We talk about them a lot here, and they certainly get a lot of coverage at a global level. Everyone has a different dream or “I’ll know I’m doing ok when…..” statement. When you can buy your first car, first home, or for some women, own your first designer handbag. The designer handbag is something to aspire to for the fashion conscious, and for the wealthy, is just a fact of life. For me, getting my first Coach bag was a moment I will never forget, a gift to me by my former husband. I was so excited I almost forgot he was in the room. My second and probably more grandiose iconic moment came after the husband and after the Coach bag – when I was able to buy my first bone-handled Gucci bag BY MYSELF. So the designer handbag is not just about a materialistic possession, for some women it represents so much more – an iconic moment in their life when they were empowered to do something beautiful for themselves just because they deserved it. But why are they so expensive? In the case with the designer handbag, they are expensive because yes, you ARE paying for the name, but believe me when I say you get what you pay for.
I realized this the other day when I was driving to the kindergarten pick-up and I noticed that my car suddenly smelled PROFOUNDLY of my travel sized Prada perfume. Nope, no passengers that could have been clouding that scent for me. I groaned and reached for the aforementioned Coach tote and yes, gasped out loud when I noticed the Prada perfume was now nothing but a distant memory. The cute little bottle with the cap missing actually made my heart ache. My second moment of grief came when I realized my bag was probably ruined. Being that I was driving, I had to wait until I got to the school yard to empty the contents and look for the oil spill. I thought I was in the Twilight Zone for a moment when I realized that in fact, there was none. The beautiful leather in my simple yet elegant Coach tote had barely been touched. Oh, my bag definitely smelled MUCH prettier, but the evidence was virtually gone. THIS was a defining moment for me, the value of the high quality of the Coach bag saved me from a near second disaster. The bag pictured here is an Alexander McQueen and is very similar to my Coach bag, but alas, my Coach is off the market being I’ve had it for so long. But you get the idea.
So why are they so expensive and are they worth the money? For me? I have had it confirmed that yes indeed they are. Had this been my ratty Old Navy bag I bought for $20 bucks, it would have been ruined. So point one – yes, you are paying for the name. Designer labels cost more because they ARE luxury products. You want the bag for the Ahhh! Factor. You know what they say, you gotta pay to play. In many designer houses you are paying for talent out of the fashion industry that comes at a high price. Many houses have teams of up to 60 finessing the look of an original collection. All of these teams are headed by what we know as the Fashion Designer, and what the industry calls the Creative Director. For example, this beautiful Zac Posen Antonia patent leather bagwas created by a team led by their unfailing leader/director, Zac Posen. A team of designers, sewers, pattern makers, and fabric workers comes at a high salary. This is reflected in the cost of the bag. Anything that you purchase at Old Navy or from a knock-off bin is simply that, a knock-off. All of this prior work has been eliminated, so the end result, a lower cost product.
But there is so much more than that, which brings me to point two. Fabrics may just well be the most important element in any fashion creation. Look at this Marc Jacobs Carolyn patchwork leather bag .High-end designers will work with nothing but the finest silks, leathers, and cashmeres to create that quintessential bag that earns a coveted spot in what they call a collection. Countless hours are spent by people who immerse their lives in fabric selection to ensure each bag is crafted with the most beautiful fabric available to the fashion house. You will enjoy leather softer than you have ever imagined, and cashmere that you could literally sleep on, all in the comfort of a luxury handbag. A leather bag from Old Navy is going to be done with mass produced leathers or economy leathers. I am not saying they aren’t nice bags, I have my share of them and they are certainly very pretty cost effective alternatives, however, you will not get the same kind of quality you will in a designer leather handbag.
My final point? When you are experiencing the many advantages of quality goods, consider the effort that goes into them. Here is a look at the inside production line of Prada. The stages here are cutting, sewing, lining, and decorating. Each stage involving a team of expert designers and craftsmakers. You don’t see this in an Old Navy warehouse. The simple fact is that quality items cost more money to make. You need equipment and talent that knows how to work with specialized fabric and unique unconventional designs. This is why the couture collections are sold by the piece, and the ready-to-wear are pre-ordered. It simply costs too much to make each unique item at a mass market level. So this cost is passed on to you.
The next question then, is it worth it? I just need to look at my Coach bag to say yes, it is, as this bag clearly has more lives than a standard handbag. The leather looks exactly the same way it did when I got it 7 years ago. And it is a timeless tote that carries exactly what I need and when I need it. I have used it far beyond its original investment, and it is a piece I will cherish until, well, probably until I get my next one.
NOTE: No bags were destroyed in the creation of this post. Please use this story as guidelines only. Do not try this at home.
Here we have the sexy Kate Hudson in a very chic business look for the Reel Moments Party by Glamour in L.A. Kate was featured here for her directorial debut in one of the partie’s featured shorts, so keep an eye out for that! Kate is dressed elegantly in a Zac Posen blouse and shirt combo and black peep-toed pumps.
Like the look? Take this trend for yourself!
Here is a top from Coldwater Creek that I have to say can not be more versatile. Wear this with a chunky gold or silver necklace for a night out, or some bohemian beads with jeans for casual weekend wear. This piece can be either elegant or easy with its pretty diamond cut neckline and side-tie sash waist for only $59.
