Fashion for everyone

The newest addition to the Collina Strada collection, an adorable round bag that can also be attached to the front of your bike.

My Collina Strada bag is one of my most prized possessions, so it's really no surprise that over the past year, the line has garnered a somewhat large local following. I know this because I frequently see the vivid printed bags and backpacks popping up on girls all over downtown, and when I tried to get a hold of one of her pouches that doubles as a furry handmuff, I found that it had sold out. Designer Hillary Taymour works with artfully constructed leather, as well as a constantly changing selection of original printed canvases, to constantly create fresh new designs that are far cry from your average handbags. The prints, which are inspired by vintage designs, and modern updates on traditional ethnic patterns, allow for a burst of varied color that is uncommon in most designer handbag. Additionally, the bag styles Taymour creates are always innovative: one of her best-sellers is roomy knapsack that can be converted into a crossbody bag, and this season she introduced an adorable tube-shaped bag that can be worn on your shoulder and then strapped to the front of your bike. It's like the grown-up version of the pouch I had attached to my pink Huffy bike as a child, and I'm desperately hankering for one, even though I probably ought to buy a bike to attach it to first.

Classic designs in new prints for Fall

One of the popular roomy knapsacks

Much nicer than your average grocery tote



The Collina Strada take on the satchel style that's been so popular for the past few seasons

Bag courtesy of Katherine Kwei, vintage Gunne Sax dress from eBay that I altered, Carin Wester denim jacket, Dieppa Restrepo brogues, Swash scarf, Charles Anastase sunglasses, Tsumori Chisato tights, Devaki hat, Arms and Armory necklace, Triskaidekaphobia ring.

Earlier last week, I had the pleasure of stopping by Katherine Kwei's gorgeous downtown apartment/studio space to preview her Spring collection with a bunch of other New York bloggers. We were treated to drinks, dim sum from Chinatown Brasserie, Chinese knot tying lessons, and hugs from the cutest and fluffiest white dog who stole our snacks, but gave back his undying love. The whole experience made me feel like an age-inappropriate extra at a Gossip Girl shoot (you know, the scenes where they're all hanging out at an uber-posh party at someones apartment), a show where Katherine's bags have coincidentally made recent appearances. I barely knew any of the other bloggers there, but luckily I ran into the lovely Elizabeth (a.k.a. Ms. White Lightning), and we may or may not have spent most of the evening being gossipy girls ourselves. We had our photo taken together at the photobooth that Nicky Digital had set up, but Elizabeth didn't like it, so I won't post it. I will however post a link to the photos (which seems fair). At the end of the night, we all got to take home one of Katherine's signature "Donna" sling bags, which I've been wearing all week.

A close up of the "Donna" sling bag from Katherine Kwei, and my Triskaidekaphobia buckle ring.

Elizabeth with the bag of her choice, "Kate" mini

The "Isabel" bags, which are covered in Katherine Kwei's signature Chinese knots

More bags from the very seventies-feeling "Kate" group

The "Lulu" bags, which are the newest group in the line, which was inspired by the 60's

The Chinese knot-tying instructions, which are not as easy as they look!

The finished result of my knot-tying and DIY bag-charm making lesson. I'm happy to say that my jewelry making skills came in handy and I knocked out this bag charm in five minutes flat.

Charles Anastase for Longchamp bags

I've never been a fan of Longchamp's classic, foldable pliage bags, which seem more practical than fashionable. However, Longchamps has reached out on several occasions to collaborate with designers like Jeremy Scott, and artists like Tracy Emin, to create versions of their classic bag that aren't just covetable, but collectors items in their own right. For fall, they've decided to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of ANDAM (Association Nationale pour le Développement des Arts de la Mode), by picking out three previous winners of the ANDAM Fashion Award to design their own versions of the pliage. The designers include Jeremy Scott again, as well as BLESS and Charles Anastase. Personally, I can't decide which I prefer: the creepy-cute white cats on Charles Anastase's bag, which would certainly freak out my husband, or BLESS's creation, which folds up into a donut-shaped leather bangle. Both are brilliant, and decidedly practical too.

Bless for Longchamp bracelet bag


Instructions for converting the bag into a bangle

Peter Pilotto x Kipling backpack, Foley and Corinna dress, Acne motorcycle jacket, Alexander Wang shoes, scarf courtesy of Gina Tricot, Triskaidekaphobia ring.

Last night I had a busy evening that had me running all over town, starting with a visit to Charley 5.0 to view their spring collection, a pitstop at Creatures of Comfort for their book release party, and finally ending the night at my friend Allegra's gallery for a dinner party for artist Brian Montuori. The dinner started with a bang when my place setting caught on fire, which could have been a disaster if it hadn't been put out so quickly. I swear I was nowhere near it when it went up in flames, so I have no idea what happened, but the resulting mess of melted plastic plate and smoky fumes actually matched the macabre exhibition quite well.

