Handbags Fashion

have just unveiled at Baselworld 2010 a rather interesting World first in the history of watch-making. The uniqueness of their new Masterpiece Régulateur Roue Carrée lies in a square wheel that indicates the hours of the day. With this feature this watch takes Maurice Lacroix into the third millennium, with a decidedly futuristic combination of technology, innovation and modern aesthetics.

The timepiece has a central minutes hand, a small seconds sub-dial at six o’clock and a power-reserve display at three o’clock. But it is definitely the square wheel with geometric openwork at the top of the dial that commands attention. This square wheel is driven by cloverleaf shaped wheel, ensuring regular and reliable rotation. A raised corner that is highlighted with a Superluminova enhanced indicator that points to engraved numbers, also enhanced by Superluminova, indicates the hour of the day.

Anyone with more than a basic understanding of physics will probably know that gear profiles of non-circular wheels cannot be regular, and are therefore not the most reliable for telling the time. The main problem lay in defining the shape of the teeth of the two wheels to ensure constant power transmission through the gear. After numerous simulations, including with 10:1 scale models, the angles and profiles of the teeth now engage each other perfectly, meshing curve on matching curve so as to transfer power with the same precision as the circular counterparts in all other watches.

The 43 mm steel case has a black gold rim with alternating polished and matt finishes to emphasise the various features on the dial. This new men’s watch looks as sophisticated as it is innovative.

Just when I think that nothing a handbag designer does could possibly surprise me, someone goes and figures out a way to make me look twice. Thank God for innovation, even if it’s a little weird – without people trying new things, we’d all be carrying around the same black leather tote, and it takes a lot of ingenuity to go from the idea of a plain, utilitarian bag to the creation of something as fantastically weird as the Maison Martin Margiela Reflector Clutch

Yep, that’s right. Reflectors, meaning the little plastic things that people stick on the backs of their bikes so that cars won’t run them over at night. The clutch is embellished with those.

The chunks of plastic reflector, some of which look cut, others look more jagged and rough, are attached in a mosaic pattern to a simple leather clutch. The effect that this technique creates may not be something that everyone wants to carry, but I was taken aback at how well the chunks of plastic mimicked sequins. Since reflectors are, of course, created to reflect light at a variety of angles, they have a good bit of sparkle that gives this post-modern evening bag enough glamour to be more than just a conversation piece.

Our regular readers may have noticed a recent tweet from JuraWatches stating that the Jura Watches shop in Mayfair is now an authorised dealer for Archimede watches. So it is about time we had some background and news of this brand.

Archimede may be new to Jura Watches, but the German company that lies behind the brand, Ickler GmbH located in Pforzheim – the centre of the German watch industry, has over eighty years experience producing luxury watches.

The flagship timepiece of the Archimede brand is the Archimede Pilot Chronograph, which comes in a 36, 39, 42 and a 45 mm diameter case. In 2008 the Pilot Chronograph won first place in Focus magazine’s Golden Unruh Awards in the under €1000 category, and third 3rd place in the same category for 2009.

The Pilot Chronograph brings together classic design and engineering precision. The Swiss-made automatic movement is robust, without compromising on precision time-keeping. The finely crafted three-piece stainless steel case comes in a finely brushed steel or with a black PVD finish. The diamond crown and pushers are purposefully oversized. Under a sapphire crystal the black dial has luminous hands and indices, with a date calendar at six o’clock.

The Archimede Vintage models draw their inspiration from pilot watches from the 1920s and feature typically retro features. Besides these aviation collections Archimede also produce a range of sports timepieces, Archimede SportTaucher, especially designed for divers.

Harry Winston is quite is famous for their diamond jewelry, but recently they have also launched a collection of luxury Swiss watches. They manufacture five brands of watches: Avenue, Ocean, Premier, Signature and the Ultimate series.

harry-winston-avenue-squared-3

Harry Winston has announced a new series: The Avenue Series for Men, which comes just after the huge success of The Avenue Series for Women. In addition, Harry Winston has succeeded in keeping the air of glory around this timepiece. Available only in limited editions, only 25 mechanical watches are on sale! Buying this replica watch, which features an elegant square case lined with pure gold, is, indeed, indulging you in luxury watches. The Avenue, for men, is available in chronograph and in diamond-embedded models. The Chronograph has three dials, each corresponding to the hour, minute and second hands, while the diamond-embedded version of the watch has an artistic display with a dual time zone, which provides you the time with by means of two separate dials.

