Les Trois Generations: Louis, Georges et Gaston avec les Ouvriers D'Asnieres en 1888

It has been three weeks since I toured the original Louis Vuitton home and Atelier in Asnieres (a small suburb just outside of Paris) but I have been putting off writing the actual entry because frankly, I feared I could not convey my thoughts properly in words and do it justice. How do I share the privilege of touring a home that carries with it the legacy of one of the most important fashion dynasties in the history of fashion without sounding contrived or boastful? It is a delicate balance of offering factual details of the visit with my interpretation of everything I saw that day-- one that I hope I achieved through the following pictorial tour. I am posting the pictures in the order that I took them so that you can feel as if you were on the tour along with me. I sincerely hope you enjoy it as much as I did! I have newfound respect and understanding for the brand but this entry is not about the latest "it" bag or a discussion of whether or not we should purchase Louis Vuitton bags; rather, it is a stroll through the history of time.... so grab a drink and have fun :)

I remember the first Oscar piece I coveted, it was a shimmering champagne colored frothy gown worn by Sarah Jessica Parker in 2001 (I still have a photo of it from Vogue in my desk, not kidding). I was planning my wedding at the time and was determined to wear it as my wedding dress (so it was a bit see thru and it was not white-- but it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen and I wanted it!). Unfortunately, I was not the lucky fashion blogger that I am today with a direct line to the Oscar folks and was unable to locate the gown. But my love affair with Oscar de la Renta began, and it has grown to epic proportions ever since I met the iconic designer this spring. Tell me, do you remember the first time you fell for Oscar?

Born in San Francisco, to a fourth-generation Chinese-American family, Derek Lam spent his childhood among the racks of clothes his parents imported from Asia. He especially adored the wedding gowns at his grandparents' garment factories and spent many happy afternoons with the seamstresses there. Little did he know, his destiny was being shaped, as he tirelessly watched stitch after meticulous stitch. I first met Derek in 2005. He was in his second year of showing his collection and had not yet signed on as Tod's creative director. He was soft spoken, sweet and accommodating. I was so enamored with him and his beautiful clothes that I became a dedicated Derek Lam fanatic, picking up pieces each season. Of course, I've also been a Tod's bags and shoes junkie since college (Tod's platform boots circa 2002? I have 5 pairs!) so there was no one more excited than I when it was announced that Derek would be heading up the classic Italian brand.

We met up again last Wednesday at a brunch co-hosted by Tod's and one of my closest friends, Kimberly Whitman. I stole Derek away from the other guests, so that we could catch up and give our readers a chance to meet him, up close and personal. Jump to see the entire interview!

Softy Messenger bag and tote in python. Call Tod's 214-363-6600 to order

Fiona Kotur's story embodies what I love about women! It makes me proud, and I am in constant awe of the versatility, adaptability, and will of our gender. Fiona moved to Hong Kong in 2002, with her husband, whose finance position took him there. Can't feel sorry for her -- Hong Kong is one of the greatest cities in the world! And obviously Fiona would agree with me as she fully immersed herself in the diverse and exciting cultural clashes of the city.

She comes from a design background, having worked for Ralph Lauren and Gap, so when long-time friend, Tory Burch, needed help launching her line, Fiona sourced materials for her in Hong Kong and China. That was the beginning of Kotur as Fiona found and bought a warehouse full of vintage 60s brocade that ended up being the materials for her first collection. She not only made the best of her situation, but she took advantage of what life had to offer and created her own ideal world.

