Recently in Fashion Category

Since my parents were born and raised in Munich and some of my extended family still lives there, I go there on a fairly regular basis. You wouldn't necessarily think this, but Munich has some of the most amazing shopping. My fave boutiques, Theresa and Maendler, are located there and a new fave, Pool, just recently opened. I swear the selection is a million times better than anything I've found in NYC! The best part is while many of the brands are the same as what you would find State-side they've got bag models that aren't widely available in NYC. On my recent trip I was struck by one trend in particular -- the hairy bag! Everywhere I went I saw them. From Miu Miu and Givenchy to Thomas Wylde, it was total goat hair and lamb's wool galore! Unfortunately I can't find an image online of the Thomas Wylde handbag I saw at Pool because it was a sight to be seen. The size of a weekender, the bag had long, crimped goat hair hanging down and was topped off by an over-sized, crystal-embellished skull. I can't for the life of me imagine who could pull that off tastefully...any ideas? Slightly less extreme is the Givenchy bag pictured on the left above (959 euro or about $1,400). I still find it to be a total slob, but at least it isn't over-sized. Surprisingly though I actually like the Long Goat Hair Tote from Miu Miu (950 euro or about $1,400). If I had the budget to indulge in my every last bag whim I would totally buy it just for fun to spice-up a simple outfit on an all-girls night out (because who else besides girlfriends could appreciate such a bag :-)).

What do you think about hairy bags? Snob or Slob?

She is a warrior, and her sunglasses are her armor-- Anna Wintour fascinates me! I see her at every fashion show I attend, looking exactly the same each time (I suspect her hairstylists measures her hair to the millimeter lest they cut too short or not enough). The hair, the sunglasses, the face without emotion; the woman has self control! It's at once fabulous, creepy and utterly intimidating. Which is, of course, her intention. I keep repeating this story but I once ran smack into her at fashion week. It was my first season and I didn't know where the hell I was going and literally smacked into her. She looked at me up and down (I was wearing an Alberta Ferretti dress) and the corners of her mouth lifted for about a quarter of a second which could have been a twitch but I prefer to think it was a tiny smile. I did not imagine this because I was about an inch from her face. The entire encounter lasted mere seconds but I will never forget it! Anyhoo, Morley Safer interviewed Anna on 60 minutes and try as he might, he could not crack the armor! I was rooting for Anna from the beginning. Morley began the interview by asking how she felt about being hated and called a rude bitch. You could see on her face that she thought he was a total fool! If looks could kill, Morley boy would have been laying on the floor with a dagger through his heart. Watch the video and tell me: love her or hate her?

I was at Mr. Chow's Oscar party (coverage of that later) which I am actually still recovering from so excuse the delay of this story (and yesterday was my birthday so there is a lot to recover from, mainly my age!!). I am happy to see that people are paying more attention to the clutch and using ones that make their own statement rather than blending in and resorting to the beaded box miniaudiere, although that is still the majority of what we saw. It need not be said that Meryl Streep is the most loved actress of our time, not just for her talent but for her grace and effortless beauty. She has the perfect clutch to set off the tonal Alberta Ferretti chiffon gown. She said she wore this because she put it on and it fit. I am sure there was more to it than that!! Angelina Jolie looked happy and was quite chatty on the red carpet! I loved loved loved her striking contrasting emeralds she wore with the sleek black Elie Saab and she topped this off with the Lana Mark Cleopatra, whom she resembles doesn't she? Everyone's favorite comedian is way hotter than she portrays herself to be, the Zac Posen champagne gown is deceptively modest but the plunging neckline and hip hugging curves gives it all up. She chose the VBH Martini clutch in laminated silver python, which shows that she is the animal on the inside that we've always suspected. Such a fabulous clutch!!

Read my coverage of the fashion from the American Music Awards on Couture Snob. Here is a teaser, Leona Lewis wins the Snobbiest look of the night!

Kelly was at the Emmys last night! Read our review of the best and worst celeb fashion on the red carpet! Go to Couture Snob now!

As I prepare for the Emmy Awards on Sunday (yes, I am going!!), I was invited to cover the Emmy House, you know where celebrities get free swag and manicures before the big event. I was really excited about this, I thought it would be full of fabulous things and although I had no intention of taking any of the swag for myself, I was lead to believe that I would be covering celebrities getting good swag. I did not see any celebrities, at least none that I recognized. There was plenty of swag but nothing like the Oscars and Sundance where Chanel sunglasses and Rebecca Minkoff bags flowed, as if from a fountain. The event takes place in a really cool house in the Hollywood Hills (can't say where exactly because it is still going on today). Once you walk in, every square foot of the house, including bathrooms had sponsors' tables and setups.

Go to the next page to see how you can win my Emmy Swag Bag!

I love attending runway shows and am not afraid to show my excitement, I heard that there is a "no expression" rule with fashion editors at Vogue (no idea why, so people don't think you're actually like, having a good time?) but I am just not that cool. I get excited and want to ooohhh and aaahhhh over everything, I know- such an amateur! Anyway, going backstage before a show is just as fun-- you get to see all the action up close and play with the clothes/bags/shoes before they hit the runway!

We were invited backstage to the Derek Lam show and even though it was raining cats and dogs, we got there because nothing was going to stop us that day! We watched as design assistants ran around tagging last minute items, photographers stepping over each other to get their shots, and of course, Derek himself giving an interview. We went through each look carefully and snapped photos of what we found interesting.  (Jump for more!)

 

There is no other designer I anticipate more than Vera Wang during New York Fashion Week. I have always had an affinity for her artfully designed ready to wear but now I can add Vera Wang BAGS to my obsession! Are you as excited as I am? One of my favorite designers is foraying to bags! How awesome is that? As all things Vera does, she does in her own time and in her own distinct style. Eschewing the usual bubble gum colors that we saw on every other runway last week, Vera stayed true to her usual sober colors punched up with bright accessories and lightened with sheer slips and satins. For review of Vera Wang Ready to wear Spring 2009- go to Couturesnob.com

What caught my eye, of course, were the bags tossed casually on the models as they sashayed down the runway... (jump for more!)

Guest Blog by Liza Powel O'Brien

There's no contradiction that hasn't been mined exhaustively about the world of fashion: stepping over a homeless man on Madison Avenue on your way to the show; a gorgeous old church transformed into a theatrical space; pin-thin 20 year-olds dressed up in, as Tina called them, "ladies who lunch bouffants" and serious, multi-thousand dollar gowns. In some respects, then, my first (and possibly only) trip to a bona-fide fashion show did not reveal much we all haven't seen before. And while it's easy to dismiss fashion as a frivolous interest, what did surprise me was the true functionality of the event.