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"Jacqueline Susann was alive and well and living at
the Intermezzo Collections/Accessories Circuit at the Piers" In fact, the heading for the Pier shows could have been: ‘Prints of the City’. Fashion’s current fascination with vintage-inspired swirling, graphic, and geometric prints and patterns is trickling down to the ‘masses’ based on what I observed here. Everywhere I looked, I saw moderate-priced versions of Pucci, Versace, Fendi,, and Marni, in the form of swimsuits, shirts and shirtdresses (very ‘Diane Von Furstenberg’, and a major category), furs, and bags galore. Even some attendees were decked out in the eye popping patterns. Among the most successful interpretations were from companies such as: R&B. Diab’less, Supply & Demand, Sharagano-Paris, and Rose Chie. While I’m not generally a fan of ‘faux’ Pucci, I somehow liked Bindya’s colorful and well-priced pashmina bags (they retail for $65-$100), and Cynthia Rowley’s graphic leathers looked good as well. Bags in general, continue to generate interest and business, particularly those with novelty treatments, as well as reinterpretations of the Prada bowling bag. The trend towards functional, oversized bags that can do double-duty as overnight/weekenders, is definitely taking over where the small Fendi baguette left off. In fact, its sometimes hard to tell whether it’s a handbag or a suitcase!!! By the way, in my opinion, this all really started when Marc Jacobs' sent his models down the runway with those fabulously huge red and purple patent leather monogram bags for Louis Vuitton-Fall/Winter 1999!. For the money, I liked Trashbags’ wooly tweed and plaid offerings which wholesale for about $100 and under; Un Apres-Midi De Chien’s durable, functional and relatively well-priced takes on the Kelly bag, doctor’s bags, and satchels, rendered in heavy duty red nylon; and newcomer Matt Murphy’s elongated and architectural incarnations of the bowling bag. And in a sea of so much similarity, what stood out was Pegasus’s latest acquisition- Angela Amiri’s structured bags made out of (or lined in) vintage fabrics. (Even her floor was unique: a montage of old Vogue covers) Also standing out from the crowd was Terri Moore, who is Dallas based, and had a great selection of unique vintage bags, shoes, and coats. From the looks of things, it seems that Burberry has more than Miguel Adrover to worry about: I spotted versions of the famous Burberry plaid all over. It was translated onto bags, pants, skirts, and almost everything else. (Isn’t imitation the most sincere form of flattery, Rose-Marie?!) What else was there? Lots of gold leather and gold lame in the form of clothing as well as jewelry and accessories and lots of gold chain belts. And of course, there were lots of skins, (predominantly faux) on clothing as well as bags: python and snake (yes…still!), ostrich, crocodile (lots and lots of mock croc), and alligator. |
