Beautiful People Handbags: Perfect Fall Accessory

So often you reach for an evening bag only to find it's too small to hold even the barest necessities. And sometimes your everyday bag is a little too functional to be stylish. Luckily Beautiful People merges style with substance to create the perfect bags for this fall's neutral tones. "When designing Beautiful People, I identified with every woman's concern of style and comfort by creating a line of sophisticated satchels, hobos, totes, and clutch purses for both work and play," says Johanna Boccardo. "Our handbags are exclusive with their paralleled distinction producing the perfect union between design and purpose, resulting in the ideal handbag." Beautiful People designs are manufactured by Peruvian artisans utilizing the finest quality calfskin leather to ensure craftsmanship and durability. For Fall, Signature handbags — "Little Rose," "Flat Rose" and "Oversized Flat Rose" are available in both warm tones including Earth, Grape, Pebble, Stone and Wood as well as polished finishes in Cherry and Raven. "Our handbags are the perfect marriage between fashion, form and function — while maintaining their strong feminine flair," says Boccardo. "For my fall collection, I wanted women to feel fresh and appear strong with my version of the season's shade selection. Deep pleats are featured in the season's fashion garments and by incorporating my signature crisp lines a woman's overall look is easily complemented with a Beautiful People handbag — resulting in an effortless, balanced ensemble."

Lauren Conrad and pet dog share same taste in designer handbags

Lauren Conrad has spoken about a major fashion disaster – the moment her pet dog ate her Chanel handbags. The reality TV star, author and designer told Women's Health that she was horrified when her two-year-old dog Chloe ran amok in her wardrobe. She said: 'She ate two of my Chanel [handbags] and chewed the heel off a pair of boots right out of the box.” But the former Hills star – who appears on the front cover of the latest issue of the US fitness magazine – said she sought the help of a 'fashion doctor' who repaired the damage. The 24-year-old California-native didn't go into detail about the 'doctor', but said: 'He was like a magician. He brought everything back to life.' The TV star, who is currently promoting her third book Lauren Conrad Style, also revealed that when she's not writing and designing clothes, she cooks for herself and her room-mates, including one-time co-star Lo Bosworth. She said: 'I like to know exactly what's being put into my food. And it's nice to come home at the end of the day and cook with your friends.' To work off the calories, she added that she likes to go kayaking, hiking and playing tennis with friends near her Los Angeles apartment. She said: 'None of us are any good, but there's a lot of running around just trying to hit the ball… Anyway to make a work-out feel like playtime is great. “The stress just melts away.'

Arm Candy Alert: Tabitha handbags

If you’re looking for your next fashion fix, then the latest collection of Tabitha handbags could be just the ticket to satisfy your style craving. The British brand Tabitha has become a hot favourite of the fash pack and the new collection of gorgeously chic and luxurious handbags are the perfect staple for this season. Lucky for us, they can now be found in the accessories hall in Arnotts. It’s really no surprise that the celebs are clambering to buy these handbags by the truckload. The new Tabitha collection is brimming with stunning designs in chic colours including creams, browns, grey and magenta. The bags are made using the highest quality sumptuously soft leather and boast exquisite detailing such as metallic studs and woven finishes. In fact, the recent Tabitha collection has proved more popular than ever and seen hanging from the arms of some fashion forward laydees! Fearne Cotton has been spotted with the ultra versatile Tabitha Saturn bag –a perfect accessory for channeling this season’s utilitarian chic look. One of the more statement designs within the collection, Fearne teams the studded Saturn bag with her off-duty casual biker boots and has also paired it with her more glam leopard print coat for a high fashion edge. Cat Deeley is a celeb we have seen rise through the style ranks of late and is a fan of the Orion Tabitha bag (ditto for X Factor judge Danni Minogue). This luxuriously slouchy tote is perfect for holding all your bits and bobs and instantly adds a hint of edgy glamour to your look. Everyone who’s anyone is sporting a Tabitha bag and we can’t wait to get our mitts on one of the sought-after new styles! The latest collection of Tabitha bags are available in Arnotts Department Store and you can also check out the collection online

The life of a fashionista - yours to rent

WALKING down the street with the latest Gucci handbag is no longer a luxury reserved for celebrities or mega-rich. Designer outfits worth more than $3000 can now be worn by normal women for a fraction of the cost. Renting high-end clothing and accessories is the latest fad for those who want to look a million dollars without spending it. Rather than splurging $1450 on a Dolce & Gabbana dress, fashion lovers can now wear the same item for $119.95 and return it the next week. "Handbags are most popular items but dresses are becoming more popular, especially around racing season and Christmas time," Love Me and Leave Me director Simmone Santana said. Renting starts from about $44.95 a week for jewellery, with the latest Louis Vuitton handbag available to grace your arm for $149.95 a week. General wear and tear is allowed for at most companies. Some, like Indian Giver, offer a $10 insurance option. "If the dress is completely ruined the $10 means clients only have to pay $100, if you don't take out the insurance the damage is the cost of the dress," Indian Giver director Sally Eagle said. Items are sent by courier to their new temporary home and can be returned straight after wearing. "We do the dry cleaning and any repairs that are needed," Dressed Up director Serena Ross said. Sacha Cradock, 24, plans to rent a dress, shoes and handbag for next week's Spring Racing Carnival and received her first rental bag this week. "Not only can I not afford a bag like this, I will get sick of it quickly," she said. "I like the idea of being able to wear and show off a different bag each month."

Houses and handbags: What Chicago can teach Charlottesville

Oh, I am a sucker for novelty! Eye-catching design is tough to resist. And there I was, in a shop on Chicago's Magnificent Mile a few weeks ago, surrounded by gorgeous Italian leather handbags. No way could I afford anything in that store. Nevertheless, I hoped to justify walking out with a little something. Maybe the teensy apple-green evening purse? The one that looks like a miniature doctor's bag-- the one with a price tag of $420? Not a chance. This is what happens when you leave home and look around: Your eyes are opened to what you've been missing, and you wonder how to snag some of that good stuff to bring back. I have to admit that it wasn't just the exotic leather goods I wanted to bring home to Charlottesville. As I walked around the city (and I did a lot of tromping around, attempting to cheer on my husband as he ran in the Chicago Marathon) I was in full, neck-craning, tourist mode, gawking in wonder at the fabulous architecture. I'm no stranger to big cities. I've lived in Paris and London, and made many a trip on the Starlight Express when our daughter lived in Manhattan. But, Chicago! Chicago is something else. The juxtaposition of styles is stunning: There are graceful old 19th- and early 20th-century buildings, made of brick, or with castle-like details, and behind them shiny, shockingly-shaped 21st-century structures reach for the sky. I kept thinking that the people who created these buildings – and the city officials who gave them the green light – had to have a sense of humor. A pair of circular skyscrapers, Marina City towers, look like a couple of spent corncobs. Another building, across the street from our hotel, appeared to be undulating. It's called the Aqua Tower, which makes sense. It's 86 stories high, the rectangular shape softened by staggered, curving balconies, creating a wavy effect. (I spent many minutes staring across the street from our room in the Fairmont Hotel, wondering what it would be like to hang out on a balcony on the 86th floor. It's a little scary to even think about it.) It seemed as though everywhere I turned, there was something to engage and astonish -- buildings mirroring the sky and each other, those unexpected shapes rising behind ornate old buildings, like the 1929 Carbide & Carbon Building. That elderly skyscraper, with its Art Deco frosting of gold leaf, stands as a reminder that audacious architecture is nothing new for Chicago. Now, I have no desire to see enormous towers rising from Charlottesville's skyline. But wouldn't it be great to tool around our little burg and find that you're delighted, again and again, by a playful contrast of styles? We could use a break from the monotony of brick, white columns, and other elements of Jeffersonian architecture that have been imposed on way too many new buildings around here. Now, I love striding along the brick walkways that ring the Lawn at the University of Virginia, passing the same graceful white columns Thomas Jefferson passed, walking the pathways he walked while looking out at the grassy expanse or catching glimpses of life behind all those louvered doors. There's a sense of timelessness and continuity that would have been lost, had these buildings not been preserved for us. But when I think of Jefferson and his colleagues, what they did was, in effect, take a look at the world they had inherited and declare, "We can do better than this." And look what happened! Surely, that can still happen in Charlottesville. We can do better than this. We can break up the monotony of imitation with a measure of architectural playfulness. Enough already with the bricks and white columns on new buildings. (But an abandoned and skeletal 11-story building on the Downtown Mall does not qualify as playful architecture. Oh, no.) There are glimmers of hope in Charlottesville, if you know where to look. There's the City Center for Contemporary Arts building on Water Street (the home of Live Arts), a refreshing metal box topped with a blue upper story and a mysterious yellow room perched on the roof. And the Transit Station on the Downtown Mall gets points for being fantastically incongruous, what with all that glass, the crooked roof, and being right up in the face of the brick-and-columned former C&O train station right across the street. Now that I'm back home, I still have a hankering for that adorable $420 evening bag. My question is this: Which is more likely, that I'll one day get that pricey purse, or that Charlottesville will loosen up its architectural act a whole lot more, and go a little crazy?

