Posts Tagged ‘ Hermes ’

How Many Bags Do You Need?

Oct 10th, 2008 | By Style Snob | Category: Conscious Fashion
Rating 3.00 out of 5

bagsyouneed4 How Many Bags Do You Need?

Handbags can become an obsession.  There are people on websites such as the Purse Forum that dedicate a lot of energy and excitement over their new acquisition.  And why not?  Purses represent who you are, how you carry yourself, and your fashion.  The fashion industry has banked on accessories because they are easy interchangeable items that truly make an outfit stand out from the others.  We’ve even written about the classic handbags and what you need in your closet.  But how many is too many?  In the end, you only need about six kinds of bags, and you purchase a new one to replace the old one.

Evening Clutch This is something small that you carry only your essentials in: money, identification, cell phone, lipstick and keys.  You use this for evenings and events where you want less baggage.  The clutch doesn’t have to be simple either; they can be jeweled or vibrant in color to make it stand out.  Check out Bottega Veneta Knot Clutches, one of our fave brands.  Choose a color that is versatile to go with your many outfits.

Evening Bag Unlike the clutch, this can fit a little more and be carried by a shoulder strap to free your hands for holding your champagne glass while shaking hands with someone you just met.  More casual, but still elegant, as it’s not a monster bag.  Try to find a feminine style that is classic.

Work Bag This is the poor bag that carries your laptop and files with you every day, the bag that requires its own passenger seat when you are driving, and the bag that can take a tough beating.  You need something large and fuss-free.  I typically like large leather bags with great stitching because they last.  Nothing sucks more than having to replace your vinyl or nylon bags every season because it looks completely beat up and unrecognizable.  Invest in a great large leather handbag that has strong shoulder straps.  You may want two of these, different styles, to keep from getting bored.  You use these the most, so even three is a tolerable number.

Casual Day Bag You use this to run errands during the weekend wearing jeans, but you can also take this to a fun dinner with friends and still look great.  Imagine Balenciaga motorcycle bags, our obsession.  They have rich, supple leather and so many colors and styles that it’s almost easy to justify ten of them, but really, you can’t.  For casual day bags, try to own only about two or three of these, in different colors so you get the variety you need.

Travel Bag We have written about worry-free travel bags, and that would fit right here.  Something you use to toss everything in and just lug with you and not care about.

Your Holy Grail Bag This is whatever you fancy and dream for.  When you have it, you may just look at it now and then and gingerly use it initially.  This is your dream, your fantasy.  An Hermes black box 35cm birkin pops into mind.  It doesn’t matter how much it cost, because it’s completely worth it.

So that comes out to about ten handbags that is really all you need.  How many handbags do you have?

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Has Luxury Lost Its Luster?

May 12th, 2008 | By Beauty Snob | Category: Conscious Fashion
Rating 3.00 out of 5

Name of Article

Dana Thomas skillfully crafts in Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster a story that narrates top European fashion houses’ transformation from exclusive brands to household items even a toddler would wear. How many babies have you seen wearing Prada booties? In Los Angeles, I’ve seen plenty at the Grove. Thomas travels the world and interviews designers, businessmen, and media moguls to tell the story how flawless craftsmanship has dwindled down to mass-produced labels. You don’t have to tell me that Louis Vuitton and Coach have outsourced a ton of their manufacturing to China to increase profits; you can tell by their mediocre stitching compared to just ten years ago.

What is most fascinating about this story is how everyone and their brother became infatuated with name brands. One part is human nature, another is media, but the main conclusion is that the fashion houses manifested the desire. From pushing celebrities to start screaming what they are wearing at each red carpet event to “limiting” their editions to increase a mad flurry to the boutiques, these people meant business. And business soared. Luxury has become accessible to Wal-Mart shoppers- you can buy your discount cookies and also a Coach leather handbag! Even Costco was seen with Prada and Fendi, just make room in your 5′ by 7′ cart by shoving over the toilet paper and your 10 pounds of mozzarella cheese.

