On the catwalk
Posted May 30, 2008
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If you are young and beautiful and you can strut your stuff, here is your chance to wear all your favourite designer clothes, shoes and bags – and get paid for it. The Look of the Year competition is designed to find the next top model, and there is a prize valued at $10,000 PLUS an entree to a top model agency to lauch your modelling career into the big time. Check out http://www.lookoftheyear.com and send in your photos. This time next year you could be on the catwalk in London or Paris.
On my recent trip into London and Harvey Nichols, I spent a few minutes in the Jimmy Choo Handbags section. Actually I stayed longer because the assistant was so helpful. The Red Maddy bag caught my eye: not an oversized designer bag, but still quite roomy. But did you realise that the Jimmy Choo Maddy handbag adapts from its generous bucket shape to become a flat compact shoulder bag when you are not carrying very much with you? Although it will keep its squat shape (shown left), this bag has no rigid frame – great design and craftsmanship give this Jimmy Choo bag its flexibility. Have a look at the interior and you will find a beautiful suede lining with pockets all the way round for neat storage. 
There are lots of gold studs and buckles but they are in a matt finish that just keeps the Maddy on the right side of good taste. In this Poppy colour the Maddy is just what you need on a rainy day. My helpful assistant told me the bag is also available in sand colour as well as black. He explained there was more stock than just the bags on show, and he opened the door to a huge floor to ceiling cupboard, crammed with dozens of Jimmy Choo Handbags, all nestled neatly in their protective cotton covers. The Jimmy Choo Maddy Bag retails at £795, and actually I think this is pretty good value for the quality of the materials and craftsmanship.
Selling in hundreds of bags since launch in January 2008, the Burberry Warrior Luxury version is just one of the new products credited with saving the upmarket British Fashion Brand. When I was a girl the Burberry Check raincoat was a solid emblem of conservative style, but more recently Burberry’s check was sadly adopted by an army of Chavs and the counterfeit copies took the Burberry look in to some bad company. With the arrival of the new Chief Executive Angela Ahrendts and creative director Christopher Bailey, Burberry’s Prorsum collection (could a Chav spell Prorsum?), the company is thriving.
Only yesterday we were talking about Gianni Versace. I was wearing ‘Versus – time for pleasure’ Eau de Toilette and it reminded me that he was one of Princess Diana’s favourite designers. Since his death in 1997 the company has continued under the leadership of his brother and sister, Santo and Donatella. This month the first consignments of the long-awaited Versace Shopper Handbag will arrive for those lucky customers who pre-ordered. The price is pretty steep at around $2000, but for that you get two bags for the price of one really. You leave home with the two bags together, looking like one fashionably oversized designer tote. Then when you reach the shops, separate the bags and use the stylish larger bag for carrying your purchases. The small dome clutch bag now carries your wallet and make-up neatly. 
What do you think of when you hear the name Fendi? Fashion? Quality? Timeless Elegance? Long recognized as a trend setter in the world of high fashion, Fendi symbolizes the highest quality in craftsmanship, painstaking attention to detail and only the most fashionable of clothing and accessories. 
At last – really pretty designer handbag for the Summer. Valentino’s Blossom Satchel is understated and shows some great design. Look at the way the leather has been skilfully pleated and twisted to form the flower shape. The Blossom Satchel by Valentino is perfect in pink for sunny days and balmy nights.
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