Stylish with Substance

In reading this article on WWD (a free one) about CFDA award nominees and their photoshoot, I went scrambling to ensure what seemed to be was not - that there were no female designer nominees. Indeed there are women nominees for this year/2008's awards. See the list here.

Why was I concerned? A big huff has been made and praise given, for the designers (only mentioned [and possibly photographed] were Marc Jacobs, Jason Wu, and the Proenza Schouler guys ... wearing their own stuff. (Only a big deal if they're dudes.) Some drag, why yes, Jason Wu wore a green gown. The idea, to me, seems to be all about cross-dressing. (Let's ignore Marc Jacobs' hideous how-was-he-nominated mauled bunny ears .. thing.) But what about female designers? Wouldn't we wear our own goods all the darn time? It seems to be the ultimate dress-up. I imagine it, it's made (or in the beginning; I make it) and then I jaunt around town flaunting my personal wish.

Or is that me? Is it also my crazy brain assuming male designers are more recognized in some ways in the industry? And why is it that it seems so accepted a man - who even gay & fabulous actually might know less about a woman's body and maybe women themselves than straight dudes - designs at least as well as a woman? (I don't quite get how they can do handbags so well... it requires all the love, but they don't usually wear 'em, too? Torture!)

What is true here is that even if they photographed all the designer nominees, or at least one lone female among the listed four boys club, no woman is being promoted here in the released photos.

What gives? And isn't it even more insulting that a man wears a dress here and there are no women in their own sex's clothes? Couldn't this even send the messsage that *just stupid little girl* designers aren't even up to snuff, or barely exist? I don't know, it rubs me entirely wrong.

But possibly not as much as Marc Jacobs' head-piece.

*Update* It's time for more androgeny by Karl Lagerfeld on Fashionologie.

• Marc Jacobs set his wedding date to Lorenzo Martone for before the Summer solstice in June. The location is to be Provincetown, Massachusetts, which is a gay mecca on Cape Cod, and of course in a state where gay marriage is legal. - reported by Fashionologie.
• Fergie has debuted her eponymous shoe collection. - reported by Pop Sugar.
• Top Chef host, Padma Lakshmi's jewelry line debuts today at Bergdorf Goodman. - reported by Yum Sugar.
• Matthew Williamson is returning to H&M on May 14th. - reported by Coutorture.

• Lauren Conrad's own fashion collection is being put on hiatus due to lack of sales, or is it the recession? Likely both, and probably that her clothing isn't appealing to the mass.

• Serena Williams will debut her accessories and clothing line on April 30th on HSN. Will there be tennis bracelets? Ha. ha. ha. ha. ahhhhhhhh.
• Not only is Marc Jacobs engaged to now-fiance and proposer, Lorenzo Martone, but "Marlo" want to adopt a baby girl.
• RunningWithHeels.com is re-launching tomorrow with a new layout and content, Wed. March 25th.

There are some bags that just mustn't be shown the normal web page size.

This Marc Jacobs Snakeskin-stamped purse is one.

Marc Jacobs Collection Cecilia Embossed Snakeskin Satchel

Suffering succatash!!! OK enough with the S alliteration, but my tongue is practically hanging out of my mouth anyway. Or it's closer to my eyes bugging out. After I saw this new bag from Marc Jacobs my mind went into a tizzy.

Buy the Marc Jacobs Cecilia

I think I like it better than the beloved Stam! It's such a refreshing re-take, which is confoundedly rare in the bag design world, actually. First of all, doesn't that strap give hope that it can rest on one's shoulder?? The gathers are made even better, and you know what, that straight horizontal zipper on the Stam always looked too much like a grumpy mouth anyway. This is a bit less edgy, aside from the lack of the frame closure with HUGE kiss lock - and I really like the classicism of the Stam look. (And finally, I hate to say it but the Stam also has an odd look, sure its uniqueness is amazing, but um hmmm.... me lovey this more!!)

The good news for all is that unlike many designers, this new and later version does not come complete with price hike. This Quilted Cecilia sells for the same as the standard Stam - well just a few dollars, literally, more - at $1375.

The bad news for me is that I now have rent to pay and have less to spend on fashion, since my money goes mostly to purse making and fibre art supplies (oh yes, after bills ;-)). I did just get a new job that starts in a month, but ... mmmmmmm. That's supposed to go toward me *not* "borrowing" rent money from my mother, actually. Te he. (Hey I'm still weak, weak Designer Ella, even with my new making the bags things!)

Now I'd love to sell off a bag to get this, I would really looove to buy this bag, but I sure don't actually want to sell my Stam. Someday though, I hope hope for someday.

Until now I plan on making a details-altered inspired bag. More inspired, less knock off, trust me. I'm going to chronicle this journey here on the blog, too! Stay tuned, and please, if you love, see in person, find more colors or buy the bag (affiliate, but not subliminal), comment and let's chat!

Oh, my! This color! I had just started preparation for a "what trends I'm into for Spring" post, and pastels top that list, my friends. And then I come across this, this pale plum Stam! It's gohhhhgeous!!

I don't know if the photography is off or the copy writer for Neiman Marcus handbags is blind, but there's no mention of how this Stam just look so different! The handles, the width, what is it? If I find out, I'll let you know! (Oh, won't you do the same for moi?)

The purse sells for the usual Stam price of $1,350. *Shrug*

Well I *drooooooooooool* over the colour, it's my new fave!!

Woah! *Marc.Jacobs.overload* (in a robot voice of course!) can be found on Bergdorf Goodman .com. To start, I'll go to the first bag I noticed of the season. His Mina bag. A new addition to the framed bags in the Stam-esque family, the Mina has a hobo-like tapered shape and sqooshy bottom, with lots o' ruching below its kiss-lock closure. The one strap on the bag is a long (heavy) chain, and yes it's the only strap. The Mina is quilted like similar MJ bags, but comes in a gohgeous plum tone. Selling for the on-point $1,395 - is it my new favorite? Well, nah, I still love my Stam!

It looks like Marc Jacobs took a trip to Vegas when inspired by new Spring 2007 Python Patchwork Stams, and unfortunately what happened in Marc's imagination there, did not stay in Vegas. No the Python Patchwork Stam is now available for purchase via Saks Fifth Avenue (in blue, the tamest colour).

I should have warned you, this post's images are not for the faint of heart. The bags themselves are not for the faint of loyal Marc Jacobs heart, either---for this burst of tie-dyed snake skin costs $4,000.

More colours below, if you dare click on what look more like digital art images than photographs of real objects.

�A new great style from Marc Jacobs is this Deborah Bag, a shoulder tote with zipper details. Selling now in white, the bag also features a signature push lock (on�the zipped attachment closing the large front pocket) and classic square strap buckles, in addition to the double zipper feature toward the top of the bag.

The Deborah measures 15" x 10" x 2.5" and costs $975.

I'm hoping this purse at some point, or in another store, is released in other colours. Yes, white is trendy and attractive, but practical alternatives need to be offered. I like this bag, and it has a little bit of everything Marc (aside from quilting, a chain strap, or anything Stam-y) but I don't desire it nor see IT in it. Still it's a very pretty purse, with a great price especially for its size and amount of style. If this is your dream bag, grab her!

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