theasceticlibertine

Seasonal Handbag Lust

Yes, that's right, I only care about handbags about once every season and since today happened to be the day that I snooped around on Hayden-Harnett's website... I decided that I might have to troll around until they decide that this lovely bag isn't really worth $390.00 and that they want to sell it to me for much, much less:

Basically, I'm over my messenger phase and now want only ladylike satchels, and this one is the perfect size and it's patent leather and it's just gorgeous.  Also they're Brooklyn-based, so I'm keeping it both local *and* real. 

Boot Obsession Number Five Million One Hundred Twenty Seven and Counting....

Red and black boots.  What could be more striking or perfect?  Of course, as usual, the shoe world mocks me with its complete lack of availability or imagination regarding these two colors together.  I used to have a pair of black boots with a red sole that I gave away and forever regret.  Trying to find anything in this combo has proved difficult, but this is kind of what I mean (though the toe is too square and the look overall more severe than I'd like):

Or, ideally, these but in a more delicate women's version:

As they stand, not only are they men's boots they're too clunky and kick-ass for what I have in mind.  But the color is great.  I'm not loving the way red gets watered down into dark burgundy in shoes.  It makes me wonder if red shoes--true red--just don't sell well.  I did covet these for a while, but they're all gone (unless you're a size 36) ...

Boots available at John Fluevog, Zappos, and Infinity Shoes.

Rag and Bone

So cute!  And so my kind of thing:

Ragbone

The white piping and the shape of the sleeves both get me where it counts. 

Picture and dress available at Active Endeavors. 

Chanel Haute Couture Fall 07

Chanel is such a classic label, and their pieces generally so low-key, that I really wondered what in Haute couture Karl Lagerfeld had up his sleeve.  Turns out he does a lot of more whimsical variations of the RTW line.  I admit that for Chanel it's kind of out there, but none of it was mindblowingly amazing (and I drool over nearly all Chanel RTW lines).  I think it's that I expect something crazy yet wearable in my Haute couture and sometimes that is just not going to be the case. 

I did manage to pick out some favorites, though.  Note to Karl:  I am not a fan of feathers, dude.  Sorry.

ChanelHauteBlack.jpg

Classic and completely wearable.  The black Chanel suit gets a reworking with a swingy skirt, three-quarter length sleeves and fingerless leather gloves (a Karl favorite that appears throughout the collection). 

ChanelHauteBlkCrm.jpg

 I like the neckline and I like the peplum but I'm not so sure about it in general.  Big ups to the long boot (I am a huge fan) and slim skirt.

This was more down Practical Lane:

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Not riveting, but beautiful and very wearable.

And I really did love this, though I think you have to be a column to wear it:

ChanelHauteTie.jpg

The detail at the neck and waist is quite lovely.  The whole outfit is very Duchess of Windsor.

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Wacky as all hell, and feathers to boot but somehow I kind of love it.  The sequins, the flamboyance--I wish the collection had more of these moments.

ChanelHauteFrieda.jpg

The pièce de résistance, as the French say: the wedding dress.  Also totally wacko, but awesome.  She looks like a painting.  And that's what Haute couture should be all about.

Next up:  Galliano for Dior.  So. Awesome.

OMG It's Fashion Week

At this moment in time, when I am so excited for Fall, the last thing I can think about are the spring collections.  Sorry!  I'll take a looksie and if anything super spectacular catches my eye, you'll see it here.