Accessories, Fashion Illustration

Accessories Spotlight

Luxury Handbags

 

A beautiful designer handbag is a true investment in a timeless work of craftsmanship… a piece of art.

Ok so a handbag cannot change your life by itself; however, it can make a dramatic difference in your wardrobe. A gorgeous handbag can make your heart flutter; rejuvenate your style; and be an investment in your fashion future.

The Chanel 2.55 quilted bag is at the top of my ‘Handbag Most Wanted’ list. It is the crème da la crème of French style. Coco Chanel designed the 2.55 as she was tired of carrying her handbag in her arms and decided to create a bag that freed up her hands. Now over 30 new models of the classic 2.55 are produced each year, forming part of the House’s collections.

The design of any luxury handbag is meticulously created with consideration paid to every tiny element – from the inside material to the outside detailing. For instance every part of the Chanel 2.55 bag is rumoured to be attributed to an exact reasoning:

>> The lining’s burgundy colour represents the colour of the uniforms at the convent where Coco Chanel grew up
>> The zippered compartment on the inside of the front flap  is where Chanel is rumoured to have stored her love letters… oh la la
>>The back outside flap is for storing money.
>> The famous quilted pattern is believed to have been inspired by several sources, one of which was the cushions in Chanel’s Parisian apartment.
>> The revolutionary chain strap is supposedly inspired by the orphanage Chanel grew up in. The caretakers would hold their keys at their waist dangling from the same type of chains.

Why invest in a beautiful handbag:

Craftsmanship
Each bag is handcrafted with extreme attention to detail and in some bags cases it can take up to 18 to 24hours to complete just one bag. For instance, Hermès does not use assembly lines. Only one Hermès craftsman may work on one handbag at any time – painstakingly hand-stitching each individual piece.

Luxury Materials
Designer handbags may be created in an array of materials, from luxury fabrics to precious metals and exotic skins, including; alligator, crocodile, buffalo, shark, lizard, snake, lamb, oxen, deer, calf and ostrich. The skins are first professionally treated before being dyed in an extensive range of gorgeous colours and shades.

Innovation
The metallic detailing on designer handbags is often plated with precious metals, such as gold, and will not tarnish over time.

Worth The Wait
The term “It Bag” is often used to describe an easily recognisable status bag. Many truly lust worthy bags you will have to wait for…some a very long time! The Hermès Birkin bag can have up to a 6year waiting list.

A Work Of Art
A beautiful handbag is a miniature work of art, which would be as much at home on your wall in a frame as it is holding your belongings.

It May Just Become A Collector’s Item
Hermès is one of the few handbag labels which either hold or increase their value over time.

A classic handbag is one you will still be loving and wearing until your granddaughters are old enough to covet them… truly the title of a ‘quality investment’.

I would love to hear your thoughts. Which designer handbag are you lusting after? Or you do you feel any or overrated? xx

Editor’s Letter, Fashion Illustration

Editor’s Letter

The Beauty Of Perfume

Dear Readers,

Yesterday I had a wonderful shopping day! I brought some new perfume (guess which one…) and an evening gown! More on the evening gown next week (I am so excited)! In the meantime, I have included below some interesting facts about my new scent…

But I would love to know which scents are most bewitching to you? Do you love:

– Pretty, romantic Florals                – Intoxicating, sensual Orientals                – Mossy Green, Woody ‘Chypre’ notes
– Alluring, crisp Citrus                – Fresh, herbaceous ‘Fougère’ scents                – Sweet, food-inspired ‘Gourmand’

Lots of Love,
Cara

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About Hypnotic Poison

Dior created ‘Poison’ in 1985 , a scent of irresistible seduction and magic – i.e. poison. Since then, every ‘Poison’ fragrance has extended upon this sensuality and irresistible enchantment.

Hypnotic Poison is the most exhilarating of all Dior oriental fragrances. Oriental fragrances are characterized by their warm base notes with spices and wood. Encompassing an intoxicating allure of scents, the main components of Hypnotic Poison are; Bitter Almond and Carvi, Sambac Jasmine, Jacarandra, Vanilla and Musk. It’s opulent and mysterious. And adding to Hypnotic Poison’s allure, Melanie Laurent, is now the new face of it (pictured above)!

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Interesting Perfume Facts

Did you know…  it is the alcohol content of a fragrance that will determine how long a fragrance will linger on the skin? This also demands how a fragrance should be applied to the skin.

Eau De Toilette
Eau De Toilette is significantly lighter than Eau De Parfum. Traditionally, Eau De Toilette is spritzed in the morning and can be used quite generously.

Eau De Parfum
With a higher perfume content, Eau De Parfum is usually dabbed onto the skin. If the Eau De Parfum is a spray, spritz the fragrance into the air and walk into it.

Perfume / Perfume Extract
With the longest lasting hold, Perfume Extract is the most powerful and purest type of perfume. When applying Perfume Extract, the most delicate trace on the skin is enough. Apply to the wrists, décolleté and even behind the knees. Each of these areas of the body has pulse points which will allow the fragrance to travel.

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Looking forward to hearing some of your favourite scents xx

Illustration by Uptown Twirl  / Photos from google images

Editor’s Letter, Fashion Illustration

Editor’s Letter

Uptown Twirl Illustrations

In just over a month it will be the 1st birthday of Uptown Twirl – with my initial post being made on July 10th 2010. This realisation put me in quite a reflective mood.

I have spent this afternoon thinking back through my past year – the amazing experiences I have had (many a direct result of Uptown Twirl); how far my site has come; and my aspirations for it in the future. There are so many exciting things that will be happening on Uptown Twirl in the coming months and I cannot wait to share them all with you!

In the meantime though, while I was looking back through the hundreds of images I have accumulated for numerous posts, I came across some of my favourite illustrations. I created many of these illustrations to accompany articles and often times just because the subjects were so exquisitely beautiful (i.e. my favourite perfume – Coco Mademoiselle – which also remains probably my personal favourite illustration).

So these are some of my favourite illustrations from the past year… which one is yours? xx

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