Designer Label Fashion

Designer fashion website My Wardrobe have extended their FREE UK standard shipping offer until midnight on 13 February 2009. Just enter the code ‘NEWFREESHIP’ at the checkout.

When you’re browsing My Wardrobe, don’t miss this new season Anya Hindmarch Bowery Wicker Woven bag, £731 at My Wardrobe. This Anya Hindmarch bag is beautifully constructed out of white, green, yellow, red and blue woven leather with an elegant leather trim and a flap front with concealed magnetic tab fastening, plus a shoulder strap. 100% leather.

The Anya Hindmarch Bowery handbag is ideal for adding some new season glamour to an outfit, particularly if you love white but live in the real world and therefore know that any white clothes will be crumpled and the colour of old snow five minutes after leaving the house in all your blinding pristine white glory.

The coloured leather woven into the bag should also mean it can withstand the odd scuff without looking scruffy… And at 35cm x 40cm x 8cm the Anya Hindmarch Bowery bag is large enough for us to carry all the essential “stuff” that we might, maybe, perhaps, if all the shops mysteriously shut and society breaks down, REALLY NEED in the four hours we’ll be out of the house. (Admit it, I know it’s not just me.)

I think this is the best new season Anya Hindmarch handbag around - or view more of the Anya Hindmarch new season collection at My Wardrobe.

My Wardrobe won Best Etail Innovation, and was Gold Award Overall Winner, at the Drapers Etail Awards 2009.

I love tote bags - totes never go out of style and a good quality leather tote bag adds elegance and structure to an outfit. And totes have plenty of room for all the clobber I cart around with me whenever I leave the house, but never actually need. A well-made leather tote should last for years, with the leather continuing to look good as it ages. Check out these designer tote bags from Lanvin, Celine and Marc Jacobs.

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A stunning yellow Lanvin tote bag with silver studs down each side, available at Matches fashion for £1,268. This Lanvin tote has a twist clasp plus yellow leather tassles. Also available in red - and Matches suggest teaming this tote with Stella McCartney’s nautical seaside print silk shift dress which I blogged about a few weeks ago.

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This gorgeous and colourful purple Celine tote bag is £845 at Matches Fashion. This tote bag has lots of room and elegant silver coloured hardware.

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This Marc Jacobs black quilted handbag “Maiden”, £795 at Matches Fashion, is more of a shopper style, but with stylish tote handles. With buckles and straps, and a gold twist closure.

Or browse more designer bags at Matches Fashion.

Lanvin have gone print-mad this season on their gorgeous range of bright and summery tote bags in large and small sizes. Funky, stylish and fun prints make these Lanvin totes the perfect Spring/Summer 09 accessory. The selection of Lanvin totes below is from online designer boutique Browns Fashion.

The Lanvin small printed Aloha tote bag is £335 at Browns. This Lanvin tote bag has a stylish print, short handles and a pocket on the lining. Made of coated toile, this cute designer tote is Width 35cm Length 37cm Depth 2cm.

Lanvin small island print tote bag £335 at Browns. This funky small tote bag from Lanvin has a cute summer print, cream piping down the sides and a navy cotton lining with a pocket. 100% woven cotton, this Lanvin tote is  Height 37cm Width 35cm Depth 1cm.

This Lanvin large printed tote with sunshine print is £370 at Browns. With a multicoloured print and short handles, this Lanvin tote also has an internal pocket. made of coated toile, with Width 43cm Height 45cm Depth 2cm.

Lanvin large printed “beachside” tote, £370 from Browns. This cheery Lanvin large printed beach scene tote bag has two short handles, and an inside pocket.  Made of coated toile, this tote bag is Width 43cm Height 45cm Depth 2cm.

Gladiator sandals are still a key trend for 2009. Celebrities love then (you can’t get Gwyneth Paltrow out of her sky-high Gladiators). So step out in a pair of towering Gladiator sandals this Spring.

Christian Louboutin gladiators with that iconic signature red sole - €619 from myTheresa (a European site with an English-language website, they ship worldwide). These Paquita Crepe Louboutin platform gladiator sandals are in black satin with leather strip details on the sides. With a 110mm/4″ stiletto heel and a 15mm/.5″ platform.

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A stunning pair of grey leather gladiator ankle boot sandals from Chloe, €589 from MyTheresa. Grey leather uppers with silver-toned eyelets and studs, plus a rubber heel (heel height 70mm-3″).

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These gorgeous Christian Dior SJP black gladiator sandals and Christian Dior SJP gold gladiator sandals are £420 from Viva La Diva (gold gladiators pictured below). Called the SJP as they were worn by Carrie in the Sex in the City Movie.  100% leather. Heel height 12cm. Small fitting.