Fashion: EmberSkye Handbags

A small clutch with diamond fringe (style 715) is the handbag that Fair calls a girl ’ s best friend. “At this point we were designing the whole collection and realized we only had two clutches, the one with two big balls and the little gray one. We needed more clutches. Chantel disappeared for a few days and came back with it. It ’ s really cute. The fringe diamond is different. It ’ s part of the fall collection of 35 bags. I’m always designing. I have three more big bags coming in and four clutches for the holidays. I don’t want anything to be boring. I update my line constantly. ” Fair points out a large black leather bag with gold embellishments (style 708) . “My sister said I should put feet on them, so I’m going to start to do that. ” We ’ d noticed the same thing, that without feet on the bags you’d be reluctant to put them down. A favorite is style 710, a gray suede with two big balls on the handle as the clasp. “I like the frame with the two big balls, ” says Fair. “Oh, that sounds odd. Anyway, I may go with a smaller version of the frame to add hooks so I can go with a chain. ” The price range for EmberSkye handbags is $400 to $500 for clutches. Big bags go from $500 to almost $800. The leather is lamb and the linings are ultra-suede. The bags come with dust covers. Fair says can customize her bags, that if a customer wants the black and gold bag in dark gray, she can do that. Fair says she only designs handbags and confesses she ’ s not the greatest illustrator. “I’m a horrible drawer, ” says Fair. “You ’ d probably laugh at my drawings. I’ll take it to my manufacturer, Louis, and he ’ ll make a perfect drawing that’s exactly what I want. He ’ ll draw it on a piece of paper in 3-D, that you can see it ’ s a handbag, not just a box. Then he ’ ll make a sample. I ’ ll ok it to make it for production. ” Fair says she tracks what celebrities are wearing. “People ’ s Style Watch is my bible. I ’ m obsessed with that magazine. Normally, they ’ re on track for what ’ s in style and the colors. ” Fair began her career at J.J. Winters. “As soon as I got here I became J.J. Winters ’ assistant. She owns and designs J.J. Winters. I learned how to run a company, how to design, the whole works. I left J.J. Winters in November of 2009. My mom said, start your own company, and I started my own company. It ’ s something I love to do. ” Amber Fair, who ’ s just 23, has her mother Bonnie Fair as her partner. Amber Fair says her next challenge is going green. “I need to come up with a green line. Drew Barrymore requested, ‘Do I have anything green ? ’ Natalie Portman requested, but I had nothing green. ” Fair says she ’ s looking to San Diego because there ’ s a leather store there with all recycled materials. She ’ s also researching using bamboo handles and organic cotton lining. “I’m looking to make a completely green line. ” Stores that carry the EmberSkye line include the Painted Nail Boutique in Sherman Oaks, California, Apricot Lane Boutique in West Palm Beach, Florida, Elan Boutique in Phoenix, Arizona, Pretty Tall in South Carolina, Bags Then Home in Alabama and Ciao Bella in Tennessee. “I have a showroom, but will eventually get rid of that, ” says Fair. “I ’ ll hire a New York and L.A. showroom. I have a U.K. showroom that ’ s interested. ” Fair says EmberSkye meets a need for more diversity within the handbag industry and grants her and Brayley the opportunity to share their design ideas and passion. EmberSkye is bringing quality and individuality to fashion lovers all over the world.

Arm Candy Alert: Tabitha handbags

If you’re looking for your next fashion fix, then the latest collection of Tabitha handbags could be just the ticket to satisfy your style craving. The British brand Tabitha has become a hot favourite of the fash pack and the new collection of gorgeously chic and luxurious handbags are the perfect staple for this season. Lucky for us, they can now be found in the accessories hall in Arnotts. It’s really no surprise that the celebs are clambering to buy these handbags by the truckload. The new Tabitha collection is brimming with stunning designs in chic colours including creams, browns, grey and magenta. The bags are made using the highest quality sumptuously soft leather and boast exquisite detailing such as metallic studs and woven finishes. In fact, the recent Tabitha collection has proved more popular than ever and seen hanging from the arms of some fashion forward laydees! Fearne Cotton has been spotted with the ultra versatile Tabitha Saturn bag –a perfect accessory for channeling this season’s utilitarian chic look. One of the more statement designs within the collection, Fearne teams the studded Saturn bag with her off-duty casual biker boots and has also paired it with her more glam leopard print coat for a high fashion edge. Cat Deeley is a celeb we have seen rise through the style ranks of late and is a fan of the Orion Tabitha bag (ditto for X Factor judge Danni Minogue). This luxuriously slouchy tote is perfect for holding all your bits and bobs and instantly adds a hint of edgy glamour to your look. Everyone who’s anyone is sporting a Tabitha bag and we can’t wait to get our mitts on one of the sought-after new styles! The latest collection of Tabitha bags are available in Arnotts Department Store and you can also check out the collection online

The life of a fashionista - yours to rent

WALKING down the street with the latest Gucci handbag is no longer a luxury reserved for celebrities or mega-rich. Designer outfits worth more than $3000 can now be worn by normal women for a fraction of the cost. Renting high-end clothing and accessories is the latest fad for those who want to look a million dollars without spending it. Rather than splurging $1450 on a Dolce & Gabbana dress, fashion lovers can now wear the same item for $119.95 and return it the next week. "Handbags are most popular items but dresses are becoming more popular, especially around racing season and Christmas time," Love Me and Leave Me director Simmone Santana said. Renting starts from about $44.95 a week for jewellery, with the latest Louis Vuitton handbag available to grace your arm for $149.95 a week. General wear and tear is allowed for at most companies. Some, like Indian Giver, offer a $10 insurance option. "If the dress is completely ruined the $10 means clients only have to pay $100, if you don't take out the insurance the damage is the cost of the dress," Indian Giver director Sally Eagle said. Items are sent by courier to their new temporary home and can be returned straight after wearing. "We do the dry cleaning and any repairs that are needed," Dressed Up director Serena Ross said. Sacha Cradock, 24, plans to rent a dress, shoes and handbag for next week's Spring Racing Carnival and received her first rental bag this week. "Not only can I not afford a bag like this, I will get sick of it quickly," she said. "I like the idea of being able to wear and show off a different bag each month."

Coach's Profit Increases 34%, Beating Analysts' Estimates

Coach Inc., the largest U.S. maker of luxury leather handbags, reported a 34 percent increase in first-quarter profit after luring more shoppers to its stores. The stock climbed the most in 18 months. Net income rose to $188.9 million, or 63 cents a share, the New York-based company said today. That compared with the 55- cent average of estimates compiled by Bloomberg. Sales gained 20 percent to $911.7 million, also topping projections. Chief Executive Officer Lew Frankfort cited “resiliency” in handbags and accessories in North America for the gains. Some U.S. consumers are spending more on discretionary goods such as Coach’s Poppy bags, which typically sell for $200 to $400. The company also cut average prices to spur spending. “It’s reflective in part on the success of their overall pricing strategy that they introduced last summer,” Jennifer Milan, an analyst with Sterne Agee & Leach Inc. in New York, said in a phone interview. She advises investors to buy Coach shares. Coach also boosted sales by expanding in Western Europe and accelerating store openings in China. This year the company also debuted men’s stand-alone stores and introduced new Charm and Julia totes. The stock rose $5.30, or 12 percent, to $49.78 at 4:00 p.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading, the most since April 2009. The shares have climbed 36 percent this year. Comparable-store sales climbed 8.5 percent in North America in the quarter ended Oct. 2. A year earlier, first-quarter profit amounted to $140.8 million, or 44 cents a share.

Handbag thieves target Chipstead and Kingswood pubs

The bags were stolen from the backs of chairs in the Rambler's Rest in Outwood Lane, Chipstead, and the Kingswood Arms in Waterhouse Lane, Kingswood. Both thefts took place on Monday evening and neither woman had left her bag unattended. Sgt Bex Humber said it was unusual for two such "audacious" thefts to take place on the same night in nearby pubs. Credit cards "We are keeping an open mind about whether this was the same person, a team working together, or perhaps isolated incidents," she said. "It is easy to become distracted when you are out enjoying an evening meal or drink but I would urge people to always be aware of their surroundings and other people who may be standing nearby." The bag stolen in Chipstead contained items worth more than £500, as well as credit cards. The victim in Chipstead lost credit cards, a mobile phone and cash. A possible suspect seen near the victim in the Rambler's Rest is described as white, aged in his late 30s and 6ft tall with brown hair. He was wearing a beige jumper with a red stripe and light jeans.

ESSAY- Houses and handbags: What Chicago can teach Charlottesville

Oh, I am a sucker for novelty! Eye-catching design is tough to resist. And there I was, in a shop on Chicago's Magnificent Mile a few weeks ago, surrounded by gorgeous Italian leather handbags. No way could I afford anything in that store. Nevertheless, I hoped to justify walking out with a little something. Maybe the teensy apple-green evening purse? The one that looks like a miniature doctor's bag-- the one with a price tag of $420? Not a chance. This is what happens when you leave home and look around: Your eyes are opened to what you've been missing, and you wonder how to snag some of that good stuff to bring back. I have to admit that it wasn't just the exotic leather goods I wanted to bring home to Charlottesville. As I walked around the city (and I did a lot of tromping around, attempting to cheer on my husband as he ran in the Chicago Marathon) I was in full, neck-craning, tourist mode, gawking in wonder at the fabulous architecture. I'm no stranger to big cities. I've lived in Paris and London, and made many a trip on the Starlight Express when our daughter lived in Manhattan. But, Chicago! Chicago is something else. The juxtaposition of styles is stunning: There are graceful old 19th- and early 20th-century buildings, made of brick, or with castle-like details, and behind them shiny, shockingly-shaped 21st-century structures reach for the sky. I kept thinking that the people who created these buildings – and the city officials who gave them the green light – had to have a sense of humor. A pair of circular skyscrapers, Marina City towers, look like a couple of spent corncobs. Another building, across the street from our hotel, appeared to be undulating. It's called the Aqua Tower, which makes sense. It's 86 stories high, the rectangular shape softened by staggered, curving balconies, creating a wavy effect. (I spent many minutes staring across the street from our room in the Fairmont Hotel, wondering what it would be like to hang out on a balcony on the 86th floor. It's a little scary to even think about it.) It seemed as though everywhere I turned, there was something to engage and astonish -- buildings mirroring the sky and each other, those unexpected shapes rising behind ornate old buildings, like the 1929 Carbide & Carbon Building. That elderly skyscraper, with its Art Deco frosting of gold leaf, stands as a reminder that audacious architecture is nothing new for Chicago. Now, I have no desire to see enormous towers rising from Charlottesville's skyline. But wouldn't it be great to tool around our little burg and find that you're delighted, again and again, by a playful contrast of styles? We could use a break from the monotony of brick, white columns, and other elements of Jeffersonian architecture that have been imposed on way too many new buildings around here. Now, I love striding along the brick walkways that ring the Lawn at the University of Virginia, passing the same graceful white columns Thomas Jefferson passed, walking the pathways he walked while looking out at the grassy expanse or catching glimpses of life behind all those louvered doors. There's a sense of timelessness and continuity that would have been lost, had these buildings not been preserved for us. But when I think of Jefferson and his colleagues, what they did was, in effect, take a look at the world they had inherited and declare, "We can do better than this." And look what happened! Surely, that can still happen in Charlottesville. We can do better than this. We can break up the monotony of imitation with a measure of architectural playfulness. Enough already with the bricks and white columns on new buildings. (But an abandoned and skeletal 11-story building on the Downtown Mall does not qualify as playful architecture. Oh, no.) There are glimmers of hope in Charlottesville, if you know where to look. There's the City Center for Contemporary Arts building on Water Street (the home of Live Arts), a refreshing metal box topped with a blue upper story and a mysterious yellow room perched on the roof. And the Transit Station on the Downtown Mall gets points for being fantastically incongruous, what with all that glass, the crooked roof, and being right up in the face of the brick-and-columned former C&O train station right across the street. Now that I'm back home, I still have a hankering for that adorable $420 evening bag. My question is this: Which is more likely, that I'll one day get that pricey purse, or that Charlottesville will loosen up its architectural act a whole lot more, and go a little crazy?