        The square, chesty look of the watchcase gives this majestic timepiece a masculine aura. The very look of the watch will make you feel manly, and you will long to see it on your wrist. A hefty but artistic case, which measures 43.4 × 44.7 mm, is fully made up of pure white gold, which gives it a real glistening appearance. The watch’s bezel fashions an impressive 60 baguette diamonds, which are oversized, and which add upto a decent 9.87 Ct. This watch is also water resistant to 30 meters.

        The dial of the Harry Winston Avenue Series watches for Men have a protective covering in the form of a sapphire crystal, which has been treated downright with antireflective coating on both it is their sides. The watches also feature a date measurement, and the dates are in a system that is very easy to read. You can almost determine the date with a glance, unlike many of those luxury watches, which set up quite complicated date reading systems. Another originality of the watch lies in the fact that the dates, which are set along with the crown, among the minute and hour display discs, are displayed vertically. This has been elegantly managed, and gives a fresh, new look to the watch.

        Now coming to the mechanism of time display, which, perhaps, is the most striking feature of this luxurious collection of watches. The Harry Winston Avenue Series watches for Men carry a time mechanism, which, instead of being electronic, as in many other watches, is mechanical, and complexly designed to a certain degree, but is automatic. This is based on a self-winding caliber module. This innovative mechanism, though being mechanical, enables the watches to perform the seconds, minutes, hours display along with the day and night indication for both the time zone displays, and a date display, which is quite a feat achieved by Harry Winston.

        The watch is best worn with an alligator strap, preferably black. It comes fitted with a diamond buckle. The watch is ultimate in the degree of luxury and sophistication.

Fashion designers have long taken their fantasy beyond using conventional fabrics. In collaboration with confectionary companies, fashion brands handbags are avidly experimenting with such unexpected clothing material as chocolate.
Just recently, Shanghai hosted a whopping fashion show Salon du Chocolat where models sported dresses, replica bags, masks and fans made from chocolate.

In the meantime, German confectionary company Lambertz arranged a quite extraordinary show, too. Models along with German actresses and pop stars wore quirky outfits made from chocolate and other sweets. There were a chocolate ball studded coat, cookie package military jacket, a dress with chocolate stars and what not!

Chocolate-Fashion-Shanghai

Chocolate-Fashion-Lambertz

Chocolate-Fashion-Show-Shanghai

Chocolate-Frances-Cooley

Fashionable Winter Coats

When it comes to fashion bags, winter is a word that few like to hear and many choose to deny its presence until catching a flu forces them into warmer clothes! This need not be the case though as choices for winter fashion are actually in abundance from jackets to boots. It is often the case that people see winter as a time when it doesn’t matter if you wear the same outfit to work time and time again. Don’t let yourself slip into this habit, keep your wardrobe as fresh as your professionalism with some of these ideas…

Fashionable Frosted Wool Blend Coat

Price: $847 at MyTheresa.com

I absolutely adore the vintage silhouette of this coat!  The color is a true classic too, so if you are looking for an elegant coat, no other will compare!  I’d pair it up with high heel
black boots and long black leather gloves.  A wide black leather belt could also be a great addition!

Fred Flare Pleated Houndstooth Victoria Coat

Price: $86 at FredFlare.com

For those of you that enjoy checked patterns, I know you are going to like this. When you go on your downtown replica adventures, you will be bringing a touch of coolness with you! This is a perfect coat for whatever you choose to wear!

Women’s winter coats are available in a variety of materials like wool and tweed. Look for good labels that give you the option to pick materials that best suit the weather conditions of your place. Certain women can even opt for denim winter coats if they live in an area that experiences mild winter. This works in keeping the body warm and replica comfortable. These are often crafted in shorter styles that look trendy and are detailed with fur collars or even patches of leather.

Winder clothing need not always mean dull colors. Work on the texture and colors of the outfits. Go in for metallic shades to spruce up the dull blacks. Gunmetal silver and dark gold tones work for any night-out. Accessorize your winter clothing with a metallic bag for some added glitz and glamor.