We started Bag Snob two and a half years ago and are blown away by the strides taken by the fashion blogging industry; from Fashion week invitations to showroom visits, designers are now aware of the positive influence of fashion blogs and reaching out to us. Kelly and I were invited to Oscar de la Renta's showroom yesterday to preview his latest bag collection, we were told Oscar would join us and we just about fainted- how many people can say they hung out at Oscar de la Renta's showroom (and his private workroom loft, I was told most people do not get access up there!) with OSCAR himself!?!? We spent the first part of our visit playing with the new bags (THE strongest bag collection of the season-I will have more details on the fabulous Shagreen Goya bag I am carrying in the photo) and the Fall '08 RTW collection, not only did I touch and feel all the samples, I was able to try them on! (most fit me perfectly, which means the 6' tall models are a size 0!?!?) It was like playing dress up in your mother's closet, except every item is an Oscar de la Renta masterpiece. The clothes were even more beautiful in person, the details in the stitching, beading, and embroidery were absolutely exquisite and extraordinary. Oscar applies the same meticulous haute couture detailing to his ready-to-wear as he did during his years as the Director of Pierre Balmain couture. From the runway we saw gold leafing, in person, the gold leafs are actually hand painted feathers!

When Cameron Silver left a successful concert career and opened the doors of Decades Inc, the uber glam vintage boutique on Melrose, he did not expect the business to last more than a decade. Now, 12 years later, the store is not only Hollywood's preferred source of Red Carpet gowns, it is the premier spot for vintage couture for socialites around the world with no sign of slowing down!

At the heart of the business is Silver himself, a dapper and handsome figure with a deep smoothing voice. Discussing vintage couture (especially Hermes) with him is a real treat as he is truly the world's expert on all things vintage! I recently had the pleasure of speaking with him at length about the world of luxury and his excitement is infectious. I am on my way to Decades Inc. today to meet him and to shop! Those of you in Dallas will also be able to meet Cameron and see his treasures at 4510 this Friday, Nov 30th for a trunk show. Call 4510 for details. 214-559-4510

Our international readers can enjoy browsing the Decades blog, updated daily with must have vintage couture! Check out Decades' blog here!

Left: Out of production Hermes 404 bag Right: Vintage crocodile Kelly bag
Both: At Decades

Photos courtesy of Annie Churchill

What does Actress/Philanthropist/Designer and Environmental Activist Annie Churchill have in common with Carrie Bradshaw? No, they are not both dating "Big" but they will be sharing screen time in the much anticipated movie edition of "Sex and The City" next Spring! Annie and I met through a mutual close friend (darling Gigi who has introduced me to all of New York!) at a luncheon over the summer and caught up again over Fashion Week. Charming and sweet, Annie is a busy girl with many things on her plate. In addition to filming "Sex and the City" this week and designing her line of shirts, she has been tapped to consult for designer Douglas Hannant and will be working as his muse.

As if all that is not enough to keep the New York native busy, she has also formed an environmental agency with three friends (Anthony Cummings, Billy Gilbane and Amanda Hearst). The purpose of the agency is to help promote more green buiding in the city as well as teaching existing buildings how to become green to make New York city more environmentally sound. Named "New Yorkers for a Green New York" NYGNY, the agency will be introduced at a launch party in Chicago this November during the environmental summit. A canvas grocery tote is also in the works to discourage the use of plastic bags. Despite her hectic philanthropic and design work, Annie says she will always continue to act! In addition to her role on "Sex and the City", Annie may be seen in the new Jodie Foster Movie, "The Brave One".

During Fashion Week I met the very lovely and very stylish Brigette Romanek, designer of Romanek line of bags. We went for drinks at Pipas, a cute little tapas and sangria place in Chelsea and bonded from "hello". We had so much fun talking about everything under the sun; from bags to babies (we each have one, a boy for me, a girl for her- we're setting them up!) that I almost forgot to ask her the list of questions I had prepared for her profile! We even ran off poor Debra, who set up the meeting, she couldn't get a word in between our gabbing and left early for another appointment but B and I? We hung out as long as possible before reluctantly going off to our other obligations later that evening.

Known for her "Rock Star" clutch, Brigette is no stranger to rock stars herself. Wife of Mark Romanek, one of the top Music Video and Film directors in the industry, and daughter of legendary singer Paulette McWilliams (who sang with Rufus until she introduced him to her friend Chaka Khan and left the group), Brigette was a successful singer in her own right until her career as full time mother and bag designer took over. Brigette's rise to bag stardom is one of Hollywood dreams, in two short years, her Rock Star clutch has become not only an iconic bag coveted by rock stars (Sheryl Crow), movie stars (Demi Moore) and super models (Kate Moss) alike, it has also made it to an exhibit at the Pasadena Museum! So where do you go from designing an instant "it" bag on your first try? Why, design an entire line of drool worthy bags of course!

