Crimson Tide

When I first saw red leather back on the runway at Balenciaga's pre-fall presentation, it looked fresh and intriguing, but the look was too literal 80's for me to really fall in love with. But then on Thakoon's fall runway, a more girly, ruched red leather dress came down the runway that really made me swoon. I am not a rocker chick by any stretch of the imagination, so this softer, more feminine version of red leather made me think I could actually wear it. I also love the photo of the model in a red leather pants with a striped sweater and navy overcoat - she almost makes them look preppy. While I love a girl (or a guy - yes you, Kanye) who can pull off a literal 80's outfit or a Balmain runway look, I am slightly more intrigued by red leather that takes the Michael Jackson/North Beach leather cliché in a new direction.

 

 

Snapshot: The best Birkin bag I've seen

In a world of Hermes-bag-toting reality show superstars, it was such a revelation to lay my eyes on stylist Carlyne Cerf de Dudzeele's 30 year old, worn-in and personalized Birkin the other day. I walked on the set of a photo shoot and it was just casually lying there amongst her static guard and lint rolls. You could see that it was a different kind of leather than they use these days, and the stitching looked more handsewn. I don't think I'd spend the money on a new Hermes Birkin bag today, but if I had one that looked like this I certainly wouldn't let Kim Kardashian keep me from carrying it.