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I find Karl Lagerfeld utterly fascinating, the man is a creative genius as seen by his latest art inspiration for the House of Chanel. I mean who else would think of commissioning a 7,500 sq. ft traveling pavilion to showcase Chanel's classic quilted handbag around the world? Designed by 15 contemporary artists from around the globe who were given carte blanche to create this work inspired by the 2.55 quilted handbag famous for its quilted leather, chain handles and rectangular shape (which makes up 30% of Chanel's business). This amazing blend of fashion and architecture will be open to the public while on exhibit in locations such as Hong Kong, where it makes its debut next January. The pavilion, which will accommodates up to 2,000 people a day, will then travel to Tokyo, New York, Los Angeles, London, Moscow and Paris — a journey that will take until 2010 to complete. Boasting exhibition space of more than 6,000 square feet, the 7,500-square-foot pavilion also will house a cloakroom, reception area and rest rooms.

You must go see this when it comes to a city near you! It will be an exhibit experience of a lifetime.

Source: Chanel and wwd

Cartier Marcello bag, available in 3 sizes. $1,005 - $1,600

I adore Cartier and send my husband there to pick up a watch or a bauble or two as often as possible (the trick is to let them think it's their idea, it also helps that one of my girlfriends is now the Director of a Cartier boutique). I got the diamond Tank American for Christmas, the current fave of my watch collection as it is one of the most elegant and beautiful watches ever designed! La Maison Cartier has maintained its reputation for ultra luxurious goods since 1847, its jewels (both old and new) are highly coveted and its watches retain resale value better than most but will that translate to a successful bag line? Cartier has always offered a small selection of evening bags but have announced plans for entry in to the luxury handbag market. The design team is lead by former Calvin Klein designer Marlin Yuson. Yuson said he is "staying away from it bags and is focusing on timeless classic designs" like the Marcello bag above which will be offered in 3 sizes and multiple colors (tan, midnight blue, pink and even a zebra ponyskin). Custom made bags will also be available starting at $2,050 with choice of gold or platinum hardware.

They made us crave Love bracelets and Tank watches and now they want us to salivate after their bags too. Will we bite? I'll let our savvy readers decide the fate of the Cartier Marcello bag pictured above. So tell us, Snob or Slob?

Source: Cartier and WWD

Looks like I will have more reasons to visit India soon (other than the fabulous Indian jewelry I'm obsessed with and cashmere shawls that is). Hermes announced today it has formed a joint company to open multiple boutiques in India with the first store planned in New Delhi, where it is one of the most coveted designer brands. Hermes is not only popular in India however, sales in China grew over 70% last year and three additional stores are planned, bringing the total of Hermes boutiques in China to a staggering ten stores. Patrick Thomas, CEO of Hermes, said America also holds "enormous potential", 40 store projects are in progress and the firm plans to spend almost $100 million USD to open and renovate stores this year alone. I have mixed feelings about Hermes' aggressive expansion plans. On the one hand I am excited I'll be able to shop at more Hermes boutiques but so will millions of other mall rats in the world (which means more people to compete with for those birkins!). You have to admit, half of the allure of Hermes is its inaccessibility. I read an article in the Wilson Quarterly from the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars (no, I am not that smart, it was given to me at a charity event) about the "poaching of luxury goods by the middle class" and how luxury goods are no longer special because it is so accessible. It further states that the truly wealthy no longer purchase luxury goods and are instead giving their money away to philanthropic efforts, like the billions of dollars Warren Buffet donated to the Bill Gates foundation. Now how many people can top that?

Bag Snob note: The statements on the poaching of luxury goods are not my views, I am merely re-iterating what I read in the Wilson Quarterly. And yes, as with all things that risk mass production, I fear for the overall quality of the products.

source: W quarterly and WWD

Two of our favorite ladies looking absolutely amazingly gorgeous at the CFDA Awards last night. Heidi Klum is ever faithful in Michael Kors and Uma Thurman pulls off a challenging Zac Posen with her legs that go on forever. The top honor of Womenswear Designer of the Year went to Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCullough of Proenza Schouler AND Oscar de la Renta for an unprecedented tie. Apparently presenter Ellen Barkin didn't realize it was a tie and there was an awkward moment after she only announced Oscar's name. Derek Lam, as you know we love him so, won Accessory Designer of the Year. (I have a special story on him tomorrow so stay tuned). The full list of winners is after the jump.

I like covering fashion for events like Cannes because people aren't as serious as awards shows so I feel like their true style really shows and interesting things come out. Chloe Sevigny (at the photocall for "Zodiac") who never fails to surprise us with something horrible is even scaring me with this overly puffed out puffy shirt and giant gold belt buckle. She looks like the court jester's wife. Diane Lane who is always so elegant and beautiful shows up to the premier of "No Country for Old Men" with the most horrendously unflattering boob sagger of a gown. It is made worst with all the beading and embroidered detailing on the empire waistband that further draws the eyes out. Did someone put a fun house mirror in her dressing room?? Helen Mirren is the class act she portrays in her movies and here at the "Chacun son Cinema" premier looks amazing.

