Go behind the scenes for the making of a Chanel Classic Flap Bag

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve wanted to know how things work and fit together. I used to take apart and reassemble all my toys, day after day, with endless curiosity. Unfortunately, fashion doesn’t lend itself to the same kind of inquisitiveness unless you’ve got unlimited funds to buy yourself a new Chanel Flap Bag after you ruin your first one after it gets assembled. That’s where our friends at StyleRepublic come in – somehow, they pulled a behind-the-scenes tour of the Chanel Classic Flap manufacturing process, and they’ve got lots of gorgeous pictures to let us know exactly how the magic happens. We’ve taken you behind the scenes into the making of a Chanel bag before, but I thought perhaps the topic was worth revisiting with these beautiful pictures.

Get your iPhone stoned (literally) with Weston

During New York Fashion Week, I spontaneously became a very late-arriving member of the iPhone club. (Don’t make fun of me. I know it’s been out for like six years or something at this point.) I went in to the Verizon store to buy a new charger, I walked out 20 minutes later with a brand new, extremely fragile phone. I’ve had a placeholder case on it ever since in an effort not to damage my new toy, but I’m still on the hunt for my perfect case of the moment.

That hunt got significantly more interesting yesterday, when Net-a-Porter added a bunch of Weston Stone-Print iPhone Cases to its offerings. Agate, Labradorite, Jasper, Marble…it’s all there, up-close and in its naturally colorful glory. How timely that these cases should surface now, a mere week after Chanel’s gem-obsessed Fall 2012 runway show. I want them all, and I’ve got up-close pictures of my three favorites after the jump.

In my Bag: Plukka Attica and Ramses Rings

I love to accessorize. Rings and bracelets are my favorite jewelery items and I always have something extra floating around in my bag to throw on when needed. This week I was playing with these new Plukka Attica and Ramses Rings and I just couldn’t get enough.

I am always drawn to stand-out rings that completely catch the eye. Plukka designed the Attica and Ramses rings which are total statement rings. I paired the I and II next to one another, which gives the look of a super tough/luxe knuckle ring.

Who Carried It Better? Bethenny Frankel vs. Alanis Morissette

We talk about celebrities and their handbags all day, every day (well, we get weekends off) over at BagThatStyle, but from now on, we’re going to be bringing more stars with their bags to our lovely PurseBlog readers as well. After all, scrutinizing pictures of people carrying expensive handbags is near and dear to our hearts, even if I’m not exactly sure what that says about us as people. Don’t think about it too hard, trust me.

In that spirit, let’s talk about stars and Hermes, shall we? But not the stars or the Hermes that you’d probably assume. What’s the fun in looking at Victoria Beckham’s zillionth Birkin (actually, that would be pretty fun) when you can go a bit off the beaten path with reality-star-turned-booze-tycoon Bethenny Frankel and singer/songwriter Alanis Morisette and their lovely Hermes Evelyne Crossbody Bags?

Both ladies are doing a great job showing us that Hermes bags can indeed be worn in a casual, functional way, which is one of the major advantages of the Evelyne – it’s a hands-free weekend bag from a company best known for the complete opposite. Both Bethenny and Alanis have styled their Evelynes similarly, with slim jeans and neutral tones. Personally, I prefer Alanis’ grey bag and her whole look – it’s exactly the kind of thing I would wear to run to the store on a Saturday afternoon.

Botkier does non-pastel pastels for the color-inclined

Where pastels go, controversy follows. Many of you weren’t as enthusiastic about Alexander Wang’s minty shoulder bags as Megs and I are, but if you’re similarly averse to light colors, fret not. Lots of designers have found a way to walk the lines between pastels and brights for Spring 2012; with two such disparate color trends happening in one season, necessity really is the mother of invention.

That’s where the Botkier Leon Satchel comes in. The colors above, dubbed “garden” and “persimmon,” are too rich to be true pastels, but they have a softness to them that makes it difficult to call them brights. They’re somewhere in the middle, and I bet they’d both look great with something crisp and white come spring.

