Money Bags

(Courtesy of tradingfloor.com)

Chanel SS 2013
(Courtesy of: designscene.net)

Accessories and handbags have become increasingly popular. Campaign ads alone are capturing consumers' attention when it comes to accessories. Take for instance Chanel's SS 2013 accessories ad campaign.... some of the photographs feature supermodels and catwalk stars, but they haven't captured as much interest to consumers as the model-free ad (the Chanel accessory-scattered room photograph).

It's always applaud-able when a brands products solely speak for themselves! Dior handbag ads are also popular featuring shots of actresses Marion Cotillard and recently Jennifer Lawrence; very simple photographs with the bag (attracting the shot towards the bag). 

Dior
(Courtesy of: huffingtonpost.com)

Advertisements like these are reflecting the ever-increasing priority for many fashion houses and luxury brands.

Hermes Birkin Bag
(Courtesy of: forbes.com)

Brands' handbags and perfumes are major money-spinners in luxury goods these days, rather than the clothes seen on the models in many ads. Like luxury brand Hermes Birkin bag's sales reported a 26 % jump in profits last year.   

It seems there may be a preference in the "accessibility" of accessories these days. Many luxury brands in the fashion business feel the pressure to put what is selling the most in the "retail spotlight". While budgets are tight, labels attempt to attract their customers however they can and accessories seems to be the answer!

The consumers' mindset thinking, "when looking to buy from a luxury brand, we can ALWAYS buy a bag." Meaning anyone can carry a Birkin bag, Burberry's Orchard bag , or Charlotte Olympia clutch without having the perfect "supermodel" body. 

There has also seen how in the past there were much more press coverage for clothing brands received (especially for runway shows). Even Louis Vuitton, best known for his luxury bags, produces clothing mostly due to this.

Charlotte Olympia Clutch
(Courtesy of: purseblog.com)

Take Proenza Schouler, a high-concept woman's wear brand who recently re-vamped their website's accessory displays. Stocking a range of small leather luxury goodssuch as handbags (including the brands well known PS1 bag), jewelry, scarves and a select group of items from the luxury brands' Spring 2013 runway collection.

This brands' total annual sales estimated at £50 million, easily making the brand (and the website) their largest sales channel.

Proenza Schouler PS1 bag
(Courtesy of: beverlys.net)

                             

  

Nicholas Kirkwood SS 2013
(Courtesy of: shorazzi.com)

Nicholas Kirkwood, known for popularity in high heels has made heads turn on runways and in the press with his shoe collection. In January he even became the first accessories designer to win the British fashion council/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund.

Some luxury retailers are even offering consumers access to brands' products early (usually at certain store for a limited time). High-quality luxury brand Lanvin made at least 5 black python handbags (priced at around £4,000 a piece) that were only available to top customers. Only 14 of these were produced in total at that time.

Lanvin Black Python Happy Bag
(Courtesy of: portero.com)

So it seems fashion fanatics might be skipping past the retail clothing racks and heading for the luxury handbags, clutches, heels and other accessories for a little while. 

Rhi Rhi for River Island

It was the most hotly anticipated collaboration of the year. And now British High Street chain River Island's collaboration with popstar Rihanna has landed in stores. The high street range - her first move in to fashion - features plenty of thigh splits, double denim, neon pops and humbug stripes and really is reminiscent of what Rihanna would wear herself.

While a simple black dress - as worn by the singer last night - is priced at a reasonable £45, some of the star's designs, like a fluoro mini dress, for instance, come in at £75 per item, while a denim skirt retails for £50. But with prices as high as £150 for a grey boucle jacket, the question of whether her teenage fans can afford her designs hangs in the air.

I personally think that with any celebrity collaboration customers will be prepared to pay slightly more for the items. The range is very simple and basic, which makes it hard to justigfy paying £30 plus for a plain top. However, Rihanna has the selling power and what Rihanna wears millions of people also want to wear. This in mind, there is no doubt in my mind the collection will be incredibly successful and I can definatly imagine a another collection will be made by Rihanna in the future. 

(All photos courtesy of Vogue.co.uk)

Elle's First Androgynous Cover Model

(Courtesy of DailyMail.com)

I'm very excited for Elle magazine and it's first ever androgynous male model Andrej Pejic who is beautifully posed on this month's cover. He is the wildly successful male model that even Kate Moss has described as ‘beautiful' and I personally find him facinating!

Andrej Pejic can add Elle cover ‘girl’ to his vast list of achievements as he graces the cover of Serbian Elle’s January issue. Andrej has even recently appeared in shoots for Jean Paul Gaultier and other high profile luxury brand designers. 

His striking pose, sensual eyes and fierce cheekbones set a high-fashion tone for the new year, even perhaps a "politically correct/incorrect" breakthrough of sorts and this season welcomes him proudly.

(Courtesy of Style.com)

Jean Paul Gaultier of course also makes retro new-age style waves in fashion with his SS 2013 collection.

(Courtesy of Sundaytimes.co.uk)

Responding to controversy over his feminine looks in the past he told New York magazine: ‘My gender is open to artistic interpretation. 'I don’t really have that sort of strong gender identity - I identify as what I am. The fact that people are using it for creative or marketing purposes, it’s just kind of like having a skill and using it to earn money.'

(Courtesy of DailyMail.com)

The constant controversy surrounding him has done nothing to slow down his career.The 21-year-old is in high demand and was even chosen to model for a lingerie campaign last year. Andrej's lack of cleavage did nothing to hinder his appeal: in the poster, for Dutch department store Hema, the model advertised a push-up bra.

The fashion industry isnt afraid of taking chances which one of the reasons i love it1 Anything goes! An 'industry term' has even been invented after him: The 'Andrej Pejic effect' refers to male models who use make-up or have androgynous appeal.

Illamasqua

I work in selfridges on LK bennett and working for Selfridges you get to see alot of new exciting products and collections coming into the store! I recently came across this new exciting makeup brand called Illamasqua. I had never heard of it before but has been around since 2010

The new  collection which is currently in stores is titled "I'mperfection" The collection is all about embracing the things that are typically seen as imperfections and highlighting them instead of hiding them away. 

Alex Box describes the collection as "a stand against the homogenised nature of the beauty industry today, and a celebration of freckles, scars and birthmarks - the things that make us who we are. To borrow a line from Marilyn Monroe, "Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring". The first thing in the collection that caught my eye was the new nail polishes that Illamasqua had brought out with this collection. Each nail polish is in a pretty pastel shade with a speckled finish inspired by the beauty of a bird's egg. 

The one amazing thing about Illamasqua is that their collections aren't just "pretty" but inspiring, and the campaigns that run alongside new collections are really interesting and make you think outside the box. If there is ever a brand to open your eyes to the creative world of makeup, it's Illamasqua. You don't have to be daring in your makeup choices in order to indulge in any of the products, but keep an open mind and be inspired.