Fashion Blog

When Sean “Diddy”Combs teamed up with Estйe Lauder to create the men’s cologne Unforgiven, he did it Diddy-style, with suggestive advertising that turned off a lot of retailers. The controversy didn’t hurt sales and now he’s back with Unforgivable Multi Platinum, a limited edition version of the original.

Comparing his new scent to a fine wine, he says this luxury version is a better grade of “juice”. At $65 for 2.5 ounces, it sells for $10 more than the original version.

In 2005, I mentioned Guerlain’s line of orchid-based skin creams, designed to pamper and plump your skin. You will soon be able to get an entire orchid-themed treatment at the Guerlain Spa at the Regent Bal Harbor, a new resort opening this fall. The 124-room resort will have a 10,000 square foot Guerlain Spa with 14 treatment rooms each with a private bathroom. Threr will also be a foot therapy lounge, hydrotherapy facilities, a wet therapy suite for specialized hydrotherapy and Vichy body treatments, a beachfront treatment cabana, sauna and steam rooms and pre- and post-treatment relaxation lounges.

World-renowned British designer Lulu Guinness has some beautiful bags in her Spring/Summer 2007 Couture collection. The Blue Penelope bag caught my eye with its beautiful, deep blue leather. It’s a rather large bag with a soft shape and a sturdy gold clasp and frame. Inside, the bag has an Italian cream suede lining with two pockets as well as the all-important cell-phone holder. With the Lulu Guinness signature discreetly placed on the front, this …

Where have I seen something quite this tacky? Oh, I remember. Lately Burberry’s been doing well. The Manor bag and the sliver check are both winners in my book. This one however is a clunker. The solid canvas hobo has a Burberry crest embroidery with pebbled grain leather trim and strap. The bag comes in stone with white details. If you must, it sells for $470.

At 20″, this padded bag is large enough to work as an overnighter. The Jean Paul Gaultier Embroidered Satin Sport Bag features a Japanese-style embroidered tiger on a burgundy silk satin. The allover striped piping and ribbed knit banding on the sides give the bag a sporty look. The ribbed banding is repeated on the large front kangaroo pocket. It has a large zip closure and 8″ rolled leather straps. Inside, the bag is lined …

A nice sturdy bag like this one is good for everyday use. The Moschino Giraffe Bag isn’t leather, but the funky geometric giraffe print looks right at home on the raffia fabric. Inside, the bag has two roomy compartments, divided by a zippered pocket, with another large pocket on the side. With double handles and a chain strap, you aren’t likely to lose your grip on it and I love the little patent leather belt with the locking heart-shaped charm. …

Shagreen is one of those materials that photos just don’t do justice. The sharkskin leather has to be seen in person to be appreciated for its unique feel and luster. This simple forest green shagreen clutch is padded and edged in bone. The bag is part of the Celestina line designed by Tina Maristela-Ocampo, a former fashion model who has been dubbed the Filipino Judith Leiber for her tiny, expensive and beautiful clutches using shagreen, mother of pearl, brass, shell and other expensive …

I’m not ready to call the clamshell purse style a bona fide trend but I am seeing more and more bags that incorporate the old fashioned metal frame look in a newly glammed up way. This is the Dolce & Gabbana Borsa A Spalla bag. The bag is made of pebbled leather with silver hardware and a removable chain strap. It has a magnetic snap closure and two exterior magnetic snap compartments. The interior holds one zip and one cell pocket and is lined in leopard …

In recent years baby bags have taken on a whole new look. There is such a wide variety in style, fitting multiple budgets and made for both men and women. No longer is the day where you settle on the Winnie the Pooh baby bag - although very cute. Holly Aiken makes diaper bags for the modern woman who still wants to maintain a bit of style yet be unassuming. Made of vinyl for easy cleaning and maintenance, it features multiple interior pockets, …

I’ve compared Cole Haan’s woven leather looks to Bottega Veneta before and this latest hobo from the Vivian collection has a similar appeal but the uses of different styles of weaving creates a more distinctive style. This bag come in chocolate or natural and uses woven multi-color leather for a more casual look. It has a handwoven tassel detail, covered hardware in antique brass and a woven shoulder strap. The interior is lined in linen and has an cell and PDA pockets. It sells for $450.