I cannot think of a time when feathers were used on any piece of clothing or accessory to create something extraordinary. The two images that immediately come to my mind is the swan dress that Sergio Rossi’s Ankle Strap Slides into a more fashionable state. I need more than feathers and clusters of beads to make me part with $1250. Beyond the feathers, this seems to be an overpriced pair of simple pointy slides.
In today’s age of motion and touch sensors and every other kind of high-tech gadget we’ve got for security of precious goods, Harrods in London recently took a unique step to protect a pair of very expensive shoes: they hired a poisonous cobra to stand (sit? slither?) guard.
Obviously this was a publicity stunt, not a real security effort, but I say good for them. That’s pretty clever, and for all intents and purposes it worked. The cobra has since returned to its owner and the shoes are, I’m sure, under a more traditional lock and key type security system.
Curious what kind of shoes warranted such a show? A pair of red sandals by Rene Caovilla that are encrusted with rubies, sapphires, and diamonds and valued at about $120,000.
The darling shoes shown here are the tamest selections from chocolatier Theobroma Cacao’s new Erotique collection. The collection is made from Venezuelan chocolate (with a cocoa solid percentage of 70%) stuffed with treats such as strawberry or Champagne ganache and gilded with edible 22 carat gold highlights. There are eleven items in the Erotique Collection that include sculptural recreations of the human form and shoes. Each gift is beautifully presented in a brown and silver gift box and the chocolates are wrapped in lilac Christian Dior silk. The shoes shown above are £45 for a pair.
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I like the elongated shape and unusual color of this bag. And it looks so comfy with the extra-wide padded straps and soft washed calfskin leather. The over-sized front flap pockets and handle attachments sport decorative antique brass studs and the extra-long tassel on the zipper closure adds a bit of fun. Inside, the bag is lined in fuchsia suede and has zip, patch and cell pockets. With the addition of protective metal feet, it has everything I look for in a casual, everyday bag. Measuring 12″ x 12″ x 5″, it sells for $417.
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Here is a modern take on the classic satin evening clutch. Pretty berry colored satin is studded with gem-cut silver-tone accents in an allover geometric pattern. A metallic leather strip accenting the top and a matching detachable wrist strap are all the additional adornments this bag needs. Lined in more berry satin, the Italian-made bag closes with a top zip and measures 13″W X 11½”H X 5″D. $620.
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I am liking the ring handle on this bag. Silver tone metal covered with a bit of leather and adorned with an enamel logo charm, it adds a twist to this compact clutch. The kiss-lock closure peeking through the foldover tab adds even more unique charm to the bag. The leather has a nice texture and the interior is divided into two compartments with handy credit card slots. $635.
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Coach’s Carly style gets a size upgrade in this larger version of the relatively new shape. Slighter bigger in all directions, it measures 17″ x 13″ x 6″ and has 7″ handle drop. Like the smaller version, it is available in five colors, but only this parchment color has the trim in a contrasting hue. The red, brown, black and camel versions all have the leather accents in a similar tone. I prefer the contrast as it really puts the spotlight on the leather trim with all those brass details, including including studs, turnlocks, rings and even a dog-leash clip. The zip-top bag is lined and features internal zip, cell and accessory pockets. $498.
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For their 100th anniversary, the luggage company, Globe-Trotter, went traditional expanding on their classic looks of the past. For their 110th anniversary they have stepped away from the past and into the future with this design which was created by Ross Lovegrove, whose work we most recently saw in the sinuous Muon speakers. The suitcase is done in curved carbon fiber. The case goes on sale in January, no price has been released yet.
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As any regular reader of this blog knows we feature a handbag every day. After all, if there is any symbol of the rise of the luxury market aimed at the masses it is the “it bag” the bag that is released and suddenly dangled off every celebrity’s arm. Everyone must have it for a season or so and then, just as quickly, everyone quickly consigns it or relegates it to the back of the closet. The Fendi baguette, the Vuitton Multicolore Speedy, the Chloe Paddington and so many others have been loved and then discarded. But could all this buying be slowing down. The NY Times’ Eric Wilson took on the question of whether the status bag is on the way down.
There’s no question that tthe mid-range luxury consumer that fueled the bag frenzy of the past few years, is cutting back. While once a trendy bag was the way to show the world you had made it (and much cheaper than the status car or the status home), now in troubled economic times it seems like an easy place to trim the fat. Especially since, as designers churned out more and more special and limited editions it has become impossible to keep up with the latest trends.
If I had to choose a “jump the shark” moment for the handbag craze it would have to be the release of the Louis Vuitton Patchwork Tribute bag, the $45,000+ haphazard creation shown at right which was last spring. I might also speculate that more and more consumers are becoming aware that their bags are less likely to be coming from a French atelier and more often are being churned out in a Chinese factory.
Handbags are clearly not going away. And for the true fashionista there will always be a market for a beautifully done bag. As in other markets, a loss in status or interest usually pushes the dilettantes out, leaving the dedicated obsessives behind.
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Woven leather in a mossy green creates a beautiful canvas for the pretty swirls that accent this feminine tote. With delicate gold tone hardware and graceful scalloped edges, the bag almost looks vintage. With slim handles and protective feet, this is a gorgeous bag that would add a bit of old style class to your wardrobe. Measuring 15″ wide by x9″ high by 4″ deep, the Cornely tote sells for $3,300.