D2D: Direct To Designer Katherine Kwei

Katherine Kwei is one of our favorite handbag designers, with her gorgeous bags and that signature “knot weave.”  We recently had the pleasure of visiting Katherine in her NYC showroom to talk accessories.  Find out what inspires her, who carries her bags, and get a sneak peek at the Amber for AW2010 (wear it six ways!).

DesignerSocial will be carrying her classic Donna clutch in camel, adorned with Swarovski crystals, for Spring.  Don’t miss it!

posted by BC: Back to DesignerSocial

From DesignerHandbagHookup:

Well, this is ridiculous. Here’s the latest accessory to hit the market: The “Raindrop Besace” purse that retails for a jaw-dropping $1960. To be fair, perhaps Marc Jacobs was going for that whole postmodernist thing about reappropriating culturally base materials and turning them into status symbols and whatever—but when you boil it all down, it’s still just a trash bag with a leather handle that costs as much as a month’s worth of rent. If you’re kooky enough to purchase one yourself, just remember the words of sage, Pauly D: “And in walks this girl with like garbage bags. I thought that was kinda like ghetto, and like…weird.” Our thoughts, exactly.

We’ve tallied the votes here, and our FAVE Handbag from the FEB ISSUES is.. The YSL Bowler Bag as seen in VOGUE. Congrats to Virginia Smith for picking the winner. ;) At YSL Boutiques nationwide.

Photo: VOGUE magazine

WOULD YOU PAY $1800 FOR THESE?

As much we love shoes, that’s a bit spendy for most of the US population. But apparently, Prada doesn’t have much faith in the American consumer either. A Fashionista spy tried them on recently in the Soho store, and when she asked to be put on the waiting list (just for the hell of it) she discovered that all three pairs- which is the ENTIRE Spring shipment- were already allotted to the Trainas (as in Samantha, Vanessa etc).. figures. I wonder if they know that they literally bought out Prada this season.

Obviously the shoes are not meant to be worn by us mere mortals, but rather meant to look great in their ad campaign and in magazines. Hope this isn’t a sign of things to come, Prada.

GRACIAS: Fashionista.com

GEMMA REDUX CLAIMS SPOT AS FINALIST FOR CFDA INCUBATOR INITIATIVE

As announced earlier this month, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, together with the CFDA will choose one emerging fashion design talent to inhabit a beautiful new Manhattan workspace. We are so excited that one of our favorite new vendors, Rachel Dooley, is among the 12 finalists for the program, announced today by WWD.

Her line, Gemma Redux, has been wildly successful at retail, and to say she’s an “up-and-comer” is not really accurate by our view- but there certainly could not be a more deserving candidate. Check out some of the designs from her Spring/Summer collection just out now on DS.

Is it Spring yet?

We ask this question for two reasons

1. The freezing NYC temperatures are getting quite unbearable.
2. Zac Posen for Target’s look book all over the internet has us wishing it was April 25th.

We can at least begin to imagine how we would accessorize the collection to get us through the cold winter months.  We picked our three favorite looks, the first being this hot little metalic bikini top and floral skirt number.  The Hayden-Harnett Talitha clutch and Alexis Bittar bangles from DesignerSocial add more color and fun to the already playful combination.

We LOVE the 2 Piece Disco Party Dress.  Oh the multiple ways you could wear it!

We’d throw the Dannijo Blakely Necklace, with its simple chain and Swarovski crystal pendant, on the black which they layered over the tie-dye tank dress.  For the red?  The Jalda Gold-Mirrored Bag for some party action.

Lookbook photos via Fashionista.

posted by BC: DesignerSocial

CHANEL’s “Classics” just got a little more so..

According to sales associates at several of their Manhattan boutiques, prices are going up, up, up starting Feb 1 from $50 to several hundred dollars commensurate with demand for the item. Topping the list is the Jumbo Classic Quilted Caviar Chain Bag which will go from $2650 to $2995. And the funny part of it is- Chanel deflects any bad press from potentially disgruntled bagaholics by telling them they should be lucky to have one!

