BONO AND HEWSON STAR IN LOUIS VUITTON CORE VALUES AD CAMPAIGN
U2 frontman Bono and his wife Ali Hewson are the faces of the latest Louis Vuitton Core Values campaign. They are shot against a majestic South African backdrop.
Annie Leibovitz shot the advertisement which is groundbreaking in more ways than one. It’s the first time Bono has appeared in a commercial without his musical bandmates, and with the duo wearing their own ethical fashion label Edun it’s the first time another brand has graced the ads. It’s not a complete departure though, as Louis Vuitton Handbags parent company LVMH has a 49% stake in Edun.
I love Ali Hewson’s handbag, which is actually a joint collaboration between Edun and Louis Vuitton Bags . It is the French fashion house’s first purse to be made in Africa, and proceeds from its sales benefit TechnoServe and the Conservation Cotton Initiative.
The ever-altruistic Hewsons also donated their fees to TechnoServe, the Conservation Cotton Initiative, and Chernobyl Children’s Project International.
I love this shift to fashion with a conscience. Seeing major players like Louis Vuitton Bags jumping on board is only further evidence that the tide is turning.
Purse Page Personal Shopper: A Non-Brown or Black Tote for Marcia
You may follow our sister site, Outblush, for news on the latest couture & hipster fashion, beauty products, and more, but what if your sole obsession in life is purses, purses, and more purses? Hel-lo, you turn to us here at Purse Page! Welcome to Personal Shopper, Purse Page style!
Marcia L. sent us an email saying: “I would like to find an everyday tote that is not black, dark brown or over $1000. A medium to large size would be great.”
So it’s color and practicality you’re craving, Marcia? I don’t blame you. High art with bags is fun to look at (and carry on occasion), but it doesn’t translate well to everyday life sometimes. So, behold a rainbow of totes, all under $1,000 (some well under)! Hope one of them strikes your fancy.
1 – Addison Coated Op Art Multifunction Tote ($458)
2 – Foley + Corinna Jet Setter Jr. ($528)
3 – Valentino Blush Leather Stitched Handbag ($956)
4 – Yves Saint Laurent Ycones Large Shopping Tote ($695)
5 – Tory Burch Dena Leather Tote ($395)
6 – Rebecca Minkoff Nikki ($495)
7 – Kooba Mara Leather Tote ($645)
If YOU have a purse shopping dilemma, contact us! We’re always happy to give the Personal Shopper treatment to one of our readers.
Lizzie Tote
Named after the Queen herself, the Plum Mixed Haircalf Lizzie Tote by Mulberry is a refreshing take on the ever so popular leopard look. This bag may not be for everyone but if you’re like me (and Prince) and you like purple – okay, plum - you will love carrying this roomy tote around. The two leather handles attach to the main strap that runs across the top of the bag and although it is a tote you can use the single leather strap as a shoulder bag or crossbody. The roomy interior has a single slip pocket and the bag is secured with a magnetic snap. The bag is available through Mulberry for $2,650.
Alexander Wang Sydney Velvet Backpack
Craziness abounds over at Alexander Wang, where they keep busy designing things like the Sydney Velvet Backpack. It has somehow sold out, but more stock will be back in soon (um, yay?). Though it really gets no more utilitarian than a backpack, and though velvet is always luxurious, the two do not always go hand in hand. Unless you’re a very chic, very wealthy college student who doesn’t mind putting a $775 backpack on the ground, you might want to pass. Just a thought. Available at Net-a-Porter.
Stella McCartney Falabella Faux Leather Bucket Bag
One of the best things about buying Stella McCartney bags is you not only get uber-stylish pieces, but also that you can feel good about where the purse came from if you’re an animal lover. Such is the case with the super-cool Stella McCartney Falabella Faux Leather Bucket Bag. This tote is both extremely popular with celebrities AND made of faux leather, in keeping with Stella’s vegan views. You can pick one up at the Stella McCartney website for $1,395. Like the bag, but don’t like the price? Try this affordable carbon copy from Chocolate New York for $99.
