Sparkle for the Holidays

Meet Mary Frances. The passion she has for her accessories sparkles through.  Starting in San Francisco, after 2 decades her vision has become an international venture using artistic influences from around the world.  She's inspired in her use of different fabrics, textures, and unique combinations of materials and colors.  You'll be surprised to see the intricate beading and intermingling of surprising materials to make a truly unique look you'll love to hold and carry.  She's been discovered by celebrities too like Oprah, Jennifer Aniston, and Kate Hudson to name just three.  Her business is one of the fastest growing privately owned companies by INC magazine, and her designs have won awards in the Dallas Fashion Awards, Paris Fashion Week, and the prestigious Best Design award in Milan

A dash of color with your sparkle, enjoy this Mary Frances trio.  They are the Wonder Struck Bouquet, the Fan Out handbag, and the Madrid handbag

Beautiful Zebra!

A rose by any other name . . . .

Bottega Veneta in Vegas

BRIQUE INTRECCIATO (braided) SILK STRETCH KNOT
The timeless Stretch Knot is an elegantly elongated version of the signature Knot clutch bag. A masterpiece of design and artisanal craftsmanship, interpretations of the Knot have ranged from the understated to the extravagant over the years, each new style confirming the irresistible beauty and timeless charm of this iconic design. Recreated in a new and vibrant colour palette, this youthful and contemporary piece is made of intricately crafted Intrecciato Silk.

For Fall-Winter 2015/2016, Bottega Veneta presents a women’s collection inspired by a nonchalant sense of style. Put together in unexpected combinations, the looks reveal the beauty of individualistic dressing.  Bottega Veneta signature saying is "when your own initials are enough" Initials combines the beauty of Bottega Veneta’s handcrafted intrecciato (braided) nappa with the elegance and individuality of a monogram. Every piece is hand-woven of the finest quality nappa leather and back-lined with suede on the interior, making it lightweight as well as distinctive-looking.

Bottega Veneta was founded in 1966 by Michele Taddei and is headquartered in Vicenza, Italy.  The company’s artisans developed a leather-weaving know-how, called intrecciato that remains a signature of the brand.  By the early 1980s, Bottega Veneta was a favorite of the international By the early 1980s, Bottega Veneta was a favorite of the international jet set. Andy Warhol, who did his Christmas shopping in the New York boutique, made a short film for the company in 1980s.. Andy Warhol, who did his Christmas shopping in the New York boutique, made a short film for the company in 1980s.

The name means Venetian Shop.  In 2001, it was purchased by the Gucci Group. Creative Director Tomas Maier came on board in June of that year. and presented his first collection, for Spring-Summer 2002, that fall. The German-born Maier, whose résumé includes positions at Sonia Rykiel and Hermès, set about returning the brand to its original identity. He removed visible logos from the brand’s products, highlighted the signature intrecciato weave prominently, and returned the company’s focus to artisanal production.  In Summer 2006, in recognition of the importance of artisanal craftsmanship and the diminishing number of master leatherworkers in Italy, Bottega Veneta opened the Scuola della Pelletteria, a school to train and support future generations of leather artisans.

Proud to Show Prada

Welcome to Prada!  Come on in!  In 1913 Mario Prada opened a shop of luxury goods in the heart of Milano in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. In 1919 Prada was appointed Official Supplier to the Italian Royal Family and so had the right to inncorporate the coat of arms and knotted rope insignia of the House of Savoy into its trademark logo.  In 1988 Miuccia Prada (Mario's granddaughter) introduced Prada's revolutionary backpack purse.  Until then high priced luxury bags and venerable European leather goods were only for the jet setter, ultra elites. Miuccia Prada had suddenly crossed boundaries of wealth and class.

I'm not suggesting Prada isn't pricey, it is.  But this backpack purse was the beginning of the attainable appeal of European designer purses.  Prada is thought of as an agent of cultural change, adapting vintage design to 21st century taste.  Miuccia Prada's signature look has been said to be - sexy librarian.  The Prada woman is said to be complex

Grrrrrreat animal prints for fall and winter from Prada.  You'll find this Saffiano Cuir and Struzzo styles not only in animal print, but also in so many different colors.  This is a Galleria bag with two zippered sides and in the middle an open inside for the ultimate in organization.  The Galleria bag is classic for the brand.

Similar Saffiano Cuir styles are the Twin Bag and the Double Bag.  Part of the difference between these two as well as the Galleria bag is the closure types.  The Galleria has the secure zippers.  The Double Bag has an interior fold over closure, and the Twin Bag has a Turn Closure.  All come in several different sizes.

Here's the coveted, fall 2015 prize.  The Tartan Plaid Saffiano Top Handle Bag.  Don't you love the colors and style!  And you will be amazed at the functional organization inside.  So many different sections, some are secured by zipper, and some are open for quick access.  What a great new Prada style this year.

This is what I find to be an odd, new addition to the Prada line - The Inside Bag.  There is limited space along the sides of this built in bag.  I'm usually a Prada girl but this doesn't seem practical to me.

Ciao Bella Prada Vegas!  That's amore!

Gucci Blooms

Meet Alessandro Michele and his incredible design for Gucci. He is Gucci's new Creative Director. He joined Gucci in 2002 as one of the behind-the-scenes designers, and was previously with Tom Ford. I've never been a Gucci Girl - until now that is. Everything's coming up Supreme Geraniums now, and I can't get enough of it. He has a Renaissance influence, and is particularly inspired by his love of nature and animals. He especially likes to mix geometrics with florals.
Michele says, “Night and day. I am trying to cause a little revolution inside the company—to push another language, a different way to talk about beauty and sexiness, which is an old word. It’s about sensuality now. When I started the first collection, I was thinking not in terms of fashion but in terms of attitude,” he adds, “that sense of beauty which I tried to find for an old and beautiful and charming brand like Gucci.”

"I risk a lot," says Michele, "It's not easy to live now. I think we need to dream. So I wanted to present an idea of something romantic, in dream time - like in a movie."  Michele is beautifully redefining what Gucci represents.  He is said to very much like the pop of the company's double G logo.

The Supreme Geraniums are also blooming on wallets, card cases, backpacks, pouches, key cases, sneakers, and ballerina style shoes

Michele's father appreciated nature. Michele spoke with feeling about his father being a very happy man, but powerful.  A man who could identify the sound of different birds, and could whistle the sounds and they would come. It was his aunt who taught him to crochet, and you can see the influence of that appreciation for working with your hands here with this lively, embroidered bird.

Of course, you may prefer the elegant, straightforward lines of the blue accent bag.

As you can see from the window in Las Vegas, along the Purse Parade Way, Gucci has much to offer.

I am captivated by this amazing, new design.  Michele will be staging his collections in Milan, although personally he's said he prefers the city of Rome.  No doubt Gucci's original headquarters in Rome feeds his passion for the city.  In the Palazzo Alberini, it was originally built in the sixteenth century under the direction of Raphael.  But Michele loves to travel, and no doubt picks up inspiration wherever he goes. For now, Michele declares, "I'm having a lot of fun!"  I look forward to what Alessandro Michele may bring in the future. Ben Fatto!  Well Done!

More stories about adventures in the Las Vegas Purse Wonderland to come soon . . . .