Category: Handbags

January 7, 2014

A Graffiti Chanel Backpack for $3400

Grunge. Graffiti. The 1990s. and Chanel? Really. Yes, Chanel has again jumped on the graffiti bandwagon for Spring 2014. It’s an interesting play on colors but for $3400? Label whores who do anything for a label might easily fork over the money for this but I would say if you really want a backpack like this, do it yourself. Make a fun art project out of this at home.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m enjoying the creativity, colors and grunginess of it all but I just can’t get with the pricepoint. After seeing those Chanel boots from the F/W 2013 show, I am just not enthralled with the graffiti backpack. Are we wearing backpacks these days anymore anyway?

Sincerely,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda Knowles

December 28, 2013

Kim’s George Condo Hand-Painted Birkin Bag

So this week Kanye West gave Kim Kardashian a George Condo hand-painted Hermes Birkin bag for Christmas and Kim showed it off on a shopping trip. Condo did the artwork for my favorite Kanye album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. June Ambrose photoshopped a photo of her with a George Condo painted Birkin on Instagram to generate chatter. Needless to say the art world has officially infiltrated fashion. And, well, although I like the provocative artwork on Kanye’s album cover, I can’t say the same about the Birkins. It just doesn’t do it for me. What do you think?

Sincerely,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda Knowles

October 30, 2013

Handbags at the Nolcha New York Fashion Week Media Lounge

At the Nolcha New York Fashion Week Media Lounge, several brands showcased their products and I zeroed in on handbags. I came across a gorgeous handbag from Marylai with a decorated handle, something I have not seen before. It went perfectly with my outfit as well as a yellow clutch from Medusa.

Check out more photos from the afternoon below!

Sincerely,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda Knowles

July 25, 2013

Montauk Beach House Pool Party and Milly Resort 2014 Fashion Presentation

Last weekend I got plenty of sun in the nearly 100 degree weather at the Montauk Beach House. Michelle Smith showed her Milly Resort 2014 Collection in a beautiful fashion presentation by the pool, part of a summer-long music and fashion series hosted by the Montauk Beach House. It was an absolutely gorgeous day and last weekend, I was on the beach or by the pool for 80% of the time!

Singer-songwriter Natalia Kills performed and we enjoyed great drinks and music all Saturday afternoon. I just loved the bright, bold colors in the collection, not to mention that much of it looked really comfortable. Artwork seemed to influence Milly as some of the fabric seemed painted like that on the model above. Crop tops kept cropping up in Milly’s Resort 2014 Collection as well. I don’t think they’re going anywhere.

I wore a pink neon Eres itty-bitty bikini along with an exclusive purple hat from couture milliner Ellen Christine’s Spring 2014 Collection. By the way, if you want a couture hat of your own, she’s giving a 10% discount to blog readers. Just call her showroom and mention the blog.

While there I met a few from the Milly team, spotted some great poolside fashion and ran into Cannon Hodge of Bergdorf Goodman. She and her friend were wearing amazing kaftans from Camilla Franks that should be available at Bergdorfs in a few months. She showed me that this particular kaftan could be tied multiple ways for a causal or dressy look. Looks like it will be available soon at BG for about $500 or so.

Milly’s collection isn’t quite available yet but for some of the looks here, check out my Summer is in the Air Collection or Shopbop’s Best of Summer 2013.

Sincerely Yours,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda Knowles

May 31, 2013

Fishy Business: Goldfish Swim in Handbags for Graduating Designer Cassandra Verity Green

So Central St. Martin had their annual fashion show to showcase the work of its graduating students. Designer Cassandra Verity Green decided to feature her ‘pet goldfish’ swimming in her handbags on the runway. Now that’s fishy business.

According to the Telegraph UK, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) absolutely does not approve of the use of living creatures on the catwalk. A spokeswoman for the organization stated: “While we understand that a graduate fashion show is about grabbing attention and headlines, we do have concerns that using a living creature to create a novel or unusual accessory encourages people to see them as replaceable ornaments, rather than living creatures in need of care and commitment.”

Now fashion is an art form and the runway features lots of fashion that never retails. Fashion always seems to strike a nerve, push boundaries and create controversy. But, isn’t that what fashion is supposed to do?