Ken Downing- Fashion Director of Neiman Marcus and Bag Snob Tina

I have been running into friends from Dallas all week; including the fabulous Ken Downing, Fashion Director of Neiman Marcus. Ken has been heralded the most influential man in fashion not to mention the hardest working. I saw him at every show I attended, fiercely focused on each look floating down the runway and taking notes on the pieces that will end up on the glossy racks at Neiman Marcus stores by next February. So what does the man who decides what women will wear each season think of the latest bags? I caught up with Ken in midst of his busy week for a quick Q & A.

Bag Snob Tina (wearing Zac Posen) with Zac Posen

Hi everyone. I am still in New York in midst of a flurry of fashion shows and parties. I promise I will have a ton of photos and reviews of the shows plus a video interview with Zac Posen up shortly! Zac's latest venture, the limited edition (only 750 made!) tote bag sponsored by DHL was launched at Bryant Park Grill last Thursday where I had a chance to hang out with Zac and preview the bag. DHL paid for the entire production (yup, all 750 bags) so that every penny made from the sale of the bags ($300,000!) will benefit Zac's favorite charity, Teachers Count. Now where would we all be without our amazing teachers? I know where I wouldn't be, I wouldn't be the Founder and Editor of one of the top Fashion Blogs in the world with a stack of Fashion Week invitations in my bag. So show your teachers some love and purchase a bag today. The bag is $400 (a small price to pay considering all that our teachers do for us!) with free shipping from DHL. I had a chance to see it in person at the launch party and I love it! It is super chic to use both as school bag or your everyday run around town errand bag. The Italian leather bag is a stylish balance of playful color and functionality with a sturdy strap, I have mine filled with fashion week notes and schedules to keep me organized throughout the week. As an added bonus, DHL is giving one away FREE everyday inside the Tents at Bryant Park during the Spring 2008 Fashion Week! So if you are in New York and was able to score an invitation to one of the shows, you must stop by the DHL booth and sign up to win! Why am I so passionate about this cause you ask? Because I care about the future of our children (including my adorable two year old) and their future is in the hands of our TEACHERS! So what are you waiting for? Grab yours today before all 750 are snatched up by Bag Snob readers!

Singer turned designer, Sang A, caught our attention with her bold designs. She began designing stage costumes for herself and her back up singers. How often do you get a story like that about designers? No wonder we love her! She draws inspiration from Sophia Lauren and designers Christian Dior, classic and new Balenciaga and Rey Kawakubo and describes her collection as "modern classic with a dose of avant garde". So what does a former singer now designer wear? She never leaves home without her watch (a pregnancy gift from her husband) and her iPhone. Her must have for Fall is a Balenciaga double breasted skinny jacket and of course her own SANG A Flash parallelogram clutch in blush crocodile. Sounds divine! When asked what she would throw together if she has only 5 minutes to get ready, she said it would be her favorite Comme Des Garcons black silk one-piece dress, Balenciaga deep blue and black bubble jacket, SANG A Flash clutch, SANG A custom-made perfume (it's a project in development) and the Tom Ford for Estee Lauder blush bar. Now this is our kind of girl, she knows how to get herself together without a fuss. Like us she cannot live without her family, husband, baby and bags!! Her favorite being a vintage 1940's French tote of unknown manufacturer in black calfskin with gorgeous gold-plated hardware details. To get away she loves the Grand Hotel Tremezzo on Lake Como, Italy. But closer to home, she escapes to the SoHo House in NYC. If all else fails her 3 year old daughter Olivia Im Propp can always make her laugh.

