BagTV: The Latest Fashion Accessory?

FASHION/TECHNOLOGY - Jon Marquis's new purse design for 2009 gives fresh meaning to the term "as seen on TV."

In a town obsessed with who carries what, be it the current love affair with Mulberry's "Bayswater," Anya Hindmarsh's green shopper sensation of the "I'm Not a Plastic Bag" canvas tote, or the holy grail of coveted accessories, the Hermès Birkin, Marquis has found what might be the ultimate "It bag" niche.

It has a built-in DVD player, complete with a 7-inch flat screen on the side.

And it's not nearly as tacky as it sounds. In fact, the high-end leather totes are downright chi-chi.

Marquis says his plan was to take advantage of the increasing supply of gadgetry that women carry in their purses, including iPods and cellphones that can record or carry video, but only offer mini screens for any actual viewing.

"It is our belief that people don't really use these to watch films as the screens are too small," he says of the devices, calling his BagTV the "must-have accessory for true trend followers."

The product, he says, is ideal for frequent travellers who have spent too much time waiting around airports for their flights or stuck in hotel rooms with little choice on TV.

He says his market research shows that mothers with small children are buying the bags – first available in Britain in December – as a portable entertainment option for their kids.

"We have found in research that the bags appeal to both fashion-conscious women and also women with children, who might want to just keep the kids quiet. They can now just say to them, `Watch my bag!'"

The BagTV is a classic shape that gives a respectful nod to the Birkin, and comes in black and red patent leather, as well as white, tan, pink and a fetchingly nautical navy and white combo for spring.

Two brass clasps secure a cover over the screen, which looks like a pocket when it is not in use.

The purse also houses a lightweight DVD and mpeg player, a USB port and an SD card slot for viewing photographs.

Also tucked inside is a separate stand so that the screen can be used on its own.

The battery lasts for 2 1/2 hours and can be recharged on the go using the dashboard cigarette lighter in a car.

All this technology in such a pretty package doesn't come cheap.

It sells on the company's website (bagtv.com) for £295 (about $550 Canadian or $440 US).

Sexy Pajamas for Valentines

FASHION

Fashion Recessionista

FASHION - Being frugal is the new in look and being a shopaholic is out. So much for "Confessions of a Shopaholic"... that concept is outdated and so much like yesterday's flip flops.

The book "Confessions of a Shopaholic" did well and sold millions but the movie is too late... we're on a new fashion trend now and its all about being frugal during the current American recession.

So what can you do?

Well for starters its time to go to your closet and organize. Make a party of it and maybe invite some friends over for Kool-Aid (cherry with extra sugar and vodka) and get righteously high on sugar and alcohol while you did through your old clothes...

Find out whats in there first. Decide what you can still wear, what is fashionable, what you never wore but still want to and if they're not but your friends want'em and can fit into them... you know the deal.

"Shop till you drop" has been replaced by "shop your closet" and finding new ways to wear your old stuff.

Then your friends do the same thing and suddenly everyone has new clothes that fits and is trendy.

Being a Fashion Recessionista also means going shopping online and finding the best deals, shopping around for sales only when you really need something for work or a special occasion, and no more shopping for the sake of shopping (and filling your closet with more clothes you never wear).

You can also host a home sales party. Kind of like Tupperware Parties, but for clothes and cosmetics.

Another thing to do, and this is more of an environmental thing, is to carry your own tote bag or backpack when you go shopping and refuse to take a shopping bag when the vendors offer you one. You can go with either the "I Am Not A Plastic Bag" or something similar. See The War on Plastic Bags.

Don't overlook menswear. Some men's accessories and fashion items not only look hot on you but are cheaper than buying female accessories.

Now this doesn't make you a Frugalista. There is a difference.

Fashion Recessionistas also shops vintage or off-price, while the "frugalista" makes do with what she already has and mends old clothes. You still buy new clothes, but you're sensible about it. You might even make spend some cash to buy fabric and make your own clothes.

Reconsider summer sleeveless and tank tops. Try pairing them under well tailored suit jackets, or under denim jackets. Layering is in this year which will allow you to wear tanks under sweaters in contrasting colors. Bold colors are ok to wear in the winter time.