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Looking for flat designer gladiator sandals? Check out these flat gladiators:

• Yves Saint Laurent Gladiator sandal flats in brown £455 at Matches Fashion.
• Marc by Marc Jacobs Gladiator sandal flats in turquoise £278 at Matches Fashion.
• Marc by Marc Jacobs Gladiator sandal flats in white £278 at Matches Fashion.

How to wear gladiator sandals: gladiator sandals work with lots of styles, from that sexy evening jumpsuit to funky rock chick T-shirts or wet-look leggings.

Order your gladiators now and while you’re waiting for them to arrive you can book that first pedicure of 2009…

Karl Lagerfeld says the recession has killed bling. Elsewhere we’re told to go for luxe not lustre: toning down the glitter and big labels, focussing on subtlety and cut.

I see no reason why craftsmanship and sparkle can’t mix (see the Swarovski crystal evening bag, below). Classic doesn’t just mean smart neutrals.

A very sparkly Power Silver Shade Evening Bag from Swarovski. Crystal Mesh with a removable rhodium-plated snake chain handle. Swarovski crystal evening bag, £548 at Swarovski.	This elegant Bottega Veneta clutch bag is an instant classic - it is made of navy python skin and has a classic clutch design with a magnetic closure. Bottega Veneta python clutch bag, £975 at Matches Fashion.

And while I can understand the appeal of the understated (like the simple but stunning Bottega Veneta python clutch, above), we could easily spend as much as before (no-logo luxe may be chic but it isn’t cheap). And (horror), what if nobody notices? Do we bring out the bling again, or ditch our not-so-fashionista-as-we-thought friends? (or educate them with the gift of Vogue…)

I love a perfectly formed classic Bottega Veneta bag or pair of shoes, but I also love a bit of sparkly Swarovski crystal. So wear that metallic pink Marc Jacobs handbag, the Swarovski crystal jewellery, or the pearl-studded designer shoes - though perhaps not all at once.

LK Bennett has final reductions on its designer shoes, boots, sandals, clothes & accessories. 2009 shoe trends include pointy shoes, platform shoes, patent, gladiators and skinny heels. So grab a designer shoe bargain that will see you through next season. View our LK Bennett sale favourites below, or browse the LK Bennet sale.

Gorgeous grey LK Bennett shoeboot in patent leather with almond-shaped toe. This grey shoeboot, called NOVA, has a side zip, a stiletto heel and a heel height of approx 9cm. Grey patent leather stiletto shoeboot from LK Bennett, reduced from £149 to £99 in the sale.

A flat black patent leather moccasin shoe with a cute bow. Heel is 0.75cm approx. Called YOSRA, this is an ideal flat black designer shoe for running around town. Black patent leather moccasin from LK Bennett, reduced to £79 from £99 in the sale.

This fuchsia pink block heel sandal has something of the pirate about it, thanks to all those straps. (A lady pirate. Who likes pink.) Called TRESSA, this pink sandal is patent leather and has a heel height of 9.5cm. Also available in taupe. Pink patent leather block heeled sandal with buckles from LK Bennett, reduced from £199 to £99 in the sale.

Or click here for LK Bennet new season shoes, boots, sandals, clothes and accessories.

Sarah Curran - co-founder of one of my favourite designer fashion websites My Wardrobe - is the subject of today’s Fashionista Questionnaire in The Times today. I love the fact that despite living in the country, surrounded by Barbours and mud, she still insists on wearing huge heels.

So I used this as an (admittedly flimsy) excuse to check out the My Wardrobe for some New Season heels. and I found these amazing black patent slingbacks by Georgina Goodman, for £327:

However when I lived in the country, I discovered the worst thing is that:

Beautiful landscapes=no pavements=wrecked designer stilettos

So I had to console myself with new handbags instead (thank goodness for the lovely DHL woman who would navigate the narrow country lanes to deliver my essential designer purchases. It’s women like her who keep Britain Great).

Unfortunately of the worst bags for country living was a clutch, as I always needed both hands free to grab onto stiles (or cows) to steady myself in the three feet of country mud. Now I am a town dweller, I can buy clutches once more - and this is my favourite New Season clutch on My Wardrobe. It’s a black patent quilted clutch bag by Lulu Guinness, and is £122.

Or browse the whole of My Wardrobe.

The large Smythson Maze designer handbag has been further reduced in the Smythson sale and now has 60% off. That means the large Maze in either Black or Mocha is now reduced from £895 to only £358!

Large size Maze handbag in Black or Mocha, 60% off in the Smythson sale:

• handmade in goat skin leather and suede.
• enamel and brushed gold hinge clasp.
• dark mauve satin lining.
• three pockets and a zipped pouch.
• large Maze bag size is: 32 x 20 x 22cm / 12 ½” x 8” x 8 ¾”

The large Maze handbag comes presented in the gorgeous Smythson blue packaging.

