>> Snakeskin, ostrich, and so much glorious neon. From the printed fabric styles at Chanel and Etro to the super-bright skins at Michael Kors and Marc by Marc, Resort 2012 featured plenty of can't-wait-for-Winter handbags. Here, we've rounded up 45 satchels, clutches, totes, and purses so cute we wish we could get our hands on them right now.
Images courtesy of WWD
>> Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen is quickly becoming Kate Middleton's go-to designer for official royal engagements, between her McQueen wedding dress in April, the white McQueen peplum coat Middleton wore for her first official outing earlier this month, and most recently, the navy McQueen military dress she wore over the weekend for Irish Guard Armed Forces Day.
The most recent dress, which was noted to be from McQueen's Pre-Fall 2011 collection, seems to be custom made, as no piece from the lookbook quite matches up. The closest look has more dramatic, peaked shoulders and a more revealing v-neckline than Middleton's version, which she paired with Prada shoes and an Anya Hindmarch clutch.
Will Middleton wear more McQueen on her official visit to North America, which begins on June 30, when she and Prince William touch down in Canada? She was spotted at the McQueen offices in London last week with a garment bag under her arm, which appeared to contain something red. And royal officials confirmed that she may be striking "private agreements" with designers to help build her North American tour wardrobe — at this point, Burton seems a likely candidate (Middleton was also spotted at Wimbledon today wearing Temperley — another likely contender).
Speaking of Burton, WWD reports today that she's at the top of the wishlist to take over at Dior — and this strong connection with Middleton can't be hurting her chances.
>> What better way to celebrate the start of the weekend than with pieces that pop. Bring on the sweltering temperatures — we know we'll stay cool in Popsicle hues. From a colorblock Marc by Marc bangle to a glossy Kate Spade clutch (with the cutest tropical clasp), these are the pieces we have to have right now.
1) Christopher Kane Keke Lace Top, $745; 2) House of Harlow 1960 Audrey Sunglasses, $110; 3) Kate Spade Clutch, $225; 4) Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte in Orange Shiver, $34; 5) Richard Ginori Protea Salad Plate, $75; 6) Michael Kors Vachetta Sandal, $595; 7) Marc by Marc Jacobs D2 High Tide Colorblock Bangle, $68
>> After nine seasons of color-saturated Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott-shot ad campaigns, Miu Miu is going in a new direction, courtesy of Bruce Weber, who shot the latest Miu Miu muse — 14-year-old Hailee Steinfeld — for the label's Fall 2011 campaign. Steinfeld first began a relationship with Miuccia Prada at the beginning of the year, when she wore Prada to the SAG Awards, according to her stylist, Karla Welch: “Miu Miu is such a perfect fit for her. Throughout awards season, they were the dresses she wanted to wear.” She went on to attend the Miu Miu show in March as a special guest of Miuccia Prada. [TFS]
>> Not a day after the Financial Times's Vanessa Friedman predicted a return by John Galliano to the fashion industry — "People love a redemption story," she noted — Cathy Horyn reports that LVMH is considering re-hiring the designer:
"On Thursday, I ran into a number of executives who work with LVMH, and they would speak only on the condition of anonymity because of their close dealings. One individual said there had been casual discussions among LVMH executives about the feasibility of Mr. Galliano returning to his own label. Would the media and the public accept his return? This individual said he thought so. Another executive with whom I spoke had the same view. He cited the appeal of Mr. Galliano’s ultrafeminine fashion and added that in recent years the designer had lost touch with that sensibility (and indeed reality). 'It became a kind of Lady Gaga show, and he’s more talented than this,' the executive said."
Horyn, too, wants to see "what in time will be the rehabilitation of Mr. Galliano’s career. I hope he continues to get treatment. He should have a second chance."
>> Although it has been rumored for some time — and denied by her rep as recently as March — Natalia Vodianova has confirmed that she and husband Justin Portman, whom she married in 2001 (and with whom she has three children), are separated: "It's really sad. It has been a while. We didn't want to talk about it. We still don't. Our children are very much aware of it. It's OK. We're still in a very sensitive position right now, and trying to do things as amicably as possible, so I wouldn't want to talk about it at all. I don't think I ever will want to, because it's strictly between my husband and me."
When asked if she was currently seeing someone else, Vodianova replied: "This is not really something to discuss at the moment. It's sensitive." However, when prodded about whether she was in love, the model said: "Mmm-hmm. Yes, definitely." She would not, however, divulge an identity. Vodianova has recently been snapped with and linked to British financier Sasha Pesko, who used to date Eugenia Silva.
>> Tiny earrings, serious style. Grown-up gold meets unconventional shapes for the perfect mix of elevated playfulness. From softly abstract flowers to whimsically ferocious beasts, these unexpected little statement studs go way beyond the basic pair. Click through for our selects from Bing Bang, Melissa Joy Manning, Elizabeth Cole (left) and more.
>> An elegant kind of effortless permeated the 42 looks designers Pier Paolo Piccioli and Maria Grazia Chiuri turned out for Valentino's 2012 Resort collection. “If you’re not comfortable, you don’t look chic,” Piccioli stated. To his point, shirtdresses, suits, shifts and jumpsuits were cut in flattering lines around the body, resulting in loosely cinched waists, a-line skirts, and drapey, fluttery sleeves. Ivory lace and soft floral chiffon played easily amongst the feminine — and sometimes flirty— silhouettes, while silk, cotton, and leather in olive, navy, and ochre provided a playful sleekness. “This is about joyfulness and prettiness,” Chiuri explained.
>> After his menswear show Tuesday in Milan, Giorgio Armani denounced the fashion industry for being "in the hands of" high finance rather than the fashion houses themselves. "I’ve wanted to say something about this for awhile, and now’s the time: Fashion is in the in the hands of the banks [and] the stock market," Armani told reporters. "It no longer belongs to the owners, but to those above them. I still haven’t been able to understand how the banks influence our line of work — it’s a mystery."
When he was asked whether his comments were a reference to Prada's recent IPO, Armani replied: "I don’t have debts. Instead, Prada’s problem is that they have to pay back the money that the banks spent to build up the brand." He noted that he preferred independence and had no plans to sell his company. "There are thousands of ways to make money. But for me, I don’t want to wind up having to knock on the door of some Thai managers to explain myself."
Armani also suggested that houses like Prada and Dolce & Gabbana make men look ridiculous, and blamed the press for not being more critical about clownish runway styles that men don't wear. Prada is "ingenious" for her "irony," he said, "and bad taste that becomes chic." But, certain Prada collections are "sometimes ugly," he noted, and stil always get positive coverage in the press. "You know why . . . " His clothes, meanwhile, he said make men look more handsome and elegant.
Both Prada and Dolce & Gabbana declined to comment.
>> A fusion of military details, Edwardian silhouettes, and the idea of "romantic utility" characterized Sarah Burton's Resort 2012 outing for Alexander McQueen. While staying true to plenty of classic McQueen elements — high necks, cinched waistlines, gold-embellished gowns — the collection also featured an injection of Burton's now-signature sense of softness. Corsetless tulle gowns, fitted lace dresses, and soft-ruffled peplums in elongated cuts portrayed a new, easier wearability. African-inspired leopard prints, colorful embroidery, and mirrored appliques added intrigue to the otherwise neutral palette of khaki, navy, ivory and black.
