Fun, Casual, and Chic

Giorgio Armani bags fashion show fall / winter 2011-2012

One of the expectations for the latest shows timetable for Milan Fashion Week was to Giorgio Armani, which was staged yesterday by presenting a collection of very feminine and romantic, often played in shades of pink, a color not very present in fashion Giorgio Armani . As for handbags, the Italian designer has decided to once again focus attention on this accessory presents a rich collection of novelty. Top model of a handbag shaped like a trapezoid, as well as evening clutches and clutch decorated with pearls and crystals. 
The fashion week in Milan has now come to an end but we still have much to say about the collections for autumn / winter 2011/2012. Over the next few days, then, we document the fashion week in Paris, so try to follow us every day to get all the updates on the Paris Fashion Week.

(source from: http://www.bagsdaily.com)

Miu Miu Fall/Winter 2011 2012

For Fall 2011 Miu Miu added a contemporary twist to vintage 40′s silhouettes, parading pencil skirts and collared tops uplifted by large obi-like belts and fur boleros. A few floral and wistful prints were thrown into the mix, accessorized with clutches and glitter socks under bright strappy sandals.

Louis Vuitton’s Fall/Winter 2011-2012 show

The Cour Carrée of the Musée du Louvre was turned into an old fashined hotel for Louis Vuitton’s Fall/Winter 2011-2012 show, and models were, fittingly, at your service. Sultry minxes outfitted in bellhop hats and modern day maid’s outfits sauntered down the runway, some even smoking cigarettes for dramatic effect.

Allude Berlin Fashion Week fall 2011 clutch

The Allude runway clutch from the Berlin Fashion Week runway had a straight top with a concave bottom and rectangular silhouette. At the two bottom tips, there were dangling tassels which were dramatic and added a bit of edgy sass to the overall collection. Allude’s runway clutch was featured in black, chocolate brown and jewel tone green. The brown and black were paired with natural color palettes while the black and green clutches were paired with the bold color with black ensembles.

(source from: http://www.examiner.com)

AccessoriesTheShow is where it's at!

AccessoriesTheShow is the longest-running and largest accessories-only show in the United States. They feature accessory trade shows in both Manhattan and Las Vegas for Spring/Summer, Fall/Winter and Holiday/Resort.AccessoriesTheShow is a great way to see what is trending for handbags!

Check out the crowds and energy from the

January Spring/Summer 2011 market 

                            

New bags at the Summer/Spring

AccessoriesTheShow in NY

      

Learn more about AccessoriesTheShow @ 

http://www.accessoriestheshow.com/show-calendar/

Fabrics of Life Trickle Up

      Carol Schilios founded Fabrics of Life in 2002 and has successfully taken several begging girls off the streets and put them through the Here Je project (FOL's biggest project) and turned them into business women in 18 months. The Here Je Center located in Mali, West Africa helps girls learn about health and nutrition, family planning, AIDs prevention, and literacy skills. They also learn about fabric cutting and sewing, fabric design (wax printing & dying), weaving, and jewelery making. Graduates of the program use traditional methods of dying, weaving, and beading to make goods sold in the US and the profits directly benefit these young women and their families.
     Fabrics of Life has opened a boutique in Edmonds, WA and is strictly run by volunteers. There are several handmade goods ranging from handbags to housewares from all over the world. Fabrics of Life make it easy to get that authentic handcrafted, tribal look at an affordable price. Below are some pictures of women from the Here Je Center printing and sewing fabric to create a handbag.

Above: girls printing on fabric (left), girls hand stitching (middle), a girl showing off her finished bag (right) $35 - $45

To support these women and other fair trade programs, shop at :

Tuesday-Saturday 10:30am-4:30pm
523 Main Street
Edmonds, WA. 98020
Phone: 425.563.3925 425.563.3925

or

1300 First Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101-2003
206.654.3120

 

We glue stone on cow and sew crocodile together for you, Madame.

Take a look at Mrs. Beckham's 13,950$ bag. 

The Nothingness compared with a Birkin.

Mulberry’s spring addition to its enviable handbag collection, the Jeweled Lily, rings in at $5,250. That’s not chump change, but given the reasonable prices of the brand’s other bags (many of the most popular styles are priced under $1,000), there’s got to be some explanation behind the hefty price tag.

