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Chanel Set To Open In Shanghai

Chanel is opening a new boutique in Shanghai on November 25. Peter Marino is the architect for the new space and was inspired by the Paris apartment of Mademoiselle Chanel. It is a fitting city for the famous couture house to unveil a new store as Shanghai is known as "the Paris of the East".

According to the architect, the idea was to give this new boutique a residential feel by combining hand picked art, antiques and other objects with a refined store decor. The fashion house has also commissioned original artwork by french artist, Jean-Michel Othoniel, to be displayed. The art of shopping is to be a subtle experience at this unique salon where customers enter the apartment-like space, can sit on sofas and have individual items brought to them as opposed to jostling elbows with other shoppers while browsing the merchandise. It is to be a different, more elegant, experience for the customer. Peter Marino is quoted "The result is comfort, quiet elegance, timelessness. The chic of Chanel."

Karl Lagerfeld has also designed exclusive products only to be sold in the Shanghai location to celebrate the stores opening. These include a classic quilted flap handbag with an inside signature "Shanghai Karl Lagerfeld", sling-back heels with a metallic CC logo, various items of clothing including a tweed jacket and skirt with gold trim.

The boutique has an excellent location in the newly opened The Peninsula hotel. The latest addition to the luxury travel market the Art Deco styled hotel has a terrific location on the Bund, the waterfront promenade in Shanghai.

Jimmy Choo Launches Project PEP; Benefits Charity

Jimmy Choo Launches Project PEP; Benefits Charity
Partnering with The Elton John AIDS Foundation, Jimmy Choo has launched Project PEP, a line of bold, punk rock accessories whose sales benefit the Simelela Rape Center in Cape Town, South Africa. The collection comprises 11 items -- bags, shoes, a cuff, and mobile accessories -- that range in price from $85 - $995. The shoe pictured, the PEP LOOP, is $975. Take a look at the gallery for a few more items from the collection.

Dolce & Gabbana Miss Martini Patchwork Pony Shoulder Bag, Handbag of the Day

Dolce & Gabbana Miss Martini Patchwork Pony Shoulder BagThe Dolce & Gabbana Miss Martini Patchwork Pony Shoulder Bag is a fun way to work a lot of animals prints into your outfit at the same time.

Some of these prints are actually pony hair, originating from Italy and New Zealand, so not only does the bag make it look like you're dating a successful Serengeti fur trapper, but it's soft and stroke-worthy (helpful, because you miss him on his long trips).

In all seriousness, this is super cute. Throw this over your shoulder with a little black dress, put a martini in the other hand, and you might as well be in Mad Men. The bag is 9"W X 8"H X 1½"D, and has a fabulous goldtone chain and logo plate. Added bonus: all these colors are neutrals, so you can totally pair it with your jewel-toned holiday dresses for a very luxe effect.

The Dolce & Gabbana Miss Martini Patchwork Pony Shoulder Bag is available from Saks Fifth Avenue for $1,075.00.

Kooba Mila Clutch, Handbag of the Day

Kooba Mila ClutchThe Kooba Mila Clutch is spangly and sexy.

This python-embossed leather clutch, with its demure, delicate wristlet and gold ring, is the perfect thing to spice up a little black dress -- or a little green dress, a little gold dress, a little purple dress, and so on. The stripy colors are fresh and playful, and give the bag an 80s feel, but not overwhelmingly, like say, Zubaz (warning, may burn your eyes).

We also love the stroke-me texture, the black leather whipstitching at the edges and especially the long shape, which ensures you will actually be able to put things into this bag. This would be an easy go-to for grabbing off your shelf to glam up an outfit -- even your work clothes.

The Kooba Mila Clutch is available from Neiman Marcus for $325.00.

Lauren Merkin Lotte Feather-Print Clutch, Handbag of the Day

Lauren Merkin Lotte Feather-Print ClutchThe Lauren Merkin Lotte Feather-Print Clutch is a bright, feathery bag without all the fuss.

Carrying around a clutch that is essentially handful of feathers is certainly glamorous, but it's not always practical. You never want to put such a bag down anywhere, lest the feathers get smooshed, and heaven help you if it rains.

This bag creates a fun, flirty feather look -- but the genius of it is the coloring. Not only is it pretty, but feathers this color don't exist. If the silk were printed with an attempt at real-looking feathers, it would just look fake and half-hearted. Well done, Lauren Merkin, for making this soft silk print look intentional and classy.

This gathered, snap-flap, 6"H x 11 1/2"W clutch is perfect for a night out or a dinner party at a friend's place -- the teal is a perfect accent for a dark ensemble.

The Lauren Merkin Lotte Feather-Print Clutch is available from Neiman Marcus for $200.00.