Coach's Profit Increases 34%, Beating Analysts' Estimates

Coach Inc., the largest U.S. maker of luxury leather handbags, reported a 34 percent increase in first-quarter profit after luring more shoppers to its stores. The stock climbed the most in 18 months. Net income rose to $188.9 million, or 63 cents a share, the New York-based company said today. That compared with the 55- cent average of estimates compiled by Bloomberg. Sales gained 20 percent to $911.7 million, also topping projections. Chief Executive Officer Lew Frankfort cited “resiliency” in handbags and accessories in North America for the gains. Some U.S. consumers are spending more on discretionary goods such as Coach’s Poppy bags, which typically sell for $200 to $400. The company also cut average prices to spur spending. “It’s reflective in part on the success of their overall pricing strategy that they introduced last summer,” Jennifer Milan, an analyst with Sterne Agee & Leach Inc. in New York, said in a phone interview. She advises investors to buy Coach shares. Coach also boosted sales by expanding in Western Europe and accelerating store openings in China. This year the company also debuted men’s stand-alone stores and introduced new Charm and Julia totes. The stock rose $5.30, or 12 percent, to $49.78 at 4:00 p.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading, the most since April 2009. The shares have climbed 36 percent this year. Comparable-store sales climbed 8.5 percent in North America in the quarter ended Oct. 2. A year earlier, first-quarter profit amounted to $140.8 million, or 44 cents a share.

The life of a fashionista - yours to rent

WALKING down the street with the latest Gucci handbag is no longer a luxury reserved for celebrities or mega-rich. Designer outfits worth more than $3000 can now be worn by normal women for a fraction of the cost. Renting high-end clothing and accessories is the latest fad for those who want to look a million dollars without spending it. Rather than splurging $1450 on a Dolce & Gabbana dress, fashion lovers can now wear the same item for $119.95 and return it the next week. "Handbags are most popular items but dresses are becoming more popular, especially around racing season and Christmas time," Love Me and Leave Me director Simmone Santana said. Renting starts from about $44.95 a week for jewellery, with the latest Louis Vuitton handbag available to grace your arm for $149.95 a week. General wear and tear is allowed for at most companies. Some, like Indian Giver, offer a $10 insurance option.

A Good Old Fashioned Hallows Eve

Big and small, I love you. From the sparkly glamour of New Year’s Eve, to the sound of hooves on the rooftops at Christmas, each holiday, widely observed or not, is an opportunity to decorate, dress up, watch themed movies, sing holiday songs and eat special foods. And kicking off the fall season, when the leaves are on the ground and snuggling up on the couch with a good book and a big hot cup of cider is a true reward at the end of the day, is Halloween. I am a holiday purist, even more so after working many years in corporate retail where we skipped over Thanksgiving and put out Christmas décor in September. What I want to see in my house on Thanksgiving is a big pumpkin candle, not a jolly snowman. I usually decorate for Halloween a few weeks before the day arrives, then I go straight into Thanksgiving/Fall décor. And when Thanksgiving weekend is good and over, I start decking the halls. And not a minute before. So here we are, a few days before Halloween and my store window is jauntily decorated with leaves and Halloween lights, and tombstones and bats and spider webs. (This is, for me, a tad ironic, since the bats that have nested in the doorway of the store a few times this year FREAK ME OUT!) The more realistic the decorations, the better in my book. I have no real desire for cartoony leaves or fake-looking ghosts or other modern decorations. If something is fake, I better think that the hand grasping at me is really real or that those spider webs just might stick to my clothing. In fact, a leaf from my fall display got loose today and staring at it on the floor; I thought it was a real one that blew in. That is a vote of confidence, I would say. As of yet, I have not gotten to the outdoor portion of decorating for holidays. I own those decorations, but quite honestly living in a self-created construction zone, my biggest priority is tiling the shower, not hanging glow-in-the-dark ghostly sheets from my apple trees. I live in hope that the majority of my projects will hit the completion level by Christmas and then I can start work on the outdoor manger . . . . One can hope. But, thankfully, my longing for a decorated lawn is curbed by the lovely drive I take down 2nd Ave West on my way to work each morning. No crazy sparkly ghosts or cartoon characters, but huge bundles of cornstalks and pumpkins. Ghosts made from white sheeting dance in a circle around a tree and leaves do their own decorating as they blow around the streets. Every time I drive down that road, I see something new, a jack-o-lantern tucked in a doorway, a sneaky spider dangling from a window, and it just makes me smile. In the age where everything has to be new, loud and mechanical, I love it when people just go back to the basics. Sometimes the needle mess from a real tree is worth it, the nostalgic sparklers brighter than the POW of flashy fireworks, and the rotting mess that carving a real pumpkin so often leaves behind is forgotten by the time you carve it again the following year.

Beautiful People Handbags: Perfect Fall Accessory

So often you reach for an evening bag only to find it's too small to hold even the barest necessities. And sometimes your everyday bag is a little too functional to be stylish. Luckily Beautiful People merges style with substance to create the perfect bags for this fall's neutral tones. "When designing Beautiful People, I identified with every woman's concern of style and comfort by creating a line of sophisticated satchels, hobos, totes, and clutch purses for both work and play," says Johanna Boccardo. "Our handbags are exclusive with their paralleled distinction producing the perfect union between design and purpose, resulting in the ideal handbag." Beautiful People designs are manufactured by Peruvian artisans utilizing the finest quality calfskin leather to ensure craftsmanship and durability. For Fall, Signature handbags — "Little Rose," "Flat Rose" and "Oversized Flat Rose" are available in both warm tones including Earth, Grape, Pebble, Stone and Wood as well as polished finishes in Cherry and Raven. "Our handbags are the perfect marriage between fashion, form and function — while maintaining their strong feminine flair," says Boccardo. "For my fall collection, I wanted women to feel fresh and appear strong with my version of the season's shade selection. Deep pleats are featured in the season's fashion garments and by incorporating my signature crisp lines a woman's overall look is easily complemented with a Beautiful People handbag — resulting in an effortless, balanced ensemble."

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Handbag seller wins by adjusting to consumer mood

When the economy was strong, the leather goods, handbag and accessories company was the shopaholic’s best friend. It churned out lines of pricey handbags — some embellished with fur — and other baubles to aspirational fashionistas. Money was often no object and Coach was sitting pretty. When the recession hit, Coach changed course. Slightly. It kept its upscale breeding, but tweaked its merchandise and marketing, offering lower-priced products without degrading its brand by resorting to jarring markdowns. To be sure, these were still luxury items, but the pricing was more in line with the prevailing economic mood. Coach’s earnings report released Tuesday showed that it is still resonating with shoppers. Profit rose 34% and sales jumped 20%. Read more Coach coverage. “We have responded to a muted consumer environment globally with our merchandising, marketing and pricing strategies and are experiencing strong top and bottom line results,” Coach Chief Executive Lew Frankfort said in the earnings report. In terms of the crucial holiday season and end of the year, Coach said early reaction to holiday merchandise has been strong and it’s “well positioned” and remains “confident” in its growth prospects and ability to drive sales and earnings at a double-digit pace. On its conference call with analysts, it specifically mentioned it was “excited about the trend in small bags,” which it will promote as easy, affordable gifts. Executives also feel good about its beefed-up men’s line.

Asian Luxury Market Sparkles

I should be used to it by now, but I am always amazed at the conspicuous display of wealth whenever I travel to Asia. The signs of wealth are everywhere. I see more people drinking $3 cups of Starbucks coffee in Shanghai than I see in Seattle. I see more ladies clutching expensive Louis Vuitton handbags in Beijing than in Boston. I see more iPods and iPhones in Hong Kong than in Houston. And I see more $200,000 Bentleys on the streets of Wuhan than in Palm Beach, Florida. The reason is simple: Asians have the money to spend, and they absolutely love western luxury goods. According to Asian consultant Bain & Company, the future for luxury goods retailers in Asia has never been brighter. Bain & Company just updated its outlook for the luxury goods sector, and it’s expecting big things this year. Bain expects sales of luxury goods — high-end apparel, accessories, watches, and jewelry — to hit $236 billion in 2010, up from $214 billion in 2009. “After the crisis a new luxury era is emerging,” Bain said. In a separate study, Altagamma, the Italian luxury trade group, said it expects the luxury goods industry’s profits to increase by 15% in 2011. “In 2011 we are going to witness even better growth. Global consumption in 2011 should be significantly close to the record levels of 2007,” the group said. Luxury goods sales in China are expected to increase by 30% to $12.8 billion, while sales in the entire Asia-Pacific region will grow by 22%. Sales in stores directly operated by makers of luxury goods will jump by 20%, and Bain expects as many as 350 new stores to be opened by the end of 2010 in Asia. China is certainly the hottest country, but it isn’t the only Asian country enjoying rapid economic growth. The World Bank raised its 2010 growth forecast for Southeast Asia — Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Brunei, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste, Vietnam, Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, and the Solomon Islands — by 0.2% points to 8.9%. That’s up from the 7.3% last year.

