Unbelievable its not mine.....: Yves Saint Lauren

Showing posts with label Yves Saint Lauren. Show all posts

Thursday, February 12, 2009

What's New on the Web (Feb 12th)

All About the Pretty read and loves new beauty book Confessions of a Beauty Addict.

BagSnob finds Fendi Sfilata Divided Satchel cool and functional.

Bagsnob also raves about YSL new Seven bag and Givenchy Small Eclipse Hobo.

Coquette decides between Anya Hindmarch Spring 2009 - New Canvas Shopping Totes

Couture Snob shocked that Neiman Marcus is UPSET with its customers for not shopping!?!?

Purseblog likes Michael Kors Zip Patent Clutch and Skorpios Foldover Clutch.

StyleBakery.com showcases hot new fashion trend started by Michelle Obama: lemongrass hues.

StyleHive highlights the need for Nude Colored Heels, like I did.

Monday, October 13, 2008

If I have all the money in the world...

Roberto Cavalli Elongated cashmere cardigan $2,290

Elizabeth and James Orchid trapeze blouse $295

Helmut Lang Slim leg pants $345

Alexander McQueen Button trim boots $1,745

Isharya Daisy filigree cuff $265

Mulberry Snakeskin oversized shoulder bag $2,495

If I have all the money in the world, this is the ensemble I would wear. I was attracted by the ruffles in the Elizabeth and James Orchid Trapeze Blouse so I decided to put together an outfit inspired by it. But mostly, I just wanted to carry that Mulberry Snakeskin oversized shoulder bag. It looks so sumptuous and glamorous, I'm sure this Mulberry bag will make a statement with any outfit. The two zippers on the side expands the bag if you needed it to. Think of it as a YSL Uptown bag turning into a YSL Downtown bag. Fab? I would say so. It doesn't close with a zipper up top, but instead employs a magnetic closure and a lobster clasp to hold the bag contents safely in the bag. Personally, I am fine with that because I love easy access to what's inside my bag. I know some people may hate it because they constantly spill and scatter the contents of their bags. And to those people, I say "you are a bigger klutz than I and you deserve the trouble of having to zip open and close your bag each time you take something out or put something in. Good riddance to you!"

So what do you think? Is the ensemble too much?

Ok, fine, if you find the purple on the Mulberry competing too much with the green on the Trapeze blouse, I will substitute the bag with another gorgeous bag from Anya Hindmarch. There, Happy now?

Anya Hindmarch Vigo python shoulder bag $2,495

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Incredible YSL Fake (spotted in Japan)

Compare the authentic YSL Muse in white (above) to the small Muse in white (below) that we spotted a girl toting at Ise, Japan.

Can you tell the difference? Which do you like more?

Your keen eye should have honed in on the differences in hardware by now. The small muse utilizes silver hardware while the authentic YSL muse bag uses gold hardware. Salespersons at YSL (Breeze mall, Taipei) told Chibi that silver hardware is only used on white patent muse bags. Well, the small muse we saw sure isn't patent. Look carefully again, what else is different? Yes, the silver padlock on the small muse is a rectangular lock with white leather strapped across horizontally. On the other hand, the gold padlock on the authentic muse is cylindrical in shape with the white leather strapped across its circumference vertically. As far as we know, YSL did not come out with a special edition muse bag that has a different padlock,

Despite being a fake, the small muse we saw was very well-made. For one, it seems to be made out of high quality leather and had been put together impeccably. Without the silver hardware and the padlock, we would have went on assuming that the bag was real. Chibi actually prefers the silver hardware to YSL's gold (as do I). In fact, we were so enamored by the small muse that we have since been looking for the same mini muse that stole our hearts. Of course, it was nowhere to be found because it was really just a fake.

Without threading into philosophical and moral issues with regards to authenticity, I will simply conclude that this mini muse we spotted is most definitely an incredible fake.

-----Update (Aug 20th)-----

YSL did come up with an updated Muse Tote in Large that has silver hardware. We duly note that it is black, and its padlock remains cylindrical. However, this is good news for those who prefers the silver hardware, don't you think? At Bergdorf Goodman for $1,795.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

YSL Besace Shoulder Bag

I received a Neiman Marcus email newsletter recently. Its subject said "Yves Saint Laurent: The new must-have handbag".

