Yves Saint Laurent Chyc Cabas: Rock the Cabas

Calling all snobs! There’s an official new “It” bag in town, from Los Angeles to New York. Noticed a suspiciously similar roomy tote hanging from the forearms of noted style-setters like Sienna Miller, Leighton Meester, Kylie Minogue, and Carla Bruni and glamorous starlets such as Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, and Salma Hayek?

Ah, the age-old question of what makes an “It” bag. The answer? It’s the right combination of structure and lack thereof; ease that can be appropriated to any knowing woman’s wardrobe, whether she’s ladylike or bohemian; a major statement-maker without sticking a fat logo in your face and everyone else’s.

The Chyc Cabas is an adaptable carry-all that’s a city girl’s dream: sheepskin leather in a hold-everything size, multiple pockets (two outer, an inside phone and zip), and the trademark magnetic “Y” closure that spells “Yves Saint Laurent” in a single, decorative letter. Plus, a color for every personality – the neutrals: olive-tinted sand, shiny black, grayish brown and the wilds: juicy magenta, punchy blue, and leopard. Available at Yves Saint Laurent and to be available at Saks Fifth Avenue, for $1,995.

Demi Moore Carries Roger Vivier “Prisme Chine” Clutch: More Color, Moore Luster

While the ever-sparkly Demi seems to age in reverse, her sense of style stays several steps ahead of the curve. By the looks of her beaming gaze and comfortable embrace with Ashton at the Urban Zen Awards in NYC on June 9th, I’m thinking love is the secret to her unyieldingly youthful appearance.

But the highlight of her simple-chic black-and-white ensemble is no enigma. Roger Vivier‘s polychromatic “Prisme Chine” ($925) clutch is an absolute piece of art. The painterly pattern is beautifully chaotic, one color being bolder than the last, and the asymmetrical golden buckle mimics the geometric shape of this prismatic bag. Leaving all else tintless (aside from her trademark Kabbalah string), her fringed white top, loose trousers, and peep-toe pumps let the shot of glorious color shine. At Roger Vivier stores.

The Row: The Golden Touch

It is no surprise the bags from The Row (named after Savile Row, a.k.a. “The Golden Mile”) are as meticulously crafted and streamlined as the ready-to-wear line. If the clothes are any indication, the Olsens are dedicated to high quality and clean lines. But I am pleasantly surprised at how well the girls are able to translate their very unique personal style to bags that work for everyone.

Ashley and Mary-Kate each brought one out for a run at the CFDA – and I went from impressed to obsessed! The proportions of these bags are amazing on petite girls, like themselves, but the shapes will work on taller snobs, too. Especially Ashley’s elongated classic lizard shoulder bag. The twins also exhibited how well these grown-up bags, designed with the eyes of wise fashion souls beyond their 24 years, can be appropriated to both sleek (as seen on Ashley in a blue dress by The Row) and opulent (Mary-Kate, wearing Chanel Pre-Fall) looks.

They have succeeded in offering us styles to fill a void in your bag wardrobe for a lifetime. I’m experiencing a mania of epic proportions over these bags! Except I’m not so crazy about the prices. Though, like The Row Ready-to-Wear, I am certain fat price tags won’t stop this bag line from flying off the shelves. Classic Shoulder Bag in Lizard, $5,450. Metal Frame Lizard Bag, $5,800.

Tod’s “Lucy” Calf Hair Clutch: Halle Takes a Walk Near the Wild Side

2011 FiFi Awards honoree Halle Berry showed off her wild side at the event in New York City last week, proving that her wild side can be rather sophisticated. While you can rely on Halle to consistently look stunning, she really nailed it – thanks in large part to her Tod’s “Lucy” clutch.

The classic Tod’s oversized buckle pochette is given a fierce makeover in slick, shiny calf hair – the heavy texture of the bag sets off her bold, cutout Halston dress. She wisely kept her makeup light and neutral, along with her single burst of oversized earrings, to avoid looking like Pebbles.

While I’m not crazy about the dress, she makes it work (few could successfully wear such a skin-skimming, ab-revealing choice), and I am in love with the clutch: soft and strong, intriguing and versatile, with skin that rings exotic for a hint of mystery.

Lucy Liu Carries Roger Vivier: In Liu of the Boring Clutch…

Make no mistake, Lucy Liu is baaaaack! And looking better than ever! I love her sensibility: never fussy, always glamorous. She proves few can work the simple shades of black and white, a belted dress, and most importantly, a Roger Vivier clutch the way she does. Making the rounds to promote her new movie “Kung Fu Panda 2″ she carried off a near-impossible feat: beguiling us from the likes of Angelina Jolie.

What could be more glam than Vivier clutches? Sure, her sleekly sophisticated yet coquettishly feminine dress and heel choices didn’t hurt – Marchesa with Jimmy Choo in LA, Antonio Berardi with Casedei in NYC, and Givenchy with Jimmy Choo at MoMA. Though it was Vivier’s clutches that finished her looks in style and really caught my eye.