Handbag and Accessories PR: Etienne Aigner

Hungarian-born Etienne Aigner has worked amongst fashion royalty. After designing handbags for Christian Dior, the European leather vendor took a leap of faith and moved to America in hopes of creating his own line. Aigner’s mastery of design was hard to ignore, and his fine leather goods and distinct style have made a lasting impression. The collection includes all styles, ranging from crossbody bags to large totes. While the bags are well-crafted, the collections are a bit simplistic. The company recognizes that Aigner handbags might not appeal to younger consumers, which is why the New Stella collection to be released this month appeals to a more contemporary crowd. Described as the “perfect everyday bag,” the purses come in bold, rich colors accented by the traditional hardware and Aigner logo. To celebrate Aigner’s 60th anniversary, they’ve launched a Vintage collection that’s reminiscent of the most popular styles from the ‘60s and ‘70s. The Redux tote is a fabulous little structured bag, featuring vintage gold hardware that perfectly accents the deep burgundy leather. If you really love the collection, share you best “Aigner vintage story” and you’ll have a chance to win one of the bags! The late Aigner’s legacy has expanded to include not only handbags, but wallets and jewelry as well. The wallets come in an array of sizes, ranging from the tiny fold-over French Purse to the Olivia clutch, classic leather checkbook with plenty of space for credit cards. The jewelry collection features large stones in varying colors – my favorite piece is a chunky black bracelet from the Jet collection.

Steve Madden Announces Third Quarter Fiscal 2010 Earnings Conference Call

Steve Madden (SHOO 43.30, +0.61, +1.43%) , a leading designer and marketer of fashion footwear and accessories for women, men and children, today announced that the Company's conference call to review third quarter fiscal 2010 financial results will be broadcast live over the Internet on Tuesday, November 2, 2010, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. A live web cast of the conference call will be available online at: http://www.stevemadden.com/ under the Investor Relations section and will remain available for 30 days following the live call. A replay will also be available two hours following the call through December 2nd, 2010, via telephone at 1-877-870-5176 (U.S.) and 1-858-384-5517 (international) by entering the replay pin 6514987. About Steve Madden Steve Madden designs, sources and markets fashion-forward footwear and accessories for women, men and children. In addition to marketing products under its owned brands including Steve Madden, Steven by Steve Madden, Madden Girl, Betsey Johnson, Betseyville and Big Buddha, the Company is the licensee of various brands including Olsenboye for footwear, handbags and belts, Elizabeth and James, l.e.i. and GLO for footwear and Daisy Fuentes for handbags. The Company's wholesale distribution includes department stores, specialty stores, luxury retailers, national chains and mass merchants. The Company also operates 83 retail stores (including the Company's online store). The Company licenses certain of its brands to third parties for the marketing and sale of certain products, including for ready-to-wear, outerwear, intimate apparel, cold weather accessories, eyewear, hosiery, jewelry, fragrance and bedding and bath products.

Neiman Marcus launches lastcall.com and Last Call Studio

Neiman Marcus officially launched their online outlet today, lastcall.com and also annocued that they will open two Last Call outlet stores named, Last Call Studio in Rockville, Maryland on November 12, 2010 and Paramus, New Jersey on November 19, 2010. Although lastcall.com has been online for well over one month, today is the official launch of the website which will feature highly sought after brands and designers at outlet prices. From Neiman Marcus: "We are pleased to introduce this new multi-channel environment for Last Call. We believe it offers another dimension for our customers and fills a white space in the retail category," said Neiman Marcus Chief Marketing Officer, Wanda Gierhart. Lastcall.com and Last Call Studio by Neiman Marcus will be a destination for savvy shoppers who seek on-trend handbags and designer handbags at discount prices. Lastcall.com will also offer a "Fashion Dash" for registered shoppers who can shop during an allotted time slot for designer items in limited quantity. The "Fashion Dash" will create excitement among shoppers and bring large amounts of shoppers onto the site. With the high price of designer handbags and popular handbag brands, the launch of Last Call by Neiman Marcus online as lastcall.com and in traditional brick and morter form as Last Call Studio, comes as a breath of fresh air for budget-savvy Fashionistas. In order to be a part of the "Fashion Dash" and stay on top of the latest news from Last Call by Neiman Marcus, feel free to visit Last Call on Facebook for the latest product and store updates

Coach rides rebound in luxury goods demand

Coach, the upmarket US handbag and accessories brand, said on Tuesday it expects double-digit sales and earnings growth during the holiday shopping season, underlining the recovery in discretionary spending among more prosperous consumers. Lew Frankfort, chief executive, said the company was benefiting from the “resiliency” of demand for handbags and accessories in North America, and from its continuing international growth, as it reported first-quarter results that exceeded Wall Street’s expectations. EDITOR’S CHOICE Coach targets UK in European push - Oct-13 Fearless Prada chief weighs HK listing - Oct-08 US luxury stores outperform rest of retail sector - Oct-07 Mulberry bags record as sales surge - Oct-07 Luxury stores caught out by surge in demand - Oct-01 In depth: Business of luxury - Jul-16 Coach’s forecast sales rise comes at a time when most retail industry estimates are predicting subdued holiday sales growth for the retail sector as a whole of about 2 per cent. Coach’s quarterly sales rose 20 per cent to $912m against a year ago, despite what Mr Frankfort called “muted” consumer demand, while net income rose 34 per cent to $189m, with earnings per diluted share of $0.63. Coach’s direct-to-consumer sales at its own stores increased 19 per cent to $775m, with double-digit sales growth in its fledgling China business, and a 3 per cent increase in sales in Japan on a constant currency basis. Indirect sales to department stores and other wholesale customers increased 27 per cent to $136m, with the company seeing “significant” growth in shipments into US department stores and to international wholesalers. Mr Frankfort said Coach’s surveys of its shoppers in the US during the quarter showed that their “future purchasing intent” was at the highest level seen for the past two years. The company says it expects continue to expand its US footprint of 345 stores at an annual rate of around 8 per cent in its current fiscal year, at a time when most retailers are growing by less than 5 per cent. It is also planning to add another 25 new locations in China, where it currently has 49 stores, increasing its square footage by about 60 per cent. It reported sales of over $100m from its fledgling business in China in its last fiscal year. Mr Frankfort said that he believed Coach could increase its share of its market from 5 per cent currently to around 15 per cent, similar to the share it has achieved in Japan, where it has 160 stores. Coach is also beginning to expand into Europe, with plans to open its first stores in the UK, and new locations in France, Spain, Portugal. Coach avoided the steep sales declines seen by the broad luxury sector during the depths of the US recession, supported a decision to avoid sales at its main stores, and to instead introduce more moderately priced product lines. Coach’s shares closed up $5.30, or 12 per cent, in New York at $49.78. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. You may share using our article tools. Please don't cut articles from FT.com and redistribute by email or post to the web.

Claudine's delight at joining elite as she bags €6,300 Birkin

Claudine Keane has bagged herself the ultimate fashion accessory -- a €6,300 Hermes Birkin handbag. The iconic handbag commands a four-year waiting list in Harrods and is coveted by celebrities like Victoria Beckham and Katie Holmes. In fact, the bag is such a must-have for die-hard fashionistas that Hollywood siren Kim Kardashian reportedly paid a staggering €30,000 for one. Meanwhile, Mrs Beckham is said to have an addiction to her favourite handbag and has bought a whopping 150 of them, at a cost of over €1.5m. Yummy mummy Claudine (27) is obviously intent on not being left out of the exclusive handbag club. She left fashion fiends drooling during the week when she turned up for the launch of Barry McCall's book Pho20graphy with the calfskin hold-all in tow. Top stylist and Off the Rails presenter Sonya Lennon admitted she would love to be among the elite Birkin owners and explained why she believes they are a solid investment. Speaking to the Herald, she said: "Not many people in their twenties can afford them. It's a hell of a lot of money; it's the price of a car. But they've been around for nearly 40 years and I think they are an heirloom piece. "For me, the best way to see a Birkin is on the arm of somebody who has inherited it from their mother. "If I had the money, I would like to think I'd buy one for my daughter, which would then go to my granddaughter eventually." The Birkin bag, named after actress Jane Birkin and designed by French fashion house Hermes, usually starts at around €6,000 in the Hermes boutique in Dublin. "It's not targeted at the masses," Sonia said. "Jane Birkin was one of the sexiest, most iconic women ever and she was very low key; this is not a bag about screaming wealth. "I've seen one up close and they are magnificent. There is something incredibly beautiful about the Birkin. If somebody wants to buy me one for Christmas I wouldn't say no." The prices can sometimes hit six figures when the bag is made from more exotic materials such as ostrich skin. Victoria Beckham is the world's most famous Birkin lover. Posh appears to have a particular passion for the more exotic versions as she has been regularly photographed carrying the pink ostrich-skin and black crocodile versions. She also owns the Silver Himalayan style, which comes with a three-carat diamond and is worth a reported €120,000. She recently played down reports that her personal collection is worth around €2m and claims most of them have been presents from her handsome husband. Other celebrities who have been spotted with a Birkin include Kim Kardashian, Jessica Simpson, Coleen Rooney and Alex Curran.

Victoria Beckham Debuts Bag She Designed for Husband David

The former Spice Girl member, now turned very successful fashion designer, has said before that she plans to try her hand on accessories as well. At one point, rumor even had it that she planned to create a bag that would be as iconic as the Hermes Birkin she was so fond of – so fond, in fact, she has about 100 pieces of it, reports say. Though she’s still a long way from this, Victoria just debuted the first bag she designed and, to everyone’s surprise, it’s not a women’s handbag but a travel bag that even men can wear. And it’s incredibly posh, just like everything that comes out with the VB signature on it, InStyle magazine writes. “Victoria Beckham was seen leaving LAX over the weekend looking extra chic in monochromatic gray,” the mag says. “We love the little clutch from her debut handbag collection tucked under her arm, but it’s that sleek travel bag that we can’t take our eyes off of. Beckham’s roomy carry-on was designed with her husband in mind,” the same e-zine says. Yet that’s not to say that the bag is only for gentlemen, since Victoria herself pulls off the look to perfection – though it’s highly unlikely she’s actually carrying something in it. “‘I had to put a bag in the collection that David would use,’ Beckham told us at her Spring 2011 show, though it looks like it works just as well on her,” InStyle says. Whether Victoria’s bags will be as successful as her clothing lines remains to be seen – still, in order to convince women to buy her designs, she will have to replace all her pieces in her wardrobe with her own creations. As we were also telling you a while back, Victoria is believed to have about 100 Hermes Birkin bags, a very considerable collection estimated at £1.5 million.

