Posts Tagged ‘Christian Louboutin’

High Heels, Big Bags

December 21st, 2009

In the past few weeks, there have been some wonderful posts about the fashion good of 2009 and the bad of 2009. But as we close the first decade of 2000, I wanted to revisit one of my first ever posts – Fashion Identities of the Decades.

Christian Louboutin Slingback

Christian Louboutin Slingback

To sum it up:
70s – feathered hair and tight pants
80s – shoulder pads
90s – grunge

This decade? – Decadent Accessories

I believe that when fashion minded people look back on this decade, it will be remembered for fabulous shoes and bags.

The red soles of Louboutins be this decade’s trademark like the Chanel suits for the 1920s. This was the decade when guys with no fashion knowledge said things like “you know, those red-soled shoes.” Each season Louboutin seemed to come up with something new for us to get excited about. He recreated Mary Janes and allowed us to wear glitter on our feet with a straight face. With respect to Manolo Blanik and Jimmy Choo, the past 10 years belong to Christian Louboutin.

Hermes Birkin Bag

Hermes Birkin Bag

But the resurgence of Hermes symbolizes even more decadence. The Birkin bag seems to be more iconic now than it was when Jane Birkin began carrying it in 1984. Behind the Birkin goes several luxury bag lines. Pick your favorite: Gucci, Prada, Mulberry, etc. And as we all started carrying enormous bags, I recently read that, “Jane Birkin attributes her tendinitis to years of carrying the heavy bag and now tends to carry a small leather sporran.“

So basically from 2000 through 2009, we overspent, overindulged, wore heels too high and toted bags too big. But it was great fun!

Of course things have changed over the past two years. Most people have adjusted their spending habits and have become more selective on luxury purchases. We are still buying, but buying less.
Predictions for the next decade?

  • Share/Bookmark

Luxury Designers, Budget Stores

October 30th, 2009

There are some names in fashion that just ooze luxury. Christian Louboutin, Bottega Veneta, and Chanel roll off the tongue. Now be honest, what is your initial reaction when you hear that a label you love and aspire to obtain is launching a low-end line?

Does it make you cringe that everyone will have it? Or are you happy that something from your coveted designer is now affordable?

Kohl’s has been carrying Vera Wang’s Simply Vera for two years now so the initial shock of designers going budget is over. But the past few months we’ve heard announcements from Target and H&M about well-known and normally high-end designers creating lines specifically for those stores

Anna Sui for Target

Anna Sui for Target

Target –
Anna Sui’s Gossip Girls inspired line ran in Target from September 13 through October 17. She is also doing a line of totes for Target from recycled material from billboards.

Then rumors recently proved to be true when Target confirmed last week that Jean Paul Gaultier (best known for Madonna’s cone-shaped bras) will be doing a line for the store.

H&M -
I would argue that H&M had the biggest designer score when they landed Jimmy Choo. The shoes are fantastic, he always has a fresh perspective, doesn’t retread what some other designer is doing. It’s even fun just to say “Jimmy Choo.”

Then H&M went and got one of my personal favorites – Sonia Rykiel. Everything I have from her, I consider special. But I also consider her pieces unique and I’m not sure that I want everyone wearing my girl.

But maybe my snob side is showing. Just maybe we will see what these designers can come up with when the budget for material is not unlimited and everything can’t be made to order. Maybe it will be like a Project Runway episode – make me a line of clothes, each item priced below $100, and wearable for the masses.

Judges?

  • Share/Bookmark