Not only is the color of this bag great, but so is the shape. Structured, slightly ladylike bags have been the Big Thing for a while now, and that trend seems slow to dissipate. If you want to carry your whole life in your bag, look elsewhere – this one isn’t right for you. If you just want your wallet, sunglasses, phone and keys, though, with maybe an extra or two, this size is perfect.

Oscar de la Renta steps up his bag game with the Marelia Clutch

Oscar de la Renta has stepped up his accessory game. Over the past few collections, I have watched the bags get progressively better. While his clothing and gowns have always told the tale of beauty and grace, the bags never quite lured me in as much. But as of late, I truly can’t stop singing praises for Oscar’s bags. And that, dear readers, is the magic of this industry. A brilliant handbag designer can pop up in a second and lure us all in. Oscar is far from new to the fashion world, but his bags are new to my lust-worthy list.

Currently, I can’t stop ogling the Oscar de la Renta Marelia Clutch. Meticulously embroidered, this clutch is available in yellow and blue.

Nicholas Kirkwood for Pollini: Of Two Minds

During Milan Fashion Week, my blog bestie Catherine Kallon (aka Red Carpet Fashion Awards) took me to a Pollini party. Honestly, I didn’t really know much about the brand (though they’ve been around since the sixties) and wasn’t expecting to be wowed. But the instant I walked in, a bevy of interesting bags caught my attention.
Some bags boasted an innovative woven print that actually looks like real leather weave, but instead, photo prints on leather give the effect. Other bags looked so sleek and chic, I thought I had been momentarily transported to Céline.

Then I was introduced to a smiling man named Nicholas. We played around with bags and talked for a bit before I moved on. It took me a full five minutes to realize I had been in a conversation with one of my favorite shoe designers, Nicholas Kirkwood! As a matter of fact, the innovative Brit has been Creative Director of the label since the Spring/Summer 2011 collection. If there was ever a successful re-branding of a designer label, it’s Pollini with Nicholas Kirkwood at the helm.
Fall is looking great: fur done right and a fabulous lack of color, courtesy of a crisp black-and-white tote. I can’t wait to see what Nicholas is going to turn out next.
Prices range from about $400-$800

A Visit to the Gucci Museo: All Things Gucci

Photographer: Tommaso Fontanella

After the morning tour of the bag factory, our eclectic group headed back to Florence on the Gucci bus. The next stop: the Gucci Museo for lunch. I felt like I was at summer camp with new friends from around the world!

The museum was beautiful and chock-ful of Gucci history, from a 1970s Gucci car to photos of the brand’s most historic moments, with each exhibit beautifully displayed. We learned about the early history of the house: it was founded in 1921 by Guccio Gucci, a Florentine immigrant to London who originally worked as a porter at the Savoy.

Deborah Barnett Ostrich Three Leg Clutch: Bag or Dinner?

The name of this clutch sounds more like a description of a Chinese delicacy rather than what I’m going to carry my gloss and cell phone in. But that is the name of this Deborah Barnett ostrich clutch. The natural, organic shape is very interesting, but is it maybe too organic?

Let’s be honest: there is something slightly disturbing here.

Jennifer Aniston x Tom Ford: True Romance

Tom Ford has a loyal fan in Jennifer Aniston. She has his zipper messenger bag in brown AND black. Jen and I see eye-to-eye on this one. Personally, that’s how I shop too. If you love something, get it in multiple colors!

The ease of the bag is so appealing. It’s almost inviting you to throw it over your shoulder. None of that rigid Birkin structure here; instead, multiple layers of compartments to hide love letters and such. (After all, she is Jen Aniston!) The whole bag is lined in luscious suede so reaching to find your phone is always a pleasant surprise. But as any veteran bag snob knows, effortless chic doesn’t come cheap. This Tom Ford is going to cost you: $3995 to be exact.

But don’t fret. I have an option for those frugal snobs out there too! Anya Hindmarch’s Maxi Zip Leather Satchel is a third of the price ($1,385) and has similar soft layers, a messenger strap and shimmering gold hardware.

