All posts filed under: Handbags

Nella Bella Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 Preview

Nella Bella held their Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 preview at the Design Exchange a little over a month ago. The space was perfect for the launch. The Nella Bella team did a great job of presenting the collection to visitors. Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 season is the debut of the menswear collection NB man which is influenced by the 50s. Nella Bella paired up with Suzy Shier who provided looks for the mannequins to accompany the handbags.  I liked the addition of a complete look to highlight the handbags in each theme grouping. I really liked NB Man collection. It’s a smart expansion for the brand. The leather like handbag finishes include pebble and patent. The gallery contains my favourite women’s bags from the Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 collection. See all my photos from the event.

DUY x Aldo Fall Winter 2011 – 2012

  Aldo Shoes is on a collaboration roll too.  During Rouge Fashion Week they partnered with Greta Constantine on some limited edition footwear.  DUY paired up with Aldo during LG Fashion Week for a limited edition collection of accessories. This collection of elegant and slightly rebel shoes and accessories pays homage to his Muse, her sophistication and distinctive sense of aesthetics. Faithful to her vision, the various pieces of this collection integrate the elements that made Daphne Guinness famous: leather, textured materials (python, lace), prints (leopard) and fur (pony), caramel hues and dark shades (grey and black). The FW 2011 ALDO collection of shoes and accessories for DUY is an stunning blend of radical chic, flexibility and accessibility. A collection which truly combines modernism, sophistication and elegance.    

i got: M.A.C. Clutch by Rebecca Minkoff

The classic, minimal and versatile black handbag was a massive whole in my ridiculously large collection of handbags at home. I had the all the colours of the rainbow and various fabrics but not handbag 101: black, functional, multipurpose. I would always admire the Rebecca Minkoff M.A.B. (Morning After Bag) Bag at the a2zane store on Queen. I finally bit the bullet at a2zane and purchased the M.A.C. Clutch which is smaller than the M.A.B. bag. The strap can be adjusted to shorten it or it can be removed. I wanted a smaller bag because I have to many big bags. Big bags always result in me carrying more crap I don’t need. With a smaller bag, I have to be strategic with what I decide to carry with me, eliminated a lot of useless things. It’s only been a few days and obsessed with this bag. I love the shape, the size and the looks. The strap is a great length. I’m in love with the bag and it has filled so many wardrobe …

i want: Mismo Backpack

Mismo is a Danish company that makes some pretty slick handbags.  I like the schoolboy preppy look of this backpack. There are no Mismo retailers in Canada but you can buy them online at Opening Ceremony. images: openingceremony.us

Ela Handbags

Ela is a new Canadian handbag line that I’ve just been introduced to. I met co-founders Ela Kowalewska and Martin Aldorsson at Dark Horse cafe where I got a chance to chat and see the line in person.  I really liked what they had to show me. The basis of ela is the idea of humble luxury, where refined and sophisticated silhouettes strive to showcase, rather than upstage, the wearer. From subtle asymmetry to luxe hardware and leather, every design element is infused with a high level of craftsmanship, materials and a signature aesthetic. The collection is small but focused. The handbags are on the minimal side of things but they all share the signature Ela leather closure. The leather is lovely and there are a few different finishes to choose from.  I like the pebbled leather the best. The MILCK clutch is a big enough for a night out that includes a camera and smartphone. It comes in a variety of colours and finishes. There are also some tote bags. I like the more …

i want: Spacematic Backpack by Three Thirds

I’m heading to Vancouver and Whistler this weekend and I wish my laptop was small enough to fit in the Three Thirds Spacematic Backpack. It looks like the perfect traveling companion for someone with a lot of gadgets like me. Unfortunately I have a 17 inch laptop and not a 15 inch. Boo. You can also get the Spacematic Backpack online at A2ZANE and Threethirdsdesign.com. images: Threethirdsdesign.com

Victoria Beckham Fall Winter 2011 – 2012

Victoria Beckham’s Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 collection was pretty damn beautiful. I’m totally impressed with her dedication and understanding of fashion design. When she first started out I pretty much dismissed her as a celebrity/designer. Over the years she has proven that she’s serious about the business. The only beef I have is with the line’s sizing. I tried on a dress at Holt Renfrew for fun. I was brought a size 8 and I couldn’t fit into. I’m technically a four. That’s a bit of warning for people. There is a specific body type and it’s one that matches Victoria. See the entire Victoria Beckham Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 Fashion Show I love so much of this collection. The yellow dresses totally blew my mind. The hangbag line is coming along nicely. They are classic and minimalist designs. images: vogue.com, thefashionspot.com

Prada Spring Summer 2011 Handbags

Another great thing to come out of the Prada spring summer 2011 collection is the handbags. It was all out colour. They are simple bag shapes, made out of cotton and probably priced a bit on the high side.  That doesn’t stop me wanting the schoolboy like satchels at all. images: tooklookbook.com

i want: Canvas Vachette Bolle Print Handbags by Bottega Veneta

It’s surprising that the bags I like from Bottega Veneta’s Resort 2011 collection are canvas. There is something about this print that just draws me in. Empire Nero Canvas Vachette Bolle Print “the Couple” Tote is made to be carried by two people so you can use it for picnics, etc. Assenzio Nero Canvas Vachette Bolle Print Tote is a more traditional sized bag. images: bottegaveneta.com

Burak Uyan Spring Summer 2011 Accessories

I’m liking the shoes and handbags from Burak Uyan’s first solo collection. Architecture, organic shapes and the work of Swedish sculptor Eva Hild are among designer Burak Uyan’s inspirations for his first collection under his own name. “I like to work with overlapping superimpositions and organic shapes, mixing round and geometric shapes and different textures,” said the 31-year old designer of Turkish descent. “There are no specifically evening or day styles. The styles are meant for all day, every day.” The debut collection, unveiled in a Saint Honoré showroom in Paris, includes flats retailing for around $650 and high heels that will be priced up to $1,500, depending on materials. With experience designing for Givenchy and Giambattista Valli, in addition to his most recent stint at Aperlaï, Uyan said he is thrilled to be working under his own name. “It was the right time,” he said.(source) images: style.com

Jil Sander Spring Summer 2010 Accessories

I loved the colours and prints in the spring summer 2011 Jil Sander womenswear collection. I didn’t enjoy the actual clothing too much. It’s the silhouette. It’s too oversized for me and only waifs can pull off such a look. The accessories are amazing though. The prints are so perfect. I was more interested in the handbags. The shoes not so much as they were complimentary but not very exciting to me. Check out the Jil Sander Spring Summer 2011 Womenswear show. And check out the Jil Sander Spring Summer 2011 Menswear show which I thought was brilliant. images: style.com

ECCO Styled – October 2010

During October ECCO will have a traveling installation called “ECCO styled” that will stop at Yorkdale Shopping Centre, Sherway Gardens and the Toronto Eaton Centre. You can look at it like a little dress up installation. There will be a a wall of ECCO shoes and wardrobe options. Stylists will provide personal consultations utilizing the Fall 2010 ECCO line. You can get hair and make-up touch-ups so that you look great for the photographer that is there to capture the moment. I’ve been asked to participate in this installation and I’ll be at the Eaton Centre on October 15, 2010. You can join in on the fun on twitter by using the #ECCOStyled hashtag. Post your ECCOStyled self. In the spring I attended the Fall 2010 preview for Ecco and I was very, very skeptical.  I didn’t think there would be anything I liked.  At this point I hadn’t ever seen a shoe at this store I liked during the rare and random times I stepped foot in the store.  I was wrong and ECCO …