New Prada Spring/Summer Collection In Stores Now!

Dear BagAddicts, feast your eyes as we unleash Prada's new Spring/Summer Collection, and yes, select models are available in Malaysia too!

Bring on the bling, cos' that's what The new Spring/Summer 2009 collection from Prada is all about! Be it shoppers, clutches, shoulder bags, or totes, in nylon, gaberdine, or exotic-printed leather, the new S/S collection has all its bags symmetrically covered in plastic jewels. If you need something to glam up your end-of-year parties, then selections from this collection should do the trick.


£290


£385


£655


£540


£480


£755


£830


£635

The Verdict: Followers of our blog would already know by now that Prada is one of Bagaholic Babe's favourite brands. Bagaholic Babe is sitting on the fence with this collection. Let's start with what Bagaholic Babe dislikes about the collection. Firstly, I'm not really a fan of huge gem embellishments on my stuff, be they clothing, shoes or bags. Although there may be some exceptions, this collection doesn't really have me raving. Secondly, the oversized gem detailing on bags has been done before --> if you remember, Marc Jacobs did oversized gem encrusted bags about 2 years or so ago for his runway collection. If you can't remember this, then the ad campaigns featuring Dakota Fanning, should remind you of this.

Now, on with what I Like about this collection. I love the wristlet and the tote in fuschia! So girly, so me. =)

Please note that not the entire collection is featured here. For more shapes and designs, hop on over to your nearest Prada boutique to check it out. Gem embellished Wallets are also available in stores.

Christian Dior S/S '09

Looks like loads of designers are moving backwards - coming up with smokin' hot collections that reflect the 1980's. According to reliable sources, many do not think well of this incoming collection by Dior and I guess it doesn't help not having enough pictures to do them justice should they be wrongly perceived. Sorry guys for the lack of pics!

Since we're not getting much pics showing the new Spring '09 collection, I've included a short video clip of the Dior Spring '09 review for your viewing pleasure.










Christian Dior S/S '09 Video Review




So what d'ya think? So says Galliano, this Spring, Dior is introducing lots of texture into their collection. This includes perforated and studded leather as well as mosaic looking designs on the front.

My verdict: an absolutely boring collection with too many different textures combined. The colors are dull, the design looks horrid. I wouldn't recommend any of those for this season. Too pricy for such a bag like this. It doesn't make sense to spend so much for such a horrid looking thing.

P/S: Am so in loveeee with their evening gowns!


Courtesy of Style.com

Bottega Veneta S/S '09

Out are the times where people make purchases for seasonal items. Instead, the majority of them seek classic/evergreen items they can collect and wear over the years. And thanks to high fashion and luxurious labels, you'll never have to throw out your newly purchased bag because the zipper's out of order - although you've only really made use of it for 3 months!

This coming Spring, you're looking at luxury in muted browns. Bottega Veneta, well known for its woven bags, shocks us again this season with an extensive range of bags, purses and clutches in caramel right through to dark saffron, copper and chestnut. Check them out below..




















































An AMAZING collection, wouldn't you agree? Lots of hardwork and dedication was required to bring about such a fine collection - even right down to the intricate details. Fabric treatments and handcrafted leathers were not overlooked as it was necessary to give you all the vibrant summery, earth tones you have today in this collection.

I personally recommend the half woven, half tarnished copper shopper hobo as well as the shopper as they're hot from the oven! I believe they look great with just about anything, they're roomy and not to mention, great arm candy as well! ;)


Courtesy of Style.com

Comme des Garcons - Louis Vuitton Handbag Collaboration

Press release from Louis Vuitton:

A beguiling and individual vision of luxury will take shape when Louis Vuitton opens an impermanent store inside Comme des Garçons in Tokyo on 4th September 2008.

The idea for the project emerged from the memories of Comme des Garçons founder Rei Kawakubo. In 1978, as a young designer, she saw the first Louis Vuitton store to open in Japan and was fascinated by the image of French craftsmanship and art de vivre it projected – a luxury that seemed to her, at the time, unattainable. Three decades on, Rei Kawakubo wanted to revisit her impressions, and so the association between Comme des Garçons and Louis Vuitton was born. Intriguingly, Louis Vuitton is celebrating this year its 30th anniversary in Japan.

Rei Kawakubo has dedicated and re-designed the entire Comme des Garçons store on Kottodori, Omotesando especially for Louis Vuitton for the duration of the project, from 4th September through mid-December, into a space that will be a celebration of the Louis Vuitton Monogram. The fruit of this unprecedented collaboration – an exclusive collection of six one-off bags – will be presented in a minimalist space, at the centre of which will be a display of historic Louis Vuitton trunks. Inspired by her memories, Rei Kawakubo chose the legendary Monogram canvas to create two Party bags, small evening purses with outsized natural leather handles. The designer also customized two classic Louis Vuitton bags, endowing the Papillon with kawaii animal charms and the Mini HL with multiple slender handles. Lastly, Louis Vuitton is reediting two iconic designs from the 1970s – the Petit Marceau and the Sac 2 Poches – which Rei Kawakubo is likely to have seen in the windows of that first Louis Vuitton store.

[Mini HL w/multiple slender handles]


The bags will only be available upon order, which is only to be placed at the “Louis Vuitton at Comme des Garçons store”. No telephone or Internet orders will be taken. In return, customers will receive a certificate inside a special card holder in Louis Vuitton's traditional natural leather, embossed with the Louis Vuitton at Comme des Garçons signature. Only several months later will their bag be delivered to their chosen Louis Vuitton store. Other iconic Louis Vuitton Monogram bags, such as the Speedy and Alma chosen by Rei Kawakubo, will also be on display and available for immediate sale inside this special “Louis Vuitton at Comme des Garçons” store.

Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton Artistic Director, who has long been an admirer of Comme des Garçons, comments: "It is impossible to overstate Rei Kawakubo's influence on modern fashion. I find it wonderful to think that, thirty years ago, this immense talent, someone who has inspired so many others, was inspired by Louis Vuitton, and now that inspiration has now been realized."

Yves Carcelle, Chairman and CEO of Louis Vuitton, says: "This project not only brings a new meaning to luxury, but also speaks volumes about how the know-how and heritage of Louis Vuitton have always been perceived in Japan, including by its foremost designers. We are very proud to have been able to help Rei Kawakubo relive her memories in such an original and creative way."

Rei Kawakubo, President of Comme des Garçons, says: "These are party bags to celebrate the 30 years of Louis Vuitton in Japan. In designing them, I have kept Louis Vuitton's traditional concept as it is, but sometimes two handles become one, sometimes two handles become eight... It has been a remarkably exciting opportunity for me to have been able to participate in Louis Vuitton's traditional design and heritage."

Photos courtesy of Louis Vuitton

New Louis Vuitton Monogramouflage Collection

Presenting: Vuitton's Limited Edition Monogramouflage Collection by Takashi Murakami

Here's yet another collaboration with Marc Jacobs with the House of Vuitton and Japanese pop artist, Takashi Murakami. The new addition to the ever-growing range of Vuitton monogram bags, this Monogramouflage collection was specially created for the Murakami Exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum in New York. Launched at this very exhibition on June 1st, it is now available online and at select Louis Vuitton boutiques worldwide.


As you can probably tell from the name of the collection itself, the Monogramouflage is a combination of Vuitton's signature monogram and army-esque camouflage design. This is probably one of the bigger Murakami Limited Editions out there. This Monogramouflage Collection consists of an accessories line, a travel line and a handbags line. Actually, when you look at the photos below, you'd notice that this collection is mainly for travel.

The Travel Bags


Pegase 60


Speedy 35 (there's also the Keepall 55 which is a hugggeee version of this speedy)


Passport Cover

The Bags and an accessory


Jasmine


Lys


Treillis


iPhone Case


The Verdict: Well my dear Bagaddicts. I don't know about you ladies out there, but Bagaholic Babe doesn't really like this Limited Edition collection. I've always fancied those cutesy Murakami cartoonesque and cutesy designs like the Panda, the Cherry, the Sakura and the Mushroom, but this one is too rugged for my liking. And I'm not a camo fan, so needless to say, this really ain't my thing.

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

Presenting: Chanel Cruise Collection 2009

Presenting: Chanel's Cruise Collection 2009

For the Cruise Collection 2009, the theme seems to be stripes and different shades of blue, as observed from their Pret-a-Porter (or Ready to Wear collection). The showing for this Cruise Collection took place at the Raleigh Hotel in Miami, Florida, on a beautiful and unusually shaped runway right in the middle of the pool, symbolising the 'water' element that was evidently an inspiration in the RTW collection's shades of blue.





Patent Heart Logo Bag



Chanel Canvas 2.55 with Stripes

(Sorry for the lack of images, as these were the only ones of bags that I was able to find that featured bags).

Well, I can't really comment much on this collection as far as the bags go, but based on these 2 pictures here's what I think...

The Verdict: Chanel Cruise Collections are usually vibrant and artsy with bold prints. In short, they are bags with their own personality. This time around however, it looks a tad boring unlike the Chanel Cruise Collections that I'm used to seeing. The first bag looks a little Moschino-esque and dare I say, cheap looking. The striped 2.55, well, let's just say I've seen better. Unfortunately, judging from the 2 bags above, this collection is a let-down.

The New Gucci Babouska Bag

Introducing the new Gucci Babouska line - inspired by the Russian Babooshka doll (also known as the stacking doll) or in this instance, more precisely, the Dedoushka doll - a male stacking doll with moustache. If you already know what I'm talking about, you'll see the similarity in the tassels that appear on each and every bag. Doesn't it look like moustache to you? What about the studs? Don't they resemble the Dedouska doll?

This post features three designs from the Babouska line. All three have the signature heart-shaped Gucci crest charms, detachable shoulder straps, snap and push-lock closures and inside zip and cell phone pockets on it except for the style of each one - which is unique to itself.

First up..

Gucci Large Babouska Hobo $2,495.00

A soft leather style accented with matching suede trim, fringe detail and stud accents, antique brass hardware and a single top strap..

Next..

Gucci Large Babouska Hobo $2,295.00

A hobo in the same style but this time, with the ever-so-famous GG print fabric that comes accented with leather trimming and a suede fringe. You'll also find stud details, brass hardware and like the one before, a single top strap.

Last but not least..

Gucci Medium Babouska Heart Bag $2,495.00

A medium sized Babouska bag in the shape of a heart! Comes with fringe and stud accents, antique brass hardware and double handles..


Am really liking the large Hobo with the signature GG print. Absolutely love the tassels. Love the GG print as well. And most importantly, the black tassels goes really well with the color and print of the bag and you'll never miss a moustache on THAT one!

Check these out and the rest of the Babouska line via Saks Fifth Avenue or visit Gucci today..