Whether Cassandra meant to retail her goldfish handbags or not, we must admit that it was a creative idea. It is the translation from runway to real way that the RSPCA is concerned with. But I think most of us want our handbags to accommodate items such as cell phones and lipstick, not goldfish.

Sincerely,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda Knowles

May 29, 2013

Parlez-vous Français? Learning French on My Summer To-Do List

So now that summer is finally here and things slow down just a tad bit so that everyone can scurry to the Hamptons or that tropical island, I am setting a goal to learn just a tad bit of French. I already speak Spanish and they say that French should not be that tough as they are similar languages. With these lofty goals and some of this work that I am doing, no doubt, a tad bit of French will help.

I’ve had my eye on this beautiful green Python clutch from Lanvin that is not currently being shipped outside the EU. Fellow fashion lovers, these are the kinds of things that make you want to hop on a plane to France, right? Well, anyway, let’s see how much I can learn over the summer. Do you speak any languages?

Sincerely,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda Knowles

May 2, 2013

More Funky Street Style, Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute’s Exhibition Punk: Chaos to Couture

So I am so excited that this year’s Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute’s Exhibition entitled Punk: Chaos to Couture is all about punk and funky street style. I’ve blogged about funky street style almost all year; New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2013, Versace’s Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2013, and even created an amazing set of mix and match items for your every day (or night) funky street style. The punk and grunge look is what is now and if it’s not your style, you should try a piece or two and see what it feels like! If anything you can try a nice biker leather jacket or vest like the one I wore here.

I can’t wait to see what everyone wears at the Met Gala this coming May 6, ModaOperandi will be live streaming the red carpet at 7 PM. They are also giving our readers the opportunity to pre-order looks straight off the red carpet from Anthony Vacarello, Balmain, Delpozo, Rodarte, Nina Ricci and Wes Gordon on May 7. I will be live tweeting and running around the city as usual. Get excited and check out Exclusive Punk Collection, I’m kind of loving these mohawk headpieces and Hermes‘ attempt at the graffiti trend with their new Kelly bag. They even etched “New York City” on there for us locals and NYC lovers.

Yours Truly,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda Knowles

April 10, 2013

10 Favorite New Spring Handbags and Clutches

So Springtime has finally arrived in New York City and everyone has been waiting for a long time to break out their bright colored shoes, clothes and handbags. Here are a few favorite handbags of the moment that combine great design and functionality!

Jimmy Choo Multicoloured Chandra Clutch, $2313

Lulu Guinness Pink Shocking Pink Snakeskin Large Lips Clutch, $750

Burberry Prorsum Red the Blaze, $2551

Phillip Lim Medium Pashli Satchel, $825

Hermes Orange 35cm Tangerine Ostrich Birkin, $36,500

Soffio di Sofia Silver Orgata, $496

Milly Aqua Jayden Satchel, $435

Issey Miyake Blue Bao Lucent Shopper, $462

Balenciaga Classic City Bag, $1471

Zagliani Purple Faye Metallic Python Clutch, $2112

Sincerely Yours,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda Knowles

January 30, 2013

Wearable Art Inspiration: Proenza Schouler Graffiti Bag

I’m totally on to this new bag from Proenza Schouler’s PS1 Collection. Take this graffiti covered bag to the streets with some leather pants, sneaker heels and one of those skull shirts and jewelry from Alexander McQueen. Check out some ideas to mix and match in my Funky Street Style collection here.

Yours Truly,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda Knowles

January 19, 2013

Porsche Designs’ New Women’s Handbag Line NY Launch Event

This week I attended Porsche Design’s new women’s Handbag Line Event. District Manager Jorge Vegaumana told me that their women’s handbag line is to officially launching in March in 130 stores worldwide (Miami, Boca Raton, Berlin, France, etc). I generally go for a funkier or more colorful bag line like Proenza Schouler’s but for a conservative day bag, they get my vote. They are sleek, sexy and fun just like the Porsche car line, and their handles adjust so you can wear it on your shoulder or just carry in-hand. Check out some more of the photos below. Everyone was asking about my dress. I’m wearing a vintage Signette dress made by a local New York designer named Aysha Saeed that I got from one of her sample sales.