Burberry Studded Leather Satchel
Always fresh and inventive, Burberry brings it yet again with the new Studded Leather Satchel. If you’re looking for quaint and classic, you won’t find any of that here. What you will find is a decidedly edgier look from the Burberry folks, complete with oversized brass studs atop an unexpected shade of mustard. Very cool – and sure to add a much needed pop of color to fall neutrals in a few weeks. Available for $995 at Nordstrom.
The Be & D Barclay Tote goes camouflage
While the military trend has mostly seemed to stick with solid colors, Be & D and some other brands are bringing in camouflage print. And to be honest, I kind of sort of totally adore it.
Camo-print has such a negative connotation to so many people, believing it is overly masculine and as far from fashion forward as possible. But this is not the case. Camo can be cool, it just has to be done properly. Be & D does that with their Barclay Tote.
Be & D is known for their rocker-like studs. And the Barclay tote has the studded accents one comes to expect from Be & D, but only at the front sides and back sides of the bag. The center panel features the camo print while the sides feature military green pebbled leather.
I know some of you may think this bag is too down and dirty, but paired with a crisp white shirt and khaki pants or jeans, it would add an unexpectedly chic military touch. Buy through ShopBop for $1290.
Tiffany & Co. Fall 2010 Leathergoods Collection
Ever since Lambertson Truex were forced to shutter their leathergoods business due to the economy and parent company Samsonite putting it up for sale, I’ve been waiting to see what the supremely talented design duo of Richard Lambertson and John Truex would do next. Cue Tiffany & Co., which bought the 10-year-old luxury label and charged its namesake designers with the task of revamping and breathing new life to the iconic American jeweler’s leathergoods. The results, to say the least, are fabulous. They also quash any naysayers who would cry, “I’m not buying a handbag from a company known for its jewelry.”
In a recent preview of the entire collection, which launches September 1, I was immediately struck by how subtlety the brand’s robin’s egg blue was incorporated into the bags: edging the side of a clasp, striping on a bag strap, applied to the rivets, fashioned as lining or unabashedly poured over a dyed-crocodile purse. There’s also a capsule collection of men’s wallets that feature exterior stitching in the delightful hue.
In their former incarnations, Lambertson Truex was known for its fabulous clutches; at Tiffany, their irreverent style is immediately evident in the evening bags. Aside from the standard shape Lyn clutches and their sister bags (note the Savoy clutch with its closure inspired by the six-prong Tiffany engagement ring setting), there’s also an adorable Bracelet bag fashioned in satin with a short beaded top handle meant to mimic a woman’s bracelet resting on the wrist. It comes in 25 gorgeous colors! For men, there is a duffel as well as a pretty straightforward black leather tote (don’t get me started on how incredible the ultra-rare tissue-thin croc oversized tote is!).
Good news: John and Richard are already hard at work on a resort collection.
PSA: Chloe Marcie in Brick at Net-a-porter.com tomorrow!
We just got word that Net-a-porter.com will have the Chloe Marcie bag tomorrow in an exclusive color, Brick. I am not a big fan of the cross body style Marcie and I like the medium bag so much better– the slightly structured and curved shape is so much prettier. This is an easy and functional daily tote to add to your wardrobe! The brick color is just the right cinnamon-y touch for fall, especially with the contrast color handles and gold hardware. Convertible shoulder strap included.
Chloe Marcie will be available tomorrow, September 1 here!
Alexander McQueen DeManta Clutch
The fabulous Demanta clutch was one of Alexander McQueen’s final designs before his death, and since then they have been released in various colors and materials. The latest version is this one covered in small gold studs. Although this is a clutch bag, as you can see from the picture below it’s a nice sized bag that can hold most of your essentials so it’s both super chic and functional.
This Alexander McQueen handbag is light brown leather with all over small gold studs. It has the DeManta clutch signature fold-down top edges accented with a antiqued gold-tone snap button and platform bottom. This bag measures 15 1/2″ wide x 2″ deep x 8″ high. $979 Available here
