Must-Have S/S 2014: The Fringed Bag

The Fringed Bag SS2014

Fringe — it’s everywhere! Swingy fringed bags are making a huge comeback this S/S 2014 season. Of course, the trend never really goes away for long. Now, it is time to decide wether you will go for a boho version (Gucci) or opt for extreme sophistication (Fendi).
The variety of fringe is endless:

1 Fringed macramé and leather clutch iconby The Row
2 Scarab fringed textured-leather clutch iconby Valentino
3 Fringed suede shoulder bag iconby Gucci
Fringed intrecciato leather clutch iconby Bottega Veneta
Sella small fringed leather bowling bag by Tod’s
Fringe detail velvet Baguette bag iconby Fendi

Which one is your favorite? I couldn’t resist the Valentino one…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Interview & Preview: Isabel Marant for H&M

Isabel Marant for H&M Cover Post

Last Thursday, I had the chance to preview the amazing collaboration between Isabel Marant and H&M in Paris and to interview the French designer before the launch party in the evening.

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Creating wearable looks with attitude is her straightforward design credo, all with a Parisian allure. Picking up the most beloved and iconic pieces from her career, Marant has put together an eclectic wardrobe of must-have urban staples, a gorgeous mix of boho elegance and rock ‘n’ roll nonchalance.

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Isabel Marant for H&M Look 1

Isabel Marant Showroom 1

Loose blouses, textured knits, tie-dye prints and skinny leather pants, the collection offers everything a contemporary woman needs.

Isabel Marant for H&M Look 2

Isabel Marant H&M Jacket Kopie

Isabel Marant for H&M 3

Isabel Marant H&M Boots Fringes Women

Accessories are boho accents. Footwear includes cone-heeled soft boots and a pair of Parisian high-heel pumps.

Sandra Bauknecht in Isabel Marant H&M Showroom

Isabel Marant for H&M Kids 1

The same goes for her awesome teen wardrobe which is a playful edit of its grown-up counterpart. Marant sees no real distinction between these two collections – it’s mostly a matter of sizes. I went crazy to shop for my daughter and you might spot us as twins on the street.

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Kids Isabel Marant H&M

Isabel Marant H&M Kids Shoes

Isabel Marant for H&M Men

Isabel Marant has also imagined, for the very first time, a compact wardrobe for men, which is interspersed with the same careless vibe of womenswear. I love the motorbike leather trousers worn together with chunky knitwear.

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Enjoy the little interview I did with Isabel Marant, who was by the way extremely charming and fun:

Sandra Bauknecht - Isabel Marant

Has it been a big challenge for you to design a low cost collection?
First of all, I wouldn’t call it a low cost collection. I was very honoured when H&M contacted me to do this project. If you look at previous collaborations H&M has done, the aim is not to do cheap garments but to create great ones. I am very impressed by the level and the quality that we have achieved for our collaboration. I was surprised that I had no limit and was able to design the clothes the way I wanted them. If you take for example the embroidered sweater, this was a big challenge to produce it in a mass market way but we made it happen.

Which one is your must-have piece of this collection?
They are all must-haves. It depends on your style.

Isabel Marant H&m Cover 1

Isabel Marant in three words?
Easy – Attitude – Cozy.

What is for you the notion of style?
For me, style is having a great attitude and to have attitude you have to be self-confident. And to be self-confident, you have to know who you are and believe in yourself.

Why do people want more effortless styling?
I think with everything what is happening today in our world, the way we are consuming, ecological matters, time has changed. When I started in the ’90s, we were into a fashion that was very bling, with logos everywhere. At this time, I was already successful commercially, but I was not on the high line. I was over this oversexy way of dressing. There were women that wanted to be stylish and be sexy without exaggerating. Now, we are reaching a certain time where people are more educated towards fashion, they are not impressed anymore by super-flashy garments.

Will you see more collaborations of you in the future?
No, I won’t do other collaborations. There is no other brand, where I can do a collection like I did with H&M. Probably, I will do a certain product, but I don’t want to multiply. I see this collaboration with H&M as a gift.

Thank you, Isabel!

The collection will hit the shelves worldwide on November 14, 2013. Stay tuned for an upcoming outfit post to find out which pieces I got for myself in Paris.

LoL, Sandra

Isabel Marant for H&M Showroom 3

Photos: Courtesy of H&M and © Sandra Bauknecht