Or browse the whole Smythson site or the Smythson sale site (which is live while stocks last).

I wasn’t looking for red designer fashion. I was looking for orange, after reading yet another article about the brights trend, and also Jess Cartner Morley in The Guardian on Saturday about… orange. But every time I found a gorgeous designer dress, or bikini, or top online, the blurb said they were red. After much squinting and laptop-screen twiddling I had to agree (on most of them). So here it is - red designer fashion for Spring/Summer 09, some of which may look… a bit orange.

A loose-fitting ruby red silk dress from Stella McCartney with a pussy bow and three-quarter length sleeves. This Stella McCartney red dress is everywhere at the moment so get it before it goes.
Stella McCartney red silk dress £439 at Matches Fashion.

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A stunning but very functional structured red tote bag from Lanvin, with cute tassles and silver studs. Matches suggest pairing this Lanvin tote bag with the Stella McCartney seaside print dress.
Red leather tote bag from Lanvin £1,268 at Matches Fashion.

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This Vivienne Westwood Anglomania dress in red jersey has asymmetric sleeves and lots of draping. It’s pretty clingy and sexy, and cheap!
Red jersey dress by Vivienne Westwood Anglomania £156 at MyWardrobe.

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A red playsuit from Paul and Joe Sister,in 100% silk. Wear this red playsuit with tights until the weather warms up a bit (and you’ve done all your new season exfoliating).
Paul and Joe Sister Kiwi all in one short suit playsuit £146 at MyWardrobe.

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Stella McCartney red bikini in a retro style with a sweet silver anchor charm. The bikini top is gathered. It’s never too early to get your new summer bikini!
Red Stella McCartney retro bikini £205 at Matches Fashion.

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These 1950s style red stilettos from Diane von Furstenberg are red suede with red patent leather detail and a 4″ heel. 100% leather. Every woman should have a pair of red shoes.
Diane von Furstenberg red suede stilettos £250 at Matches Fashion.

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A stunning cocktail ring with large red-coloured stone from Kenneth Jay Lane. It is 22k gold electroplated, and the red stone is a chunky 3cm by 3cm.
Kenneth Jay Lane red cocktail ring £105 at My Wardrobe.

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Animal prints, leopard prints, and animal inspired jewellery are still key designer trends.

But what looks great on Bond Street doesn’t always translate well to more mundane surroundings. If you love your animal print designer fashions but you’re wary of coming over all Bet Lynch in a leopard print coat, or of having to walk home from the station to a neighbourhood chorus of The Lion Sleeps Tonight, grab yourself some animal print accessories instead and go with the less is more approach.

I just love this New Season Kenneth Jay Lane leopard cuff. It’s unusual, well-priced, and on trend. (It’s a cuff! And it’s got leopards on it! The only way it could be more fashionable is if the leopards were wearing peg legs). The cuff is 22k gold plated with black enamel. The double leopard heads have red Swarovski crystal eyes and there is a  gold hoop centre. It has a magnetic closure and measures approximately 17cm on its internal circumference. Kenneth Jay Lane cuff £156 from My Wardrobe.

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These lace up animal print block heel ankle boots from D&G Dolce and Gabbana are half price in the My Wardrobe sale so you can nab a real bargain. With a pointed toe and brown laces, these D&G ankle boots also have a chunky 11cm square heel. Leather upper, lining and soles. Half price - now only £185.50 reduced from £371.

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Whether you’re a rock chick or a heels ‘n’ pencil skirts kind of girl, this gorgeous Yves Saint Laurent leopard print scarf will look great around your neck or in your hair. This 50% cotton / 50% viscose fringed Yves Saint Laurent scarf is £325 at Matches Fashion.

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Kenneth Jay Lane seems to be providing a veritable menagerie of wild cat inspired jewellery this season. This Kenneth Jay Lane tiger head ring is 22k gold plated, and the eyes are red Swarovski crystals. The ring circumference approx 11cm. Kenneth Jay Lane tiger head ring only £65 at My Wardrobe.

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Unusual shiny (patent leather) leopard print court shoes from Brian Attwood. With a thin stiletto heel and an almond toe, these Brian Atwood leopard print shoes are £375 at Matches Fashion.

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Flat leopard print pumps from Pedro Garcia that are not only animal print - but are now half price in the My Wardrobe sale! incredibly comfy, these flat, round-toed Mary Janes have a button-fastening strap to stop your foot slipping out. Leather upper and lining, rubber soles. (These are a fashion shoe and not for every day use.) The Pedro Garcia Greta shoe is reduced from £190 to £95 in the My Wardrobe sale.

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This short kaftan from Heidi Klein has a snakeskin print and silver dot decoration, and is ideal as a beach bar cover-up. There is a tie waist and twisted ties at the neckline. This Heidi Klein short kaftan is 100% silk. £158 at Matches Fashion.