Hmm. Really!? The bag in question is the YSL Besace Shoulder Bag. It came out in treated distressed leather (bronze or gold) earlier this year, but the new fall version is made out of crocodile stamped nubuck leather, in anthracite, dark brown, and red brown. The goldtone hardware, size, front flap, and adjustable strap all remained the same, but fall's darker color and embossed crocodile skin pattern injects a sense of rugged luxury that is entirely different from the bohemian chic in the summer version. The price difference? Just one hundred dollars more for the almost-exotic look($1,995).

I have to say that I was attracted to this bag despite my general dislike of women carrying messenger bags... ...

(This is a messenger bag regardless of the strategic misnomer.) I love women carrying glamorous clutches or feminine shoulder bags, and I only tolerate messenger bags on punky girls. The reason is simply that messenger bags are too often manly, and they too easily overpower a girl's softness. Here too, even though the front flap and great size makes the YSL Besace a bag that's comfortable and easy-to-use, I wonder if it is too hard for a woman's femininity.

The ad poster does a great job of persuading me to put aside my prejudice though. It makes me think that all that is needed to carry off a strong messenger bag is a strong, confident girl with a great sense of style. THEN AGAIN, how many woman can compare to a beautiful professional model with a director of photography who makes sure that the woman and the bag appears in their best complementary states? I know I can't.

In any case, despite my mixed feelings, I can't bring myself to hate this messenger bag. Yet, I wouldn't think of it as a must-have bag. Don't agree with me? Leave a comment and enlighten me.

Friday, June 13, 2008

Tribute to a legend

Yves Saint Lauren passed away at 71 on June 1st. Many are mourning his death as the significant moment of the passing of old school fashion.

If you're young, you'll likely think of YSL as nothing more than a brand name with gorgeous bags, shoes, and clothes. The YSL brand you know is splattered with Uptown and Downtown bags, as well as the YSL Muse. But in fact, what you are thinking of is YSL's ready-to-wear label, Rive Gauche, which has been sold to Gucci in 1999 and designed by Tom Ford (until 2004) and Stefano Pilati (presently).

YSL Tribute pumps, mary janes, and sandals were the rage ever since last year, as if the brand YSL founded was hailing tribute to its original founder and designer.

Tribute Sandals

For those of you who are too young to know about YSL's legend, pay attention:

Who was he?

- French fashion designer
- Considered to be one of "the most consistently celebrated and influential designer" who "can be credited with both spurring the couture's rise from its Sixties ashes and with finally rendering ready-to-wear reputable" (From Couture: The Great Fashion Designers, by Caroline Rennolds Milbank, 1985)

What did he do?

- Left home at age 17 to work for the French designer Christian Dior.
- Took charge of Dior house at age 21 after Dior's sudden death in 1957, and designed his first collection there in 9 weeks flat.
- Started his own label in 1962 after Dior released him in lieu of his nervous depression from having to serve in the army.

What did he design that broke the mold?

- At Dior, he made the Trapeze dress with narrow shoulders and wide swinging skirt.
- In 1960, he came up with the Parisian Beatnik Look.
- His ready-to-wear label, Rive Gauche (left side of the bank), is meant to make the less fasionable side of things fashionable, then bring it to the mainstream.
- Adapted male wardrobe for women by creating Le smoking tuxedo suit in 1966.
- In 1976, he did the Rich Peasant Look by using rich material on peasant-inspired clothing.
- He also popularized the Safari jacket, tight pants and tall, thigh-high boots, the sheath dress, leopard prints, and the black leather jacket.

What does his death signify?

- The end of an era in Haute Couture

Where do I read more?

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/01/style/01cnd-laurent.html?hp

Saturday, May 31, 2008

Do You Mini??

No, not the ad compaign for Mini Cooper..........

...

Mini versions of bags has always been a centerpiece for cuteness and elegance. At times, we are unable to resist the lure of this cuteness even though in your heart you know that this bag won't be able to carry the arsenal of cosmetics and gadgets that keeps you perky throughout the day. My fav would be the Veneta and its offspring -- mini-Veneta. Actually, correction, I love all the mini versions that Bottega has to offer. You even have to ask for some of them since they aren't on display such as the "Drop Bag" and the "Mini Sloane". Additional bonus for getting a BV mini would be that most of the mini series are sold only in Asia and won't be found in North America, which adds to the WOW factor when people see it.

Other brands also features their own collection of miniture versions of their "IT" lines. Gucci's Indy, YSL's Muse and Dr. Evil. They have all had their shine in the spotlight but with the

introduction of the mini-ME, they will need to share their glory with a cuter version of themselves... Who could resist not grabbing a set or two of these cuteness? You can even be like Angie and Zahara and have a matching mother and daughter set. (Valentino's Histoire Bag).