and simply beautiful. Check out BCBG.com for more looks.

Image Source

Fashion Fridays - Trend: Bigger is Better

What better way to kick off Fashion Week than to announce the launch of Fashion Friday’s on What’s Haute?! We know you love and adore handbags, but we all need a healthy dose of fashion too. Don’t worry, we’ll still bring you the hottest handbags daily but Fashion Friday’s is the one day to bring you the hottest in fashion, trends, and answers to your questions on where to shop, what to buy and more!

To start off, let’s take a look at this new trend - ‘bigger is better’:
Christian Dior, Valentino and Christian Lacroix ‘did it big’ at Paris’ Spring Couture Week. Think over embellished sleeves, bubble skirts and lots of detailing. Layers of ruffles, pleating and ruching add to the effect. Even Lucy Liu rocks the trend in Valentino!

Here are a few pieces that transform the runway to the real world:

Click pic for larger
Marc Jacobs Color block chiffon dress, $1800

Alice + Olivia Pleated Sleeveless Dress at shopbop.com
(Yellow), $385

Moschino Mikado trapeze dress, $1525

Anzevino & Florence Mary Poppins Dress
(Black), $291 and
Anzevino & Florence Czarina Top (Red), $141

Jean Paul Gaultier Ruched Blouson Dress (Black), $530

Doo.Ri Chiffon Over blouse (Pink), $850

MINT jodi arnold Tiered satin dress, $649

Zachariah Bryant Sienna’s SoHo Dress, $225

By Malene Birger Noam pleated dress, $373

Haute Off the Runway: Valentino’s Spring 2008 Collection

When you go out, you should go out with a bang! Valentino’s last hurrah was the ultimate in haute Spring fashion. Valentino the trendsetter took us to the candy shop with a collection chock full of candied colors. This Spring, expect to see lots of pastel colors mixed with brights - cotton candy pinks and blues, canary yellows, varying shades of purple (the current ‘It’ color), and of course, metallics - muted gold, bronze, and colored metallics. Valentino mixed up classic suits and dresses with edgy, trendy accessories. Shoes consisted of multicolored ribboned straps alongside polka dot stilettos and metallic gold flowered heels. Handbags were primarily large satchels in solid brights and multicolored numbers that consisted of color block, patchwork and prints. The 60’s and 70’s eras are making a strong comeback in fashion this Spring.

Haute Off the Runway - Fendi’s Frocks and Fug Bags

Source: Style.com

Haute Off the Runway - Pucci

Pucci designer Matthew Williamson took inspiration from the Navajo to create a collection of bohemian chic pieces - printed dresses, billowing ponchos and caftans, woven swimsuits, feathered coats and easy, breezy separates in Western-style prints and solids with a primary color palette of maize, brown, yellow, and gold coupled with hot pink, peach and blue.

While the collection itself was somewhat of a stretch - as Williamson strayed away from traditional Pucci-style and added more ‘ambitious’, more signature designs, the handbag collection was extremely un-Pucci. Styles were derived from the 70’s and 80’s - leather patchwork, color blocks, Native American beading, and chevron stripes. The entire handbag collection looked dated and cheap, and seemed more like they were created for an old-school costume party rather than for a modern, ready-to-wear Spring collection.

Source: Style.com

Haute Off the Runway - Olga Kapustina

Indie designer Olga Kapustina transformed swimwear into ready-to-wear with her Spring 2008 collection. Pieces consisted of solid bright color blocks, and silhouettes were bathing-suit inspired, with bandeau-style tops, form fitting bodices, and full skirts reminiscent of bikini bottom skirts. Models wore matching fabrics on their head, to resemble swim caps.

Check out more of the collection here

Haute Off the Runway: Cynthia Steffe

Cynthia Steffe’s Spring ‘08 collection was a ready-to-wear dream - full of tons of pieces that could easily be worn off the runway as well as on. The collection featured bright spring colors and crisp neutrals mixed with the mod-style color blocks and prints. Solid pieces were constructed in eye-popping colors that are very versatile and beautiful for spring. 60’s-inspired mod looks consisted of geometric shapes and prints in neutral, pastel and primary colors.

Photos via NY Mag

Haute off the Runway - Reem Acra

Fashion Week is quickly coming to a close but I’ve been attending tons of shows and am hastily writing to bring you updates on what’s haute for Spring 2008!

Acra’s ultra-feminine frocks were glossed up with bright colors and shiny fabrics. Her Spring collection primarily consisted of dresses and separates, in hues of canary yellow, emerald green, and bright purple. Eye-catching color combinations were the theme - green and yellow punched up with purple; red and white floral printed dresses with wide colored belts; shimmering gowns.

Nearly every piece in the collection was accessorized with a belt, with the exception of the gowns. Gowns were red carpet ready, with form fitting bodices, plunging beaded necklines, and voluminous skirts. The gowns were less ostentatious in terms of color - the designer stuck to off white, lavender and black.

Overall, the collection was a beautiful array of flowing, colorful dresses, not for every day, but for the woman with somewhere to go. I expect to see a few of these pieces on the red carpet soon!

Photos via NY Magazine.

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