accessories
Top 10 Outrageous Designer Handbags
Filed under: Handbags
Designers go a little crazy sometimes creating handbags with outrageous features or price tags, all in the name of style, exclusivity, and pushing the boundaries of fashion. From clutches covered in diamonds to exotic skins dipped in 24-karat gold and even purses meant to look like garbage bags, we've seen it all.
Although it's hard to imagine actually carrying some of these handbags (for example what shoes to wear with a cage clutch that resembles a small metal lobster trap?), it's easy to appreciate the unique beauty and creativity involved in these little works of art. We've compiled 10 of the strangest and most outrageous bags -- which are your favorites?
Wearing Black Never Goes Out of Style
Filed under: Handbags, Jewelry, Shoes
This spring's hottest fashion trends is about showing off your most vibrant and colorful self. Electrifying neon accessories can be found everywhere. And as much as I love all the new trends and translating them into my personal sense of style, you just can't beat the impact of black.
Maison Martin Margiela x Cutler and Gross Sunglasses
Filed under: Apparel
Experimental, provocative, avant garde French fashion label Maison Martin Margiela has teamed up with London-based luxury eyewear manufacturer Cutler and Gross on its first full collection of sunglasses. The collection, handmade in Italy for both men and women, features two distinct concepts, "Wrong Size" and "Anatomic", both offered in acetate and metal varieties. The "Wrong Size" range highlights Martin Margiela's pension for deconstruction and the experimental. Classic Cutler and Gross aviator-style frames are deconstructed then reconstructed with wrong sized lenses, making for a decadent and distinct pair of sunglasses. The Anatomic range features extra-large futuristic, functional wraparounds that "anatomically" wrap around the wearer's whole face providing absolute coverage. Prices for the collection, now available via haute online eyewear boutique Eyegoodies, range from $550 – $680 per pair.
Luxist Giveaway: Win a 6pm.com Gift Card
Filed under: Apparel, Handbags, Shoes, Children, Men's Style
Just in time to shop for a holiday gift for loved ones or friends, Luxist has teamed up with 6pm.com, the designer shoe, bag, accessory, and clothing lover's haven. 6pm offers deep discounts on designer brands at all times, with just $6.95 shipping no matter how big your order. Shop for women, men, and kids. Use the site's handy holiday gift guide to narrow down the huge selection. As the site says, "It's time to get your brand fix!"Thanks to our friends at 6pm.com, Luxist is giving away one $25 gift card to a winner selected at random. To enter, follow the instructions below.
* Leave a confirmed comment below telling us who you will shop for with this gift card.
* The comment must be left and confirmed no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on December 16, 2010.
* One entry per person. Multiple entries will be disqualified.
* One winner will be selected in a random drawing and notified by e-mail.
* One winner will receive a $25 gift card for use on 6pm.com, to be delivered by postal mail.
* Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia.
See the complete rules here.
The contest is closed. The winner will be notified by December 17. Thank you for participating!
J.McLaughlin's Holiday Handbag Collection
Filed under: Apparel, Handbags, Holiday Guides
This holiday season, J.McLaughlin, is offering a line of handbags that will work for any holiday plans you might have on your calendar.
"We took a little liberty with our holiday 2010 collection," explains Kevin McLaughlin, Creative Director at the Manhattan-based fashion house that is known for its classic American designs. "Party dresses---usually the main event---are just the appetizers."
This season, J.McLaughlin created a slouchy leather hobo bag (see image in gallery) that is luxurious and comes in great colors for the fall and winter. The exterior has an open front pocket. Inside, there is a back wall zip. A key fob is attached inside, which will make it easier for you to find your keys. Dimensions are 16" wide X 12" high; 9" deep at widest point.
Another must-have is J.McLaughlin's embossed clutch ($155) that has a rich crocodile look (see image in gallery). Accented with a gold chain and gold buckle, it is available in red or black. The clutch it is an ideal bag to take along to a holiday party. See the black version in the gallery above.
