Francesco Biasia, spring 2002
11 ½” l. x 4 ¾” w. (base) x 10 ½” h. + 8 ½” drop

This Italian tote was designed two years after the three Jean Paul Gaultier bags which I showed on 06.08.2009—06.10.2009, and it employs laser-cut leather in a new and ingenious way. I love the clean edges and elegant simplicity of the wave design—look at my detail shot—it looks like a detail of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Guggenheim Museum! The color is just gorgeous—a warm coral with a mellow metallic glow, with antique gold inner surfaces and drawstring pouch. I usually carry this tote with a small black zipper pouch (really necessary so small item don’t slip through the cracks) which just disappears in the shadows and gives the bag a more minimal appearance—my personal style. I also love that there is no extraneous hardware to clutter up the bag!  This is a real feel-good piece!
Is there really a Francesco Biasia, or is it just the name of the company? Neither from the website nor Google could I find much to pass along, except that Francesco Biasia is once again supporting “Baby nel Cuore”, a non-profit organization which develops solidarity for children in need throughout the world.

 
From the “Spotlight “ section of the Francesco Biasia site:

“The association also uses a non-profit Web portal called eforpeople.com that sells designer clothing and accessories at competitive prices to raise money for its projects. To this end, Francesco Biasia has donated some of its unique pieces for sale on the website. The proceeds from the sale of the bags will be used to create children’s homes for street children in the city of Salvador de Bahia in Brazil. Currently about 30 percent of the population in Salvador de Bahia lives below the poverty line in “favelas.” The illiteracy rate among young people is more than 30 percent. These alarming numbers along with problems in terms of health care, education and professional training among young people make for a real emergency. This is why Francesco Biasia is proud to participate in this initiative to help resolve the problems in this part of the world.”

For more information or to support the project by making a purchase online, go to:
www.eforpeople.com

Kudos to the company for their compassion and generosity!

FRANCESCO BIASIA Black LEATHER Tassels Purse SHOULDER BAG Satchel HANDBAG Brass $76.93

AUTH FRANCESCO BIASIA LEATHER MESSENGER LAPTOP SHOULDER BAG $110.00

Popularity: 16% [?]

Technorati Tags: Designer Handbags, francesco biasia, tote

Stella McCartney, spring 2005

Okay, I’m exaggerating the star motif by including these Stella McCartney shades, with just a tiny star icon…

Born in London in 1971, Ms. McCartney attended Central Saint Martins; after graduating and showing only two of her own collections, she landed the top spot at the Parisian house of Chloe. She managed to turn it around financially while also making it fun and saucy. Of course it didn’t hurt that she and her famous friends, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Moss, and Madonna, were live advertising (the best kind!) for her clothes!!!

She departed from Chloe, and with the support of Gucci she again showed her designs under her own name, beginning in spring/summer 2002.

Ms. McCartney has certainly earned her own reputation in the fashion world, but I can’t hear her name without thinking of the Beatles and the fabulous Sir Paul McCartney (her father, in case you’ve been living in a cave) —to me, the real star of the family!  So, over the years, I’ve followed her career with interest and tried very hard to love her clothes, but I just don’t. Air-brushed tee-shirts and pineapple-emblazoned bikinis (very memorable—after all, I’m still mentioning it some eight or nine years later) are not part of my vernacular. But that’s okay—fashion is about personal taste, personal choice, and a personal point of view.

So back to these sunglasses…what drew me to this particular pair (and why I needed another pair of black ones) was, specifically, the pristine straight line across the top edge—very architectural and graphic. This, combined with the elegant oval lenses and delicate scale represent the essence of Stella McCartney’s strong, yet feminine designs.

NEW STELLA MCCARTNEY 64 TORTOISE/GOLD/BROWN OVERSIZED SUNGLASSES/SHADES/SUNNIES! $90.97

NEW STELLA MCCARTNEY 64 BLACK/GOLD/GRAY HIP SUNGLASSES/SHADES/SUNNIES HARD CASE! $90.97

Popularity: 8% [?]

Technorati Tags: designer sunglasses, stella mccartney

Prada, spring 2006

Mario Prada established his Milanese leather goods company in 1913 and began producing high quality leather bags, trunks, and accessories. What we know of Prada today is due to the influence of Miuccia Prada (born 1950 in Milan), the founder’s granddaughter, who joined the company in 1970. She gradually revitalized the family business, particularly with the introduction of her now iconic utilitarian black nylon handbags and backpacks—a new definition for luxury, subtlety, and desirability in modern fashion.

