Is Mulberry making a significant fashion misstep? Not too long after Lana Del Rey’s infamous Saturday Night Live performance, the high-end handbag brand introduced a style inspired by the “Video Games” singer and debuted it at the recent London Fashion Week. Del Rey (real name Lizzie Grant) sat in the front, clutching one of the Mulberry bags with her namesake. As a somewhat fashion paradox, though, Del Rey sported one of these bags while wearing an out-of-place look of jeans and a baseball jacket.

In a statement, Mulberry creative director Emma Hill said about the style: “I love Lana’s nostalgic references to bygone glamour and the fact that her look is retrospective yet so modern. This inspired us to create a bag that was timeless, refined and elegant, yet with a beautiful practicality that would suit any woman.”

And, essentially, these bags capture Del Rey’s innocuous faux retro style – one that’s framed her image as a singer with Valley of the Dolls-lite looks and basic-yet-seemingly-sultry vocals or, marketing-wise, a “bad girl” Nancy Sinatra. The front flap with a turn lock, however, is nothing to write home about, style wise, although Mulburry still modernizes the lightweight ‘60s look with “it” colors indigo and burgundy.

Del Rey mentioned in the same statement: “I love the design, a perfect mix between old school Hollywood and contemporary style. It’s an honor that such a classic and prestigious brand would name a bag after me.”

The Del Rey Bag hits stores in May, although the textured ostrich style Del Rey carried at London Fashion Week won’t be available for commercial sale. Each is priced at roughly $1,250 – a bit too much considering the inspiration but not as egregious as the high prices for Katie Holmes’ handbag line. At least the Del Rey Bag is a Mulberry, and considering the singer’s album is doing fairly well on the charts, perhaps this move isn’t as bad as it seems.

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• Mulberry Names Handbag After Lana Del Rey (shoppingblog.com)
• [TheGloss] Video: Watch Lana Del Rey Yowl Her Way Through Mulberry’s Fashion Week Dinner (thegloss.com)
• Mulberry Names A Handbag After Lana Del Rey (Check Out The Pix!) (glamour.com)

Last week (and into this week), designers have been unrolling their fall/winter 2012 collections in New York. While many of the trends reflect those seen in Paris and Milan just weeks ago, those showing in New York unveiled a few others, some of which are slightly more practical. A palette of black, white, plum, olive, and burgundy pervaded many, although some decided to offset the darkness with white, blue, or a pattern. Nevertheless, much like the spring collections seen in the fall, texture is now a greater draw than an eye-catching, complex pattern. So, to get ready roughly six months in advance, what looks should you expect once colder weather returns?

• The military look knows no gender for fall and winter. Sticking exclusively with this theme for his collection, Tommy Hilfinger called it “the academy look” because of the fitted and precise quality of all garments. Waists and shoulders are defined for women, and epaulets give every piece – be it a jacket or dress – a hint of seriousness. Gold embroidery or hardware, added to black or olive green garments, is additionally in line with this trend and a significant visual draw.
• Texture creates a further dimension for the senses, and many designers employed this tactic in their collection, from meticulously-crafted shoulder embellishments to reptile print to glossy leather. Simply extending the reptile skin handbag trend, designers, such as pop star-turned-respected fashionista Victoria Beckham, are adding the skin or print to clothing. Glossy leather – but not patent leather – characterized a large portion of the DKNY collection, extending from jackets to pants. Menswear isn’t exempt. Although using the military look as a template, Tommy Hilfiger took liberties with materials, going with glossy leather in black or burgundy for some jackets.
• Retro-futuristic indicates that designers, and their dutiful consumers, can’t decide where fashion should go – toward the future or into the past. Clothing, then, remains a paradox of retro influences (think mod and Mad Men) merging with fitted futuristic cuts and colors (gold, yellow, bright blue). Although the two can be merged successfully, the outcome might result in garments better-suited for a period television show or mid-century sci-fi B-movie.

Related articles

• Candela F/W 2012 Presentation: Rustic Glamour (myfdb.com)
• Dress to Impress – Steal the catwalk-ready looks of New York Fashion Week for yourself (theinsider.retailmenot.com)
• Z Zegna Fall/Winter 2012 | Milan Fashion Week (thefashionisto.com)

You’d think that celebrities, with all the money they earn, would seek out more flashy tastes. A few years ago, around 2009 and 2010, we saw some of that: brightly-colored snakeskin handbags, studs on just about everything, and designers rolling out the patterns, bold shades, and neon on the runways. Yet, about a year ago, all the ostentatious tastes came to a halt, and stars – as well as the high-end designers behind the handbags – took a step back. Actually, make that several steps.

These days, you’re hard-pressed to find a star without one or more showy handbags, with the exception of the red carpet. Even Kim Kardashian has been rotating through a series of solid-color neutral Hermes Birkin bags. Perhaps, with the exception of whatever Lady Gaga is wearing, stars just want to look like the rest of us.

But, big names back many of these “just like you” looks. Salma Hayek was spotted with an Yves Saint Laurent Cabas ChYc Tote, a black Birkin-like bag. High-end totes like this one appear to be an extension of the hobo from two years back, only more defined lines and black or brown replace the gaudy colors and shapeless frame.

House’s Olivia Wilde was seen carrying a brown leather messenger-like bag. Only, rather than some no-name variety, a Proenza Schouler PS1 was draped from the actress’ shoulder. Such a look combines the refined style of a high-end brand with casual appeal and all-purpose use.

Katherine Heigl, who sort of broke away from the romantic comedy confines recently with One for the Money, carried a Rebecca Minkoff Romeo Satchel a few weeks ago. While honey-brown and a handbag-tote hybrid, this satchel has a bit of flair. Instead of studs, however, the surface of the bag is textured.

This trend isn’t solely found in the borders of Hollywood. On the other side of the pond, former Spice Girl Emma Bunton was photographed by the British paparazzi with a Chloe Paraty Bag. Still with a moderate slouch look, the dark grey purse makes a distinct presence with its brass-colored hardware.