I recently read about a guy in Canada who has started his own business sewing quilts. If a guy can do it so can you.

Remember you're not begging. You're just being sensible and fashionable. Eco-Chic is the way to go, even if you do have money to burn, its still cool to show your fashion sense is right on the mark.

80s Chic and Shoulder Pads

FASHION - Shoulder pads are back. Its getting a revival in Spring 2009 and is largely result of the current American recession. Balmain, Louis Vuitton and Proenza Schouler: They all have retro-80s shoulder padding.

When the going gets tough, the masses seek clothes that pump up their volume, providing them with the illusion of strength and substance.

Besides, shoulders were already swelling or extending outward early last year at labels like Martin Margiela and Balenciaga so this is just following a growing trend.

Blame it on the current '80s vibe in the fashion industry.

After the return of leggings, drop-crotch pants, jumpsuits and DayGlo colours its too late now. The eighties are now back in fashion.

If you hated the counterculture '80s you are probably dreading this shift. If not, then you're likely rummaging in your closet for your old clothes that are suddenly back in style.

Its not just the fashion industry either. New music and TV shows are mirroring ideas from the '80s too. An excellent example is "Wild Roses", a clear ripoff from the popular '80s show "Dallas".

Shoulder pads was in the 1980s had a feminist kick, when women wore them to compete with men in the boardroom. Today women no longer feel the need to puff themselves up artificially to compete.

So why the shoulder pads?

Part of it is the green movement and the economy. People want to save money and reuse old clothes. They find the clothes in their mom's closet and the next thing you know they're wearing them to school and starting a fashion trend.

Not unlike the 1940s, the other time shoulder pads were popular. Following the Great Depression of the 1930s, the '40s became known for strictly tailored jackets with sharp, squared-off shoulders in order to save fabric.

Designers also point out that we've embellished clothes as much as we can. The only thing left now is to change the shape and silhouette.

Plus it makes the hips look narrow. Like you've just lost 10 pounds off your hips.

See Also:
The Rise of EcoFashion
Eco-Fashion in Europe

Ex-maid settles with Naomi Campbell

FASHION - Supermodel Naomi Campbell has ended her legal tussle with a former maid Gaby Gibson who accused the supermodel of hitting her and calling her names. Gaby Gibson worked for Campbell from November 2005 through January 2006.

Terms of the settlement are confidential, but a lawyer for the 38-year-old Naomi Campbell says both sides are pleased with the outcome.

Gibson claimed in her lawsuit, filed in Manhattan, that the British fashion model and catwalk star also threatened her after being unable to find a pair of designer jeans.

Naomi Campbell then attacked the maid and threw her cellphone at her.

Campbell has a notoriously bad reputation for losing her temper and attacking them with small hard objects.

In 2005 Naomi Campbell attacked a personal assistant with a Blackberry, a charge to which she pleaded guilty and settled out of court.

Little Black Lace Dress

FASHION - You don't want a lump of coal for Christmas, but a little black lace dress and the accessories to match might be on your list this year. Its sort of an old-fashioned Victorian Christmas idea, but don't forget black lace suffers from a Madonna/whore complex in fashion.

When done in white and in a voluminous form for wedding dresses, lace is considered innocent and pure. In black and in the boudoir – lace is sexy, racy and risque. With the colour of flesh underneath there is also underlying simmering sexuality.

Miuccia Prada, in her fall/winter collection, managed to marry the two personalities of this fabric with guipure lace dresses. She took black lace and made it look austere and prim and by adding dickies at the neckline – they practically look like something a nun or Mennonite might wear, a naughty one.

Prada believes in lace so much that she reportedly bought the entire stock produced from a Swiss factory. Small surprise, whatever the highly influential Prada does, it usually sends shock waves through the fashion world.

This holiday season, any chain store worth its fashion credentials is in on this trend and has lacy little black dresses for the holiday. They're perfect for the festive season and beyond, ladylike and classic, but also suggestive and sexy.

Best part of all, accessories to match are really easy to find. See Long Gloves and Fingerless Gloves.