Thursday, April 10, 2008
Runway Atlanta dresses fashionistas who want to be seen
By NEDRA RHONE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Runway Atlanta sounds like an oxymoron. Runway New York or Runway Paris, sure. But, well, Atlanta isn't world-renowned for any runways other than the ones at Hartsfield-Jackson. Jeannine Robertson hopes to change all that. Her aptly named boutique, tucked into a small space in Pharr Plaza, caters to Atlantans who walk through life wanting to be noticed. "I felt there was a lack of trendy things that I like in Atlanta, especially shoes and different funky types of things in Buckhead," said Robertson, who opened her shop in December.
Racks of clothing hang at the entrance of the store in narrowly spaced aisles holding all manner of dresses, tops, denim and even black latex leggings. A purple and brown Ghita halter dress for $465 was among the more demure designs. Ghita, by the way, is the brand designed by Alexis Phifer, the future Mrs. Kanye West, and Runway Atlanta is the only Atlanta retailer carrying the line.
Outerwear options include a heather gray cashmere cape trimmed in black fox fur by Linda Richards ($750), while denim selections range from wide-leg styles by Jainesse (spotted on Jessica Alba) to gray skinnies by Kova & T, both for $198. LaRok is also a big brand in the store, commanding almost an entire rack, with sequined tops, tanks and dresses, including a classy black sheath with patent trim for $115. In addition to national brands, the work of local designer Abdul Sall is on display. Sall says his designs, which employ materials such as leather, fur and silk, tend toward "club wear."
Sall was a designer for a New York store that created custom designs for the likes of Lil' Kim and Foxy Brown. It's a store that Robertson has shopped at in the past, and when she ran into Sall in Atlanta, she invited him to serve his garments at Runway Atlanta. "His stuff is really extravagant and I like it," Robertson said. "I would say we are going for the high-fashion, edgy girl." Still, several of Sall's styles, such as the pastel, kimono-style dress with gold leather trim made from Chanel knit fabric ($385) could make an appearance in the daylight.
The store is strong on accessories, stocking lots of costume jewelry, including a rose gold-plated snake charmer cuff ($235) and a variety of rings, pendants and earrings. Runway Atlanta defies convention by turning price tags face up in the display case. No question here about how much that gold-tone Amore ring by Shelia Fajl costs ($60). Many items in store are also available online, but then shoppers would miss out on handling the selection of Kooba bags, which feature stylish clutches and totes. The handbags alternate space with shoes like the new L.A.M.B. pumps in green, yellow and black ($335) by Gwen Stefani, and a sleek pair of black suede booties by Dolce Vita ($175).
On the way out, grab a pair of shades from the substantial collection of Tom Ford and Roberto Cavalli sunglasses, and get ready to walk the runway.
Labels: accessories, kooba handbags
# posted by Give Me Something to Blog About @ 4:56 PM
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
There is more than just Louis
By Tommy Bland
The realm of handbags has many producers, some made in Italy or France and more recently several US companies have entered the fray. Three of the most prominent makers of handbags in the US are Botkier, Dooney & Bourke, and Kooba.
The Botkier label was launched in New York City by fashion photographer, Monica Botkier. Looking for a bag she could carry her equipment in and still look stylish among the crowd she photographed, Botkier began to design her own handbags. Her first bag, the Trigger, impressed her friends, co-workers, and clientele so much that she was inspired to try her hand in the competitive world of designer handbags. With a professional's eye for detail and artistry, Botkier launched her first collection in 2003. With that success, the label has grown and expanded to include such lines as Black Rose, Bryant, Cairo, and their most popular line, the Botkier Bianca bags.
The Dooney & Bourke label was launched in South Norwalk, Connecticut in 1975 by Peter Dooney and Frederic Bourke. Their first products were surcingle belts and braces, sometimes called suspenders, The belts and braces were released in many colors and patterns which made them an instant hit at department stores. In 1981, the Dooney & Bourke company expanded their product line with fine-leather handbags. Two years later, in 1983, Dooney & Bourke introduced All-Weather Leather (AWL), which was a 100% waterproof cowhide and this became the standard for all their leather purses. The waterproofing of a leather purse along with the minimal care that went with it, made Dooney & Bourke purses the most popular designer handbag produced in the United States.
Today, Dooney and Bourke handbags are available in more than twenty different lines of purses. The styles range from crocodile leather to canvas totes and cowhide leather bags with zebra patterns to their most popular line, the Dooney & Bourke Alto handbag, with its classic lines and styling.
The leading designer of modern-vintage handbags is Kooba. Started in 1998 by a mother and daughter team, Bonnie and Abbe Held, the Kooba label quickly became a popular accessory used by fashion houses in their runway modeling shows. The material and hardware use in Kooba bags is always high-quality, the handbag designs are stylish but not trendy, and Kooba handbags complement any outfit in a wardrobe.
With so many fine luxury handbags available, you needn't limit yourself to the maker you see advertising the most in your favorite fashion magazine or talked about in your favorite forum or chat group.
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Labels: authentic designer handbags, kooba handbags
# posted by nybaglvr @ 1:40 PM