I fell in love with these rock star shades at Saks Fifth Avenue, but I avoided rock star excess and didn’t add them to my collection until I found them at Loehmann’s!

PRADA Ladies White And Silver Square Sunglasses With Hard Case And Cloth $126.38

Prada Glasses Sunglasses HARD CASE ONLY NO GLASSES FREE SHIPPING BLACK $17.99

Popularity: 8% [?]

Technorati Tags: prada, star

Moschino Cheap and Chic, spring 2004
17” point-to-point

I was simultaneously both star-stuck and totally amused by this glittering bag!   This witty piece is from Moschino Cheap (not really, unless you mean a bit tacky) and Chic (sort of, but also sort of cheeky). The Italian designer Franco Moschino (1950-1994) was known for bringing humor and irreverence to fashion. Picture this: a cashmere jacket with “Expensive Jacket” embroidered across the back, or a perfectly crafted leather handbag detailed to look exactly like a steam iron! I saw the iron bag in Saks circa fall 2000; even reduced it was much too much of a splurge. I’ve never even seen a picture of it since! But the handbag which is truly iconic is the ivory and dark brown leather trompe l’oeil dripping “Chocolate Handbag”—delicious!!

I initially discovered this handbag in an editorial layout in the now defunct Shuz magazine (miss it!) but never saw it “in person” until it found its way into the designer case in the Manhattan Loehmann’s. I won the treasure hunt that day!!!

To see another approach to molded construction handbags (like the steam iron), check out www.braccialini.it or visit their tiny Soho boutique at 436-438 West Broadway, NY, NY 10012, 212.334.2441. You’ll be amazed by the flawless craftsmanship and amused by the array of animals, vehicles, birds, flowers, etc. Past season bags are available by special order.

Popularity: 14% [?]

Technorati Tags: cheap and chic, Designer Handbags, moschino, star

Vintage Belt, c. mid. 1980’s
2 ¾”—5 ½” w. with 3 ⅜” buckle
                                                                 
This belt was part of the “Dynasty” excess of the eighties—big hair, big shoulders, and big belts! Yet, as bold as this belt seemed a quarter century ago, it’s a light-weight compared to some of today’s huge and heavy accessories.

There is no designer label or “made in” tag. It’s not super soft like the best Italian leathers, but it is super fun! And that’s what fashion is all about!

Vintage Chain Belt Gold Tone Teardrops CAR-1649 $30.00

Vintage Schrimshaw Sailing Ship Belt Buckle 1970’s In Collectors Case $15.99

Popularity: 12% [?]

Technorati Tags: Belt, vintage

Salvatore Ferragamo, spring 2006

A good friend who is an accomplished actress has described to me how, when preparing for a role, she begins by wearing the shoes of her character. This dictates her posture and how she walks, and helps her to become the character. I find that sunglasses can accomplish the same, but in a rather more whimsical way. It’s very easy to assume another persona from behind dark glasses—sort of an everyday version of Halloween. Or to simply become an instant celebrity!

These Italian sunglasses are not for the faint-of-heart! When I wear them I feel I’ve been transported to a very chic, modern version of the races at Ascot in My Fair Lady.

Salvatore Ferragamo Sunglasses 2047 101/11 $155.00

salvatore ferragamo sunglass FE1180Q 511/11 $100.00

Popularity: 8% [?]

Technorati Tags: designer sunglasses, salvatore ferragamo

Vintage Ivory, early 1980’s
1 ⅜” point-to-point

Instant Karma got me when I found these vintage ivory star earrings! They are, quite simply, simply perfect. Perfectly proportioned with crisp edges, they make an out-of-this-world fashion statement.

Ivory trading was banned worldwide by CITES, the Convention for International Trade in Endangered Species in 1989, but in 2008 there was a one-time auction of African ivory stockpiles which allowed importation to China and Japan. More about ivory in the future—

Bridal Pearl Swarovski Clip On Earrings Ivory Gold SALE $8.85

Six Strand Illusion Pearl Necklace and Earring Set NE3976 White or Ivory $39.99

Popularity: 10% [?]