According to the boutique on 57th Street there is a 30-35 person waiting list. Who do they think they are— Hermes? As much as it pains me to admit that I bought a bag “off the rack”, I must tell you that I bought this very bag at that very store about a month ago and there was no wait at all- so who knows. I suppose now I can sell it for what I bought it for and it will still be under market value, making it the only “appreciated” asset I’ve owned in a very long while.

Photo Credit: iPhone. Bag Credit: mine!

Posted by FDB

Have you ever wondered what the Publisher of LUCKY magazine looks like?

Well wonder no more because here she is.. at least until MONDAY when she starts her new job as the CEO of Fairchild publications (you know.. WWD— our Bible!). And although these two may look like sisters, they are not from the same family- unfortunately for Francine (Ballard of DesignerSocial- featured here, right). Gina is a Newhouse.. as in Si Newhouse who owns Advance Publications, the parent company of Conde Nast (ie Vogue, Glamour, Allure, Lucky etc..).

She will most certainly be missed at Lucky (we hear it’s a dark week there), but we think she will KICK BUTT over at the holy fashion land. Gina- do us proud! We live for our Accessories Supplement!!

-As of this post, Gina’s successor at Lucky had not yet been named.

Ok- so we lifted this off fashionista.com in it’s entirety.. but it was too funny to be edited in any way!

WHEN SHE’S RIGHT, SHE’S RIGHT..

With all of her commercial and television success sometimes we forget how freakin’ amazing Rachel Zoe is as a stylist.. but we must give credit where credit is due- the woman has an eye. We love these LV beautes she featured on her blog today. Keeping with the accessories overload theme, they are quite unique for Louis Vuitton and perfect for Spring!

$960-$1450. Coming soon at Louisvuitton.com.

CHANEL’s getting crafty with the online videos..

Like this one shot for their Spring-Summer 2010 collection. Interesting, but somehow I expect more from them. I mean this is so clearly staged, that it almost defeats the purpose of featuring it on a blog.. a classic example of what happens when a HUGE conglomerate of a company tries to go “rogue” with their marketing efforts.. something gets lost in translation.

-Hire two gorgeous supermodels… CHECK!

-Have them run around in gorgeous clothes.. CHECK!

-Find a motorcyle with the Chanel logo on it.. CHECK!

Not to mention the fact that it’s called “Vol De Jour” which means theft of the day, and features said gorgeous supermodels stealing from every store in Paris.. interesting message to put on the internet. Especially when some of their couture gowns cost over $100,000. Take a look and tell us what you think. You have to scroll down a bit.. (5th feature on page).

Everyone’s Doing It..

Roberto Cavalli, the Italian designer label known for their avant-garde, wild prints, is focusing on accessories for 2010, reports BOF. CEO Gianluca Brozetti says, “We will pay particular attention to accessories, which is an area for ample growth for us”. He also announced a new chief executive for their U.S. subsidiary this week, Robert Donofrio, as part of RC’s management structuring program.

Photo: Style.com

posted by SB: DesignerSocial

Accessorizing with DesignerSocial:

Let’s play a little dress-up with Dree Hemmingway and Becka Diamond.  These girls don’t need much to make a statement, and often make their effortless chic outfits complete with small details in accessories.  Any girl can throw on a pair of black skinny jeans, an oversized sweater, and a cool leather jacket.  But by adding the right cuff, bag, or ring (and a little bit of attitude) you can turn that look into something street fashion bloggers will snap their shutters for.

We think that these three pieces from the DesignerSocial closet would look great on either ‘It Girl’!

• Botkier Logan Satchel- Gorgeous distressed black lambskin tote with fringe tassels and antique brass hardware.
• Couture Beaded Gemstone Bracelet by John Galliano- Amazing one of a kind piece. Authentic black lace shrouds set gemstones over a beaded body.
• Mali Ring by Dannijo- For the tough girl that loves her Rock’n’roll and effortless attire. You’ll find her in zip jeans, a tee, studded pumps, and well, the Mali ring. Yeah, she’s cool.

posted by BC: Back to DesignerSocial