Custom Design

It is time for the 6th edition of the YSL Manifesto, which will be hitting the streets of NYC today! The worldwide release will be Saturday, February 20th, in the streets of Paris, London, Milan, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and for the first time, Berlin.

This Manifesto was photographed by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin under the creative direction of Stefano Pilati. The manifesto will showcase Natalia Vodianova in the Yves Saint Laurent Spring/Summer 2010 collection.

How can you be a lucky person to nab one of half a million copies? You will need to be in the right place at the right time. RackedNY just tweeted that they are being handed out in NYC as we speak. The first 2,000 passerby in each city will receive a custom cotton tote with a strawberry print.

Good luck getting a Manifesto for yourself!

Original post by Megs Mahoney Dusil

Ladies and gents, I need you to weigh in here. I cannot decide whether or not this Yves Saint Laurent handbag is genius or simply not enough for what you are paying for.

Yves Saint Laurent is one of those brands, one of those brands that is almost always worth a second look. This is the case because the first look might take you in the wrong direction, but the second look, the second look could reveal sheer genius. While I want that to be the case here, I just don’t think that is the case.

The thing about the Yves Saint Laurent Yes Large Leather Bag is that it actually is a bit of genius. It is the kind of day-to-day genius that so many bags lack sometimes. This bag is slouchy, yet structured. The colors are neutral, yet versatile. But, is it worth the price? I love handbags, I really do. And I have no problem spending big bucks on a bag I love, but is this bag worth it’s price tag?

The olive-green leather tote has a contrast pale-green leather trim and two pale green handles. You might not be able to tell, but if you press the studs at the side, you can actually adjust the size of the handles – always a nice, understated detail. Clearly the bag is functional, and it is also fashionable, but I am stuck on the price. I can see tons of women carrying this bag and loving it – loving it for seasons to come, but I have some reservations. What do you think? Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1525.

Original post by Shannon Mahoney

Let’s get straight to the point: the Fendi Leather Front Zip Hobo is a classic, understated bag that also manages to subtly touch on current trends without actually being trendy. Further proof that I may have been right back in December when I postulated that the brand may be on a bit of a handbag upswing. And there’s nothing that I love more than possible proof that I was right about something.

This bag is so simplistically chic that it almost reminds me of Yves Saint Laurent. The design is unfettered by self-consciousness and unnecessary extras, giving it the kind of “everyday” look that so many people look for when choosing a new bag.

Despite the zipper accents, this isn’t a bag that’s going to look dated in a few seasons because the designers managed to reign themselves in and simply make an attractive, functional bag instead of focusing on loftier (and more questionable) goals. Some will surely call it bland, but not every bag has to be a feat of design innovation to be a success. Plus, the price is far below what Fendi normally charges for designs that aren’t nearly as wardrobe-friendly. Buy through Bergdorf Goodman for $1250.

Original post by Amanda Mull

Not only does a new year bring a fresh start, but it reveals an interest in fresher brighter hues as we inch our way towards spring. The recent trend of colorful rainbow hue handbags feels just right, like a breath of fresh air as we say au revoir to 2009. These candy colored bags are decadent treat, satisfying the handbag lover’s craving for wit and whimsy. They also have an ulterior motive, as they will coordinate with a myriad of outfits. With at least three colors shown on each bag, there are many opportunities to mix and match with most of the items in your closet. Multi colored bags also pair perfectly with black or white for an instant dash of springtime freshness.

Kicking off the color explosion trend, Diane von Furstenberg is expert at infusing pop art inspired accents into her bags with the zest and energy that she brings to all her collections. The Diane von Furstenberg “Stephanie” Woven Leather Clutch in Sunset Metallic ($395 at Net-a-Porter) is a soft sided woven leather clutch made of multicolored metallic leather adorned with a large tassel and wristlet strap. The top closure is secured by a zipper and has a mesh lining.

The Italians love color with a sophisticated edge, and the Fendi Forever Boston Satchel ($855 at Saks) is no exception. This petite satchel is swathed in a rainbow of double F Fendi logos. The coated canvas body is topped with double handles and reveals a roomy interior. Another colorful clutch from DVF is the Hayworth ($425 at Net-a-Porter). The off-white leather clutch has multicolored patent stitching at the sides and edges. On the body is a geometric hole punched design as well as pewter tone screw hardware details. From the prince of pop culture himself, Marc Jacobs’ Fluorescent Tweed Bag ($395 at Net-a-Porter) is pure ’80’s excess. Go for the bold with this cheeky tweed paneled bag embellished with gold splashed multi-colored neon stone studs. This particular MJ bag may not be for the fashionably faint at heart. But we do know that it will be definitely turn heads with the right outfit. Pair with a primarily black outfit and some sky high wedges and you’ll be the ultimate statement maker on the streets this spring.

via The Find

Original post by Guest Blogger

It’s here, it’s here! YAAAAY! The Fendi Peekaboo Bicolor Top Handle is here!

We first saw this bag as a highlight of Fendi’s Spring 2010 runway show in Milan, and now it’s finally available for purchase. The gears of fashion grind slowly at times, but it’s always exciting to see things land at retail that you first noticed during their initial public appearance.

So does the final product lead up to the promise?

My answer, at least, is “yes.” Sometimes bags are altered when they go from the runway to reality, but it looks like the curved wooden handle and reddish-orange leather that made this bag simply attractive back in September are still working in its favor today. I like this iteration of the Peekaboo far more than the previous season, except for the astronomical price – what do you guys think? Buy through Luisa Via Roma for $4686.