The pre-existing Birkin

HRH is generous to a fault. He is indulgent with the bills from Eileen Fisher and encourages me to splash out on Australian lamb. Being Russian, however, he thinks health insurance of any kind is a massive scam, and paying for it drives him to drink. That, of course, just drives those premiums up further. The pre-existing condition thing truly enrages him, and he went ballistic when he found out that I had done a rather full disclosure on him. I resorted to a tactic known in the parenting biz as “re-direction.” “What would you like for Christmas,” he asked me. “A 35-inch Hermes Birkin bag,” I responded promptly. “Fine,” he said smoothly. “Whatever you want, darling. Where do I go?” “Oh you don’t just go,” I said. “You have to get in touch with some guy in London. Then you have to give him a $5,000 USD deposit, if you want it by Christmas. Then you have to pay the balance, which should be somewhere between seven and eight thousand.” “For a HANDBAG?” he roared. He swallowed hard, and then summoned up what the Russians call ”koo-razh:” a unique Slavic fusion of flair, stupidity and moxie. It’s what makes a Russian man light up a $500 Romeo y Julieta with a $100 bill, or, like, buy a football club…just because he can. “Okay,” he said, “If that’s what you want for Christmas…” “Or,” I said, moving in for the kill, “you could spend half of that and get all three of us comprehensive international health insurance/medical evacuation with the dangerous sports rider, bodily remains clause and optional US/Canada coverage.” “No, no” he said. “No insurance. I’ll do the bag.” “You are really prepared to buy an absurdly overpriced handbag before you would buy medical insurance for your family?” “Insurance never works for me!” he exploded. “You blew any chances of it ever working with your stupid ‘pre-extinction close.’” “Here is the thing,” I said. “The insurance policy is all ready to go, it just needs your Visa card to seal the deal.” “Incredible,” he said. “How do you come up with these kind of things?” He then launched into his favorite argument that life is short. I presented what I felt was a winning counter-argument that comprehensive international health insurance/medical evacuation can prolong life, whereas an Hermes Birkin bag certainly won’t. “Get this through your head,” I screamed. “I want the insurance not the stupid bag!” “You can have the bag not the stupid insurance,” he said loftily. “That’s just great,” I said, throwing up my hands in disgust. “Because it will be the perfect accessory when I come to visit you in the ICU.” “What color do you want?” he asked. “Black.” I responded.

Strong miners lift European shares near 6-mth high

European shares rose on Monday, with miners up as a weak dollar lifted metals prices, while luxury goods group Hermes (HRMS.PA) surged after peer LVMH (LVMH.PA) bought a minority stake in the French handbag maker. The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 .FTEU3 index of top shares closed 0.3 percent higher at 1,092.23 points, near a six-month high at 1,096.31 hit on Thursday. Heavyweight miners were among the biggest gainers, with the STOXX Europe 600 basic resources index .SXPP up 2.1 percent as copper prices climbed to a 27-month high on a weak dollar, falling stocks and strong demand from China. Dollar selling persisted after the outcome of a G20 meeting signalled a status quo in currency markets, with the U.S. unit staying under pressure on expectations the U.S. Federal Reserve will embark on further quantitative easing at a meeting in November. [ID:nTOE69N00P] Equity markets have been buoyed in recent weeks on hopes the Fed may pump anything between $500 billion to $1.5 trillion into the economy to spur the recovery. [FED/R] "These moves are now pricing in more quantitative easing so the chances are that when we do get that in November the moves may already be in the market," said James Hughes, market analyst at CMC Markets. Analysts at Goldman Sachs said the Fed was almost certain to announce renewed monetary easing at next week's policy meeting, adding it may announce $500 billion in asset purchases or a bit more over a period about six months, and that the size could eventually reach $2 trillion. "Closer to the time we will start getting more conversations about how much it (quantitative easing) is going to be. One trillion dollars is the general consensus at the moment," Hughes said. Across Europe, Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE rose 0.2 percent, Germany's DAX .GDAXI was up 0.5 percent and France's CAC 40 .FCHI closed flat. In a positive sign for equities, the 50-day moving average on the euro zone's blue chip STOXX Europe 50 index .STOXX50E inched closer towards its 200-day moving average. The crossing of the two indicators, known as a golden cross, signals a bullish trend.

Summary Box: Hermes family vows to keep control

DON'T MESS WITH HERMES: The Hermes family vowed to keep control of its famous luxury French scarf and handbag company after rival LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton purchased a minority stake. THE PURCHASE: LVMH, known for its Louis Vuitton handbags, purchased a 14.2 percent stake last week in the Hermes International holding company and indicated it intends to exercise options that will raise its stake to 17.1 percent. THE DEFENSE: The Hermes family called LVMH's action "unsolicited" and insisted it was "perfectly unified." The family owns 75 percent of the company, with the remainder listed on the Paris stock exchange.

Handbags at the ready for comedy night up North

A new production of the cult comedy about the northern nightclub scene is welcomed by Alan Cookman. IT'S obvious why John Godber's Bouncers is one of the most popular shows in the repertoire. Bouncers is a brilliantly conceived and written celebration of the Britain's urban nightlife. "All human life is there – it's a midnight circus," said Godber himself. But if audiences love Bouncers, it can hardly be much fun for the cast. In fact there can scarcely be a more demanding and exhausting production from the actors' point of view. Four male performers tackle no fewer than 27 roles between them, from the four club doormen of the play's title to a quartet of girls enjoying a night out on the town. Simon Porter, who is directing a new production of Bouncers for Nantwich Players, accepts that the foursome have their work cut out. But he says there's no better showcase for the acting talents of the actors who are cast as doormen Judd, Ralph, Les and Lucky Eric. "How many times have you seen big hairy blokes on stage with glittery handbags?" says Simon. "Although the cast portray over 20 different characters, there are no costume changes in Bouncers." Even when playing the four fun-seeking girls, actors Neil Hodges, Richard Sadler, Simon Deane and Adam Goode are still in their doormen's tuxedos and must rely on vocal skills, gesture and body language. The only props they are allowed are those glittery handbags. Set in and around a northern nightclub called Mr Cinders, Bouncers is an insight into the frantic hedonism of northern nightlife. Under flashing disco lights, boisterous boys and tipsy lasses are out to enjoy themselves no matter what. "This cult comedy has been a favourite with audiences for 20 years now," says Simon Porter. "It's a vibrant, pulsating piece of theatre, and a terrific opportunity for Neil, Richard, Simon and Adam to show off their acting skills." However, the show does contain some strong language, and the Players warn: "Don't bring your granny, unless she's really, really cool."

UPDATE 3-Vera Bradley, Bravo Brio rise in debuts

Shares of handbag maker Vera Bradley Inc (VRA.O) rose more than 55 percent above their initial public offering price in their market debut on Thursday, as investors bet on the company's growth prospects. Vera Bradley shares closed at $24.85, or up 55.3 percent from their $16 IPO price on the Nasdaq. At one point they reached $29.74. Separately, shares of Bravo Brio Restaurant Group Inc (BBRG.O), which owns and operates Italian restaurants in the United States, closed at $15.95, or 13.9 percent above their IPO price on Nasdaq. Vera Bradley on Wednesday sold 11 million shares for $16 each, raising about $176 million. It had planned to sell shares for $14 to $16 each. Underwriters on the Vera Bradley offering were led by Baird and Piper Jaffray. Vera Bradley, which sells handbags and accessories, has posted growth in both revenue and profit, and is on track to open more stores. The company's net revenue grew 25.9 percent to $165.1 million from a year earlier in the six months ended July 31. Net income nearly doubled to $26 million in the same period. The Fort Wayne, Indiana-based company sells its wares through independent retailers, its own stores and its Website. At the end of July it had partnerships with 3,300 independent retailers, as well as 31 full-price stores, two outlets, and a Website. "From a revenue perspective we like that they have just 33 stores open as of July 31. There's ample room for growth," said Pete Wahlstron, an equity analyst who specializes in consumer companies at research house Morningstar. The company said in its prospectus that the U.S. market can support 300 stores. It said it will open nine full-price stores and three outlet stores in the 2011 fiscal year, 14 to 16 new stores in 2012, and 14 to 20 new stores annually in the next five fiscal years. New full-price stores are expected to break even in less than 18 months, the company said. "It's a pace we can manage," Chief Executive Officer Michael Ray said in an interview. Ray added that now is a good time to open new stores, and Vera Bradley has been able to secure better locations in malls due to depressed real estate prices.

Designer Handbags Online Australia Summer Clearance Sale

Huge designer handbag clearance sale online, offered by reputable online handbag store in Australia. Designer Handbags Australia is currently offering all current season Summer handbags with a minimum discount of 25%. All Winter Season handbags, clutches, sling bags, leather handbags have been reduced by up to 50%. This is a once a year Handbag Sale Event offered by Designer Handbags Australia. Designer Handbags Australia offers Australia wide postage. Great opportunity to get Christmas Gifts online at cheap prices. Brands on sale: Lili Missco Missco Girl Till Designer Leather Handbags Prices from $12.99 and nothing over $200. Designer Handbags Australia has been in operation for over 3 years and brings the best in designer handbags and clutches to Australian shoppers from the comfort of their homes and desks.

Stylish alligator handbag from Burberry

he oversized handbags may be more comfortable for both work and leisure but sometimes an occasion, or an outfit, calls for a smaller bag that still packs personality. That’s when you go for Burberry’s Alligator Sling Bag ($14,500) - one imposing accessory The alligator provides nice texture and the beige color provides very warm feeling. The bag is decorated with armour inspired metallic studs, which create a geometric design hemmed with subtle tonal topstitching. There's one rolled leather handle with brass attachments in a vintage finish and also a detachable flat shoulder strap. The bag is also available in ink (navy blue) with black metal hardware.

Handbags, sweets, toys added at Grand River

The Shops of Grand River development team announced Tuesday the recent lease signing of three additional retailers. The tenant lineup continues to expand as the October 28 Grand Opening draws near. The highly anticipated Coach Factory has joined the distinctive lineup of shops, which already includes top brands, such as Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers, Tommy Hilfiger, Kenneth Cole, DKNY, and more. Coach Factory was named “Best Overall Outlet Chain and Tenant” at the 2010 Outlet Retail Chain Awards presented by the International Council of Shopping Centers. Recognized as one of the top retailers in the nation, Coach is a welcomed addition to the store lineup. Ghirardelli also joins The Shops of Grand River, offering delectable chocolates and premium gifts. Toys “R” Us, recognized as one of the top brands for children’s toys, rounds out the list of additions. The Shops of Grand River opens October 28 with a four-day grand opening celebration. The celebration features a packed schedule of events, including live entertainment, special promotions, prize giveaways, VIP appearances, fashion shows, face painting, balloon art, store Trick-or-Treating, Halloween Costume Contest, and more. The Shops of Grand River is a joint development between Daniel Corporation, USS Real Estate, and The Retirement Systems of Alabama. For more information about the Grand Opening of The Shops of Grand River, visit the project website at www.shopsofgrandriver.com.

