Hunger Fixes: Vogue x Hermès Kelly

You might think I'm insinuating confusion for attaching the word "hunger" to the title. But no, I'm in fact speaking in terms of my current appetite for high-end staples. Today's fashion plate is serving one of Vogue's previous issues and THE HERMES KELLY. More on the Hermès Kelly. 

But first, insert here my apologies for coming from a cyber-hiatus. When I'm not fixing my blog or running errands, I'm scouring for things I would not hesitate to invest 'in the bones'. On my latest shopping haul is this 30cm calf leather pink Hermès Kelly bag. I know, I know! This five-figure must-have was sold to me at a veeerry good price. Though it wasn't as cheap as you may think. 

It came to me as a pre-owned item. But who cares if it's secondhand, right? An Hermès bag is still an Hermès bag. It was the one and only bag in store which nobody really cared to notice, thankfully. 

Front view

Rear view

It wasn't the bag the shoppers have recognized immediately as compared to, maybe if it was, the Birkin. I blame it to Birkin-wearing celebs and to Sex and the City (for airing a whole episode of trying to get a Birkin in not that I know when). All these 'public' actions have made the Birkin more popular than the Kelly. Although there is nothing quite significant to be said about their difference-- in price, functionality, and utter perfection. So that once I saw the "Hermès, Paris Made in France" blind stamp, my heart skipped a beat. The next thing in my mind was whether it was fake or not. 

Side view

I was reassured, nonchalantly but beyond doubt, with Google as one of the juries. The heavy not-cheap-looking leather, straight and clean stitches, high- quality hardware and carefully embellished blind stamps spelled the hailing word A-U-T-H-E-N-T-I-C in my face. 

I'm aware of the imitation bags which are already made to look like the original, it's hard to determine, nowadays. I'm afraid of committing a rookie mistake of having the best (and real one) left put; my first time with Hermès. For those in the know, with the following photos as my witness, you also be the judge. 

We know that H. bags are sauntered by A- list fashionistas that it becomes the 'symbol of wealth'. It's not that I want to blend in but having to carry it in the future (on special occasions only, mind you) would perhaps afford me an extra special attention, or not. To be asked to try on a Clive Christian is an overstatement. 

Anyone who can tell me if this K 2 A code in my bag means anything?

This bag is crazy like that, it took me days before sharing it publicly. I thought I'd eschew being asked where I'd get it. I've never written anything brag-a-bag post before besides plain style- infused articles and instagram photos. I just thought I'd be Hermès-less all my life, hence the euphoria. 

Inside my Kelly

I may be overly sentimental but owning one feels like experiencing 'Paris when it sizzles'. I owe so much of my appreciation for great style and great fashion icons, like Grace Kelly (to whom the Kelly bag was named after), to one equally great fashion history. 

Shop Hermès here.

Giorgio Armani Chooses Stella Jean x Bold Ethnic Trend 2013/ 2014

I'm not sure if I am the only one who thinks, or changed her view, on designers' collections modeled on the runway as the type people can't really wear in real life. These collections of mostly a dollar-a-thread fabrics are worn by seemingly walking barbie dolls of half a real human size. But that's not the case in point. I am thinking that if these collections actually didn't work, or if designers only buckled down to brandish how they're good at rag trade, they must have long been broke. But no. That's as likely as not the word style comes into the picture to determine how these collections can also be sported in the streets by every trendsetter. Or maybe that's when the people who have the confidence to be avant-garde play a vital role. 

So now when I watch fashion shows of collections by top international designers, I attempt to look on the brighter side of things and fancy about how they're applicable to street style. But not that it also happens every time. I prefer those that will surely work for most people, because I think it's what is wearable; thus, worth buying. Right now I'm wowing on the collections of a budding Italian fashion designer, Stella Jean. 

While I have succumbed to the forces that the fashion industry is not entirely glitz and glam, and believed on the rather dark side of the story, Giorgio Armani proves me otherwise. Latest reports say that Armani shows extensive support to the new and aspiring Italian fashion designers. He welcome-ly opens Armani Theatre in Via Bergognone to make room for fashion shows by these designers. 