The “Boite de Nuite” box clutch got double duty, showcased in two styles at the film’s premiere in LA and a MoMA dinner. No surprise: the bag is a versatile, futuristic-chic mix of resin and crocodile, hard and soft, color-blocked in contrasting hues. In New York, her black and white dress was beautifully complimented with a strong kick of color via the “Night Tube Plume” in fuchsia with scattered beading and crystal buckle.

I am having major bag envy right now, and while we’re at it, add leg envy! She looks amazing, and I’m so glad to see her in the spotlight again.

My Tod’s Special Edition Bags

Not all brands can be everything to everyone (no one is perfect, after all) but there are a special few who rarely fail me– one of them being Tod’s. Every season, I buy a Tod’s bag or two and use them to death (I am hard on my things but Tod’s bags take the beating beautifully). This year, I’m yearning for the sunny yellow limited edition D-Styling Bauletto bag ($1,665) issued for the re-opening of Tod’s South Coast Plaza boutique (only 35 made!). Each of these limited bags is embossed with “My Tod’s Special Edition” in the interior. It is exclusive to the South Coast Plaza boutique so you must call them to order (before they sell out!) 714-556-0239.

Not a fan of yellow like I am? Make like SJP and grab yourself the large Tod’s tote in white leather. Don’t worry about getting it dirty– if SJP can tote hers in the rain, to the park, WITH an eight year old boy, why should you worry about a little stain? I own a Tod’s Rodeo bag from 2002 in white leather and it is still in pristine condition (and you thought I was kidding about being a Tod’s fanatic– I remember every single Tod’s bag purchase and the year it was made). The sumptuous skins used by Tod’s is sturdy and cleans easily, even in white.

The Large Tote in White Leather retails for $1,400 at Saks Fifth Avenue

Tell me, which one do you prefer?

Milla Jovovich in Sergio Rossi

Cannes Film Festival is like the 12 days of Christmas for the fashion industry. Each day, a parade of primped and coiffed celebs glide down the runway (I mean red carpet) offering plenty of fodder for gawkers and fashion bloggers alike.

I only comment on the stand outs and today, Milla Jovovich caught my eye in an unexpected color-blocked gown from Prada. Even more intriguing, however, was the minaudiere dangling from her shoulder from Sergio Rossi. I love the long shoulder/crossbody chain trend on the red carpet– it allows one a nonchalant and elegant pose, unlike posing with a clutch (there is the football hold, the clutch it like a baby stance or dangle gingerly from your fingers– I have tried all three and trust me, equally awkward). This stunner is from Sergio Rossi‘s “Red Carpet Limited Edition Minaudiere” in Red Satin trimmed with Swarovski Crystal Butterfly Trim. Add flawless hair, bold red lips and we have a 10+ red carpet look in my book.

What do you think of the look?

Marni Textured Bucket Bag: January’s Not-So-Basic Basic Bag

Versace girl January Jones is known for her sleek, simple style (and now a talked-about pregnancy!). But anyone trailing her could recognize the fine-featured blonde by her Marni bucket bag. Whether she’s dashing off to a sports event or lunching with the girls, January always has her leather bag in tow! I can see why: black totes tend to border on boring, but this embellished bucket has playful details to keep your eyes interested. All those oversized studs, so big they are pure pop art, give it depth and flavor. I’m all for girls having a trademark satchel, but maybe January would like to mix it up with Marni’s mouse-gray version shoulder version sometime? Carry on! Marni Textured Bucket Bag, at Hamrah’s for $1,715.

Sarah Jessica Parker at the Ballet Spring Gala in VBH Sueded Python Bag

Ever the trend setter, SJP attended last night’s Ballet Spring Gala 2011 with her favorite VBH sueded python origami bag effortlessly slung over her gown. I love this look! It completely changed the overtone of her outfit and made it playful and youthful. The bag is available at VBH Boutique for $1,750– 940 Madison Avenue New York 212.717.9800 Or Pre-Order at Neiman Marcus here.

How do you feel about using cross body bags at formal events?

Roger Vivier at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala: Roger Vivier’s Savage Beauties

Dark beauty Penélope Cruz was my Bag Snob of the evening. The dramatic feathered “Foxtrot” clutch was the perfect complement to her Oscar de la Renta gown, a silk organza, chiffon, and tulle tiered concoction of elegance that welcomed a wildly high-personality clutch. Voluminous feathers brought pageantry to a classically glamorous look.

Other savage beauties included: A monochromatic Michelle Monaghan, slinky and sensual in a fluid bubble gum dress by Derek Lam, with the “Coup de Pinceau Night” tube – the satin clutch gave her dress the angularity it demanded.

Amy Adams looked all grown up in her L’Wren Scott column gown, but far more eye-catching was the “Plumette Tube” clutch she held in her hands, not as explosively feathery as Cruz’s but equally lush.

Lastly, Livia Firth (wife to Colin) gave Roger Vivier double-time with the “Pilgrim Mini” clutch and forest-green open-Toe “Epine” pumps, bringing dynamism to her organic silk Stella McCartney gown.

Source from: http://www.bagsnob.com/archives/celeb_bags/

26 total views, no views today