J.McLaughlin's wool tartan porthole bag ($198) comes in two classic plaids---a navy and red combination as well as navy and yellow, while its Dorchester Tote ($275) is 100% cotton with a leather trim. The Dorchester Tote comes in two color combinations: coffee/dark brown as well as sable/tan, and is a classic bag to carry all year round. Both handbags are seen in the above photo.
All of the handbags described are available on the J.McLaughlin website or by visiting one of its boutiques, which are located in 17 states around the U.S.
Mini Gifts can Make for a Big Christmas
Filed under: Gadgets, Luxury Cars & Autos
Mini drivers are known to love their Mini things, so the funky British brand has unleashed a bundle of holiday bounty to please. The limited edition Internet radio by German firm sonoro – a Mini-fied take on sonoro's 'elements W' radio – is a tiny box bedecked in Eclipse Gray metallic and "bonnet" stripes. The control is aluminum, the OLED display can be dimmed, and among the 18,000 stations it commands are four Mini Sounds channels: Space, United, International and Cross. It comes with a remote, an iPod dock, can receive media from a computer and, if you had more mundane uses in mind, yes, it can be an alarm clock with sleep and snooze.
The fiberglass and synthetic Mini Jet helmet with polycarbonate visor is probably not to be used when piloting your actual jet, but when you take control of your Piaggio this could save the day with more bonnet stripes and a Union Jack. When off the scooter you can don the Mini Badges Lapeer Hat with earflaps, and your other end gets to make do with Mini Countryman Boots.
Even though it can tell the difference between day and night, a chrome Mini cuckoo clock, even as cute as it is, will probably test the patience of any Mini-phile. And in the "I know you drive a Minis but I don't know anything else about you," there's a MINI Calendar by Wolfgang Block or an 8GB Mini USB stick. There's a passel of other gifts for various genders and ages in the photos below, or peep them all at www.MINI.com/shop.
Spratters & Jayne Scarves For A Fashionable Fall
Filed under: Apparel
Somewhere between clothing and accessories sits the unique line of Spratters & Jayne's scarves. This season's line is hand-made by a women's co-op of crocheters outside of Lima and Peru where the ultra-soft, high-grade Merino/Highland Wool is produced. Creator Rachel Warner travels to Peru every year to ensure a fair work environment and promote green production.This year's line includes the popular two-button cowl scarf in addition to three new styles: the Kerchief Bib, Chain Cowl and the Infinity Chain Scarf. The Infinity Chain, shown at right, is a striking take on the popular infinity scarf, only this one is composed of rope-like loops that can be worn several different ways. The scarves are available in a variety of colors including black, charcoal, chocolate, lapis blue and muted lavender. The Spratters and Jayne collection is housed at the International Playground Showroom and are also currently available at Henri Bendel, Opening Ceremony and around the world.
Outrageously Expensive Socks by Rodarte
Filed under: Apparel
Rodarte is a unique fashion house – and that's an understatement. The masterminds behind the brand, designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy, posses an eccentric sense of style that always provokes buzz (whether positive or negative) and anticipation for their runway shows and latest creations. So it comes as no surprise that they would release hand crocheted knee socks with a dizzying price tag of $500.
Yes – for socks. Socks that are not made from leather, are not bejeweled with Swarovski crystals, have not been worn by Michael Jackson, and are not filled with $500 in cash. They're made from alpaca and mohair and don't appear to offer much warmth given their numerous holes. And please don't throw them in the wash, spot cleaning only. While it's hard to justify $500 socks, I do like the color scheme and it provides inspiration to knit myself a pair for the cold winter months ahead.