State Fair vendors charged with selling knock-off goods

State and local authorities seized more than $80,000 in counterfeit goods during a Wednesday raid on vendors at the State Fair, but one of those vendors was still open for business Thursday night. The goods ranged from plaques with NFL team logos and Disney characters to designer handbags, officials with the North Carolina Secretary of State's Office said Thursday. Martin Cohen, 50, of Jensen Beach, Fla., was charged with one felony count of criminal use of a counterfeit trademark. He is accused of having bogus plaques and other items with Disney characters and professional sports team logos. James Paul McDermott and Teresa Ann McDermott, both of Gladstone, Mo., were charged with misdemeanor trademark violations for what appeared to be counterfeit handbags. The McDermott's booth was still open for business Thursday night. When approached by a WRAL News reporter, James McDermott said he did not want to comment. Fair spokesman Brian Long said the merchandise at the McDermott's booth on Thursday night was all legitimate, according to authorities he spoke with. "If you come out here and sell goods, they need to be legitimate. If you don't, you are going to pay the price," Long said. The State Fair features approximately 400 booths. If customers spot what they think is fake merchandise, they should let fair officials know. The Raleigh Police Department, the Wake County Sheriff's Office and the State Fairgrounds police assisted in Wednesday's raid.

Jessica Jensen and Alexander Berardi: a powerful pair in fashion

And so began a collaboration, as well suited as Jean Seberg and Jean-Paul Belmondo, the stars of Jean-Luc Godard’s Breathless and Berardi’s inspiration for his Spring 2011 collection. Her understated It bags paired with his understated It girl clothing. Really, as far as these things go, it was a breath of fresh air. After years of working in accessory design, Jensen launched her namesake label in 2008. While her signature woven technique is oh-so-Bottega Veneta (in Italian, it’s called “intrecciato”), her interpretation feels less precious, more everyday. For this limited edition series, the duo, who met a year ago, sourced tribal-inspired embellishments and played around with fabrics. A Lilliputian coin purse (is there any other kind?) gets adorned with chiffon blossoms and a row of square wood pieces adds focus to a clutch. The strongest in the series featured the craft-on-craft crosshatching of leather and fabric in contrasting hues, ends left intentionally unfinished and exposed. Berardi, vibrant and eager and all of 24-years-old, certainly succeeded in offering a fresh take on Godard’s New Wave classic. There was sheerness to the nauticial stripes. Layered dresses in shades of mocha and midnight blue begged for a gentle breeze, all the better to express the soft, breezy beauty of the chiffon. The standout slinky, cowl-neck gown glimmered like sun hitting sand. Paired with flats, it was effortless glamour. “It’s so nice to collaborate with a ready-to-wear designer; you get a whole story,” Jensen says, adding that she always imagines clothing when she conceives her collections. “You know what it looks like in your head.” Jensen’s handbags are a natural extension for his brand, Berardi explains. “You’re designing for a woman and you want to build a whole world around her.” The models – 11 in total – gathered into a tableau vivant, positioned on stepladders and stools. Together, they represented a well-edited, well-rounded wardrobe, from khaki shorts to slouchy satchel, tuxedo blazers, to oversized totes in “sueded goatskin.” “I had planned some other collaborations but he and I might just stick together another few seasons,” Jensen says. “Break up? No way!” declares Berardi. Translation: To be continued.

Vera Bradley Bags Strong Debut

Two companies dependant on discretionary consumer spending habits pulled off successful IPOs on Thursday, with Bravo Brio Restaurant Group Inc. up 13.9% and handbag designer Vera Bradley Inc. up 55.3% on their first day of trading. The pair's performances—following pricings within their expected ranges—indicate that investors may be more willing to take a chance on initial public offerings tethered to an economic recovery in the U.S. The majority of IPOs with double-digit percentage gains this fall have been concentrated in fast-growing Chinese industries. Both Bravo Brio and Vera Bradley are American businesses. No one expects two deals alone to open the IPO market to an avalanche of companies. Just last week, another women's apparel retailer, Body Central Corp., priced poorly and ended its first day of trading flat; it remained at that level at the close Thursday. But the window could be edging wider for companies that experienced some growth during the economic downturn and offer affordable products to a broad segment of consumers. In Vera Bradley's case, its handbags, wallets and duffle designs have drawn a following across age categories, from 'tweens to grandmothers. With price points between $15 and $130, the bags can fit into most budgets, said Chief Executive Michael Ray. "It's easy for our customers to treat themselves, and that's what insulated us at a time when others might have been struggling," said Mr. Ray. Bravo Brio, the first American restaurant IPO since 2006, relies on a similar strategy. Its average dinner check ranges from $22 to $31 a person, and the restaurant turns out large portions in a white-tablecloth setting. The company operates 85 Italian-themed restaurants in 28 states under the Brio Tuscan Grille and Bravo Cucina Italiana awnings. It competes against names like Cheesecake Factory Inc. and P.F. Chang's China Bistro Inc. Bravo Brio Chief Executive Saed Mohseni said that he fielded a lot of questions from potential investors about consumer behavior and spending habits during the company's road show. "We've clearly seen an improvement in consumer traffic and in the amount of money they spend," said Mr. Mohseni. Neither Bravo Brio nor Vera Bradley sailed through the economic downturn unscathed. Both warn that their businesses would suffer if the economy takes a further slide. That's an element of risk IPO investors would have avoided a few months ago. Although Bravo Brio's net revenue rose throughout the economic downturn, the company sports years of bottom-line losses, in part due to decreases in comparable-restaurant sales in 2008 and 2009. In the 26 weeks that ended in June, revenue increased 11%, the majority of which was attributed to new restaurant locations; it also produced a modest profit compared to a loss in the same period of 2009. Vera Bradley saw net revenue decline 15% in fiscal 2009 as the economic environment weakened. But in fiscal 2010, which ended in January, net revenue grew 21% despite a continued recession as the company expanded its own store openings and reduced its inventory at other retailers. In the six months that ended July 31, net revenue increased by 26% from higher sales at its own and other retailers, and net income nearly doubled. The company's full-price stores produced same-store sales growth of 36% in fiscal 2010, and 26% in the six months ended July 31. In its prospectus, the Indiana-based company said it expects consumer demand and the financial stability of other retailers to continue to improve in fiscal 2011. Vera Bradley's offering was widely expected to do well, and it priced at $16, the high end of its proposed range. Bravo Brio's didn't have the same magnitude of interest, pricing at $14, the low end of its range, and drawing less of a first-day pop.

UPDATE 1-Vera Bradley prices IPO at top of range

Handbag maker Vera Bradley Inc (VRA.O) priced shares in its initial public offering at the top of the expected range on Wednesday, according to an underwriter. The company sold 11 million shares for $16 each, raising about $176 million. It had estimated in a prospectus it would sell 11 million shares for $14 to $16 each. Fort Wayne, Indiana-based Vera Bradley sells handbags and accessories. As of July 31, it sold its products through 3,300 independent retailers, 31 full-price stores, two outlets, a website, and an annual outlet sale. Same store sales, or sales at stores open at least a year, at Vera Bradley's full-price stores rose 26 percent in the six months ended July 31 compared with a year earlier. The company said in its prospectus that the U.S. market can support 300 stores. It said it will open nine full-price stores and three outlet stores in the 2011 fiscal year; 14 to 16 new stores in 2012 and 14 to 20 new stores annually in the next five fiscal years. New full-price stores are expected to break even in less than 18 months, the company said. Morningstar analyst Pete Wahlstrom said in a note earlier this week that the 18-month breakeven time for new stores is "impressive." "Importantly, we believe that the firm can internally fund its new store openings and other growth initiatives," he said. Net revenue grew 25.9 percent to $165.1 million in the six months ended July 31 compared with a year earlier. Net income nearly doubled to $26 million in the same period. Only proceeds of four million of the 11 million shares being sold in the IPO are going to the company, with the rest going to selling shareholders. Vera Bradley said it would use proceeds from the offering, together with a loan, to pay distributions to existing shareholders. The company said it did not expect to pay any further distributions after the IPO. Underwriters on the offering were led by Baird and Piper Jaffray. Shares are expected to begin trading on the Nasdaq on Thursday under the symbol "VRA." (Reporting by Clare Baldwin and Phil Wahba; Editing by Dhara Ranasinghe)

Analyst says interest in Vera Bradley IPO could drive shares higher

Vera Bradley’s initial public offering — expected to occur Wednesday, Bloomberg News reported — could bring an even bigger payday than expected for the company’s founders and principals. In a note dated Sunday, Morningstar analyst Pete Wahlstrom predicted the “high-interest” IPO could bring $18 a share, $2 per share above the company’s projected $14 to $16 range. That would push the total value of the IPO from an estimated $165 million to $198 million. The company is selling 4 million shares, and the selling shareholders — most notably founders Barbara Bradley Baekgaard and Patricia Miller, along with Miller’s husband, P. Michael Miller — are selling 7 million shares, with a 30-day optional overallotment of another 1.65 million shares. At the midrange of the company’s estimated price, or $15 per share, Baekgaard would get $33.18 million to $41 million for the sale of her shares, depending on the overallotment; and the Millers would get $42 million to $51.9 million for theirs. At $18 million per share, Baekgaard would get $39.8 million to $49.2 million, and the Millers would get $50.4 million to $62.3 million. The company will get no proceeds from the sale of shares by the selling shareholders. In addition, the company said in its most recent Securities and Exchange Commission filing on Tuesday that it expects to use an estimated net of $53.3 million from the shares it is selling, along with about $52.7 million in funds borrowed through a credit agreement, to pay in full the undistributed earnings held as notes by its existing shareholders. Prior to an Oct. 3 reorganization, completed in preparation for the IPO, Vera Bradley was taxed as an “S” corporation. The $106 million from the share sales and borrowings will be paid to shareholders, in proportion to their ownership, as the final “S” corporation distribution. Under that distribution, which does not include what they would make from selling their shares, Baekgaard would receive $42.4 million; Patricia Miller, $42.4 million; P. Michael Miller, $34,553; CEO Michael Ray, $5.3 million; executive vice president Kimberly Colby, $5.3 million; and EVP Jill Nichols, $10.6 million. Any remaining funds will be used for working capital or other general corporate purposes. The company also said in its prospectus that it did not anticipate paying dividends on its common stock after the completion of the IPO, but would retain all available funds and any future earnings for use in the operation and expansion of the business. In his note, Wahlstrom cited Vera Bradley’s strong brand, grassroots following and potential for sales growth, particularly through its rising number of company stores, which are expected to grow from 33 this year to 220 in another 10 years. Same-store sales rose 36 percent in 2009 and were up 26 percent through the first six months of 2010, Wahlstrom noted. Average revenue per square foot for the trailing 12-month period exceeded $600, which is in line with non-jewelry accessory retails, and the company expects an initial payback period of less than 18 months on new stores.

