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!

NEW PRADA SUNGLASS SPR 27L BLACK 1AV-3M1 SPR27L 27 AUTH $148.00

Prada Glasses Sunglasses Model SPR 13F Color OAQ-4M1 $199.00

Popularity: 7% [?]

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: 12% [?]

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