To kick off the launch of our newest website, Tot Snob, we asked one of the most fabulous mommies in New York to be our Snob File profile this week. Cristina Greeven Cuomo, wife of Good Morning America's Chris Cuomo, Vice President & Publishing Director of Niche Media and most importantly, mother of two bouncing toddlers, has graciously agreed to share her tips on staying a yummy mummy with our readers! A native New Yorker, Cristina is of Brazilian and German descent (her great-grandfather was the German Minister of State who founded the Orient Express in the early 1900s!). She is a graduate of Cornell University and she founded and ran the lifestyle magazine, Manhattan File, as Publisher and Editor-in-Chief for seven years before launching Niche Media with Jason Binn.

In addition to her role at Niche Media, Cristina has recently been tapped by internationally renowned skin care line, Natura Bisse, to be its US Ambassador. As the new face of Natura Bisse, Cristina will make personal appearances at US events and visit NB's labs and spas in Spain in order to fully embrace its vision. I can not think of anyone more perfectly suited for this role than Cristina, a woman who relies on healthy skin instead of cosmetics to stay gorgeous. Her natural beauty is as inspiring as her dedication to family and community. As if her schedule is not full enough with two small children and a demanding career, Cristina is an avid supporter of the New York Public Library, The New York Botanical Gardens, HELP and Mentoring USA, among other charities.

We know you will enjoy getting a peek into her busy life as Cristina is the ultimate embodiment of the modern woman, one who knows how to have her Loubies and walk in them too!

If you have ever wondered what goes on behind closed penthouse doors on Park Avenue, you must pick up a copy of The Manny, a hilarious new novel by Holly Peterson. She is not only one of the funniest story tellers of our time, she is one of the most intelligent and engaging writers I've ever read. Holly and I met at a fancy ladies' luncheon (a friend switched our placecards to sit next to each other because she said I absolutely had to meet Holly, the "smartest girl in town") and she immediately had me rolling about the tale of her "flaccid" birkin. (read birkin article here) She sent me a copy of The Manny the following day and I became obsessed from page one, I kept it in my bag for two days so I could continue reading it while doing my errands (even a doctor appointment couldn't tear me away from the book, I continued reading as the nurses poked at me). Getting a peek of the fabulously wealthy through Holly's eyes is a real treat, you are going to love her eye for detail and her knowledge of the rich and privileged. And yes, you will also want to hire a Manny immediately! I don't want to give any more away but there is also a sub plot about bloggers and the power they wield in society today.

Unlike some of the characters in her book, Holly is not just another Park Avenue mom with endless days of lunching and shopping, she was a Producer at ABC News for ten years where she won an Emmy Award for Best coverage of a Single Breaking News Story and a Press Club Award for Diplomatic Correspondence. She then wrote for Tina Brown’s Talk magazine for three years as an Editor at Large and is currently a Contributing Editor at Newsweek magazine.

In between her busy schedule, I caught up with Holly this weekend and asked her to share some of her favorite memories with Bag Snob readers:

Valextra Rigid Tote in white, $1,190 Small White Boston bag - $1,850 Exclusively at Barneys New York

Every Sleeping Beauty awaits a Prince to rouse her from slumber and Valextra was no exception. A luxury brand established in 1937, Valextra was once the ultimate in status bags and luggage; decorating the arms and yachts of Princess Kelly, Jackie O, Maria Callas, and Aristotle Onassis. By the '70s however, Valextra had drifted into what is described as a 30 year sleep by Massimo Suppancig, the exceedingly handsome CEO of Valextra, and the Prince who brought this beauty back to life.

Boston crocodile $8,600
I had the pleasure of meeting Massimo Suppancig at a private luncheon at Barneys New York Dallas last week hosted by famed art collector Cindy Rochovsky. After reading how much I love Valextra (can you believe my post made it to Valextra headquarters in Milan?), Massimo graciously agreed to grant me an interview after lunch. The minute I arrived I was mesmerized by the display of bags he brought with him from Milan. Valextra bags are like nothing I have ever experienced before, and you all know I am a girl with a 3 digit handbag collection. Valextra is often called the Italian Hermes and I can see why, the leathers are beyond heavenly and the workmanship is incredibly meticulous. I was like a little kid in a candy store, grabbing more bags than my little greedy hands could carry! There was a luscious taupe crocodile Boston bag($8,600!), an adorable fuchsia Punch bag ($1,600), and several other yummy concoctions that I was drooling over but the Boston bag in melanzana was the one that won me over. A vibrant purple (melanzana in Italian means eggplant) with rose pink stitching made of soft Franzi leather, it is one of the most gorgeous bags I've ever laid eyes on! The Valextra staff told me it was from the Fall 2007 collection and not for sale. I'd have to order it and receive it at the end of July or early August. I almost cried when I heard that I had to wait all summer for a bag that was obviously meant to be mine! But after a few minutes of pleading my case to Massimo, the bag became mine! In his delightful Italian accent he said "You are the only woman in the world with this bag. The rest of the world will wait until Fall delivery". Sweeter words have never been spoken to the Bag Snob!