Original post by Amanda Mull

What is this that we have here? Do my eyes deceive me? Is this a Fendi bag that I not only like, but would also semi-seriously consider purchasing for myself? This is the second time in several days that I’ve found myself having these thoughts (the first time was about an ornate baguette that Vlad photographed at Design Miami), and it sort of makes me wonder – might Fendi be at the beginning of an accessories design upswing?

It’s too soon to say, but based on the beautiful bags at their Spring 2010 runway show in Milan, I’m hopeful. It would be great to have Fendi back as one of the leaders of the designer pack.

As far as this bag goes, though, its design just seems terribly current to me. It’s the right bag for the right period in time when the right trends are happening. It’s small, slightly retro and built for crossbody wear, the logo embossing actually provides texture instead of just name recognition, and the color and giant tassel are fun and irreverent. But the best part is the price. At a sub-$600 MSRP for a cute, trendy leather bag, Fendi actually has the opportunity to reach out to a young, hip crowd that might breath new life and interest into their accessories line. Buy through Saks for $595.

Original post by Amanda Mull

Two nights ago, on December 1st, we had the privilege to be invited by our friends at Fendi to the opening of this year’s Design Miami Vernissage in the Miami Design District.

For the second consecutive year, Fendi co-sponsors the events which feature an array of Limited Edition unique retail environments, art installations and the world’s most influential design show — Design Miami/.

Fendi served as anchor tenant at the F Factory, located in the historic Moore Building, and impressed with an industrial display of its latest limited edition accessories, including the debut of its limited edition design “Needle Point Stitch Kit”, created by Silvia Venturini Fendi. Each basic canvas baguette comes with guideline drawings and string (in a variety of colors), allowing the consumer to customize and stitch her own bag.

        

In addition to the bags, Fendi also presented a very special edition of funky, fuzzy, glitzy, and shiny guitars. We learned that these had been specially made for the Youtube-Smashhit-Band and were going to be utilized on their upcoming tour.

Besides paying close attention to the display, we had the pleasure to mingle with several execs at Fendi, including Silvia Fendi, who represents the third generation of the family founder of the historical maison.

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The entertainment was delivered by – you guessed it – OK Go. The chaps rocked out with their custom Fendi/Gibson guitars and gave a live laser-enhanced performance of their most popular hit singles. You can catch a clip of the performance on Youtube, courtesy of Cool Hunting.

Design Miami is ongoing until the 5th of December, if you are in the South Florida area, I highly suggest you check it out.

A few more Fendi creations below, enjoy!

Original post by Vlad Dusil

Can someone, ANYONE, explain to me why this pastel-potholder-looking abomination against fashion costs 1100 freaking dollars?

Well, the line is owned by part of the Fendi family, so that should give you a clue to the price. And the bags are handmade from recycled materials, which is nice, but not really an explanation of how much we’re all expected to pay for them. I’m pretty sure that lots of small brands use similar manufacturing practices, make bags that don’t look like granny craft projects, and don’t charge nearly as much for the (much more attractive) end result.

As if the whole “green” factor wasn’t enough to make me feel slightly bad for hating this bag in such a visceral way, apparently they also donate some proceeds to charity. But when you’re making bags that are this ugly and this expensive, are you really doing anyone but yourself any favors? Wouldn’t more attractive bags at a slightly lower price point sell more units and, as a result, make more money for charity and do more to make the “green” movement seem palatable to fashionphiles? For $1100, I’m going to need them to do more than make a bag that looks like an irregular Vera Bradley laptop tote that got sent to TJ Maxx. Buy through Luisa Via Roma for $1131.

Original post by Amanda Mull

Is it just me, or does the Fendi Rose Zucca Chef Bag look like it really wishes it was born a Louis Vuitton instead?

When you’re dealing with a design element as obvious as graphic roses layered over logo canvas, it’s hard not to draw parallels between this and the Stephen Sprouse collection that garnered so much attention last season for Vuitton. I wonder if Fendi’s accessories designers would even be able to keep a straight face while they were claiming that this isn’t a ripoff.

And it’s not even a halfway attractive ripoff. The Vuitton bags were successful because not only did they feature the art of a widely respected pop artist, but they were also visually quite interesting. The roses were robust and colorful, and they overshadowed the traditional monogram on which they sat.

The Fendi, on the other hand, is just kind of sad. The roses are boring and small, and they do nothing to spruce up the zucca print fabric that we’re all used to seeing. Find your own gimmick, Fendi – Vuitton’s already got this one on lock. Buy through Nordstrom for $940.

Original post by Amanda Mull

Winter has not yet arrived and resort bags are hitting the market. One major way to know we are looking at a resort bag is when it is made out of straw. Straw is quintessentially resort/spring material and I have yet to own a straw bag or find a straw bag worth purchasing. The case remains true with the Fendi Twins Straw Tote. The design stems from the popular Fendi Vintage Leather Twins Tote, but takes a fresh look with the straw body. Let’s get into the details.

If we took out the exorbitant price tag, a whopping $2,560, we can sort of start off with a clean slate. We have a simple tote design with leather trim and a straw body. Straw is great for Resort and Spring, it automatically makes me think of the beach, but I simply do not care to own a straw bag. The rectangular pattern created with the straw does give a nice effect though. Then we have the logo details at the bottom of each top handle. So we are doing ok.

Then there is an adjustable shoulder strap, which is always a nice addition. Then again, the large dimensions (16″W X 11½”H X 6″D) are not ideal to be hanging this bag from your body. Overall I am feeling uninspired. And while I tried to take out the price tag when reviewing this bag, I simply could not. Because really, who wants to pay over $2,500 for a straw tote? The name may be Fendi but it is nothing other than an expensive seasonal bag that nearly everyone I know will pass on. Buy through Saks for $2,560.

Original post by Megs Mahoney Dusil