This book is a witty, humorous, and interesting read that tracks the history of Dior, Chanel, Gucci, and Yves Saint Laurent and how they became prominent. Now these luxury items are commodities that are craved for what they represent rather than quality. Thomas tells us WHY we want these brands. Hence, tons and tons of counterfeit goods created in sweatshops and funding pretty horrific things. Didn’t realize toting your Prado bag meant you supported militant suppression? Go to an outlet and buy yourself a real bag for 80% off.

Thomas does discuss a few brands that have maintained a strong commitment to quality and exclusivity- Hermes is one of them, and I must agree.

IMG_0889 Has Luxury Lost Its Luster?

Hermes continues to hand-stitch all of their leather products by ateliers that have spent years perfecting the saddle stitch. Their silk scarves take months to design and the hems are hand-rolled to perfection. There is only a limited production of certain items, and no product with a flaw will pass on to the boutiques. Instead, they will be destroyed. Hermes carries a hefty price tag, and there can be long waiting lists for bags that you want, especially the infamous Birkin and Kelly. Birkins are the only bag I’ve noticed that actually increases in value after leaving the store, and continue to increase in value over time. Hermes provides lifelong backing of each bag, so bring it in for the annual spa treatment to revive your bag. I own two Birkins and one Kelly, and they are my staple handbags. I have sold or given away most of my other handbags because they do not compare. (Image taken while I was at the mothership Hermes in Paris)

True luxury is disappearing, and the mission of the fashion houses has changed from quality to profits. The middle class is purchasing these brands, and the truly rich don’t even glance at these shops. While the middle class is carrying the $1,000 It bag and the silver Tiffany & Co. jewelry, the truly rich need to separate themselves by purchasing $20,000 handbags that have no huge branding and travel to Brazil to get their fashion fix at exclusive boutiques.

Again, this was a fantastic read that was hard to put down. I encourage you to read this, as it truly opened my eyes as to why I covet items and why I should stop impulsive purchases.

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The Classic Handbags

Apr 29th, 2008 | By Wise Snob | Category: Conscious Fashion
Rating 3.67 out of 5

This is my favorite topic, it really is! Owning one (or two or ten) classic luxury handbags is a MUST for a snob. I am not talking about “it” bags, but classics. These bags stay in your arms regardless of trend, season, or event (unless it’s raining, then leave the beauties at home). Here are my top four.
bags2 The Classic Handbags
Hermes Birkin This is the ultimate handbag to have. Born in 1984, it is hotter and more coveted than ever. They range in different leathers, colors, hardware, and size. Anybody who is anybody owns at least one. As I have mentioned before, they are lifetime investments and will be cleaned and pampered every time you bring it into the boutique for its regular spa treatments.

Louis Vuitton Speedy This is a huge staple for any casual or special evening. It’s so roomy, durable, and stands the test of time. My friend’s mother has had hers for two decades! The patina that develops on the leather handles shows its age, but is a sign of good use. While I hate a ton of logos, this monogram print is subtle enough for me. Did I mention that it’s actually affordable? The Speedy 25 starts at $660 at eluxury.com.

Chanel Classic 2.55 Oh, how my heart fluttered the first time I stepped into the Chanel boutique and saw the classic flap bag. It first came out in 1955 and has stuck since. There have been some changes, of course, but the basic style remains. The quilted leather, the metal clasp, the chain handles, all are beautifully crafted and designed to give women hands-free access to other things, such as carrying shopping bags.

Balenciaga Motorcycle Well, this is the newest on the block, premiering around the year 2001, but it stayed! Balenciaga uses the softest, thinnest, but most durable leathers to create this edgy, sophisticated handbag that has amazing functionality. The leather grows softer with use, and looks fabulous dressed up or down. They come in small and large, and rock any outfit. I especially love the range of beautiful colors that each season brings.

Most of these bags you have to get at the boutique. Hermes and Balenciaga may have waiting lists for specific colors and sizes, but well worth the wait. And while these are my top picks, there are quite a number of other classic bags that have not been mentioned. So tell me, what are your classic bags and does it break your budget?

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