Photos courtesy of GQ Taiwan
One of the biggest names in the Hong Kong film industry, Kelly Lin (or Lam Hei Lui/Lin Hsi Lei depending on the dialect you speak), is an avid bag collector who's earned her place in the Bag Snob Hall of Fame, she is also one of my best friends! I thought it would be fun for our readers to learn about Kelly from her best friend's point of view so I convinced her to be our latest Snob File profile (well, I kind of just told her and as usual, she went along with me). I met Kelly 11 years ago when we both moved to Taiwan after graduating college, she from the University of California at Irvine and I from the University of Southern California. To the outside world, we seemed the most unlikely pair of people to bond, she was quiet and reserved while I was bossy and talkative. But Kelly, like most movie stars, is not as she appears. She's going to kill me for saying this but she can be just as talkative as me and certainly as bossy! This is a girl with multiple cell phones (sometimes talking on one while text messaging on the other two)! So what is her other favorite past time? Buying bags of course! Forget fancy cocktail dresses or Chanel jackets (unless she's working), for Kelly, it's all about the bag! Her birkin collection is just as extensive as mine (we often trade and share bags) and she also collects everything from Jil Sander to vintage bags. Kelly's style is casual and unpretentious, just like her personality.

Photo credit: Courtney Perry for F!D
I had the privilege of meeting one of the most powerful figures in the fashion industry, Julie Gilhart- Fashion Director and Senior VP of Barneys New York, last month in Dallas. I was invited to attend a breakfast with her and although I was inexcusably late she was kind enough to spend an hour with me after breakfast to talk about fashion (and by the way, talking to Julie about fashion is like talking to the Dalai Lama about buddhism!).

Background

Julie grew up in Dallas but always wanted to be a surfer girl (she now surfs regularly). Her first job was at Lily Pulitzer and she went to work for Neiman Marcus after college as the Assistant Buyer to Benita Downing, one of the great legendary buyers of NM who traveled extensively with Stanley Marcus.

 
The Love of Bags
As with all the uber fashionable, Julie has a thing for bags. The classics she loves are Balenciaga (which Barneys was the first to carry in the US) and Givenchy. For Spring she has chosen the Lanvin clutch/tote, the white Balenciaga with gold grommets and the Givenchy Clarabelle. Currently, she has been toting around her fave - the Bottega Veneta beluga tote in black (which Bottega has renamed "Julie"), other than the braided handle, it is non-recognizable as anything but a beautifully made bag. As for the “it bag” phenomenon, she thinks it instantly makes a bag non “it” when it's being marketed or called "it". Either you got it or you don't. When asked if there were any bags to watch for, she had a couple immediately in mind; Valextra, for their beautifully made structured classic lines and Paula Thomas for Thomas Wylde.

