Presenting: Chanel F/W 09

The Verdict: Pink seems to be the colour of the season for Chanel, With the iconic 2.55s in all shades of pale pink. I must say that Chanel has quite inventively used transparent plastic prototype thingymajigs featuring all their accessories - lipstick, sunglasses, iPod, etc. Quite an inventive way to showcase all your products, and never seen before on the runways ever. It's a very clever gimmick indeed. Possibly those plastic things are come in handy letting one know that all the contents featured (Chanel only of course!) can all fit into the small 2.55.

Also, I've noticed the studded structured backpacks on 2 models. They look kinda a smaller version of old-school backpacks. Is Lagerfeld trying to revive the backpack? Can it possibly make a comeback? Hmmm...

Presenting: Dior F/W 09

The Verdict: This season, although we see some blacks in Dior's F/W collection, it is an otherwise brightly coloured collection, thus standing out amongst all the uber designers who have seemed to have adopted a much more sombre colour palette. We see the iconic Lady Dior in dark purple and red lambskin for day, whilst the pleated evening clutches and wristlets seem to dazzle in jewel-toned satin with beaded, rhinestone and crystal motifs. The evening collection definitely exudes courtly and palatial grandeur, and can, imho, be certainly dubbed as the new chatelaine of the 21st century!

Bagaholic Babe has always been a fan of jewel tones especially in the gloomy F/W season. Yes, if you don't already know by now, I'm definitely a person who loves colour! ;)

Presenting: Fendi F/W 09

The Verdict : Judging from the pics above, Fendi's F/W 09 collection seems to be like 2 distinct separate collections: One is the spillover from last season albeit in slightly smaller sizes this season, in all shades of grey and black (and some metallics); the other a new mod architectural-esque like contrasting colour block clutches (with a shoulder strap that can be tucked into the bag) with turnlock closure and black topstitchingin a much brighter colour palette compared to the greys and blacks. Oh and of course, just like Valentino's signature red dress in every collection, no Fendi F/W collection is complete without fur, hence the odd fur bag that doesn't really seem to fit in with the rest of the collection...

Bagaholic Babe is loving the new clutches! It's good to be bright during the Fall/Winter season amongst a sea of blacks, greys and the usual F/W colours. Plus, it'll definitely liven up your F/W outfits, headgear, coats and boots! To make the colour block clutches work, dress up in an entirely black outfit to draw attention to your fab new colourful clutch of the season!

images from Style.com

Prada F/W '09

Miuccia Prada never fails to "wow" its audience at every opportunity. Just last Spring, she drew her inspiration from the late 60s, early 70s era with artsy pieces. And just before that, in Fall '08, it was handmade lace. Every season is unique and fresh and this Fall is no different.

During an interview with Style.com early this month, Miuccia admitted she couldn't quite identify a central theme for the incoming Fall collection except that it would lean towards the nature and the outdoors rather than its usual focus on the city.

Totes and shoulder bags are a hit with the designers, as always.. as with gold hardware. This coming Fall, expect to find mostly triangular-shaped pieces in leather or fur. But of course, no collection is considered complete without the occasional sequins which have been part of most collections for many years now.






























A tad bit boring on the whole with lots of plain, business-like shoulder bags which attracts the working crowd. A "feminine empowerment", as Miuccia calls it. And of course, no Fall collection is complete without some fur here and there. However, I'd term the collection as predictable. She could've really done better with the design for the clutches. Walk in to any bag shop today and tell me you don't see any fur clutches. They've been around forever and they look like what's been just introduced in the Fall '09 collection. But I must say, I give her the credit for putting together such a collection. Anything, at this stage, is better than what's been seen on Gucci.

Finding something I really like, at this stage, is like finding a needle in the haystack. But I'm glad to say I found something in the Fall '09 collection I might really like. See the bright pink clutch with sequins? That's the one.

Oh yah, did I mention I noticed some studs in the collection which was probably a spillover from last season's craze?


Pics courtesy of Style.com

New Chloe 'Cyndi' Tote

I've been a fan of Chloe ever since the Paddington and let's just say the House of Chloe hasn't disappointed me yet (unlike yesterday's Prada from the F/W 08 Runway Collection). I've loved every single one of their bags since the Paddington, especially last season's 'Saskia' is kinda on my wishlist right now. Anyway, from this Fall/Winter 2008 collection is the new 'Cyndi' tote. This bag is unique because it looks like a bag within a bag. Everything about this 'Cyndi' tote spells CONTRAST. From the contrasting textures and colours to the hardware, this is exactly the element that makes the 'Cyndi' so interesting. The 'exterior' is made of grey croc-embossed leather while the 'interior', or rather, the top section of the bag is made of bright contrasted turquoise/teal calfskin leather. Even the hardware is contrasted, as both silver and gold hardware are used together - the silver on most parts of the bag, while the gold only appears on the turnlock closure (on the turquoise bits of the bag) that secures this stunning tote. Get this 'Cyndi' tote by Chloe for $2,020 from Nordstrom

