Received this email via the contact form, referring to last Thursday’s promotional email digest, in which I quipped about Bergdorf Goodman’s announcement of the Gryson bag collection, “Sew some leather together, add a buckle and all of a sudden it’s an “It” bag?”:

“What is your problem with gryson bags? These bags are the best quality-handmade in Italy. I have already preordered at Bergdorfgoodman.com.

I guess your too busy praising played out Kooba and Goldenbleu to know who’ s coming up in handbags.”

Whoa there, this must be from a Gryson aficionado, PR type, or Marc Jacobs worshipper (I’m thinking a PR type who Googled “Gryson bag” to see the press it is getting, considering the plug for Bergdorf, and the additional quality/handmade info). Either way, she is a reader, and I feel the need to respond publicly, in case anyone else has the same thoughts. Besides, this first-time collection warrants more than a flippant one-liner.

First, my zing was less directed at Gryson than at the marketing folks over at Bergdorf Goodman. They sent out their Gryson bag email alert with the subject line: “Gryson: Introducing the new must-have bags,” which set me off on the entire overuse of the terms “must-have” and “It” bag. My barb was mostly directed at the way everyone now throws around those terms, especially when it comes to handbags, and frankly, it is a huge turn-off to the fashion savvy set. No one wants to own the bag that is going to be knocked-off to death in three months.

But let’s focus on the collection itself. When I first looked over the Gryson collection, I was rather underwhelmed. Sure, Joy Gryson earned her chops as the former director of design and development for Marc Jacobs handbags, but I would like to point out that a) Marc Jacobs is not god (and thus working for his fashion house does not confer demigod status), and b) if evaluation of current work were based on past reputation, we’d all just be consuming the same tired labels (which one could argue occurs all the time in fashion editorial and that is why some talent is completely overblown while other talent is seriously overlooked)—I’m not going to write a glowing review just because of “who so-and-so is.”

That said, when I looked over the collection, I anticipated that, when unfettered by the confines of a fashion house, Gryson would produce something more original and add some sort of signature touch to differentiate her line. Instead, the bags felt like a partial regurgitation of what we’ve already seen:

Gryson.

Chloe.

Still, Gryson bags are indeed well-made, with straightforward style that is practical and classy. It’s a great choice if you want something that is under the radar of the mass populace. The Bag Snob predicts they will be sold out by before Labor Day.

Finally, if you read my post on Goldenbleu, it is clearly a critique, not a plug. I stand by Kooba—that bag is gorgeous and the Sienna bag itself is ecstasy, and while perhaps a bit overplayed, Kooba is definitely not as overexposed as Chloe or Balenciaga (which have sadly become so diluted by celeb-induced exuberance that their true beauty has been overshadowed).

Still, thanks for reading and responding, we always want our readers to keep us honest, and call us out on our shit. Otherwise we’d be able to get away with anything, because of “who we are”… wait, no, that only works for the glossies.

Read this on Flypaper via Seattle PI. Apparently movie merchandise, including fashions, are available for purchase on Amazon.com. It’s part of the whole promotional push behind the movie.

According to Wendy at Flypaper, the studded, distressed leather handbag Anne Hathaway’s character wears in the movie is already sold out. I’m guessing more stuff will be available via the website. One interesting item is Patricia Field’s La Rue handbag (which won’t be available until August 1st.)

If pregnancy could be classified as a trend (and it very may well be, considering the masses seem to base all their decisions on what other people are doing), a rounded belly would perhaps be the hottest accessory of the year. It’s so overdone in Hollywood that B-listers can no longer use the birthing of a child as a means of mustering up some press coverage (anyone know Jenny Garth is pregnant? didn’t think so), while the media is oversaturated with the messianic arrival of Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt. But all these knocked-up celebrities have at least shown us that pregnancy can be worn with grace and class—Heidi Klum was adorable on Project Runway’s second season.

But then there are Britney Spears and Katie Holmes, who reinforce every sterotype of how pregnant women completely lose all sense of self-maintenance.

Personally, whenever I see a pregnant woman all I can think is, “I’m so glad that is not me.” Mostly because of that whole cause-and-effect relationship: pregnancy=having to take care of a baby, who then becomes a child, who then becomes a teenager… and I myself was a teenager just four years ago, which is just too close for comfort. I know my aversion to pregnancy will dissipate as my biological clock ticks louder (how trite, how true), but I also think that it can be attributed to the fear of being relegated to sweatpants and overalls for the last five of the nine month gestation period. I mean, if I am going to be morning sick, bloated, swollen, and all those other lovely things, shouldn’t I at least have the right to cover it up with fabulous clothes?

Piggybacking on the New York Time’s article “Showing? It’s Time to Show Off,” in last Thrusday’s Style section, I decided to confront (and work at overcoming) my fear of pregnancy (and a five month confinement to Pea in a Pod hell), by researching the maternity sections of Nordstrom’s and Neiman’s online stores. I must say that the selections available to expectant mothers is impressive. It appears that there has been a convergence of trends that are conducive to maternity clothing, and the industry is capitalizing on this to produce clothing stylish moms-to-be.
[I promise all the pics below are of maternity clothes--you'd think they could find some models who actually look, I dunno, pregnant?]

Empire dress maternity (yes, that is leopard print peeking from underneath-I couldn’t resist).

Kimono-inspired maternity.

The abundance of black clothing must be due to its slimming effects (running counter to the “show off your belly” culture), which is classy and sophisticated, as always. This little black dress is perfect for sipping sparkling cider at a cocktail party.

This is my favorite—very effortlessly chic. It says, “I am so not morning sick right now.”

Some high-profile designers are offering maternity selections, such as Chaiken (a Wintour favorite) and Diane von Furstenberg (the wrap dress is so conducive to a belly bump).

Citizens of Humanity even makes jeans for pregnant women, with a large black elastic band that expands with your tummy—I would only wear them with a tunic or other extra-long shirt, as the band is quite ugly, but I am sure very functional/useful.

With all these ultra-gorgeous maternity selections, there is no excuse (even if you are going on your tenth month of pregnancy) to wear a velour sweatsuit (try a Puma tracksuit).

Of course, by the time I actually decide to have a baby, I imagine boho-chic will be out and form-hugging, pencil-thin everything will be in… hopefully that won’t be too much to dissuade me.

Only sales today… I’m going to be a bit more selective about the new arrivals I feature (only new collections, etc)…

Sales and Promotions:

Check out this week’s sample sales in New York and LA at Thriftychick.

What’s better than a sample sale?

An online sample sale. You can shop from Manhattan or Wichita.

kate spade’s sample sale has handbags, ipod cases, organizers, etc. The email alert arrived in my inbox 10 minutes ago, so take advantage of the heads up and shop first dibs…

Check out more sample sales this week at Thriftychick’s sample sale section