Lately he chose Stella Jean, a Roman born designer with a Haitian heritage to show her spring and summer 2013/ 2014 collection in the Armani Theatre. Her collection is predominantly bold ethnic prints. And the most acceptable of all is that it is made up of not only flare and volumes but fashion pieces which we can all try on for everyday style. Some of them: geometric prints, graphic tees, A-line skirts, animal prints, rompers, not to mention beautifully styled tophat and derby hats and African- inspired turbans. 

Bellow are my favorite pieces from Stella Jean's SS 2013/2014 collections.

Click to view photos

Jean said in a statement, "Giorgio Armani is offering concrete support and a strong signal of confidence in emerging creativity. I can guarantee that the energy and enthusiasm that results, in emotional and creative terms, is really extraordinary. I am truly honored and deeply grateful for the opportunity offered to me". Congratulations to Jean and accolades to Armani. 

I hope you have gotten so much fashion inspiration from Stella Jean's collection as much as I did.

SHOP Stella Jean on the following online stores:

Far Fetch

Moda Operandi

The Corner

Matches Fashion

Fashion Inspiration from the Man Behind Saint Laurent (without Yves)

What's the style of the new Yves Saint Laurent?

An elaborate grunge fashion style, the kind of style that was first made widely known in the 80s and 90s, but not the kind that looks very 80s and 90s. In other words, a new element of alternative rock style is added by the touch of boho and vintage baby doll dresses. Many people, no, only men wigged all the love out of it.  It's probably true that men's view on fashion isn't as definitive, if substandard is an underrating word to use, than that of women's. 

If you've read fashion late last year and earlier this year, FT called it as the "bad Topshop" while Guardian quoted it as "Forever 21 in a bad day". If you can't pretty imagine it still, allow me to add my own nomenclature of the new Saint Laurent style-- a Barbie doll gone wild.

It is a mixture of dirty and irreverence, the way Yves is dropped from its original brand name of Yves Saint Laurent. But I don't mean it disrespectfully. Do you remember I told you in my first count of sentences that its kind of style was first made popular in the 80s and 90s? Meaning that the look is not actually completely new. 

When you see it, you might think in the same wavelength as I did. It isn't actually a style that would make your pupils dilate that much in awe. Because we've all seen almost the same ensemble once or twice (or thrice) in our lives before. But maybe, Slimane's bold reinvention of fashion is a validation of the real street style that the rest of us in the world actually already have. A proof that fashion is not only for those women who look like they have an unlimited credit line for ridiculously expensive collection of top brands. Its style is something which we haven't really seen displayed on the runway in the last 5 to 10 years that's probably why our reaction is not v. likely. 

But designer Jean Paul Gautlier even told Vogue in 1993, that Grunge (which is the fashion style of Saint Laurent now) is nothing more than the way we dress when we have no money...aesthetically, it is functional, too (jackets for warmth and boots for protection from wet)-- and comfortable-- something which a sequined Alexander McQueen dress or a Louboutin gladiator shoes cannot give. It is relative in a way. 

On a second thought, the Saint Laurent style is a deliberate approval to the unique fashion sensibility of every people who appreciates the style of Kurt Cobain and Pete Doherty. Finally, an uplift to its previous connotation of clothes that are simply handpicked from the ragbag. Well, not anymore.

Hedi Slimane (pronounced with a silent "h"--Edi--Sli--man) raised the bar of authentic street style. Although I still love the former style of YSL, as other people do, we don't know what his fashion creativity can contribute in the future. Some people might just be thanking him for replacing Stefano Pilati at YSL and renaming it with the label Saint Laurent Paris (which I think is a due respect paid to the established name and style that YSL is  already known for). After all, critics be pestered, the new Saint Laurent (without Yves) topped the fashion billboard next to Chanel. 

Watch the Saint Luarent Fall/ Winter 2013/ 2014 Full Fashion Show below:

SHOP SAINT LAURENT 

Video Credit:

youtube (dot) com