I like the old school charm of Brad's hair, it really makes him look like a young Robert Redford. Angelina (at the premier of "A Mighty Heart") looks nice as always, I just wish she would smile sometimes. How much would you pay to have George Clooney kiss you? That honor went for $350,000 at the amFAR Cinema Against AIDS benefit (a 7 day Mediterranean cruise went along with it). And it was a real kiss on the lips! But the best part is that the lucky girl's boyfriend paid for it. Now that is what you call a good boyfriend. If I ever run into George Clooney I'll save my husband a few bucks by just attacking him.

Pamela Anderson poses at the photocall for "Blonde and Blonder". This picture is really inspiring - I am thinking of getting a breast augmentation and this would be a great picture for me to bring to the plastic surgeon. Except I would probably need to go bigger since I am taller than her and have broader shoulders. OK, we are getting a little bored here mid-season as we are lacking new bags to talk about but this is getting pretty low. It's just that we have to be so PC as Top Cops for US Weekly that I need to rant and rave and flush out my system. *Shameless plug alert* Check out this week's US Weekly for more Bag Snob Fashion Police coverage!!

Now that you have all the perfect bags for the summer it's time to shop for our favorite thing to wear - dresses! There is nothing better in the summer for cooling down and dressing up. Fashion Chateau has an amazing selection with designers like Joie, Tracey Reese, Catherine Malandrino, Da Nang, Nanette Lepore, Rebecca Taylor, Rachel Pally, Sky, the list goes on with all our favorites! Here are a couple to get you started. If you haven't heard, we are obsessed with blue and this ultra lady like Twelfth Street Navy dress ($300) is easy but is tres elegant for your summer night dates with your honey. We love white but it is a bit harsh on the skin tone that is why a soft pale pink is the way to go to looking flush without having to run to the tanning salon. The Catherine Malandrino Eclipse Pleated dress (on sale for $378.40) can take you out all day and keep you out all night with the great cutout detail on the band and taupe satin straps. Bag Snob fans get 20% off with coupon code: Bagsnob (even on sale items!!).

Here is a quick review of the fashion at Cannes on opening night at the premier of Wong Kar Wai's "My Blueberry Nights".

Bai Ling is shockingly appropriate and might I say looking kinda cute in a flirty pink gown. Juliette Binoche is unfortunately looking her age. I don't know who Judith Godreche is but her dress is like some microscope image of a virus.

Liz Hurley shows up with Valentino looking beautiful as always even in a plain, nothing to comment about dress. Diane Kruger as master of ceremonies is way matronly.

Norah Jones looks amazing in a perfectly tailored navy gown. She and Jude Law look so cute together! They star in "My Blueberry Nights" together - in one scene, Jude Law licks ice cream off her lips as she sleeps. Yummy!!! Taiwanese actress Qi Shu might benefit from a subscription to Vogue. And Andie MacDowell, don't care what you all say, I love her, she is doing what I would be doing if I were there, being a total tourist (although my camera is a bit more modern than hers). We can't wait for the rest of the celebs to show up. We will have more fashion coverage later this week.

Photos courtesy of Reuters and AP.

I've been on many many cruises and I am always the best dressed on the ship of 2,500. Not that that is much to brag about considering everyone looks like they are in some kind of contest to be the most cheesy. But looking at this collection makes me want to hop on another ship and flaunt these outrageous but gorgeous creations from Galliano. I would love to show up pool side with the giant hat and this full length kimono overcoat! Or sashaying through the grand dining room in the frilly layered gown. But that's not what this was intended for. This collection was designed for the ridiculously fabulous vacation Tina and I are planning with our hubbies once all our babies are all born (and our bodies are back to it's original form). Casino, gambling, champagne, cholesterol laden French meals, sailing, golf, beaches ..... it's going to be the ultimate in decadence!!! The new bag is really really great, I just love the throwback style of housewives from the 50's but in today's terms it is old lady chic and very very hip!! I am inspired and feel spiritually rejuvenated just looking at all this!!!

Can't get enough of Bottega Veneta? Take a trip to the Ginza district, Japan's answer to Beverly Hills, and you can shop to your heart's content in the largest Bottega boutique in the world! This five story 9700 sq. ft complex houses the full range of Bottega products, from bags, fine jewelry, to furnishing, it has it all! Backed by the Gucci group, Bottega is poised to take on the highly coveted Japanese market. Even though nearby luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton and Gucci are not faring so well in Tokyo, Bottega has been doing gangbuster business, sales are up 57% for the first quarter this year. According to Bottega's Chief Exec Patrizio DiMarco, the brand's low key no-logo strategy is appealing to the sophisticated Japanese buyer.(Probably our Japanese Bag Snob readers :) I love Tokyo and used to spend a lot of time there, I can't wait to go back and shop at this monster Bottega store! For now you can satiate your Bottega hunger with bags like the one below from Net-a-porter


White floral cutout bag, $1,980

Source: WWD

Here we go again. Who can guess the oversized clutch Victoria is seen with while shopping on the streets of London? First one to get it right will receive an engraved Bag Snob Bag Hook! Please leave your answer in comments. Her hair reminds me of Duran Duran's Nick Rhodes, why I obsessed over him in high school is beyond me. Remember how much make up he wore? Anyway, the new look goes with her personality, full of attitude and uber trendy. What do you guys think of the hairdo? I guess it's hard competing with a husband that looks like this so a girl's gotta do what she can to get attention.

UPDATE: Congrats to Stacey for guessing it's the Jimmy Choo foldover clutch first :) Please email me your mailing address. After the last couple of difficult pop quizes I did I thought I should give you guys an easy one!