I just adore this Vanessa Bruno Crepe mini skirt. With its double layered hem and draped seam detailing this skirt goes beyond the standard black mini. The draping will definitely flatter any figure, and by Vanessa Bruno, you really can’t go wrong with this price either.
Pair it with these gorgeous Jessica Simpson Aiden - Women’s black patent pumps that are currently on sale at 50% off!! I love the petite elegant ankle strap that will add just the right touch of glamour to an evening out. So pretty!!
Ok, ok, the Emmy’s were last week. But we just didn’t get a chance to get around to them. So today I am just going to touch on the Best/Worst Scenario. I am keeping this simple. Best and Worst means you pretty much have one at each end of the spectrum, so you will not see a slide show of the TEN best dressed. However, I could not decide for my top 2, I’m torn, tell me what you think. Who wins here?
Not surprisingly, the Best Dressed winners go to the team at the hit prime time drama Grey’s Anatomy. Individually the girls were stunning and together they represented the cast of Grey’s beautifully. Here you are looking at Katherine Heigl’s figure hugging Zac Posen gown. You may have seen her in this once or twice as since the Emmy’s she has been splashed all over the place due to her nab of the award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. If you watch the show, you weren’t surprised, it was well deserved. Zac Posen is particularly popular on the red carpet these days and created for her this sweetly seductive off the shoulder mermaid-esque piece that enhanced her best features. Right, as if she has any bad ones. She finished the look with bold bright lips, mongo earrings and a simple but very elegant chignon.
Chiming in for best dressed #2, though I have to say I really do prefer this dress better, is Sandra Oh in this stunning black strapless by Bottega Veneta. The two-toned decolletage is so pretty, with just the right amount of pink for a red carpet event. I love the simplicity of this gown, it screams polish and elegance. I think her red carpet pose could use some work in the polish room, but oh, that’s Sandra for you.
I am not going to spend a whole lot of time on Worst Dressed, and as far as I am concerned one person takes this award home all by themself. You know, red carpet mongers should really avoid draping actual curtains over their bodies circa Scarlett O’Hara, or wear items that might provoke the question ‘When are you due’? unless in fact, you actually are going to give birth to another human being at some point in the next 9 months. However, these general must-nots were not heeded by Hayden Panettiere the Heroe’s star who seemed to stay afloat otherwise in this ridiculous peach taffeta mistake by Marc Bouwer. I understand what she tried here. She tried the Gwyneth Paltrow ethereal fairy look (look back to Paltrow’s Oscar winning dress, you’ll get it) but she didn’t quite make it. Instead she looks like a vote-fetching prom queen whose water may break at any moment. Harsh? Yes. Can the camera fetch the entire shot? Uh no.
It’s not often you get to hear it directly from the horses’ mouth, so when you do, you want to take NOTE. Here we have just released The Little Black Book of Style. Consider this the little black dress for your nightstand — i.e. the MUST HAVE. This book was written by co-creator of Project Runway and the Fashion Director (I prefer the term genius, but details, details…) behind Elle Magazine. Nina Garcia has quite the full plate with the book, the show, the magazine, oh, and her new little baby! Being a guru in the biz she is constantly being pestered for style tips, now her quippy answer is “You will just have to buy the book!”. Nina thinks the most universal rule for wome’s style is to just be yourselves, find what makes YOU beautiful AND comfortable. She says the most rewarding aspect of the book was working with all of the contributors. And we are going to share some tidbits of that with you today.
Donatella Versace, on looking sexy at any age:
“Fashion, glamour, sensuality — these are not qualities reserved only for the young. The more life experience a woman has, the more confident and alluring she becomes. The Versace woman may be a sassy 22-year-old, or she may well be a glamorous 45-year-old. What these women have in common is the knowledge that strength and confidence are among their most powerful qualities; sexy is a state of mind.”
Zac Posen, on how a woman can make an entrance:
“The same way you make an exit: with aplomb, shoulders back, and a withheld secret.”
Frida Gianni, Creative Director of Gucci, on accessories:
“Accessories are an integral part of a collection and are used to frame every look. Whether it is a bag or shoe, pin or cuff bracelet, accessories complete every image. There are no rules with accessories, and one should experiment with shapes and sizes of bags, boots, or even jewelry.”
Roberto Cavalli, on wearing color:
“Color is positivity. Always choose a color according to the mood of the day. A colorful dress can have amazing powers.”
And on the secret to Italian style: “Enjoy life and live every minute to the fullest.”
Giorgio Armani, on the most elegant woman he knows:
“She is one I got to know through books and magazines: the magical Coco Chanel, who invented everything and wore it herself, painting her own accurate self-portrait through her fashion. Truly she was the most elegant woman I have known, and the most elegant of the twentieth century. If we are looking for someone from our own time, then I would choose Cate Blanchett, a strong woman who knows what she wants.”
Domenico Dolce & Stefano Gabbana, on what they find eternally stylish:
“Besides the little black dress and stiletto pumps, definitely one?s inner style. A woman that embraces both herself and her surroundings, she is polished, elegant, and sophisticated.”
You can purchase The Little Black Book of Style here at Amazon or Barnes and Noble for about $17.95
I love to see what is going on in the blogosphere, because every fashion and beauty blogger knows there is no way one blog could cover it all, as hard as we ALL try. So here is some news, tips, tricks, and updates from the fashion and beauty blogosphere…..
