Fashion writing becomes me . . .

A stylish escape . . .

• BAGS, NEWS, WHAT'S TRENDING

on October 7, 2015 

Board in Style at Chanel’s Swanky Airport: Chanel Spring Summer 2016 Bags

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Props to Karl Lagerfeld.  I was transported by the Chanel Spring Summer 2016 show…to a bygone era where air travel was glamorous and shoes and handbags matched.  High-heeled shoes stayed on travelers’ feet as they purposely walked the terminal with nary a line in sight.  More importantly, I felt young, as I missed the original era.

@chanelofficial

The RTW show was staged in the airport that Karl built; sleek, open, clean and modern. So much so that it could have been the abandoned TWA terminal at JFK Airport, if Chanel Air launched in NYC rather than Paris.  Pilots pulled classic carry-ons, albeit with subtle quilting (look 1, 2).

Karl Lagerfeld

Look 1, 2

The first traveler sported a black wheeled bag with lime detail and a matching bag with chain (look 5).  I spied a similar or perhaps even the same model in a another bold print, color-coordinated outfit (look 33). Indeed, matching seemed the order of the day: fabric flap bags – classic and otherwise – and structured squares nearly blended into the longer dresses, skirts and pantsuits (looks 37, 38, 39, 40).

Look 5

Look 33

Look 37

Look 38

Look 39

Look 40

Courtesy: SpottedFashion

Courtesy: SpottedFashion

This collection is no slouch. The purses tended to be structured and boxy, but not overwhelming. Silver hues outshone gold.  It was hard to tell from my view online whether many boys and girls showed (look 56 is a boy), but there were “sweaters” tied around the waist which, I suppose, could have been girl bags (23, 28).  I spied some round bags (look 52) and a small one resembling a trunk (looks 66) and a small suitcase (look 59).

Look 56

Courtesy: SpottedFashion

Look 52

Courtesy: SpottedFashion

Look 23

Look 28

Look 66

Look 59

Courtesy: SpottedFashion

Courtesy: SpottedFashion

@chanelofficial

@chanelofficial

Chanel completed the travel ensembles with hats, lots of hats…perfect for flying private out of Aeroport Paris Cambon.  Wheels up and bon voyage.

Maura Carlin

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TAGS

#Chanel #chanel airline #chanel airport #chanel bags #chanel clothes #Chanel Girl bag #chanel ready to wear #chanel RTW #Chanel RTW 2016 #chanel RTW ss16 #Chanel runway #chanel spring 2016 #chanel spring summer 2016 #chanel spring summer 2016 bags #chanel suitcase #chanel travel #chanel trunk bag #chanel-boy-bag #SS16 #travel bag

http://www.pursebop.com/board-in-style-at-chanels-swanky-airport-chanel-spring-summer-2016-bags/

My adventures in Hermes-land . . . published at Pursebop.com.   http://www.pursebop.com/no-kelly-for-you/

No Kelly for You

I want a Kelly.   It has taken me a long time to utter these words, but here I am.  The Hermes fund is full and contact made with a sales associate. Yet I feel no closer to getting one.

The reality that I cannot just waltz into a store and buy my Kelly perplexes me.  Isn’t the end goal of a store to sell its merchandise?  I understand the laws of supply and demand and if they’re “sold out” I can’t buy until there’s new supply, possibly at a higher price. Economics 101.

The kicker is, from what I read and hear, that while there may be none for me, Ms A or Mr Z have their pick of the limited lot.  They get “offered” bags.  The concept alone is mind-boggling.  Is my money a different green than theirs (preferably Hermes bamboo which is stunning . . . but I digress)?  Do I need to slip cash into the palm of a sales associate, as though I’m seeking a faster or better table at a chi-chi restaurant?  Or must I declare my loyalty to the H brand by purchasing thousands of dollars of merchandise I may or may not want?

Or worse, am I simply at the whim of the Hermes deities?  Trying to buy a Kelly is like an episode of Seinfeld – where the soup nazi decides who may purchase soup.  George and Elaine are denied because they fail to follow proper soup-ordering procedures and annoy the soup man.  Perhaps my Kelly is really lobster bisque.

