Paris Fashion Week - Autumn Winter 09

With the current world economic situation, Paris Fashion week was bound to be a slightly low key affair. Again as seen at Milan designers were playing to their strengths and going back to basics with luxurious key wardrobe items that really count as an investment.

Paris is traditionally the home of some of the well established and historic fashion houses with a particular emphasis on luxury. Labels like Louis Vuitton and Hermes are known for their luxury accessories with the underlying theme of quality. But this year fashion in Paris also seemed to have a very wearable and practical side to it. There was also a much greater emphasis on day wear by many of the designers.

At Hermes - the classic parka style jacket gets a luxury make over with crocodile skin and fur trim.

At Roland Mouret - day time wear with just as much charm and appeal as his very popular evening wear that is usually the staple of the collection.

At Elie Saab - a strong emphasis on day wear with forties silhouettes and the classic sheath style dress.

At Miu Miu - a collection with that typical Parisian 'je ne sais quoi'. Very wearable and classic clothes in neutral colours with a luxury dimension of fur trims.

pictures from http://www.style.com/

It is probably a very good idea to concentrate on buying well made quality items that are timeless and will last for many seasons to come. I love this handcrafted leather 'saddlebag' handbag from Munique Fashions.

The demise of the 'It Bag'

2008 will go down in fashion history as the year that the 'It bag' fell from grace. No longer are women able to afford to spend a months wage (or more) on a handbag. The credit crunch and global economy has had a serious effect on the luxury goods sector and almost everyone is now having to think carefully about their spending habits.


The 'it bag' was a phenomena brought about partly by celebrity endorsement of certain high end designer handbags. As 2008 has worn on, the public have become more and more enlightened (although we were already pretty enlightened) to the fact that celebrities are only humans the same as anyone else. Well perhaps not the same as everyone else but certainly no better. If they can dictate and develop their own style, then why can't everyone else?


The new 'it bag' for 2009 is something unique and individual, not chosen beacuse of its price tag, designer label or that fact that it has been spotted on the arm of a celeb. It is a bag chosen by someone purely because they love it and it really says something about their unique style. I live this chocolate leather handbag it is smart and stylish, adds some texture to an outfit and is an unusual but practical shape.