ACCESSORY MUST HAVE: Chanel Graffiti Collection

It's definitely the most talked about accessory collection of the year.  The Chanel Spring/Summer 2014
collection has a 'hand-made' feel featuring painted canvas fabric, braided cord tassels and chains in silhouettes including the classic flap bag, tote, and backpack.  Many fashion bloggers are loosing their minds over it; creating their own 'DIY' versions and debating over the prices (pieces from the collection are in the $3,000+ range) for the art's-and-crafts canvas and paint designs.  Celebrities and fashionphiles on the other hand are flocking to their local Chanel boutiques and making this collection a staple in their wardrobes.

I personally love this collection....yes, the price is a bit steep but if you have it spend it.  Whatever your take on these accessories is know this; the graffiti trend is about to explode.  Yep that's right, mark my words; this is a trend that is soon to trickle down and come to an H&M/ZARA/FOREVER21 store near you.

STYLE ICON: Nicole Richie

Nicole Richie has been all over the gossip mags and blogs recently with her thinner frame and newly purple hair, so I'm aware of the fact that she doesn't need anymore press.  However, I love this girl I think she is hilarious and incredibly chic so I thought I would give her a style shout-out regardless.

Trend Alert: Saffiano Leather

I've known about Saffiano Leather for quite a few years.  It's a practical leather; durable, scratch resistant, easy to clean, etc.  To me it was really Prada that put it on the map, having used it in their accessory collections for years and most notably in the iconic Galleria Bag...but I digress.  So what exactly is Saffiano Leather? 

Saffiano Leather: (courtesy of aspinoloflondon.com) is made by a stamping method. Saffiano, being a textured leather, meaning that it is a treated leather made with the texture pressed on it by a machine. It gives the leather a cross-hatch finish, which is a special diagonal pattern. This calf hide leather is also finished with a wax treatment. As a result, the leather is pretty much scratch resistant, durable and easy to clean.

...And on to my point; Saffiano Leather is in full trend swing.  The leather has gone from being scarcely used in the designs of high-end luxury accessories such as the aforementioned Prada to more affordable bridge-line designers such as Micheal Kors and Rebecca Minkoff.  I for one support this trend, Saffiano is a great leather to add to your bag collection. Go get it NOW

 Kate Spade, $348, Neiman Marcus

 MICHAEL Michael Kors, $228, Neiman Marcus

 Tory Burch, $575, Neiman Marcus

 Zac Posen, $595, Neiman Marcus

 Prada, $2,200, Neiman Marcus

Fendi, $2,550, Neiman Marcus


 

2014 Met Gala: Charles James Beyond Fashion

May 5th, 2014- The Met Gala celebrates the costume institute's newest exhibit Charles James: Beyond Fashion.  The exhibition examines the career of twentieth century Anglo-American couturier Charles James.  The designer is known for exquisite ball gowns, masterful tailoring, and incorporating complex cuts and seeming into his designs.  Charles James is known for being one of the few American designers to work in the tradition of Haute Couture.

The exhibit will be available for public viewing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art from May 8 - August 10.  Now let's get to the Met Gala fashion.  Celebrities and the fashion elite arrived at the Met to celebrate the latest fashion exhibit, and let's face it that's what's really important here.  Some of my favorites of the night come from those who not only looked fabulous, but exuded the theme/elements of the exhibit.  When glamor and fashion history collide it's a beautiful thing and in my opinion says that 'they earned their ticket' (you know the old saying about the price of admission).  Some of my favorite looks come from the hostess of the night Sarah Jessica Parker, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Lupita Nyong'o in Prada, Karolina Kurkova in Marchesa, Dita Von Teese in Zac Posen....to name a few.