Francine Ballard's Rantings of the Accessory-Obsessed.
Céline Springs Eternal
Look closely, not one of these designs is Phoebe Philo’s, yet every single one of them bears a resemblance to her original signature Cabas, Trapeze or Luggage shapes. Major handbags from every formidable fashion brand these days owe their commercial appeal to a singular influence. And that undisputed authority belongs to the house of Céline.
With nary a sign of stopping or even slowing (despite their complete disavowal of e-commerce) it seems they are perched comfortably at the apex of a perfect consumer success storm. It is the intersection of great design, desirability and you guessed it: scarcity. Taking an approach adopted by French luxury behemoth, Hèrmes; it seems like the harder it is to find something, the more in-demand it becomes.
From top left: Reed Krakoff, Rebecca Minkoff, Coach, Michael Kors, Mulberry, Calvin Klein Collection, Lanvin, Prada, Marni, Victoria Beckham, ZAC by Zac Posen, Fendi, Diane von Furstenberg, Nancy Gonzalez, Valentino, Chloé, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Jil Sander, Rag & Bone, Zara.
FDB [via Business of Fashion]
![Céline Springs Eternal
Look closely, not one of these designs is Phoebe Philo’s, yet every single one of them bears a resemblance to her original signature Cabas, Trapeze or Luggage shapes. Major handbags from every formidable fashion brand these days owe their commercial appeal to a singular influence. And that undisputed authority belongs to the house of Céline.
With nary a sign of stopping or even slowing (despite their complete disavowal of e-commerce) it seems they are perched comfortably at the apex of a perfect consumer success storm. It is the intersection of great design, desirability and you guessed it: scarcity. Taking an approach adopted by French luxury behemoth, Hèrmes; it seems like the harder it is to find something, the more in-demand it becomes.
From top left: Reed Krakoff, Rebecca Minkoff, Coach, Michael Kors, Mulberry, Calvin Klein Collection, Lanvin, Prada, Marni, Victoria Beckham, ZAC by Zac Posen, Fendi, Diane von Furstenberg, Nancy Gonzalez, Valentino, Chloé, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Jil Sander, Rag & Bone, Zara.
FDB [via Business of Fashion]](http://25.media.tumblr.com/c3c51833bec5c7c255c26ed8274cf0fe/tumblr_mkdkadPvlE1qa2i47o1_1280.png "Zoom Photo")
Two for One - tactile perfection from Phoebe Philo. Her fall 2013 collection for Céline almost unintentionally spurs on two major emerging trends: menswear fabrics [see: Dior pre-fall, Stella McCartney, Rag & Bone, Haider Ackermann] and the slouchy oversized clutch.
![Two for One - tactile perfection from Phoebe Philo. Her fall 2013 collection for Céline almost unintentionally spurs on two major emerging trends: menswear fabrics [see: Dior pre-fall, Stella McCartney, Rag & Bone, Haider Ackermann] and the slouchy oversized clutch.](http://24.media.tumblr.com/dfdde9bf01b2a2972d6fd83f4c50332e/tumblr_mk2srefsL01qa2i47o1_1280.jpg "Zoom Photo")
Spied @fashionhouston last night. #Celine #Trapeze
#ACCESSORYduJOUR
WWD reports that the big trend in sunnies for Summer 2012 is- wait for it- modernizing the past. In other words, vintage styling is still happening. Shocked.
However- check out how awesome those Valentino lace-print ones are! So into that. (Images via WWD, tortoise sunnies are Celine)- RS
For Spring 2012, Phoebe Philo took Celine in a bit of a new direction. There were no iconic printed PJ’s one could just envisage splashed over scores of editorials. The clothes were focused and solid and straightforward. I saw a lot of fresh ideas in terms of shapes women could wear for spring. Thank god she didnt do the same bralette/pencil skirt combo every other designer has sent down the runway. And the trousers she cuts are of course sharp and sleek, though this season Philo also experimented with an ankle length trouser with a wider leg volume.
To be honest, the color palette is a bit sad. White, black, a rather tragic shade of bordeaux, crimson and forest green. The shirt and tunic shapes were excellent, the styling clean and crisp, but then one must think- she is proposing exaggerated peplum tops with dropped-waist accordion pleated calf-length skirts… and really how many women who are not 5’11” and reed thin can even remotely pull that off? Let’s hope the full looks aren’t taken too literally and we can work with a piece here or there into a wardrobe. -RS (Images via Vogue.com)
That’s going to be the bracelet of the season, mark my words. Celine, Spring 2012. -RS (Image via vogue.com)
Sweaters at Celine, Spring 2012. Kind of fabulous. But I can just see the ZARA knock-offs already. Kind of tragic. -RS (Images via Vogue.com)
D2E: DIRECT TO EDITOR Featuring StyleWatch’s Accessories Editor, Regina Gardiner
DS Follower Jeninla: What is your favorite part about your job?
RG: What I love about my job is that each day is different. I am always working on new stories for the magazine, always working with new accessories. Also, I am constantly running from one showroom to another, meeting publicists and designers…it can be a very social job. It’s not a typical desk job. I am out and about all the time.
DS: What is your least favorite?
RG: We are on constant deadlines and sometimes our deadlines to get shoots done can get really tight. That’s when things can get totally frenzied and stressful….like a race against time.
DS: You’ve worked at amazing titles including, Elle, W, WWD and Teen Vogue, but how did you first break into the business?
RG: I started in the magazine industry as an unpaid intern at JANE magazine right before my senior year of college. I worked unpaid, full time for the whole summer… it was hard and the hours were very long but it was absolutely worth it. I learned so much during that summer and I made the contacts I needed to break into the industry. I was later hired by JANE magazine as a Fashion Assistant and my magazine career began.
DS Follower LindsayBrown: Do you have a favorite handbag and/or accessory designer (who)?
RG: Right now, I am personally obsessed with everything Phoebe Philo is doing at Celine. I also love any accessory from Yves Saint Laurent, especially the shoes and their “Roady” bag! For jewelry, I really like the label Camilla James. She designs gorgeous statement necklaces….and her “Atomic” earrings are to die for.
DS: What is your favorite trend that is happening now?
RG: The color camel is huge for Fall 2010 and I love it! I’ll load up on it this Fall and mix it up with everything I already have in my closet.
DS: Have you seen anything interesting coming down the pike?
RG: Tons! For Fall 2010 I am seeing a lot of grey accessories, leopard, structured bags….just to name a few. Military is a huge trend, and lace up boots are the shoe to wear. For jewelry, it’s still all about the necklace and I’ve seen some amazing tough/punk pearls. They aren’t your grandmother’s pears. They are a mix between naughty and nice.
DS Follower BiancaRocksOut: If you could only carry one handbag for all eternity what would it be?
RG: An Hermes Birkin!
Email: feedback@designersocial.com to submit questions for our next editor, Sydne Bolden of InStyle.
Posted by: Francine Ballard
Photos: Style.com