Photo by Mario Testino- courtesy of Carine Roitfeld

It's fitting that we kick off Fashion Week with an exclusive interview with the most fashionable woman in the world, Carine Roitfeld. You know her as the stylish Editor of Paris Vogue but did you know that it's her family, not fashion, that rocks her world? Carine is a devoted mother and has been with her partner, Christian Restoin, for 30 years! Her children, Julia and Vladmir, are both studying in the US but she stays close with daily phone calls and taking several vacations with them throughout the year (they just spent the holidays in Australia and they often rent a house in St. Barts for the summer). She is a fiercely loyal and faithful friend and no matter how busy or tired, it is important to her to make time for a quick lunch or coffee with friends because she values the relationships in her life more than the latest "it" bags. She is infatuated with shoes however, and when asked what her favorite shoes are of the moment, she says "YSL" and was seen in the entire collection of killer stilettos last Fall. You won't ever catch her in flats unless she is on the beach! For looks off the Spring '07 runway, she says she loves "Prada" and we couldn't agree more! Although you will not find her cooking on a regular basis with her hectic schedule, she is known to whip up a gourmet feast with friends while on vacation (although in LA, she prefers to dine at Mr. Chows). She's been called terrifyingly chic, I found her to be terrifyingly nice, she replied to my emails personally from her Blackberry and was very accomodating about scheduling our phone interview. Even though she was in the midst of pre-Fashion Week rush, she took time to answer our questions:

Kim and Lola

World renowned Author and Lifestyle expert Kimberly Schlegel Whitman is everything she appears to be and more. Beautiful, intelligent, sweet, humble, fun, and most importantly, the best kind of friend a girl could hope for! I should know, Kim is a close friend and confidante of mine (she gives excellent advice!). After graduating from SMU with honors, Kim embarked upon an entrepreneurial journey that led to a prosperous event planning and rental company and the publication of two wildly popular books. The Pleasure of Your Company and Dog Parties, with a third one, The Wedding Workbook, slated for release in January 2007.

Kim has appeared on CBS Early Show, Rachel Ray, Good Morning Texas and in national publications such as Vanity Fair, Elle, Vogue, Town and Country, and many many more! With so much on her plate you'd think she would not have time to do much else but she donates time to many charities and even started one of her own this year! LOLA (Love Our Little Animals) is aptly named for her little baby Lola, a Chihuahua she is rarely without. From fabulous fetes for 2,000 guests to intimate dinner parties for ten, she does it all with flair. So how to cultivate a sense of style and a life of elegance like Kim's? It's simple, read her books and follow the tips she shared with us!

The biggest perk of being the Bag Snobs is being able to interview incredible figures in fashion. One of our favorite designers, Anya Hindmarch was kind enough to allow us a 40 minute interview last week. She was excited to speak to us because she is a Bag Snob fan! How flattering is that? We are so incredibly excited to bring you an exclusive.

THE WOMAN
Anya Hindmarch is the epitome of a classic English beauty with flowing blonde locks and bright blue eyes. She kind of reminds us of us, speaks very fast and gets excited when talking about bags; she is a true girly girl who adores all things beautiful. She is a mother of five, 3 from her widower husband whom she married in her early 20's and two more that they had together. She has passed down her good taste to her beautiful daughter who is already designing bags.

She is as obsessed with politics as she is with fashion. She is a notable environmental activist and thinks about the future she is handing to her children. An interesting piece of trivia no one knows about her is that she is a classically trained opera singer.

So how did this well rounded beauty become a heroine of handbags? It seems like Anya came out of the womb a bag snob. She made her first bag at the age 6 out of paper and made sure to include little compartments inside. She understood the importance of being organized even at an early age. When she was 16 she became fascinated by the psychology of handbags after her mother gave her a nice bag and it made her feel fantastic. It didn't matter if you were dressed in sweats, a great bag instantly altered your mood. Something we can all relate to! Her future was sealed when she attended a fashion seminar given by a bag designer and right then and there knew that that was what she was meant to do. She immediately went home and designed a bag. At 18 she had her first complete collection of bags. In 20 years, she still sees herself obsessing over and designing bags.

Eva Jeanbart-Lorenzotti knows a thing or two about luxury, she grew up in Switzerland and has traveled the world since she was very young (her favorite childhood memory was of emptying toiletries from first class cabins and from maid's carts in hotels). After graduating from Barnard in 1990, she worked as an investment banker but it wasn't until she recognized the need to introduce European luxury goods to American women that Vivre was founded. And now, 10 years later, she is one of Vogue's Top Ten Stylish Women in Fashion and was dubbed "mail order magnate" by Time magazine.

Eva feels that <