ACCESSORIES

We would all love our closet to be filled with high end designer pieces made of the finest fabrics, in every color of the rainbow.  Although this would be just a dream for most of us, the bad economy and a smart move from a couple of discount stores such as Target, Kohl’s and K-mart and European import H&M,  made possible for all of us to have access to quality fashion at bargain prices.

Target is “the” department store to go to for purchasing these “designer collaborations” which are available through their GO International label. 

Coming up this month in Target’s already long line of designer collaborations is Thakoon.  Thakoon’s line for GO International will consists of the same timelessly feminine offerings which we are used to, which showcase the designer’s innovative construction techniques alongside subtle detailing. The line will be available on December 28th.

Target has designer collections for every department of their store. Sigerson Morrison has recently teamed up with Target and created a Shoe Fall 08 Collection.  The shoes come in colors that tie into the Fall 08 trends; gemstone colors. The collection consists of flats, heels and even booties which are all priced from $29.99 to $39.99 which is a steal compared to the $400 average price tag their high-end collection offers. 

Walk around in a designer outfit and not have a great bag to go with it? Target thought of that too and partnered with Anya Hindmarch to create an affordable line of handbags priced between $19.99 and $49.99. With a palette rich in chocolate, gold and black hues, the Anya Hindmarch collection is another great find.  

Also, coming up soon is the Hayden-Hartnett line which will debut on December 28th. The Hayden Hartnett collection has great neutral toned bags and comes in a variety of styles that could easily be incorporated into the trends of Spring 09. Although these bags are not leather (we can’t be greedy; you won’t get high end designer and high end material at the same low price), they definitely look better than anything you can pick up in that price range.  

To top it off you can pick up some nature themed jewelry pieces from Dean Harris’ line for Target. With flora, vine, leaf and pebble themes, Harris’ line gives you great designer accessories at sample sale prices.

Designer couture doesn’t only have to be for the rich and famous. Target’s designer collaborations makes designers public friendly and puts their brand in good standing with the average Janes of the world. Past collaborations with Target consisted of designers like; Proenza Schouler, Jonathan Saunders (which is currently up to 75% off) Monika Botkier and Erin Fetherston. Alexander McQueen will debut his Target line for GO International in Spring of 09. Other discounts stores have followed in Target’s successful footsteps and designers like Vera Wang who has created a line for Kohl’s, Norma Kamali has created one with Kmart and there is the Euro import H&M who has hosted designs by Madonna & Roberto Cavalli and will be hosting the uber anticipated line from Commes Des Garcons.

There was a time when I considered a brooch to be an entirely useless piece of jewelry despite however pretty it was. I couldn’t see myself as a girl who wore brooches – after all, wasn’t that from, and for, an older generation? This naive thinking doesn’t work well when you have to consider that great fashion ideas come from previous generations. Reality check 101: Stella McCartney didn’t INVENT ribbed knitting – although she makes wonderful use of it for us gals today. My Grandmother wore brooches in the 1920’s, but they were first used back in The Bronze Age. So, allow me to make a terribly cheesy pun and brooch the subject of brooches.

Why a brooch? Perhaps the best aspect of a brooch is that there isn’t one standard way to wear them (much like a scarf – don’t you feel a bit like a creative genius as you decide a new way to fashion one?). A brooch can be worn on a sweater one day, then on a hat or a belt. You can play it safe and classic, being very traditional with them. Or do something funky by buying two of the same and affixing them to a pair of shoes. In fact, I believe Christian Louboutin did that for his wife.

Something I’ve done is use brooches as pendants for necklaces. However you decide to wear them, do wear them! Brooke Shields wore a Bagdley Mischka dress for the 2008 Emmy Awards and she affixed a brooch to it, drawing attention to her flattering waistline.

The variety of selection for brooches is near the number of photos there are on line of Brooke Shields, seriously. Whether you are a gemstone kinda gal, or someone who prefers simple gold – there’s a brooch out there that will seem made just for you.  And if one day you become a famous celebutante you can have that actually done. They’ll be called ‘The (your name here) brooch’ and everyone will covet them the way the infamous Hermes Kelly bag (see: Grace Kelly) is desired.

Brooch suggestions:

Onyx Starburst Brooch – Nordstrom

Alexis Bittar Amaryllis Brooch (red or warm gray) – Saks Fifth Avenue

Rhinestone Bow Brooch – Bebe

If you’re interested even the tiniest bit in the history of New York, and as I assume you are also interested in style to be visiting us here at TheVogueCity.com, then a good place to start is to learn about Brooke Astor. She was a glamorous and kindhearted woman who was a writer, a socialite, and a philanthropist. So great was she that the New York Landmarks Conservancy named her a living landmark.

Astor wrote for Vanity Fair magazine a couple times, and in one 1999 piece, “Mrs. Astor Regrets” she talks about manners and the way they are no longer as easily found as they once were. Rather than appear anything like the ugly word ‘stodgy’, she tackled the subject with grace and elegant logic. Here is an excerpt:

“There is nothing that humans can do in which they can totally ignore manners. Take walking down the street. You should choose one path and stick to it. Don’t wander all over the sidewalk, walking slowly one moment and rushing the next. Don’t walk with the pointed end of an umbrella sticking out from under your arm, which could easily put out the eye of a child, or rip off a piece of a lady’s dress.

If you see a person with a white stick, it means that they are either blind or nearly blind. Stop and help them cross the street. Smile at a young mother pushing a baby carriage. Give some money to a beggar. Stop and talk to an old person in a wheelchair. These small courtesies will give you an upbeat feeling which will help you as you continue your walk down the street.” – Vanity Fair

It might be ‘fashionable’ to wear sunglasses, never make eye contact, and ignore everyone as you walk down Fifth Avenue, but it’s considerably more admirable to instead be sweet while you do it. Let yourself be inspired by this New York City legend.

While you walk, you can still walk in style. Try the new trend of having something GRAY. That’s right, black and white must make way for all shades of their mixed friend, Lady Gray (or ‘grey’ if you’re British).

Gray shoe suggestions:

Prada Suede Ankle Botos – Saks Fifth Avenue (Bootie trend!)

Pura Lopez Gray Pump – Nordstrom (Bow trend!)

Jessica Simpson Elroy Gray Pump – Macy’s

For this month’s Style.com ‘Shop Now’, Fashion Market Editor, Marina Larroude picked several Valentino pieces. While two pieces of footwear were selected if you click on the Valentino tab, I feel there was not nearly enough shown. So the fun part is that now I am going to show you some of the best Valentino shoes there are for right now. And if I’m feeling generous (which I always am – just ask last month’s trick-or-treaters!) I’ll include a handbag pick as well.

Bergdorf Goodman has an enormous selection of Valentino footwear to select from. My FAVORITE pick is the Grosgrain Bootie. You just can’t find a more perfect shoe for fall – you CAN’T.

The Valentino Mena Nappa Slingback has the ‘haute’ bow trend with sweet vintage appeal: (note, do NOT be tempted to match this with the Valentino Metallic Leather Bow Clutch because that’s WAAAAY too matchy-matchy for your own good)

Platform pumps are still very in vogue, and this jeweled one at Neiman Marcus will make people take notice:

My favorite Valentino handbag is one featured on Style.com as well, it’s the Rosier Tote bag:

If you want something else with roses, the Valentino Fleur Satchel is what you want, I’m sure of it.

Much love,

Sofia