November Sunset Estate Auction to Feature Jewelry and Handbags from the Estate of Maria Helen Smithof vintage and designer handbags

Bonhams & Butterfields announced the November 14-15, 2010 Sunset Estate Auction featuring Property from the Estate of television and business pioneer, Maria Helen Smith. The two-day sale will include a robust selection of vintage and designer handbags, ties, luxury goods and jewelry once owned by Smith. The couture items will be offered together with select furniture, decorative arts and Asian Works of Art from the Smith estate in the San Diego community of Rancho Santa Fe, California. Maria Helen Smith was born July 4, 1921, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She was a pioneer in the arenas of broadcasting, business and real estate. Over the course of her career, Smith paved the way for women in television, radio and corporate ventures. She was one of the first women in the United States to own a television station as well as one of the first female inductees to the Oklahoma Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Highlights from "The Couture of a Queen" section of the November sale will include a collection of gem-set and stone 14k bicolor gold rings (est. $1,200-1,400); a yellow stone and 18k gold coiled snake bracelet (est. $800-1,000); a stunning amethyst, diamond and gold ring (est. $200-400); a collection of leather, snake and lizard skin Judith Leiber hand bags (estimates range from $300 - 1,500) and two Hermes neckties together with Two Hermes gold tone scarf rings (est. $200-300), among others. Also featured during the fall auction is a wide selection of property from estates and private collections throughout the Western United States. Items of note include European and American paintings, prints, photographs, books, rugs, carpets, natural history and gemstones as well as Motorcars. Property from the Estate of Maria Helen Smith will also be featured during a single-owner sale on November 16, 2010. Assembled over the course of a lifetime, the Collection features a diverse group of 19th century works with a focus on the European and Asian aesthetic. The 300-lot single-owner sale will feature a discerning selection of rare pieces by renowned makers such as Francois Linke, Paul Sormani and Joseph-Emmanuel Zwiener, as well as beautiful examples of gilt bronze, chandeliers, silver and porcelain from across Europe

Handbag Fundraiser Helping Salvation Army Programs

“I was thrilled. I called my husband immediately.” That is the reaction Sacramento resident Cindy Nelson had after she outbid other ladies for a Ferragamo handbag during the live auction portion at the sixth annual Salvation Army Helping Handbag luncheon on October 16. Nelson was one of nearly 400 attendees who came to the Radisson Hotel for the annual fundraiser. “We have more ladies than in years past,” Major Colleen Riley, Salvation Army Divisional Director of women’s ministries and Women’s Auxiliary representative. “The event was well organized and the ladies were excited to bid on the purses.” More than 200 items were offered during the event’s live and silent auctions, including designer handbags, local celebrities’ gently-used purses, donated gift certificates, and items given by local businesses. Some notable items that auctioned off at Helping Handbags included items donated by singer Linda Ronstandt, District Attorney Jan Scully and community leader Joyce Raley Reel. In all, Helping Handbags grossed more than $40,000. Proceeds from the luncheon will go toward Salvation Army’s programs for women and children in the Sacramento area. “We’re obviously supporting a great charity,” Nelson said. “It’s a lot fun, you meet lots of nice ladies, you see some familiar faces, and hear a great testimony.” The luncheon fundraiser was organized by The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary, a volunteer program made up of a group of local business women who believe in the mission of The Salvation Army, and donate their time and financial support to develop fund raising events like Helping Handbags. “Behind the scenes, a lot of women put in many hours to organize this incredible event,” Major Riley said. “They truly put their heart and soul into this one.”

Jessica Jensen and Alexander Berardi: a powerful pair in fashion

so began a collaboration, as well suited as Jean Seberg and Jean-Paul Belmondo, the stars of Jean-Luc Godard’s Breathless and Berardi’s inspiration for his Spring 2011 collection. Her understated It bags paired with his understated It girl clothing. Really, as far as these things go, it was a breath of fresh air. After years of working in accessory design, Jensen launched her namesake label in 2008. While her signature woven technique is oh-so-Bottega Veneta (in Italian, it’s called “intrecciato”), her interpretation feels less precious, more everyday. For this limited edition series, the duo, who met a year ago, sourced tribal-inspired embellishments and played around with fabrics. A Lilliputian coin purse (is there any other kind?) gets adorned with chiffon blossoms and a row of square wood pieces adds focus to a clutch. The strongest in the series featured the craft-on-craft crosshatching of leather and fabric in contrasting hues, ends left intentionally unfinished and exposed. Berardi, vibrant and eager and all of 24-years-old, certainly succeeded in offering a fresh take on Godard’s New Wave classic. There was sheerness to the nauticial stripes. Layered dresses in shades of mocha and midnight blue begged for a gentle breeze, all the better to express the soft, breezy beauty of the chiffon. The standout slinky, cowl-neck gown glimmered like sun hitting sand. Paired with flats, it was effortless glamour. “It’s so nice to collaborate with a ready-to-wear designer; you get a whole story,” Jensen says, adding that she always imagines clothing when she conceives her collections. “You know what it looks like in your head.” Jensen’s handbags are a natural extension for his brand, Berardi explains. “You’re designing for a woman and you want to build a whole world around her.” The models – 11 in total – gathered into a tableau vivant, positioned on stepladders and stools. Together, they represented a well-edited, well-rounded wardrobe, from khaki shorts to slouchy satchel, tuxedo blazers, to oversized totes in “sueded goatskin.” “I had planned some other collaborations but he and I might just stick together another few seasons,” Jensen says.

Rent The Runway Adds Handbags To Rental Lineup

Three Lucky Winners to Receive "Diamond Tickets" Hidden in Handbags to Commence Launch NEW YORK, Oct. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Rent the Runway, the leading online destination for dress and accessories rentals, has taken the natural next step in expanding its rental business by adding handbags to the site, starting with luxury handbag designer Judith Leiber. To celebrate the launch, three lucky winners will receive a "diamond ticket" hidden in their handbag rental, with the prize being Everlon Diamond Knot Bracelets from Helzberg Diamonds valued at $2,500 to $4,300. One winner will be chosen at random in the months of October, November and December. "We're thrilled to expand our business with the launch of Judith Leiber handbags. We've seen that women love adding jewelry to their dress rental – or even renting jewelry alone – so we're eager to give her an even bigger assortment of accessories that includes handbags to complete her evening out," stated Jennifer Hyman, CEO and co-founder of Rent the Runway. At launch, there will be thirteen styles available for either 4-day or 8-day rentals, including some of the more iconic Judith Leiber minaudieres such as the heart and disco ball. Handbag rentals will start at $100, with retail prices ranging from $995 to $2895. The three lucky winners who receive a "diamond ticket" hidden in their handbag rental will be rewarded with the ultimate holiday treat. A one-carat white gold Everlon Diamond Knot Bracelet valued at $2500 will be sent to one winner each in the months of October and November, while the grand prize winner will be rewarded with a $4300 two-carat white gold Everlon Diamond Knot Bracelet in December. Entry can also be completed online with no purchase necessary by emailing your name and phone number to rtr@renttherunway.com. For complete rules of entry, please visit www.replicashermes.com.

Weekend shopping gets Budget boost

The proposed abolishing of import duties on 300 preferred consumer items, including apparel, handbags, shoes, shampoo, suits and lingerie, will serve to boost Penang as a shopping hub for the region. In the last three years, Penang has gained popularity as a weekend destination for tourists and the abolishing of duty on the 300 items from next year will attract more regional tourists to the island. Malaysian Association of Hotels, Penang chapter chairman Marco Battistotti, said that it was good news for the tourism sector. "It will further position Penang as a shopping hub in the northern region," he said when commenting on the 2011 Budget announced on Friday, Battistotti said Penang already has a strong medical tourism market and now that it is becoming a popular weekend getaway, shopping will become an even bigger part of the state's attraction. "We are already getting weekend tourists from this region, such as Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Macau, so more may come here to shop now," he said. He also welcomed the RM85 million allocation for infrastructure facilities for hotels and resorts in remote areas. While this may not directly benefit Penang, a boost in tourism in remote areas like in Perlis or Kedah may also indirectly bring in tourists to the state, he noted. Meanwhile, Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association (Rehda) Penang branch chairman Datuk Jerry Chan said the My First House Scheme may spur some developers to come up with housing projects with units costing less than RM220,000, but the prices of property on the island are still dependent on market demands. He said the scheme may help to lower housing prices in Penang and make homes more affordable, especially for young families. However, only those buying houses on the mainland will be able to benefit. "The scheme will serve to help those who arebuying their first homes on the Seberang Perai side as the housing prices could still qualify under the scheme," he said. On the stamp duty exemption of 50% for loan agreement instruments, Chan said this measure will help ease the burden for buyers of low-cost and low-to-medium-cost houses. Under the My First House Scheme proposed in 2011 Budget, first-time buyers of houses costing less than RM220,000 with incomes of less than RM3,000 a month need not pay the 10% downpayment, which will be guaranteed by Cagamas Bhd.

