Poppy Palooza - COACH Lauches A New Summer Collection

I’m proud to announce the new “Poppy” collection by Coach, a collection of vibrant and edgy pieces mixes a preppy East Coast vibe with punky sensibilities for a result that is decidedly spirited and youthful in appeal. The new collection is set to launch in July but that’s not all, I’ve got better news! Although the collection isn’t in store til July 1st, Facebook fans (must have facebook and become a fan to view) can exclusively purchase the collection online! Also, we’ve got an exclusive giveaway in the works so hurry over to facebook.com and become a fan. You can also see a sneak preview at select stores this Friday!

“Poppy offers a different attitude that is younger in spirit,” he said. “It’s playful, with more prints, interesting fabrics and more experimentation. [These ideas] are always countered with a more classic shape or a more traditional construction.” -Coach Creative Director Reed Krakoff

Turn your Spring Fling into a Summer Romance with one of these Silhouettes

If you are really into fashion, you'll know the feeling: lusting madly over a gorgeous new handbag each season. I'm not talking about logo standbys, but really fun, fresh handbags that will absolutely complete your wardrobe.

1. Clutch Handbag
The hottest shape of the season is the clutch, in everything from slim rectangles to antique-looking handheld bags.

2. Patent Handbag
Whether you go mirror smooth or funky with a bit of crinkle, patent is the best finish for handbags right now.

3. Mini Handbag
The natural answer to last year's giant bags? The mini, of course. Stash a minimum amount of stuff in your tiny bag and opt for a cross-body or handheld style.

4. Metallic Handbag
They've been in and out for years, but metallic handbags are now hotter than ever.

5. Convertible Handbag
Wear it on your shoulder, toss on the crook of your elbow or hold it by your hands; this bag goes the distance in versatility.

Heavy Metal

All around the globe young people are embracing a neo-grunge, post-punk aesthetics, as well as the rebellious, subversive sentiment championed by decades of anti-establishment cultural icons. Reacting to the banality of corporate driven fast fashion, young people are approaching apparel from the DIY standpoint, customizing everything with pyramids studs, safety pins and chains. The fashion world has responded, delivery its own take on edge, heavy metal styles, and in turn re-inspiring a new crop of the style-obsessed. - Style Sight.

Eco-Green, Retail

Charges on single-use plastic bags have reduced usage by 85% amongst U.K. high street retailers.

 

 

Score: one for the environment. British retailers that have started imposing fees on the single use of plastic bags as an incentive to get customers to reuse their bags is working, with retailers saying usage is down 85%, reported The Guardian. Customers are not just responding to the tacked on fee, but also high profile campaigns, fashion statement alternatives and incentive programs, such as accruing green loyalty points. At Marks & Spencer, which began adding a 5 pence charge on food bags last year in May, the number of single-use bags leaving the store has declined by 80%, from 460m bags a year to 80m. At the National Trust, which also levied a 5 pence charge in May last year, the usage of plastic bags is down 85%, or 1m bags annually.

Supermarket giant, Tesco, which offers a green point to its clubcard customers for reusing their bags, said its bag use is down by 50% since launching the program in August 2006. In total, it estimates it has saved 3bn bags in the process, with 1.8bn bags saved in the last year. Rival Sainsbury's, which also offers extra loyalty points to customers, wouldn't disclose how many bags it has saved, but said only that the plan was successful.

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/may/01/plastic-bags-reduction-shops

Weave

Embrace the over-sized clutch, or carry your hobo in your hand.

Q1 Handbag Trends

What is trending for Q1....over sized bags with straps, ties, bows and belts in all shapes and sizes. Dress it Up, Tie it Up!




It's all about natural tones: Creamy BEIGES and notable NUDES. Barely-there hues come back to life with a Nude Awakening.

Before the summer sizzle be sure to invest in one of these carry-all Totes. From the boardroom to the boat and onto the beach, Basket weave is where it's at.