We are self-proclaimed Alexander McQueen fans here at handbagworld.org. And this bag is no different.

The Alexander McQueen Leather Biker Satchel infuses a design that I wasn’t completely in love with to make a bag that is speaking to me. With all of the pockets and zippers from the Alexander McQueen Leather Biker Tote and the laid-back satchel style, I am loving this bag from Alexander McQueen. Confession: Amanda wrote about a grey version of this bag before and thought it was a misstep from McQueen. I too felt like that bag was lacking something. Actually, in grey it is completely blah for me.

Not only is this bag killer in both black and electric blue, but it gives the bag an entire new appeal and look. In fact, I can’t believe the grey version is the exact same replica bag as this one. I would have bet it was not. In black/blue I am sold. I need more satchels in my life and this is the perfect example. The bag has a long shoulder strap, with a 14″ drop, for you to sling the bag over your arm. There are top handles as well, but like I said before, I am all about the long shoulder strap. The body shows of multiple pockets and silvertone snaps, bringing that edgy look McQueen is known for. On the outside there is two zipper pockets and one snap pocket while the inside boasts a zipper pocket and open pocket.

The grey just looks way to safe and lame, but the black leather brings back the edge and the blue is that pop of rocker color that McQueen wearers can rock.

Some fashion bags aren’t that hard to evaluate online – either they’re pretty straightforward, or the brand does things similarly enough from season to season that there are rarely surprises in construction or materials. For instance, I feel comfortable passing judgment on a Gucci bag without seeing it in person; I’ve seen enough of them in my life to be able to extrapolate information from those experiences. The same goes for Louis Vuitton.

Valentino, however, is one brand with which I’m not quite so comfortable making those same calls. Their bags are so intricate and tactile that their actual visages are often not faithful to handbag portraiture, and seeing and feeling them in person is always preferable. Thankfully, I’ve gotten the chance to do just that with the Valentino Laceland Tote.

I can say will full confidence that pictures do not do this bag justice. It’s not my favorite Valentino ever, and it has its faults, but the laser-cut leather lace is something to behold in person. I found it endlessly impressive that they managed to take a material that is thick and tough by nature and cut it so precisely and intricately that it actually does approximate the effect of lace.

The cuts are absolutely tiny and so numerous that the replica handbag probably won’t be very durable, and I can’t say that I entirely enjoy the way it’s layered on to the bag’s body in sheets (I also don’t really enjoy the scrunchy handle), but the leather-lace is so impressive in person that my impression of the bag was still, overall, favorable. If you get the chance, you simply have to see one up close.

This Maxam suede bag is solid by name, and solid by nature.

The fashion purse is simply styled, with a tradition

maxamsolid

al satchel shape and relaxed profile. The suede fabric slouches in all the right places, giving the purse its casual attitude. While it’s got a nonchalant style, it’s no fashion rebel. Basic black can appear edgy when dressed up with metal hardware, but on a perfectly plain bag like this is just looks boring.

I’m willing to forgive the conservative styling though, because honestly this is one of the best value bags I’ve ever seen. Where else can you find a purse crafted from real suede, with genuine leather handles, for just a little more than $30?

It’s not like this shoulder bag is small either.  While I wouldn’t call it oversized, it’s more than capable of carrying your day-to-day essentials and a few luxuries besides. It probably needs more than the single zip pocket to keep the generous space organized, but again at this price I’m not about to quibble.

There are more interesting bags on the fashion landscape, but for value this Maxam purse is hard to beat.

magidverticaltote

Pairing simplicity with style comes this Vertical Stripes Tote from Magid.

The look is classic, with even black and white stripes running from the top to base. The shape too is traditional, the kind of boxy look we’ve seen so many times before; it’s a little boring but it also never goes out of style.

The striped finished is complemented by stitched black leather-like trim and matching handles. They’re a little shorter than I like on an everyday purse, but most girls should be able to sling this tote over their shoulder with a minimum of fuss.

The interior is simple, perhaps too simple for a purse of this size. The zippered pocket and open slip will help you stay organized, but it needs a few more pouches to take care of everything. I’m not surprised we don’t get them though. After all, at less than $50, this Magid tote still offers more than most bags in this price range.

Pair bags show it with your favorite jeans and T-shirt for a look that will last you all year round.