Passé. Hermès Kelly and Birkin Bags

IMAGE: GRACE KELLY

Hermès has a long history of producing luxury leather goods. The original atelier is still located on 24 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré and dates back all the way to 1880. The company started out in saddle making and slowly evolved into creating one of a kind jackets, luggage, and leather goods. Hermès’s most recognizable leather bag was designed in the 1935 named the “Sac à dépêches”. This bag was later named after actress Grace Kelly and called the “Kelly Bag”. Grace Kelly was seen using the famous bag to cover up her pregnancy from the paparazzi while walking down the street.  Years later in 1981 the chief executive of Hermès, Jean-Louis Dumas, during a flight from Paris to London he met actress Jane Birkin. Jane and Jean-Louis got to talking about her straw carryon bag and how she wishes she had a bag that would hold all of her things. 

IMAGE: JEAN-LOUIS DUMAS

Three years later 1984 Jean-Louis came out with the Birkin bag. The Birkin bag was a re-design of a previous leather bag from 1892 and similar in style to the Kelly bag. Kelly bags have only one handle, while Birkin’s have two. Like the Kelly bag, Birkin bags are each hand crafted and take nearly 18 hours per bag to produce. They now come in various colors depending on the season. Birkin bags can cost you anywhere from $9,000-$150,000 depending of the material and hardware used.  In an episode of Sex in the City, character Samantha has her eye on a Birkin and explains to Carrie that if she purchased a Birkin bag she will know she has “made it”. 

IMAGE: GRACE KELLY

Faux pas. Overalls

Overalls as a fashion trend are never going to work. They were designed has protective clothing and should in no circumstance be worn as a fashion statement. Overalls actually date back pretty far, first making their appearance in 1792. Originally designed for workers, the denim or cotton coverings eventually became a popular kid's garment. This trend slowly but surely made its way to all women, men, and children alike. In the 1980's and 90's overalls as fashion were very popular. Even today Justin Bieber tried to give them a comeback, but he just looks like a five year old. Women should never step foot in a pair either, this garment has to be the most unflattering of all time. 

IMAGE: WALMART.COM

À la mode. Ray-Ban

Passé. Ray-Ban

IMAGE: LIFE MAGAZINE

Ray-Ban has been producing well known sunglasses since it was founded in 1937. The first style of Ray-Ban created was the classic aviators. They were originally designed to protect the eyes of pilots prior to WWII.  It wasn’t until they were worn by General Douglas MacArthur that they became mainstream. Their popularity has gone in and out every decade since like most fads because of movies like Top Gun and Cobra. The classic color and frame however have not changed.

IMAGE: RAYBAN.COM

Ray-Ban scored with another classic the Wayfarer. Designed in 1956 by Raymond Segeman, these shades revolutionized sunglasses with their unique shape and material. Worn by some of the most well-known celebrities of the time (Marilyn Monroe, JFK, and Audrey Hepburn) they remained a favorite until the mid 70’s. In the 1980’s they made a comeback with yet another Tom Cruise classic, Risky Business. Fast forward through the grunge 1990’s and into the 2000’s, the Wayfarers made a comeback and the classic style has inspired many knock offs and variations on size and color. Ray-Ban has made a fortune on these two sunglasses and they will continue to flow in and out of the fashion cycle for forever probably. 

IMAGE: BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S

IMAGE: RISKY BUSINESS

IMAGE: TOP GUN

IMAGE: RAYBAN.COM

Passé. Lady Dior

The “Lady Dior” handbag is another iconic bag that has yet to go out of style since it was introduced in 1995. Given to her as a gift, Princess Diana was the first to promote this now classic bag, and she carried it with great pride. Just like the essence of Lady Di herself, the “Lady Dior” is small and sophisticated. John Galliano’s design features a signature quilted pattern in Patton leather, two short handles, and the four letters that spell out Dior. Recently the "Lady Dior" has made a very successful comeback with variations on this classic with new colors and sizes of the original design.

IMAGE: GOSSIP GIRL

IMAGE: DIOR.COM

Passé. Hunter Wellingtons

IMAGES: WIKI

IMAGES: HUNTER-BOOTS.COM

Hunter Wellingtons are the most well known brand of rain-boots. In 1817, Arthur Wellesley, the first Duke of Wellington, commissioned his shoe maker to create a new boot that was comfortable and would keep his trousers from getting wet and the bottoms. This of course is in London where all the best rain gear was invented. Originally made out of soft calfskin leather, the Wellington as it was dubbed, became an instant favorite among the men. The boot was later fashioned out of rubber, as it is today, and it was very popular around war times for military gear. “Wellies” as they are called now come in many different colors.  Hunter Boot Limited now owns the rights to the Wellington rain-boots. London's royals can often be seen wearing this patriotic boot.

IMAGES: WIKI

IMAGES: BLOG.INDUSTRIESHOP.COM

Faux pas. Platform Shoes

While fashion may be a never ending cycle of styles, there are some trends that have be thrown into the mix and every time they reappear as quickly as they came they should leave again. First on the list is probably the most deadly. Platform shoes. They first became popular in the 1970's and were huge hit in London and eventually the U.S.

IMAGE: MTV.COM

Then they reappeared in the 1990's with the Spice Girl craze and not only platform clogs and boots were walking tall but flip flops and sneakers had new height as well. This was a big trend among pop stars like Britney Spears and Jessica Simpson.

IMAGE: MTV.COM

IMAGE: 2SPACE.NET

IMAGE: MTV.COM

These ankle busters were once again brought into the lime light by none other than Lady Gaga. Often seen being escorted around town clomping in foot high booties. Please Lady Gaga this trend must dies with you.

IMAGE: ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

IMAGE: ALEXANDER MCQUEEN