Ethan K Crocodile Bags: Exotic Works of Art

Be still my beating heart! I love nothing more than a flawless crocodile bag so you can imagine my excitement when my editorial assistant, Adam, showed me these Ethan K bags. Ethan Koh is known as an artisan with the personal touch. He personally chooses top quality exotic skins from Louisiana and Zimbabwe. And his involvement doesn’t stop there: He also oversees the hand dyeing of each skin, which, according to Ethan, is a real art form.

The results are roomy totes and softly constructed satchels to structured clutches in brilliantly rich, bright hues of plum, turquoise and orange. Each bag is lightweight and impeccably constructed. Clasps are never off the shelf, but rather sourced from artisans. (Just take a look at the snake and hedgehog on these two clutches.) To finish off each bag, Ethan embosses the buyer’s initials and bag’s creation date. And just to remind us what these beauties are made from, a mini croc graces each bag’s hang tag. How’s that for detailed and one-of-a-kind.

Although I can’t say I’m surprised at Ethan’s talent and passion. He grew up in a family that specialized in luxury exotic skins. Ethan developed a natural appreciation for the craft and honed his talents and awareness of luxury goods while interning in Paris at Hermes and Louis Vuitton. Looks like all his dedication and passion is paying off for us in these amazing croc bags!

The Verdict is in: Alexander Wang is Guilty of Street Chic

sweatshop’ lawsuit against him by former employers, the horrific accusations of forcing laborers to work 25 hours straight until they inevitably passed out. But I am neither judge nor jury and will not comment on this other than I hope the Wang brothers are doing the right thing.

Santiago Gonzalez: Crocodile Pour Homme

As a member of the Bag Snob team, you cannot help but be a fan of Nancy Gonzalez and her lovely and luxurious crocodile goods. They have always proven to be showstoppers! Well, for the boys, there’s Santiago Gonzalez, the line from her prodigious son, and they’re quite the hit.

We’re talking ultra high quality crocodile goods that are not only beautiful and collectable, but wearable! I’m particularly hooked on the backpack (I’ve never been a big fan of backpacks on men, but this is an OBVIOUS exception) ($5,500), the slim briefcase ($4,100), the wallet ($585), the money clip ($125), and the shaving kit ($1,275)!

The Row Twin Mini Messenger: Tiny Bag, HUGE Price

bag. This tiny (read: 5 inches by 7 inches) bit of ostrich and lizard is nearly five grand. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I love the materials and the juxtaposition of textures, but it pretty much looks like a cosmetic pouch with a strap on it. Sure, it has a cool double sided Siamese twin pouch in two-tone tan, which is good for remembering what is in which side. But I just cannot understand a so-so design for an investment amount of money that could go very far at any other luxury brand, Hermes included!

Smythson of Bond Street Jackie Tote: Your One and Only Tote

I was complaining that most totes like this don’t have an interior pocket. And of course, one of my favorite brands, Smythson, would have the perfect solution. This understated and elegant tote with contrasting trim, is quiet luxury in an art form. The pebbled goatskin is super soft and lighter than calf with a texture that is dreamy. The navy trim mirrors their signature navy ribbon on their beautiful packaging. The interior is in satin, with a ruched pocket for your phone as well as a zipper pocket for safe keeping of valuables. This new Jackie tote covers all my bases, even has a price I love. What more can a girl ask for?

Marni Bandoleer: A Little Too Convenient

Instead of for weapons, like the apron hair stylists wear, this Marni Bandoleer is for your essentials that must be kept within a second’s reach. A slim zip top compartment with 4 ample outer pockets (yes, double pockets on both sides) this is a pick pocketer’s dream bag so city girls beware. In fact, stay away from crowds all together when wearing this.

I am an open bag kind of girl- I like quick access to my necessities and I like the versatility of one shoulder or crossbody. But this might be a little too inviting and prone to things accidentally falling out. (Note the nice-sized pouches could be a bit too gaping to secure your belongings.) This bag is a good idea but it just doesn’t function.