And indeed, there is. Some interesting stats on the Jeweled Lily:

• 2596 crystals
• 60 manually applied Mulberry rivets
• hand-cut leather
• 18 hours of labor

\

So Imagine how much this will take to make and cost? 

Eco Friendly Fashion

Carrying a license plate purse says a lot about you.

If the designer handbags of today are starting to all look the same to you, and you are concerned about recycling, then I suggest you look into license plate purses.

They are a great option for those who want a designer purse with an individual flair.

Combining eco-friendly options with designer quality is at the root of this accessory.  There is a company that specializes in the license plate purse called Littlearth.

Just at the name suggests, the company embraces green options and helping the earth in a little way, with a little product.  However, don’t think of this as little at all.  These handbags make a big statement; they are beautiful little works of art.

More than 40,000 license plates are recycled by Littlearth to make these unique purses.  Since they are made from license plates, there is a custom, personalized aspect to owning one of these handbags.  This really takes the reasons to own a designer handbag to a new level.

(From e-bay) 

U.S. manufacturing trend

According to The Atlantic, Timbuk2 is not the only company embracing the “go local” trend.  An estimated 200-300 businesses in San Francisco alone are driving profits by focusing on local customers. And recent research by Accenture found that 61 percent of the manufacturing executives they surveyed have considered shifting their manufacturing operations to be closer to where demand for their goods and services is highest.

What do local manufacturers have in common that helps them thrive? Kate Sofis of SFMade—a non-profit dedicated to supporting and growing manufacturing in San Francisco—suggests that successful “local” manufacturers tend to “[be] consumer-products companies [that are] design-driven, intensely customer focused, increasingly sell direct, and often marry technology in their business model.” In other words, these new local businesses tend to be innovative, concerned with the customer experience and able to design products that incorporate readily available, local materials. The combination of these qualities facilitates speed-to-market, which is important to consumers.

(from http://blog.arenasolutions.com)

Creating the Louis Vuitton Monogram Empreinte Bags

Proenza Schouler PS1

The major designers that impacted and left a lasting impression on functional handbags are Proenza Schouler PS1 By the cooperation of its top two designers Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough, Proenza Schouler which produces low profile IT handbags is established. It may be the most functional bag out there: the satchel. It's got a vintage feel, can be slouchy, and is defined by a front flap and a long strap so you can throw it over your shoulder. Iconic satchels, like the Proenza Schouler PS1, have graced the arms of countless celebs including Leighton Meester, Ashley Olsen, and Jessica Alba.

Tech out- Mcqueen in-

Fun, Cool, and Summer

Summer is coming, small bags are so in. Everyone should have at least one small bag with fun color!!

classic and fun colored small bags

(shot at Gucci, Nordstrom)

so summering color

(Michael Kors at pacific place)

(shot at Seattle Barneys)

High-tech is the New Art

The classic display and technical advanced display serves the main purpose is to sell the product. 

The question is is that normal window display out of date or people just greedy? 

:)

TRENDY TREND REPORT JUST IN! FUNCTIONAL BAGS ARE ALL THE RAGE!

Key colors, shapes and fabrics for function bags: 

Fabric for functional bags are all about playing with proportion, organized patterns and color blocking. 

Key silhouettes include portrait portfolio, sophisticated sports, and slim envelope.

Portrait Portfolio: 

 Highlights: -Beautifully crafted

                 -Minimal detailing and hardware

                 - portrait portfolio with detachable shoulder strap

Sophisticated Sports:
Highlights: -Subtle coloring
                -Toned-down sports detailing
                -Unexpected hardware placements

Slim Envelope:

Highlights: -Slim, uncomplicated envelope construction

                -Thin decorative chain or rope strap

                - Interesting buckles and hardware

Feel It Feel It

Feel the breeze from the open car window as you and one of your best pals embark on an impromptu roadtrip with nothing in tow except what you can fit in your chic, oversized, hippie bag. Maybe some Marky Mark playing in the background? Nordstrom's Happy toGether window display envokes all those feelings. So come on come on, feel it feel it!!

funk[tional] bags!

Window displays featuring functional tote bags in the downtown Seattle area

Barney's window display showcasing a Celine tote bag. 

Barney's window display showcasing a color blocked Balenciaga bag