Second City Style Fashion Blog - Style, Luxury, Beauty & Shopping

NYC Event. Bags & Bubbles: A Botkier Fall Collection Preview

This past Wednesday evening Second City Style attended the Botkier Fall Collection Preview and Monica Botkier Q & A at HoneyMag's offices in Soho.

The Uma tote and bag are to the left and the Logan (black bag) are some of the season's standouts.

My favorite: the Marti boot. The heel is the perfect height for city walking. I must own a pair!The Syndney Hobo is behind the boot.

I loved this pairing. The Angie fringe tote and clutch.

More from the Blotkier fall '09 collection (that is not my glass). Shown here: The Taylor Collection

Monica's inspiration for her Fall '09 collection was New York rocker chic. She looked back to her roots when she first launched her line back in 2003. How can one forget the iconic Trigger bag? I still have mine. The bags and shoes in the collection are about zippers, studs, hardwear, function and leather that just keeps getting better with age. An essential for Monica is an easy access pocket where one can stash their phone and a long key chain attached to the inside of the bag.

Popular styles: The Logan, The Uma (a ruched and tassled bag or tote), Taylor and my favorite: The Marti leather zipperd boots with a realistic city height heel for $595.

Monica Botkier talking about her Marti zippered boot

Question: What was your inspiration?

MB: I have always been inspired by rockers. I am a huge Led Zepplin fan. The asthetic resonates with me. I have a little rocker in me which is why I like bags that are a little edgy with grommets, studs and zippers.

Question: What motivated you to design handbags?

MB: I actually began my career as a photographer and was always seduced by accessories. But I couldn't afford the great bags of the time so I would have leather bags made for me that I designed. Models on the photo shoots began asking me where to get my bags and within months I was shipping to Barneys. It happened that quickly.

Question: What are the prices of your bags?

MB: I have found that $595 is the sweetspot price for my bags. We have not really raised the prices much since they launched. The larger tote style bags are $695.

Question: Who are some of your celebrity clientele?

MB: Angelina Jolie, Kate Bosworth, Joy Bryant, Megan Fox, Rihanna and Heidi Klum come to mind, but there are more.

Question: Are you going to ever launch a mens' line?

MB: Not until I have a retail store. It just doesn't make sense for me at this time.

Question: Where are your bags sold?

MB: At most of the major U.S. retailers like Bloomingdales, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks and Shopbop. But for the full collection your best bet is to shop Botkier online. The fall bags are already online, the shoes and bots will be coming shortly.

Shop Botkier online here.

- Lauren Dimet Waters

Photos: Second City Style and HoneyMag.com

New Handbag Store Opened Today In Chicago at The 900 Shops

This new store is open today May 15th! Ootra invites shoppers to channel their inner designer with its customizable handbags - get creative styling your own bag, strap, trim and other embellishments.

At the 900 Shops - 900 N Michigan Avenue, Chicago or online at ootra.com

Handbags. Special on Gustto 'Estola' Bag for Second City Style Readers

Get 20% Off on this Large Estola Bag in purple from Gustto when you use discount code: SCS0020 at checkout!

This large bag from the Gustto City Collection with wide, gathered handles, a leather strap with a brass Gustto pendant has brass accents and a zip-top closure. Made of soft cowskin leather with an inside zip pocket, open pocket, and cell phone pocket ...what more could you want?

Size: 16" x 10" x 9"
Retails for $760 - now with 20% off you can get it for $608
Shop Here

About Gustto
Born in the South of France, handbag designer Agathe Planchon has been inspired by a life of constant motion. Nestled on the Northwestern coast of the Italian Riviera, Portofino has long been her most beloved sanctuary and primary source of inspiration. Personifying luxury, fashion, and passion for life, the Italian lifestyle has incited Ms. Planchon to design this subtly sexy, yet unerringly sophisticated collection. Gustto bags have become one of the foremost "must have" accessories from Fifth Avenue to the Hollywood Hills.

Handbags. Banana Republic Knock-offs

By now everyone knows I love a good (and usually expensive) handbag. However, when asked where women can find reasonably priced leather bags, Banana Republic normally comes to mind as they are mostly under $300. So I was checking out their handbag collection today and found myself thinking...some of these look vaguely familiar and not in a good way. I admit, I am disappointed in Banana Republic. At least I expected them to be somewhat original.

Top Left: Versace; Top Right: Banana Republic
Bottom Left: Anya Hindmarch; Bottom Right: Banana Republic

- Lauren Dimet Waters

Finds on a Dime: Beauty And The Briefcase — On A Budget

Rachel Yeomans for Second City Style Magazine

We working women spend quite a bit of money on fashion in general; but we spend at times even more on our work ensembles. Those of us who attend presentations, network and schmooze clients and colleagues all know that the initial impression can make all the difference. With that being said, why is it that we tote around clunky briefcases that arrive with our laptops toting the name of our computer, and not a designer? We spend so much money in looking professional and put-together, but we somehow forget about our most constant fashion accessory.

This is where I insert the caveat — I may invest in my work wardrobe, so the more pennies I can pinch to save up for that suit, the happier I would be. And in this economy, I want to be careful where I invest. So with that in mind, I decided to see what my options were to not only accessorize my work ensemble, but accessorize my laptop. Luckily for all of us fashion-savvy entrepreneurs, we do indeed have some options—stylish options.

The first thought that came to me when trying to replace my briefcase was, why not just buy a large purse? As the tote is all the rage these days, they aren’t too difficult to find. Unfortunately the lining of colored silk doesn’t offer as much laptop protection as that of my less-lined briefcase. Then I discovered the ingenious — and much less expensive—solution to this dilemma: the notebook sleeve.