Technorati Tags: designer earrings, Designer Jewelry, ivory

Kenneth Jay Lane, mid—late 1980’s
1 ½” point-to-point

After graduating from the Rhode Island School of Design in 1954, Kenneth Jay Lane (born 1930) moved to New York where he began his career as an art director at Vogue.  It was there that he realized he wanted to be creating the beautiful objects with which he was surrounded, not just working with someone else’s designs. He began this new phase of his career by collaborating on shoe collections for Christian Dior and Delman; this eventually lead to his creating the baubles, bangles and beads which have been worn by fashionistas past and present, from Jackie Onassis, Diana Vreeland, Elizabeth Taylor, and Audrey Hepburn; to Sarah Jessica Parker, Nicole Kidman, Madonna, and me!!! And legend has it that the Duchess of Windsor is buried in the jeweled belt which was created especially for her.

These earrings came from the Kenneth Jay Lane boutique in the Trump Tower in the latter half of the eighties. Mr. Lane’s jewelry was (still is) affordable—somewhat more expensive than department store costume jewelry, but also more interesting and less mass market. However, much as I like these stars, I can honestly say they aren’t in the league of Robert Lee Morris’ nature-inspired, hand-crafted designs of the same era.

I find most costume jewelry to be too shiny (i.e., cheap-looking), but if it looked identical to highly polished 24K, why would we still be paying for the real thing? The mellow glow of the brushed finish of these earrings is very appealing—fun, fabulous fakes!

Wearing these Kenneth Jay Lane gold stars gives me the confidence of an accolade for a job well done!

KENNETH JAY LANE MEN’S TUXEDO SHIRT WHITE SIZE 18.5 / 35 EXC COND! $14.99

Kenneth Jay Lane for Hollywould Shoes–Great Medallion Accent–Comfort Pad $49.00

Popularity: 10% [?]

Technorati Tags: designer costume jewelry, designer earrings, Designer Jewelry, kenneth jay lane

Puma, spring 2009

In the New Orleans tradition of lagniappe, here is a little something extra for your visual pleasure. Pictured are sneakers from the Roy Lichtenstein-inspired “Popart “line, as my son tried them on in the Philadelphia Puma store. They’re still available online ($50-$65)—happy shopping!

Roy Lichtenstein (1923-1997) himself described Pop art as “not ‘American’ painting but actually ‘industrial’ painting.” His comic book influenced work prominently featured the use of Ben-day dots, which were developed by illustrator and printer Benjamin Day (1810-1889). The dots are equally sized within a given area; their color and spacing vary to create the desired optical illusion (as opposed to half-tone dots, which vary in size to create value and shading). Lichtenstein enlarged and exaggerated the dots to create his iconic images, the first of which came from a challenge from one of his sons to paint a Mickey Mouse as good as the one in the comic book. With its hard-edged figures, bold outlines, and speech bubbles, Lichtenstein’s work was a comment on mass media’s portrayal of its subjects; the Puma sneaks are an homage to an American artist who continues to delight and amuse us. And could Puma be any more mass market?

When you visit the birthplace of America, check out Absolute Pop Art, 137 South 13th Street, Philadelphia 19107 for Pop Art recreations.
  
Happy Birthday, America!

New COACH Beale Signature C Shoes Sneakers Pop Art 7.5 $64.99

Vintrage 80s KEDS Sneakers Pop Art Shoes Illustration Graphic T Shirt Indie XL $39.00

Popularity: 10% [?]

Technorati Tags: comic book, Designer Shoes, designer sneakers, pop art, roy lichtenstein

Puma, early 21st century

You probably can’t moonwalk in these…they’re not too practical, but they are too funny! And they do work well as wall art!

These funky flip-flops were another hilarious find at Marshall’s—I came home laughing!

PUMA FLIP FLOPS $13.99

PUMA FLIP FLOPS $13.99

Popularity: 14% [?]

Technorati Tags: Designer Shoes, flip flops, puma, sandals

Rodo, spring 2004
⅛” w. x 8 ½” h. with 6” drop

Fun! I feel like a Jackson Pollock drip and splash painting is dangling from my wrist when I carry this pretty (young) thing! It’s made in Italy of soft calfskin with applied fabric paint.

Jackson Pollock (1912-1956) was an American Abstract Expressionist painter who pioneered the All-over style as well as the Drip and Splash style.  Ed Harris’s 2001 bio-pic brought Pollock back into the public consciousness; perhaps this whimsical piece was one of the results.

This little treasure came from Loehmann’s in Manhattan.