The show, titled "Cold Sweat" depicts an alternative reality where humanity is absent, and the remnants of nature slowly reveal themselves to be part of a greater machine. We had dinner surrounded by paintings of exploding coyotes, and my companions regaled me with appropriate nature-fright stories, which were just as unappetizing as they were fascinating. For example, apparently there's a video of hundreds of displaced rats swimming in unison through the flooded streets of Bushwick following the recent tornado. The image, which sounds like something out of a horror movie, was described as being quite beautiful, and sadly, I haven't been able to find the footage online, as much as a try to Google search "rats swimming in Bushwick." Please let me know if you find it!

I took out my new Peter Pilotto x Kipling backpack, which fits everything, including my super-heavy camera. After shopping around different sites for the past month, I ended up ordering it from the Kipling website, since they're offering 20% off with the discount code, "WELCOMEKIP"

My home attempt at the half-moon manicure. Triskaidekaphobia buckle ring.

My scorched table setting, which actually matched the artwork in the gallery pretty well.

My dinner companions for the evening.

Brian Montuori's installation

FREITAG REFERENCE multi-colored scale bag

Sorry for the major slowdown in posting. Jimmy surprised me with a trip to Jamaica for my birthday, and my internet access has been rather slim. Plus, I've been spending most of my time on the beach getting an unsightly sunburn.

Last Wednesday, I attended events for two very different bag lines: FREITAG and Katherine Kwei. FREITAG is a Swiss bag company that's been making bags out of upcycled truck tarpaulins and seat belt straps since 1993. While the company started with their signature messenger bags, they recently launched the FREITAG REFERENCE, with a more fashion forward focus. They've just opened their first store in New York, which is covered in a wall of cardboard drawers that each open to reveal a different bag style. I especially loved the FREITAG REFERENCE bags with a scaley multi-colored surface, and I'm a big fan of the way they utilize materials that would otherwise be taking up space in a garbage dump somewhere.

After the FREITAG opening, I headed over to the Thompson L.E.S. for a preview of Katherine Kwei's spring collection. Katherine always hosts the most fun gatherings full of my favorite fellow bloggers, and this time we were treated to dim sum, as well as two different bracelet making stations. If you aren't familiar with Katherine's work, she is particularly well known for her Chinese knot-adorned creations, and each style is decorated with a different type of knot. At one station we were given the opportunity to tie our own knot-bracelets, and after a few tries, you begin to realize how difficult they are to make--and I consider myself pretty dexterous with my hands! I have two Katherine Kwei bags, and struggling with my knots has given me an extra sense of appreciation for the craftsmanship that goes into producing each bag.

Katherine also partnered with Charm Co. for the event, a jewelry company known for their charm bracelets and necklaces, as well as their treasure trove of vintage charms sourced from all across the globe. I almost never buy jewelry from other designers, but vintage is an exception, and their website is worth trawling for some of those one-of-a-kind impossible to find pieces.


FREITAG REFRENCE

Waseem, my date for the evening, in front of the wall of bags at the FREITAG flagship store

FREITAG REFERENCE

Katherine Kwei Lulu bags, my favorites from the new collection

Leather bag charms, one of which I'm positive is inspired by Katherine's furry white dog


Charm Co. charm bracelet
-Tiffany

I think I'm coming down with a serious case of date dyslexia, cause even though I obsessive-compulsively check and update my Google Calendar (every five minutes or so), I still manage to mix up dates, times, and A.M. vs. P.M. with alarming frequency. This has caused me to miss plenty of fun and exciting things, and there's nothing worse than showing up somewhere a full twelve hours late (yes, this has actually happened). I was seriously looking forward to the Cynthia Vincent store opening party on Wednesday night, and yet I sat at home futzing around on the computer until midnight before I had that smack-your-forehead moment of "Eep! Wednesday is TONIGHT!" Even though I missed getting a look at the store (and probably massive amounts of fun too), I did take some photos of the Cynthia Vincent collection at their press preview the week before. I was immediately drawn to the leather accessories, and in addition to the gorgeous shoes which have gotten plenty of attention lately, there are some lustworthy supple leather bags added to the mix. The snakeskin satchel above is my favorite, and I also love the classic riding boots with the straps on the back. However, I will still have to make a trip over to the new store at 853 Elizabeth Street soon, as I hear they have a fabulous temporary installation by famed candle-maker and houseware designer, Douglas Little.

A little while back, I stopped my new neighborhood Mexican restaurant, Teqa, to look at the new Roxy collection, and to hang out with my BFF4L, and newest member of the Starworks team, Nicollette. In addition to throwing parties and doing the door at The Jane, Nicollette is now working at the Starworks showroom, and I was so excited to see her in her new role. It's definitely a lot more fun to have your best friend take you through a press preview than awkwardly lurking around alone with no one to talk to, as I normally do. We sipped some very strong drinks, and she walked me through, pointing out items that she knew we would both love: faux-fur lined booties, denim jackets, and plenty of printed and woven backpacks. We're both suckers for a cute backpack, and the blue and white leather trimmed one seems like a nice alternative to the Rachel Comey version that I loved so much, but is out of my price range. Anyway, big congratulations Nicollette, you're the hardest working lady in town, and I can't wait to visit you at the showroom!