Recently in Fashion Category

I barely made it to the tents in time for the Vera Wang show this morning, a huge fire shut down 3rd Ave and traffic was horrendous. I was totally panicked because not only is Vera our favorite Chinese-American designer but my friend Sasha (whose stepmother was an editor at Vogue with Vera and a close family friend of hers) promised to take me backstage to meet her! I managed to get to my seat at 10:30, just in time as the plastic runners were being removed from the runway.

Kelly went back to LA so I am running around New York without my partner in crime. It's not as fun to attend the shows alone, there is no one to ooooooooooh or aaaaaaaaaah with and of course going to bag showrooms alone is no fun either because we can't discuss and dissect the bags together afterwards. We always look forward to seeing Michael Kors' bags though- together or not- because regardless of whether or not we approve, we always find them interesting. Michael Kors went all classic for Fall '08 bags yesterday, you can't go wrong playing it safe! The clutches with the hand holder is present again but this time matching leather straps take the stage instead of Rolex inspired chains, we like this detail because it makes carrying a clutch so much easier. Lots of luxe skins were also the focus, frame bags in rich crocodile and soft ostrich will certainly be a hit with the luncheon social crowd.

Remember how amazing Oscar's Spring '08 collection was? The Fall collection is even more stunning! Presented once again at 583 Park, Oscar wowed the house with yet another jaw dropping collection. Mr. de la Renta is indisputably the greatest American designer in fashion history. Over 40 years of gorgeous gowns, beautifully fitted suits and classic cocktail dresses yet he manages to make it appear fresh and modern every time (63 looks this season, the most we have seen all week!).

OK, so he wasn't actually at anything Fashion Week related, we saw him at dinner at Waverly Inn. He was just walking out as we were going in and Tina was wearing a coat from his last collection at YSL so he agreed to pose for a quick picture. He was very nice and told Tina the coat looked great on her. We've seen Ashley Olsen, Anne Hathaway, Chloe Sevigny, Rachel Zoe (ew), Angie Harmon and I can't even remember who else but it was Tom Ford that got Tina excited like a giddy little girl.

Photos courtesy of Elle.com

This collection speaks directly to my fantasy of living the high life in the country, including the medieval jousting techno music. The everyday relaxed fur hoodie or fox hunting outfit is something that can translate to suburban life, (to get back to reality). Sure the Robin Hood feather hats are a bit much for the sidewalks of New York city but if you undo the spectacle for the runway, it actually is very wearable. And then of course Carolina goes all out on her dresses and gowns - so beautiful, full of the style and grace of the olden days. My absolute favorite is the rust and silver jacquard vest with feathers over the blue corseted gown. I love the masculine with the super feminine. She also has gowns and dresses that are all out lady-like glamour - the lemon-drop colored textured chiffon dress as well as the silk twill and chiffon print dress with the copper trims. The gown to drool over is the brown melange taffeta strapless gown with feathers. I don't know how you will ever sit with the loose bow on your bum but it is by far the best look going down the runway. The entire collection stayed true and cohesive to her inspiration of the countryside with its riding outfits and elegant dinner gowns. It is always fun going to major shows like this with so much fanfare. I just wish I wasn't so distracted by the lady sitting in front of me with the purple slinky head band. So strange.

Photos: Elle.com

Diane von Furstenberg is one of our favorite designers, season after season, she never ceases to amaze and delight. I arrived in New York on Sunday and headed straight to the tents for the DVF Fall 2008 show and the collection did not disappoint. For Fall '08, she said she was inspired by "a muse who always knew she would find her way through the rain drops... the mystery, the unknown, the infinite possibilities of a foreign affair." One who would stride through the dark streets of Berlin with a secret in her heart and diamonds sewn into the hem of her dress with a wardrobe of slender and feminine silhouettes. Classic tones of camel and charcoal were the focus, punched up with flashes of fuchsia and chartreuse silk jacquard. Houndstooth and tweed fitted jackets juxtaposed against sumptuous silk velvets and ornate embroidery gave the collection depth and character. High glossy heels and asymmetrical mini felt hats(by Jennifer Behr) finish the sultry look reminiscent of a modern day Marlene Dietrich. The DvF muse also flees to Shanghai, in mandarin collared silk dresses of florals and vibrant color- the grouping was sensuous and beautiful- my 95 year old Grandmother from Shanghai would approve. This is by far one of the best collections Diane von Furstenberg has shown, one that I will be clamoring for come Fall.

Kelly and I are off to Fashion Week for the week and will be blogging from New York. Please bear with us if we do not post as regularly (in between party hopping we are hoping to get lots of work done!). We will be bringing you coverage both from the runway and backstage (Vera Wang, Diane von Furstenberg, Carolina Herrera, Oscar, just to name a few! Plus interviews with Bobbi Brown, Nars, and Orlando Pita!) We're also visiting major bag designers (think Zac and Anya) so we can give you sneak previews of what's to come for Fall 2008. You'll get to see the excitement of Fashion Week firsthand here at Bag Snob so stay tuned!

At 43, the editrix whose dad wrote the lyrics to Annie thinks like she's 25 and knows a trend when she sees one. Which is why, after six years at Allure, she bolted for—of all places—Us Weekly. Though it lacks hauteur, fashion flacks say landing a shot of a Simpson sister holding a label's latest It bag in one of Morrison's coveted red-carpet pages moves more merch than a full-page image in a highly art-directed Condé glossy. And when one of Morrison's minions calls in a sample, even the most prickly of PR reps tells the messenger to hustle.

Photos: WWD

Louis Vuitton has created cinema and tv ads for the first time in its history hoping to draw a larger audience to its brand (because you know, the monogram is not over exposed enough). By bringing the LV brand to the screen, Louis Vuitton plans to emphasize its travel heritage and bring in new consumers. Titled "Where will life take you?", the artsy and dreamlike 90 second commercials will only offer fleeting glimpses of the leather goods. Look for the spots starting on both the small screen (select satellite and cable) and big screen as pre-movie commercial Feb. 15 and will run through 2008.

My dear friend, Florence the Shoe Goddess, and I have been emailing all weekend about the perils of high heels (we both have back and knee issues but it is a small price to pay for looking fab right?). I am a sucker for sky high platforms (if you ever meet me, you will understand:) and just picked up these super fab Tribute T-Strap sandals in cobalt blue (over 4 inches high!!! There is a shorter version but it looks dumpy!). Florence has two pairs- brown and black patent and says she danced the night away in them on New Year's Eve (ouch!), she also insists that they are ultra comfortable. Though I am not as brave and am in pain at the thought of dancing in my new Tribute T-Straps, I may have to try soon as they look outrageously sublime with my Midnight Rockstar clutch from Romanek by Brigette Romanek!
YSL tribute sandals $780 at Neiman Marcus or call YSL- and ask for Fatima at 310-271-4110. (Neiman Marcus just sold out of the blue- call Fatima asap!)

Romanek by Brigette Romanek Rock Star clutch $2,195 at Barneys New York.