Read more "Beauty And The Briefcase — On A Budget" here.

Found! Bags We Would Actually Carry Under $400!

Recently we received some feedback from a reader asking us if there were any bags under $400 we liked. Sure there are, but not many. We are not fans of PVC (pleather) and nylon bags (although Tods and Prada make some good ones, but do you really want to pay over $800 for nylon?). Don't even get us started on fake designer bags which a total no-no. We just are not fans of cheap bags. Yes, we are bag snobs. That being said, here are some we found that are under $400 that we would actually carry!

Shopping guide:

1. Matt & Nat 'Camden' Tote $265

2. Beckon Multi Pocket Suede Hobo $198

3. The Sak Handbags Silver Lake Leather Flap $153.23

4. J. Crew Owen Hobo $395

5. Susan Farber Collections 'Hastings' Zip Ruffle Hobo $398

6. Elliott Lucca 'Portia Large' Pocket Shopper $329

7. J. Crew Metallic Uptown Tote $378

8. Dooney & Bourke Dome Leather Satchel $295

9. Untracabale Leather Tote $129.99

10. Michael Michael Kors 'Austin' Satchel $348

11. Juicy Couture 'Lock Love Ya - Medium' Shoulder Bag $350

- Lauren Dimet Waters

Image: Carol Calacci

The Thing I am Loving Today

This is going to be a new little feature whenever the mood strikes. I am one for wishful thinking or dreaming big so bare with me as I comb through sites and magazine for the things I am coveting right now!

Here is the first one:

Yves Saint Laurent Large Muse in plum

If I could I would own this bag in every color. I never tire of it. I have the blue/grey YSL Muse from Spring '08 and now I am coveting it in plum. There isn't an outfit I couldn't wear this bag with, it's so dark and rich, it's almost black, but it's not! Just looking at it makes my heart skip a beat! I seriously want them all. It's my more affordable Birkin, if you will.

Yves Saint Laurent Large Muse Zip Top Bag in Plum $1,395

- Lauren Dimet Waters

Catch This! Anya Hindmarch's Target Collection to Be Available a Little Earlier

According to Racked.com, Anya Hindmarch is offering first dibs on her handbag collection for Target to her online customers at Anyahindmarch.com, just in case you can't wait until they go on sale at the red bullseye Sunday, October 12 through Friday, December 26. The collection of handbags, clutches and totes will be available on Hindmarch's site only (not her stores) starting Wednesday, October 8 through Tuesday, October 14.

Mind you, these are personally something I would have to see in person before I bought. PVC just gives me the ick. You don't actuall think they will be real leather do you? However, I have to admit, from the photos, they look pretty cute!

Photo: racked.com

Handbag Designer. Catching Up With Diego Rocha

It's no secret, Diego Rocha is one of our favorite handbag designers and he's one of our own! A Chicagoan. Both Carol and I own his stunning handmade bags (actually we own one of the same bags, but in different colors). I always think of him when I am about to head off to NY Fashion Week because I usually carry his timeless tote which holds all of my needs (invites, papers, makeup, change of shoes, etc.) perfectly and stylishly.

So I thought it was time to check in with Diego and see what was new in his world.

A little history...Brazilian born Diego Rocha doesn’t possess any formal design training, but in five years, he has become the toast of Chicago for his amazing hand crafted handbags. Made of premium, imported leather, his bags include unique details and finishing, and cater to the tastes and needs of varying women. Since Diego is such a sweetheart to boot, clients can go to his studio and pick out their own leather and he will tailor make a bag to suit their aesthetic and needs. How awesome is that?

Anyway, back to what's new...due to demand from financially strapped 20 and 30 somethings, Diego has recently introduced a more affordable line of clutches. "Most of my customers are between 40 and 60 and they can afford a new $800 dollar handbag, but I was constantly hearing from women who wanted a Diego Rocha bag, but just couldn't afford one. So I am now offering a handmade Courrier clutch (lined in suede) in rich colors that retails for $280," said Diego.

The Courrier Clutch by Diego Rocha

Diego is very excited about these clutches and with good reason, they are being snatched up at record pace! The colors range from rich berry tones to faux crocodile and may be purchased at Macy's on State Street in Chicago or on his site diegorocha.com, although he should have an exciting announcement soon!

Diego was recently named a rising Star by FGI and is currently working on his spring collection.

So stock up on your Courrier clutch now. We can't think of a better holiday accessory!

Shop Diego Rocha here.

The Diego Rocha fan club...that's Carol in the right!

- Lauren Dimet Waters

Handbag News. Rei Kawakubo's Party Bags for LV

It's time to re-examine Louis Vuitton bags. What can I say? I had written them off as I suspect most are fake when I see them an the arms of women everywhere. However, Rei Kawakubo (the Japanese designer behind Comme des Garçons) has given the bags a new look. Yes, as is the trend of the moment Rei Kawakubo is collaborating with Louis Vuitton and some of the results are spectacular. The evening bags will unveiled next Wednesday at a temporary concept store in Tokyo’s trendy Aoyama district.

“We thought it was so interesting to combine two opposite worlds,” said Yves Carcelle, Vuitton’s president and chief executive officer.

The idea grew out of a conversation between Vuitton creative director Marc Jacobs and Adrian Joffe, Kawakubo’s husband, who’s president of Comme des Garçons International. “I admire and worship her and it’s the kind of thing that I think is so wonderful to do at Vuitton, where it’s such an iconic brand and that monogram and everything and, again, I’ve said all this before, but it’s so wonderful to have someone so outside of that thing take their look at it, their approach to it,” said Jacobs.

Read "Vuitton's Deal with Rei Kawakubo" here.

Source & photo: WWD