Paris at Becca's, Kinky in Dallas and Hilfiger raids a Houston shop

It was oo-la-la at the home of John and Becca Cason Thrash on Monday night when Dior and W Magazine joined forces to celebrate the American and International Friends of the Louvre. From the fabulous Dior gems in the salon to the delicious handbags in the dining room to the haute couture originals in the grand foyer, the accent was on Parisian style. And let's not forget the glamazons strolling through the expansive, art-filled house modeling fashions from the 2011 collection. The hostess, who chairs the Liaisons au Louvre II in Paris next month, wore vintage Dior — a beautifully-embroidered, floor-length evening suit with mink collar. The remainder of the ladies turned out in full designer force for this evening of high style including Greggory Burk looking smashing in Givenchy. Sarah Simon, Melissa Mithoff, Lora Clemmons, Kate Stukenberg and Nancy Golden were among the well-heeled group that sipped champagne and declined the offerings of passed hors d'oeuvres. In from Dior in New York was Doss Alexander, director of ready-to-wear and fine jewerly, on hand to discuss the over-sized pieces by Victoire de Castellane that dazzled in two well-guarded vitrines. The morganite, the colored diamonds and citrines beckoned with price tags ranging from a mere $5,000 to $130,000 for a pink diamond confection. Also in the Dior entourage was "esthetic advisor" Stéphane Houy-Towner, who served as something of a couture historian as he explained in great detail and with animated passion the origins and design intricacies of five pieces by Christian Dior himself and by John Galliano. Displayed on mannequins, the ensembles were flown in from the Paris archives just for this soirée. In the mix of those either signed up for or contemplating joining Becca in Paris for the three days and nights of heady Louvre partying were Joyce and Hugh Echols, Susan and Mike Plank, Monsour Taghdisi, Judith Oudt, Raquel Segal, Sue and Lester Smith and many more

Latin Quarters introduces Autumn Winter 2010 collection

Latin Quarters, leading women’s apparel and accessories brand launches yet another revolutionary line with the introduction of its Autumn Winter 2010 collection. The Latin Quarters team has been working hard to offer a great quality selection of apparel and accessories to make a women’s wardrobe more creative and unique. Latin Quarters trademark style exudes feminity with a slight urban edge. The new line of Latin Quarters handbags and accessories is for women who seek a unique and stylish versatility from their add-ons. Being able to use a fashion item in multiple ways gives a woman more flexibility to coordinate and spice up her wardrobe. Bib necklaces, chunky bangles and the high waisted belt are the must haves. Clutches in black, gold and silver once again are a very important part of the wardrobe completing the glam look. Autumn Kick starts with masculine inspired tailoring and separates to give the city banker look. Cropped boleros or waiter length jackets teamed up with high waisted pants, city shorts, mid length pencil skirts, two piece effect treatments and classic stripe shirts are key elements of this collection. Fluid draped knits styles moving from day to night are simple yet luxurious essentials for autumn –winter 2010. Lots of black and white combinations, tonal grey’s occasionally lifted with flashes of red, wine and deep plum dominate the color palette. The British 70’s pays homage to the great sense of British style which was invented back in the day but inspire us till date. Traditional heritage tweeds and country checks used in modern shapes forms the basis of this line. Snappy plaid blazers and trench coats, pinafore dresses to be layered with high necks, boot-cut slacks and pleated skirts complete the heritage look in this collection. Camel and warm shades of brown, forest greens, and brick red complete the color story. As the season progresses the focus turns to glamorous winter pieces with a definite couture feel. An extensive mix of styles is featured in the new collection and all items are out there to make a statement. The shift dress, corset detailing with lace trims, sexy pencil skirt with deep slits, starlet style dresses, rouched tops and the all important one shoulder dress complete the ultra glam season. Black, metallic gold, bronze and flesh colors direct the sense of this line

LVMH Third-Quarter Sales Rise 24% on Watches, Handbags

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA, the world’s largest luxury-goods maker, said third-quarter sales rose 24 percent, beating analysts’ estimates, as wealthy customers bought more watches and accessories. Revenue increased to 5.11 billion euros ($7.2 billion) from 4.14 billion euros a year earlier, the Paris-based company said today. That compared with the 4.88 billion-euro average estimate of seven analysts compiled by Bloomberg. The first nine months of 2010 confirmed the company’s confidence for the year, LVMH said. Demand for luxury goods is recovering as wealthy Asian shoppers splurge on timepieces and handbags, and retailers replenish inventories in the U.S. and Europe after the industry’s worst year on record. Burberry Group Plc, the U.K.’s largest luxury retailer, said yesterday that second-quarter revenue rose 11 percent, while Hugo Boss AG raised full-year sales and earnings forecasts today. At LVMH “all divisions did better than we expected,” said Melanie Flouquet, an analyst at JPMorgan Cazenove in Paris. Watches and LVMH’s retail unit outperformed the most, she said. LVMH fell 70 cents, or 0.6 percent, to 110.15 euros at 9:13 a.m. in Paris trading, after initially rising to a record 112 euros. The shares have risen more than 40 percent this year, giving the maker of Zenith watches and Fendi handbags a market value of about 54 billion euros. Leather-Goods Unit At the fashion and leather-goods unit, the company’s largest, revenue increased 26 percent, led by the Louis Vuitton brand. LVMH is building a new leather-goods factory in Marsaz, France as demand outstrips supply, Chief Executive Officer Bernard Arnault said in July. The company will start selling a new line of leather goods in the fourth quarter, it said today, adding that “strong momentum” has returned to the Fendi and Donna Karan brands since the beginning of the year. Watch and jewelry revenue advanced 30 percent. U.S. retailers have rebuilt their depleted inventories and sales to end-consumers have improved, Jean-Claude Biver, CEO of Hublot, the Swiss watch brand owned by LVMH, said last month. Hublot gained market share with its Big Bang and King Power lines. Sales of wines and spirits gained 24 percent, while perfume and cosmetics advanced 17 percent, boosted by sales of Christian Dior perfume and lipsticks, LVMH said. Revenue at the selective-retailing unit, which includes Sephora and DFS, rose 24 percent

Criminals on bikes prowl Dammam areas

In the moments after a strike, curious onlookers swarm around the victim and sympathize with them. They cannot do anything else. The victim is then left to overcome the shock. If he is courageous enough he goes to the police station, lodges a complaint and waits for a call from officers. Indian national Mohamed Yousuf, who works as a design engineer at Zamil Steel in Dammam, was recently the victim of such an attack. “Me and my wife, who has joined me only recently, were walking near the parking lot behind the governor’s office in Dammam, at around 7 p.m. on Friday,” he said. “I saw two guys riding a white moped speeding toward us. My first instinct was to protect my wife. I thought they would harm her. In that moment they snatched her handbag and sped away. “I didn’t even know that the handbag was gone. I breathed a sigh of relief when they were gone. It was only after a few minutes that my wife told me the handbag was gone. There were so many people in the area because it was a Friday evening. We shouted but they were gone. My wife has been in a state of shock since then.” According to Yousuf, his wife’s handbag contained a gold chain, bracelet, gold ring, her mobile phone and SR500. “She should have been wearing the gold but she kept it inside her bag. We were unlucky,” he added. Yousuf lodged a complaint at the police station near the Dammam governorate. “The officer in charge immediately called for extra help. They all came within a short time. We explained everything to them and they asked us for the thieves’ description,” he said. “They asked if we would be able to identify them and I said yes. But not my wife. She didn’t see them. It all happened in a flash of a second.” The police have promised to arrest the culprits and have taken down Yousuf’s contact details. He has meanwhile requested fellow expatriates and other nationals to be wary of these criminals. “I have learned my lesson the hard way. I request others to stay alert, especially in crowded areas.”

Pizzazz event returns for stylish shoppers

Pizzazz is back, and it's projected to be more stylish than ever. After a year's hiatus, this distinctive boutique shopping event has made a comeback with more vigor and vitality. Held at the Fox Chapel Golf Club, 33 vendors will show everything from jewelry to cashmere bathrobes. Most of the items are not available anywhere else in Pittsburgh. "People have missed it," says Carol Weir, chairwoman of the event. "They have been asking if it is coming back. We have gotten so many calls about it. The vendors love coming to Pittsburgh for this show, so they have been calling too." The three-day shopping extravaganza hosted by the Garden Club of Allegheny County is making its 15th appearance. Prices range from $10 to $10,000. "It is really going to be a great show," says vendor Suzy Abuza, owner and designer of the collection at Indo-Chic in Stonington, Conn. She plans to bring silk pieces and cashmere bathrobes and ribbon-knit sweaters as well as pieces from her resort collection. I have been to Pizzazz for several years and it is a wonderful event." Vendors are invited from around the country and are selected on the basis of quality, originality and exclusivity. There are at least 50 on the waiting list, planners say. The garden club has a strong commitment to funding innovative environmental projects that will improve the quality of life throughout the Pittsburgh community. Seventy-five percent of the proceeds from the event will be dedicated to the green roof on Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens' Center for Sustainable Landscapes, a "Living Building," which will be constructed next year. Remaining proceeds will go to the garden club's Community Trust Fund, which supports a wide variety of horticultural, environmental, conservation and civic programs throughout our region. "The garden club has a long history of helping to fund lots of projects," Weir says. "That is very important to us." One of the shops that's supported Pizzazz for multiple years is Mr. Charles from State College, which has unique contemporary clothing and accessories. "We get a lot of pleasure out of participating in Pizzazz," says owner Charlene Rosen. "We plan to bring items that are hot, such as fur vests, ski and leather jackets, sweaters and scarves. People love the jackets we sell because you can wear them with jeans or dress them up. People today are looking for an investment in clothing ... they can wear with a lot of different outfits." This will be the first year for Preppy Pink Pony out of McLean, Va., which has personalized gifts, such as stationery, handbags, iPod cases and flip-flops. Owner Virginia Kennedy says she is excited about coming to Pittsburgh and says some of her vendor friends are jealous she was invited and they weren't. She is known for her monograms, which she says adds a special touch, that you have gone the extra step. "I am only going to do two shows out of the area this year, and Pizzazz is one of the two because I have heard good things about this show," Kennedy says. "I hear it's a very special show." Julie Lindsey agrees. Owner and designer of the items at Julie Collection, this will be the first time her collection will be shown at Pizzazz. Her pieces includes shawls, handbags and jewelry, made from semi-precious stones in dazzling colors. "To get into a show like Pizzazz, organizers have to be urged to invite you," says Lindsey, who has a showroom in New York City. "The great shows, like Pizzazz, have a waiting list because we all want to be a part of such a first-class show. They look for originality, which is what makes a show like Pizzazz successful year after year.