Bellroy Wallets, It's All In the Details
Filed under: Men's Style
Bellroy has a different approach than some to the idea of luxury: they think it's less about flash and bling and more about quality and perfectly designed function. They're a small company that for the time being is almost exclusively focused on men's wallets in an attempt to "improve the way we carry." Bellroy's line of wallets is made with thoughtful details like thinner leather for reduced bulk and strategically designed pocket and tab options for uber-convenient stashing of cards and cash. They have something for everyone, from the super sleek and efficient "Very Small Wallet" to the portfolio-sized "Take Out Wallet" and everything in between. $60-$130
Via Acquire
Reiss Bleeker Bag, Handbag of the Day
Filed under: Handbags
Drawing inspiration from the iconic and one of the most coveted bags, the Hermes Birkin, the Bleeker Bag by a UK fashion brand Reiss, is a stylish alternative without seeming as though you are wearing a cheap knock-off. And at a much more affordable price tag of £265 ($422) in comparison to the Birkin, the Bleeker is a steal. Shown here in cinnamon colored snake embossed leather, it's the perfect color for warm summer days.
It has a boxy shape and expands by using interior straps allowing for a roomy interior and easily fitting your "must-take-with-me-everywhere-I-go" essentials. This elegant and fashionable bag features an adjustable double handle, a detachable shoulder strap to wear across your body, while the interior has multiple zippered compartments to keep your belongings organized. The Bleeker is also available in graphite (black), which is stunningly beautiful and pony (snakeskin print) that is makes for a bold accent to your wardrobe.
Lumete Eyewear to Debut This Summer
Filed under: Apparel
Lumete Eyewear will be launching its debut collection of luxury eyewear this summer with hopes of elevating sunglasses to "ultimate accessory" status and providing an alternative to designer labels. The line includes five designs that each come in four different color schemes (my favorite is Wanderling in 'Champagne Pearl') and feature lux materials like "richly hued acetates," Swarovski crystals, custom hardware, detailed painting, and intricate etching. All Lumete Eyewear sunglasses are handmade and come with their own satin drawstring "Lumete treasure bag" that includes a special Lumete necklace designed to hold your glasses, hard clutch case, soft pouch case, and microfiber lens cloth. Lumete Eyewear will be available at retailers and online in July for $180/pair.
Manop Rachote Mother-of-Pearl Table Boxes
Filed under: Decor
Bangkok designer Manop Rachote takes traditional home basics, like picture frames and cuff links, and gives them an artistic and contemporary update. The mother-of-pearl boxes shown here are created with the help of a team of master craftsmen and can take up to two months to complete. As many as 5000 tiny pieces of shell are hand cut, sanded, and mounted to each box before being covered in up to 9 coats of resin for an impeccable and glossy finish. The designs all have different inspirations or you can have one customized just for you. $800 - $10,000 You're it with Maria Sharapova's TAG Heuer Eyewear Collection
Filed under: Apparel, Jewelry, Celebrity Design
Your list of personal attributes might not include blonde, 6' 2" and mean-with-a-backhand. There might not be a Wimbledon trophy with your name on it. You might not even be Russian. But that doesn't mean you can't at least look like – kind of – the person who has all of those qualities. To do so, you should probably start with the Maria Sharapova Sunglass Collection by TAG Heuer Eyewear.
Designed by the Grand Slam winner herself, the collection includes aviator frames in motorsports-grade stainless steel, or thick, hand-polished, black acetate large-format frames. That latter variety is available in several trims: black with gray or gradated lenses; ivory frame with blue grey lenses; tortoiseshell with gradient brown lenses; and dark plum with gradient pink lenses. And so that there will be no doubt, her autograph is discreetly laser-etched into the ultra light, shatter-resistant, UVA- and UVB-protected lenses.
The collection goes on sale as of this month, retailing for $250.00 at TAG Heuer Eyewear retailers. Your road to the Grand Slam begins here, and once you've mastered the glasses you can work on that backhand...
Hermes Fairytale Pocket Squares
Filed under: Apparel
I'm usually drawn to anything with a whimsical nature or especially imaginative theme, and so it's no surprise that I love these Fairytale Pocket Squares from Hermes. Available in two designs, 'The Princess and the Pea' and 'Puss in Boots', they're a great way to add some understated style when just a little touch is needed, or to honor one of your old-time favorite stories by tying it onto the handle of a handbag for a splash of color. Silk twill in a 16" x 16" square, $125.
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