Fashion Bomb 101: Goyard Bags

Wondering about that black Goyard case? A little fashion history care of the website CoolHunting.com:

"The French have enjoyed leather goods from Maison Goyard since 1853. Known for quality, endurance and classic style more than bowing to the trends of the day, Goyard has been a fixture of the French luxury good scene for a long time. Today Goyard is as exclusive and chic as ever thanks to the fashion crowd that has rediscovered its charms. The unique linen, cotton and hemp canvas is covered in hand-painted dots in four colors and is nearly indestructable. Wallets and card cases for guys, bags and accessories for women and collars and dog accessories for the fashionable [pets] in your life. Bags start above $1,000. Available in the U.S. exclusively at Barney's New York; in Paris at Maison Goyard (and only a handful of other locations around the world)."

Michelle Obama in Isabel Toledo

Michelle Obama has started off Inauguration Day in designer Isabel Toledo:
Curious about the designer? Here's an excerpt on the Isabel Toledo from Phaidon's The Fashion Book:

"Latin Flavor, surreal lines, and futuristic content define Isabel Toledo's radical fashion sewn in the tradition of couture. Toledo, who speaks of herself as a seamstress rather than a fashion designer, creates in the manner of couturiers such as Madame Vionnet and Madame Gres. Like them, she does not start from a flat sketch, but envisions clothing in three dimensions, always bearing a shape in her mind, usually a circle or a curved line. 'I love the maths behind the romance,' she says of her so-called liquid architecture's craftsmanship....Toledo's husband, Ruben, known for his whimsical fashion illustrations, manages the business side of the New York based company and acts as her creative alter ego."

Pssst, First Lady Obama is also wearing Jimmy Choo heels and J.Crew gloves! The little ladies, Sasha and Malia, are in J.Crew Crewcuts. They. are. adorable.

Sonia Rykiel Exhibit in Paris

Hey boos!
Today I stopped into a cool exhibit at the Museum of Fashion on French Designer Sonia Rykiel:
Known as the 'Queen of Knits', Rykiel is best known for her sweaters, and was the first designer to put seams on the outside of a garment and weave pictures into her designs. The exhibit in Paris celebrates her 40 years in the business, and shows a progression of her apparel--from fun sweaters in bright colors, decorated with rosettes, words, and stripes to more serious dresses and gowns:
I could only take a few pix before the guards told me I had to stop--in case you can't make it here, a few more shots:
I'm off to a Kanye West/Roots concert tonight and I'm going to snap some serious Real Style (I'm on a mission!!). Stay tuned for that on Monday--and for Mail Bombs tomorrow:)
Bisous!

Fashion Bomb 101: Cashmere

One of the things I look forward to most about fall is the chance to wear cashmere. It’s the perfect fabric: luxuriously soft, warm, and incredibly light. Here are some tips to help you find great cashmere and maintain it:

CASHMERE 101

WHY: Cashmere is an investment piece that lasts years (that's why it costs $150-$200 for a good sweater). The wool actually becomes softer with time, doesn’t wrinkle (great for travel), and is warm in winter, cool in spring. Also: all of the warmth and none of the bulk of a big sweater.

WHERE: Lots of off-price retailers, including Century 21, Loehmann’s, and Marshalls sell quality cashmere at a fraction of department store prices. Tip: Bloomingdales holds *the best* annual cashmere sale—expect stylish pieces at deep discounts, like this one from last year's sale:

HOW: The Stretch Test: As delicately as possible, pull and let go of the sides of the sweater. A well-knit sweater will resume its normal shape, while a poorly constructed one will not. The softer the cashmere feels, the better quality it is. 2-ply (twin layers) sweaters are considered premium.

DON'T FORGET: As one writer says, treat cashmere like your hair. Unless the care label says otherwise, hand wash it in warm water with a mild detergent (baby shampoo, Woolite, or Cashmere Wash), reshape it on a flat surface, and allow it to air dry.
Here are some fantastic cashmere finds for all wallets:

1. Old Navy Striped Cashmere Gloves, $20 2. Kashmere Red Buffalo Plaid Cashmere Scarf, $90 3, 4, 5. Missoni Cashmere Hats, $156 6. Hayden 2-ply Cashmere Tunic, $156 7. Robert Rodriguez Dolman Cardigan, $270
What other 101s (leather, makeup, vintage shopping) are you interested in getting? Leave feedback or e-mail thefashionbombintern@gmail.com!
Adriana
Photos courtesy of Squidoo, Supplierlit, and Style Phox.