minaudiere

Dior's Holiday 2010 Minaudiere: Carry Shadow and Gloss in Style

Dior's limited-edition makeup Minaudiere is one of the chicest ways around to tote eye shadow and lip gloss. New for Winter-Holiday 2010 and available in October, it includes three shadows, one each in charcoal, pewter, and champagne, all embossed in Dior's signature houndstooth pattern; two glosses, a clear and a burgundy, both sparkly; and a dual-tipped applicator with a sponge on one end and a brush on the other. A vintage-style kisslock clasp keeps it tightly closed in your bag.

Tags: Dior, eye shadow, lip gloss, makeup, minaudiere

Judith Leiber To Sell Bags to Benefit The Wildlife Conservation Society

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags, Events

Judith Leiber to sell bags to benefit the Wildlife Conservation Society

On Wednesday May 5, Judith Leiber will host a cocktail reception from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at its flagship Manhattan store at 680 Madison Avenue in honor of the Wildlife Conservation Society.

A highlight of the event is the rare opportunity to purchase a Judith Leiber bag for only $100. Judith Leiber will sell 100 bags for $100 each with all of the proceeds going to the Wildlife Conservation Society, which does global wildlife conservation work in addition to operating the Bronx Zoo, the Central Park Zoo, the New York Aquarium, the Prospect Park Zoo, and the Queens Zoo.

Judith Leiber is an American luxury brand synonymous with elegance, style, and sophistication. Each product is created with meticulous attention to detail and flawless hand-craftsmanship. The company's products are on the cutting edge of high fashion, but are timeless classics at the same time. In addition to designing handbags and minaudieres, the company also produces eye wear, fur, and cashmere accessories.

Gallery: Judith Leiber's Spring Collection 2010

Tags: Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, costume institute, Judith Leiber, metropolitan museum of art, Minaudiere, Wildlife conservation society

Continue reading “Judith Leiber To Sell Bags to Benefit The Wildlife Conservation Society”

Van Cleef & Arpels: Simplicity and Grace

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry, Timepieces / Watches

Van Cleef & Arpels, nominated for a Luxist Award for Best Jewelry Line, is known for its handcrafted fine custom pieces. The company was founded in 1906 on the famed Place Vendôme in Paris by Alfred Van Cleef and his brother-in-law, Charles Arpels. The company first opened its doors at the New York flagship in 1939 and has continued to expand to the world's most exclusive locations. For more than a century, the company has fused inspiration and technical prowess into beautiful creations.

Van Cleef & Arpels has long been known for striving to capture nature at its most beautiful. This is evident with several collections, such as the classic Snowflake Collection, as well as "Birds of Paradise", the new creative jewelry collection comprised of whimsical and figurative birds in flight and fancy.

The company is known for its many innovations and technical creativity in its storied ateliers, one of which is the Mystery Setting. The Mystery Setting is an exclusive and patented technique in which prongs are concealed beneath the gems they hold. The technique allows the creation of voluptuous, gem-encrusted, three-dimensional shapes that shimmer with simplicity and grace that allow the precious stones to take center stage. The process was introduced by Van Cleef & Arpels in 1933 and is still used in many of the jeweler's finest unique pieces.

Another innovation by Van Cleef & Arpels was the Minaudiere. In the 1930's, when Charles Arpels caught Florence Jay Gould slipping her lipstick into a white tin box, he was astonished that such a fashionable woman had nothing in which to store and carry her cosmetics. As a result, he invented this ultra-sophisticated version of the vanity case that allows the cosmopolitan woman to tuck away her lipstick, handkerchief and powder puff without being encumbered.

The company's Zipper necklace, which was first commissioned by the Duchess of Windsor, took over a decade to realize in its workshops. The necklace is one of Van Cleef & Arpels most iconic, innovative pieces. The necklace zips, literally, just as a zipper does.

Van Cleef & Arpels launched its famed Alhambra Collection in the late 1960's, reflecting the pop culture of the time. The Alhambra is still one of the company's signature lines and has since grown into a larger collection featuring a variety of precious stones, charms and variations while staying true to the original meaning of the clover motif. The iconic quatrefoil is the time-honored symbol of health, wealth, true love and luck, at once an embodiment of simplistic elegance. The Alhambra has become a most-desired addition to the jewel boxes of legends of the screen and stage, members of the royal set, exquisite tastemakers and jewelry lovers throughout the world.

Annually, Van Cleef & Arpels produces one to two collections of high jewelry, which are unique, one-of-a-kind pieces that are handmade in its workshops in either Paris or New York. These pieces, which are never to be replicated, are thematic, creative and romantic--always based on the idea of one of the founding blocks of the company: nature, fantasy, couture and the arts. Its most recent high jewelry collections include "California Rêverie", "Les Jardins", "Ballet Precieux", "L'Atlantide" and "Une journée à Paris".

In addition to its jewelry, the company has an extensive collection of timepieces and fragrances. Van Cleef & Arpels has two flagship boutiques: one in New York and the other in Paris. At 22, place Vendome, and since 1939 at 744 Fifth Avenue in New York in addition to select locations throughout the rest of the world.

Cast your vote for the Readers' Choice Awards at http://www.luxist.com/awards-vote/accessories-awards.