BLACK LEATHER EMBOSSED RODO BAG WITH GOLD CLOSURE AND BEADED GOLD CHAIN $70.00

Popularity: 13% [?]

Technorati Tags: Designer Handbags, evening bag, handpainted bag, italian, rodo

Anne Klein Couture, late 1980’s

You can’t beat summer sandals! These vintage variegated black and white cord flats (amazingly) still look contemporary. They came from Bonwit Teller in Philadelphia shortly before its demise.  

Anne Klein Peggi Womens Shoes Sandals Gold Thongs 6 $39.99

NEW WOMENS ANNE KLEIN KASIF SILVER SANDALS SIZE 8 1/2 M $69.00

Popularity: 13% [?]

Technorati Tags: anne klein, Designer Shoes, sandals, vintage

Charles Jourdan, spring 1985
“Liscorne”, noir/blanc (black/white)
10 ¼” w. 6 ½” h. + 46” detachable shoulder strap

This bag could be black or white! Love the contemporary geometric shape and the
graphic use of color!

Color blocking is not usually my taste—I generally prefer a much more monolithic look, but this was such a fresh approach—I just had to have the matching shoes and bag.  This combo was too much fun to pass up!

You can see that the bag has a detachable shoulder strap; I never used it.  The bag is much more chic carried as a clutch or tucked under the arm.

This bag and the shoes came from the fabulous Charles Jourdan boutique in the Trump Tower.

Charles Jourdan Two-Tone Crossbody Bag $129.50

Charles Jourdan Designer Shoes and Matching Bag – Size 6M $109.95

Popularity: 20% [?]

Technorati Tags: charles jourdan, clutch, Designer Handbags, leather, vintage

Charles Jourdan, spring 1985
“Lucile”, noir/blanc (black/white)

Not your mother’s spectators, these black and white kidskin pumps gave me a thrill! They went with ease from power presentations to dinner and dancing in the mid-eighties.

Charles Jourdan (1883-1976) was born in the same year as Coco Chanel. By the time my shoes were created, the company was under the leadership of two of the founder’s three sons, Rene and Charles; Roland having retired in 1981. Some thought the shoes became more conservative in the eighties; I thought they became more architectural—that was the appeal for me. And the handbags! The most amazing shapes! Oh yes, I collected them passionately!

I can’t mention the French-made Charles Jourdan shoes without emphasizing the fabulous fit and feel. They were the Christian Louboutins of their day (sans red soles), but just as easily recognizable for their high style.

In the future I’ll show you much more vintage Charles Jourdan and fill you in a bit more on the history of the company—something to anticipate!

Charles Jourdan women’s shoes brown slingback heels $20.00

Charles Jourdan Designer Shoes and Matching Bag – Size 6M $109.95

Popularity: 14% [?]

Technorati Tags: charles jourdan, paris shopping, pumps, shoes, vintage

Calvin Klein, autumn 1999 
8” w. x 3 ¼” h. with 7 ½” drop

When I remodeled my home in 1986, a wonderful friend gave me some exquisite acid-etched black glass fruit bowls from the Japanese Sugahara Glassworks. They were beautiful in my new environment! This terrific little special occasion bag manages to recall that satiny-feeling glass, but in a rather more pragmatic “frosted” Lucite. The use of a glazed saddle leather for the handle is genius (even more so with the unexpected oxblood underside)—I love the shiny rich black against the softer matte black; the natural against the plastic—it’s a brilliant combination.

This can be worn as a modern shoulder bag high under the arm, or hung over the arm in an ironically lady-like manor. The greater irony, however, is how extremely difficult (Let’s be honest—almost impossible!) it is to open this otherwise perfect piece!!!

I found this modern minaudiere at the Calvin Klein flagship store on Madison Avenue. When in New York, be sure to see the fabulous interior designed by British minimalist architect John Pawson. This location opened in September 1995, and in the early years was adorned with enormous clear glass cylinder containers (think “high tech”) each containing five or six dozen perfect calla lilies—a visual feast!
     

Calvin Klein Audrey Gold Metallic Logo Shoulder Bag, NEW $55.00

CALVIN KLEIN STRENGTHENED FOR DURABILITY NYLON DARK GRAY SHAVING BAG $13.99

Popularity: 14% [?]

Technorati Tags: calvin klein, Designer Handbags, john pawson, lucite, sugahara glassworks