Thus far I am not one of the Chosen people.  My sales associate was lovely and took down my information, but I have no confidence she will call.  I remain intimidated by the Orange and think twice before crossing the threshold.   I also do not have the luxury of time or the inclination to be a frequent visitor . . . or as I call it, a nudge.

The longer the wait the more likely my shopping itch will be scratched elsewhere.  I tell myself that I don’t really want a Kelly.  Maybe that will work.

-Maura Carlin

No Soup For You

Please Hermes Gods, may Maura have some SOUP? (and I’ll take another serving too…)

Love PurseBop
XO

Bagged

Another post on the infamous Pursebop.com

• NEWS, WHAT'S TRENDING

on February 26, 2015 

Part II: Ode to GST

Dear friend Maura gives us an update to her Part I: Ode to GST
To GST or not to GST, that is the question… 

Breaking news:  We interrupt the Hermes coverage with a special Chanel report…

The GST is out and about, having been freed from its boxing and wrapping and released from its secret hideaway.  Tags were cut and plastic protection removed.  The GST is in Maura’s custody moving from home to car to Whole Foods and the like.

But seriously, why it’s taken me so long to use it probably should be the subject of a different post.  After all, the decision to keep the bag was made weeks ago when store points were redeemed as payment.  For now, suffice it to say I try not to highlight my purse purchases at home.

So far, so good. My GST with gold hardware radiates class and beauty. As I predicted, it’s also spacious.  I easily transferred stuff from my Hermes Evelyne and there’s significant room to spare. Careful packing of my belongings was unnecessary.  The long key chain attachment allowed me to open my front door without detaching the keys.  My phone comfortably occupied the outside pocket. The bag behaved nicely and stayed on my car passenger seat, both buckled and unbuckled (yes, I sometimes buckle bags so they don’t fall and empty on the floor).  Most of the time the bag stayed well on my shoulder over my bulky coat.

With the maiden voyage behind us, I’m optimistic that this is the beginning of a very satisfying relationship between me and my GST.

And now back to our regularly scheduled programming…

Maura Carlin

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Love PurseBop
XO

http://www.pursebop.com/part-ii-ode-to-gst/http://www.pursebop.com/part-ii-ode-to-gst/

APP - Another Purse Problem

Honored to have my article featured on the fabulous Pursebop's site.  

No Birkin

In honor of the unofficial Hermes week we’re celebrating here at Pursebop.com, my dear friend Maura Carlin contributes a hilarious take on the Birkin craze. Maura is a journalist and writer in NYC. You can find her musings on everyday life at mauramusing.blogspot.com

Ten years a Birkin fund . . . and still no Hermes Birkin.  Lest you suspect I can’t save money, think again.  I’ve squirreled away sufficient cash many times over only to blow the wad on something else . . . usually Chanel.   So, why is it still called the Birkin Fund and why don’t I have one?

On some level, the Birkin is simply an aspirational concept. My girlfriends refer to the B as the unattainable big gift they will never receive and, frankly, they wouldn’t buy even if given the chance.   Perhaps it’s the equivalent of the childhood dream-gift pony (one I never shared as my ideal present doesn’t poop). 

The fact that Bs are not readily available to just anyone with bank likely heightens the desire.  Trying to purchase a Birkin can be an intimidating process, even for a savvy, experienced, sophisticated shopper, fostered by rumors that you must linger on a list in the hope of some day being offered one.  That’s right, the scuttlebutt is that you must wait for the opportunity to plunk down thousands on the spot. 

I don’t know whether this urban legend is fact or fiction.  I have never tried. Even with a fully funded secret stash, nerves come over me upon entering the H promise-land.  The word Birkin gets stuck in my mouth.  But that’s not the only problem.

I’ve not actually carried a Birkin.  I’ve seen them, touched them, and held them.  None of that compares to putting in your necessaries and walking around opening and closing the bag (which I am known to do before buying any other purse).  Rumor has it that you can’t do that in a Hermes store. It’s a heavy bag empty, let alone loaded, and I don’t know whether my aging body can handle it.  The clasp may be too difficult for soon-to-be arthritic fingers.  And I do like my shoulder/crossbody option. 

Maybe I’m more like Grace Kelly than Jane Birkin. Does “Kelly fund” have a nice ring?

Love Maura (&PurseBop)
XO