Gallery: More from Van Cleef & Arpels

Tags: accessories-award, awards-main, luxist-awards, minaudiere, Van Cleef Arpels, VanCleefArpels

Judith Leiber Beehive Minaudiere, Handbag of the Day

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags

The Judith Leiber Beehive Minaudiere is a stunning addition to any minaudiere collection.

This pretty, golden bag is just 4 3/4"H x 4 1/4"L x 4 1/4"D, and as you can see, it looks glamorous and fanciful at the wrist. The bag's beautiful pattern is meticulously created with gold, jet, and other multicolored Austrian crystals, giving it a sparkling texture reminiscent of honeycombs.

As if the suggestion of honeycombs isn't enough, there's also a matching Honeycomb Pillbox for $695.00, which would be a shame to pass up. Place it inside, and you have the makings of a Faberge Egg-style surprise -- a truly exceptional holiday gift.

The Judith Leiber Beehive Minaudiere is available from Neiman Marcus for $5,295.00, or $5,990 with the matching pill box.

Tags: beehive, crystals, gold, judith leiber, JudithLeiber, minaudiere

Judith Leiber Disco Ball Minaudiere, Handbag of the Day

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags

The Judith Leiber Disco Ball Minaudiere is so discothèque-fabulous, we can hardly find the words.

Firstly, and most obviously, it's a disco ball. Judith Leiber has a habit of making minaudieres in interesting shapes, and this Italian-made 3 1/2"H x 3 1/2"W x 3 1/2"D sparkler may be our favorite one yet.

Covered in crystal rhinestones, this tiny case distributes light just about as well as any disco ball hanging from the ceiling, and will cause every kindred spirit in the room to search for the source of the glimmers and take notice of you. We also love the sexy tassel, which we think should be made a standard feature on all disco balls.

With this kind of opulence, you almost can't go wrong, but we'd especially love to see it paired with a white gown with silver and crystal detailing, a little black dress, or a pale cocktail number to emphasize the pretty crystals without making them look vulgar -- or too "retro."

The Judith Leiber Disco Ball Minaudiere is available from Neiman Marcus for $2,495.00.

Tags: disco ball, DiscoBall, handbag of the day, HandbagOfTheDay, judith leiber, JudithLeiber, minaudiere

Judith Leiber Versailles Box Clutch, Handbag of the Day

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags

The Judith Leiber Versailles Box Clutch is a simple minaudiere with an elegant patten which complements almost any accoutrement.

At just 3 3/4"H x 5 1/2"W x 2"D, this isn't exactly the bag for your day job, but it will look lavish and ritzy with any cocktail dress or ball gown for your evening engagements. Drawing inspiration from Versailles, the scroll motif is opulent and glamorous, and shamelessly showy -- but so small it won't take over an outfit.

The Austrian crystals are gold and clear, but this season, it's all right to mix your golds and silvers so this will even go with your fanciest platinum jewelry. This is more than a financial and fashionable investment -- it's the kind of bag your teenage grandchildren will want to steal from you someday.

The Judith Leiber Versailles Box Clutch is available from Neiman Marcus for $3,395.00.

Tags: clutch, handbag of the day, HandbagOfTheDay, judith leiber, JudithLeiber, minaudiere

Judith Leiber Pigtail Minaudiere, Handbag (?) of the Day

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags

Judith Leiber's Pigtail Minaudiere has us scratching our heads.

This expensive little piggy is a minaudiere clutch made from Austrian crystals and lined in kidskin. At just 4 1/2"H x 3 1/2"W, it's so small, you might not even notice the detailed shading done with the crystals. Truly, the piece is an example of masterful workmanship -- but would you carry a pig with you to the gala?

The piglet comes with a 50" detachable gold chain, a matching coin purse and a double-sided mirror. It's a fanciful item which just barely beat out Jinx the Cat for this Handbag of the Day slot. Why? Because everyone has a cat, but only the elite like George Clooney have a pig (actually, famous Max the pig died in 2006).

So, tell people it was made in Max's image and ... oh forget it. I'm exhausted trying to justify a 4 1/2" Austrian crystal pig as a viable handbag. This is perhaps for collectors only, but we applaud Leiber's creativity. What will she think of next?

The Judith Leiber Pigtail Minaudiere is available from Neiman Marcus for $3,600. (and so is Jinx the Cat).

Tags: austrian crystals, handbag of the day, HandbagOfTheDay, judith leiber, minaudiere, piglet

Judith Leiber Slender Curve Minaudiere, Handbag of the Day

by Sandy Maple (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags

You would think an evening bag completely covered in Austrians crystal would be a bit garish, but this one isn't. It's the subtle silver and champagne color of the crystals against the pale gold-tone hardware that keeps things in check. The frame is gracefully curved and the elegant push-lock closure adds a modern touch. A 10½" jeweled chain shoulder strap is included, which can be neatly tucked away inside the bag. The bag comes with a double sided mirror and a matching coin purse. $1495.

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Tags: austrian crystal, AustrianCrystal, clutch, crystal bag, CrystalBag, designer bag, designer clutch, DesignerBag, DesignerClutch, evening bag, EveningBag, handbag, jeweled clutch, jeweled handbag, JeweledClutch, JeweledHandbag, Judith Leiber, JudithLeiber, Minaudiere, purse, shoulder bag, ShoulderBag

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