Love It or Hate It: Prada Pizzo Satchel (Runway Collection)

I've always been a fan of Prada. But Bagaholic Babe knew, from their Fall/Winter 2008 showing at Milan Fashion Week earlier this year, that this coming season would NOT be one that I will be looking forward to. Why? Well, simply because everything from their F/W '08 is made of Lace. I've never been a fan of lace, not even on my clothes (plus the fact that I'm allergic to lace helps because my mum wouldn't have dared to put me in anything lacey when I was young due to the fear of me breaking out in a rash all over) simply because it looks well, rather erm...granny-ish, imho. I may be a total girly girl, but lace really isn't my thing. I thought the lace bags (mostly in black) were distasteful enough, but let's just say that what I saw at Prada's Milan Fashion Week show did not at all prepare me for THIS...



Yes, now that you've seen it, it's a Showstopper in every way isn't it? Pity it isn't for the right reasons. This my dear BagAddicts, is the new 'Pizzo S' satchel that is made of nappa leather with lace overaly and ruched details on its edges. Man, this may definitely be a bag that only Morticia Addams from the Addams Family would carry. My dear Miuccia, what exactly were you thinking? I guess for 2 years now, Prada's Fall/Winter stuff seem rather err....peculiar. Last year it was the fringed nappa tote that resembled an Afghan dog from afar, and this year, its THIS... or rather, the lace collection in general. I guess F/W aren't really inspiring times for the House of Prada as Spring/Summer collections are milestones better. Ah well, what can I say. Fashion has its ups and downs and not everyone has to agree. Beauty, after all, is in the eyes of the beholder...

For those of you who disagree with me, this Prada 'Pizzo S' satchel can be Pre-Ordered for $1,995 via Saks .

New Prada Tessuto Gauffre Bow Tote

Bagaholic Babe has always been a fan of the Tessuto Gauffre range by Prada. If you're not exactly sure about what I'm talking about, it's the ruched range in nylon, that was launched in 2007, right after the nappa gauffre range. Because of its popularity, what was initially intended to be a seasonal collection has now become very much a part of Prada's classic collections that appear every season. The only difference? The colours and minor details on the bag but keeping the general ruched look of the bag. So yes, anything 'gauffre' means ruched, in Prada terms. Take a look at this beauty below.


Prada Tessuto Gauffre Bow Tote

If you're an avid Prada fan like myself, you'd notice that the theme for Prada this year (as seen in their Spring/Summer 2008 Collections) and now in their Fall/Winter Collections are rosette details or bow details on the bag. Keeping to their 'bow' detail theme, the Tessuto Gauffre Tote now comes with a small bow detail in leather, thus adding a more feminine touch to the bag, compared to other bags from their Tessuto Gauffre range that have a more casual look to it. Similarly, like all Tessuto Gauffre bags, this top handle tote comes with a detachable leather shoulder strap. A noticeable difference is the PRICE of this bag, which is much cheaper than bags from the Tessuto Gauffre range. This Bow tote is a steal at just $720! It's available in Pink (shown) and Black, via Saks

NY Fashion Week Coverage: Marc by Marc Jacobs Fall/Winter 2008

Presenting: Marc by Marc Jacobs Fall/Winter Collection 2008

This Fall/Winter, the Marc by MJ Collection seems to be inspired by the Eighties and the Punk-Rock vibe. This season, we see very bold colours and an array of bags which are functionalist in terms of its design. This Fall/Winter, the Marc by Marc Jacobs handbag collection was also influenced by graffiti, as we see plenty of that this season.













Oversized bags also seems to be the trend for MJ this season, thus displaying the functionalist approach to design. Multi-pockets also seem to be a key theme that runs through the bags. We still see clutches on the runway this season, however, they have dramatically reduced in size compared to the oversized clutches that we saw this Spring/Summer 2008. In this collection, Marc Jacobs also seems to be using the houndstooth design not only on his handbags but also in his Ready-to-Wear collection. Details are kept at minimal this season, apart from the bow clutch above with netted tulle details.

The Verdict: Bagaholic Babe likes bold colours, but isn't really a fan of the graffiti sort. IMHO, graffiti bags make the bag look well, sorry to say, el cheapo. Perhaps the only graffiti sort of bag that I liked was the Louis Vuitton Graffiti collection. Graffiti aside, perhaps the only bag that Bagaholic Babe sorta likes in this collection is the green hobo bag above. Apart from that, multi pockets aren't really Bagaholic Babe's cuppa tea.