Monday, October 18, 2010

Undiscovered Beauty

In the fashion world, there are some names that serve as top-of-mind titans. If someone were to perhaps ask you to rattle off 3 women's designers, I could expect to see a powerhouse name like Chanel or Valentino. The same exercise in purses would produce Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, and Prada (as they are Chinatown's biggest knock-offs.) When you get to female shoes it seems that Christian Louboutin has king-of-the-hill status, what with his highly coveted crimson-soled beauties storming the red carpet at every turn. While these well-known names are certainly worth checking out, there are many other designers whose work is of equal beauty. Let's take a look at 3 designers that you may not know, who create amazing accessories that are sure to make women drool.

First up, we have Reed Krakoff, the creative director for Coach who has launched a luxury line bearing his name. His pieces are wonderfully modern, yet classic at the same time. And RK has a signature habit of mixing materials in such a way that make the end result seem almost old-world elegant. One of my favorite pieces this season is the alligator skin and grey flannel tote, seen below. Even though his pieces may not be in your price range, they might give you inspiration when shopping.

Number two on our list is the French label of Pierre Hardy. His label is known for razor sharp heels in pops of color, and tends to add a bit of funk to classic items. His pieces are more difficult to find in the United States, but one can occasionally find a few at Barneys (although you may have to travel to Paris to get the truly great finds).


Finally, we come to Emilio Pucci, the master of the geometric print. This Italian house's runway shows are often breathtaking, with beautiful models and flowing fabrics, but what some may overlook is the accessory goldmine. Take a look at a couple gorgeous pieces from fall, and then a shot of the boots that I can see NYC girls killing each other over from the Spring 2011 show.


Final Verdict: There is something to be said for the staple designers who can weave the fabric that dreams are made out of, but don't be afraid to broaden your horizons and look for something new to inspire you. Who knows, you could be on the ground floor of the next Christian Louboutin.

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