DKNY Logo Tote, Handbag of the Day

DKNY Logo Tote
The DKNY Logo Tote is a classic, dark, wintery tote bag that will surely be a staple for years to come on those lazy days when you want to look pulled together without trying too hard or having to think too much about it. The logo-printed body is accented with black crocodile embossed leather and shiny goldtone hardware. Inside there's a black satin lining and two open compartments separated by a closed (zip-top) one. Also includes a logo key fob and a couple interior pockets (including one for your cell phone). £179

Christie's Plans Website For Gucci Collectors

gucci bagGucci collectors will soon have a new way to value and sell their objects. The NY Times reports that Christie's will be teaming up with Gucci on a new project to help Gucci fight online counterfeiting. A Gucci museum will open in Florence in 2011 and a website dedicated to evaluating Gucci goods will launch by the end of the year. The "Gucci Collector" site from Christie's, will include a section where people can upload vintage items and get an appraisal. Christie's and Gucci are both part of the luxury megagroup PPR. In addition to providing a service for collectors both the museum and the online website will help preserve the history of the brand. It may also help collectors research potential acquisitions and avoid getting taken in by counterfeits.

Antik Batik Swar Pouchette, Handbag of the Day

swar bouchetteThe Swar pouchette from Antik Batik is the evening bag for someone who doesn't like their bags too perfect. This suede handbag has a charmingly roughhewn quality. It is adorned with rhinestones, distressed sequins, and chain details for a look that is ornate but not too fussy. The strap has a 22 inch drop and it has a suede lining and zip closure. This bag sells for $238.

Zebra Canvas Shoulder Pouch, Handbag of the Day


Now here's a zebra print I actually like. The Zebra Canvas Shoulder Pouch by Temperley London is a little muted but still very much recognizable and fashion forward. Done in brown and blush in cotton canvas (another reason I like it!), it has brown leather trim and goldtone hardware. The drawstring top gives it a cute pouchy shape while the circular leather base helps it to both hold it's shape and stay sitting up when you set it down. The leather drawstring is pulled through large leather loops and the matching leather handle has a woven circular pattern at the top. One internal pouch pocket in the pale salmon lining, $600.

Pewter Lizard Clutch, Handbag of the Day

Kelly Locke Pewter Lizard Clutch Handbag
This Pewter Lizard Clutch by Kelly Locke looks more like a wallet than a handbag, but sometimes that's just what you need. Marketed as a "portable, practical work of art" it is understated, edgy, and contemporary. Crafted of pewter lizard leather with metallic leather accents and silk-thread hand-stitching, it has a suede lining with one interior slip pocket and it comes with a cloth dust bag. $500

And if you like the look but aren't crazy about the color check out these Spotted Hair Calf and Mandarin Lizard versions.

Punk Suede Studded Bag, Handbag of the Day

Balmain Punk Suede Studded Handbag
Studs really are popular this year, and this Punk Suede Studded Bag by Balmain is a perfect example. Suede is such a great fabric for the fall and winter and this time it gets a 'tough luxe' treatment with studs of varying size and color laid into the front flap in a dense, abstract design that kinda reminds me of animal print. There's an exterior pocket tucked under the front flap, and the interior of the bag features a full lining and zip-top closure. If you like it you better love it, as it's a bit pricey at $3,925.

Café Racer Leather Shoulder Bag, Handbag of the Day

Donna Karan Cafe Racer Handbag
A lovely, winter-toned neutral that will bring a dose of comfy (but slightly icy) gray to your wardrobe. The Café Racer Leather Shoulder Bag by Donna Karan is made of wrinkled leather and has a few strategically placed stud and stitch details, double shoulder straps, a cut-out panel, a large silvertone zipper pull, exterior pockets all over the place that overlap each other plus one large one on the front that zips. Pockets galore on the inside too, along with a hidden magnetic closure and a full lining. $1,295

Natural Ring Lizard Clutch, Handbag of the Day

Fossati Handbag
Also called the 'Venice Evening Bag' this is a pretty, classic little clutch in neutral colors and a unique but amazingly simple shape. Mirroring the beauty and elegance of the city after which it's named, this Fossati creation has a magnetic snap closure, interior pockets for your cell phone and credit cards, and is lined in luxe lambskin. Measures a tiny 9" x 5" x 1 1/2" and comes with a card of authenticity. A clutch in the truest form, and one you can wear with almost anything at almost any time of year. $750

Electric Handheld Studded Leather Bag, Handbag of the Day

Temperley London Handbag
This one is for indulging your inner biker girl. Black leather and silvertone stud details get feminine in several starburst patterns and random other accents placed on everything from the shoulder strap to the buckles. It's the Electric Handheld Studded Leather Bag by Temperley London and it has more going on than first meets the eye. There's a pouch pocket with magnetic closure on the front, a welt pocket with zip closure on the back, both pouch and welt pockets on the inside, tassel details on all the zippers, and a bold black and white zebra-print lining. $1,180

Candy Acrylic Shoulder Clutch, Handbag of the Day

Jimmy Choo Handbag
It's bright, it's bold, it's Jimmy Choo's Candy Acrylic Shoulder Clutch. It's made of hard acrylic in bright yellow (although it also comes in pink) and features a silvertone shoulder strap that can be hidden inside the bag if you prefer to go with true clutch styling. A definite contemporary look, this bag will modernize your favorite LBD or brighten up an otherwise drab ensemble. An asymmetrical fold-over front, ridge details, and a logo embossed prominently on the front round out the exterior features while the interior boasts a tonal leather and gold satin lining, and one patch pocket. $495


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