DAILY BAG-A-LICIOUS RUNWAY COVERAGE: Check out all the hottest fashion shows!

The BagTrends.com Bag-man spotted these bagistas and had to chat...
--Christopher Pollard

The Bagista: Margaret
The Bag: a yellow Prada and a Gusto
The "bag" story: a friend of hers purchased the bag for her at a random vintage outlet.
Why Margaret is bag-a-licious: She has options!! Why she’s at the tents: to represent CNBC and do press for fashion shows.

The Bagista: Tanika, reporter for Extra TV
The Bag: a white vintage bag
Why it’s bag-a-licious: She loves style and it can hold a lot of items.
Why she’s at the tents: to see Tracey Reese’s fashion show!!
 

The Bagista: Emily
The Bag: a brown Andrea Brueckner bag
Why it’s bag-a-licious: Brown is one of her fave colors.
Why she’s at the tents: to see Tracey Reese and DVF.
 

The Bagista: Supriya
The Bag: a vintage, black Gucci
The "bag" story: a friend of hers purchased the bag for her at a random vintage outlet.
Why it’s bag-a-licious: She finds the lining very appealing and it goes with every outfit. Why she’s at the tents: to see the many fashion shows and to represent BlueFly.com.

MORE>>>

Kayne Gillaspie and Katherine Gerdes shot for our cameras after Jay McCarroll's first showing at Fashion Week.

LeAnn Rimes and husband at Thursday's J. Mendel show.

September 14, 2006—At today’s editors breakfast, Kate Spade presented her Spring-Summer 2007 collection which, when seen as a whole, takes you on a glamorous frolic along the shore. Rather than do nautical in the traditional sense, Kate Spade incorporates elements of the see, such as a lobster pattern that appears on everything from plastic totes to raffia bags. There were also a lot of green, patent leather accents which complemented the red in the lobster. Continuing with the fish theme, salmon was a very popular color and looked fresh and opulent on a python evening bag.

JoJo has been attending a bevy of shows this week. Prior to the Tracy Reese show, I chatted with the young songstress about, what else, bags!

JoJo’s bag-a-licious pick: a red Alison Burns shoulder bag, a gift from the designer

Why JoJo loves Alison Burns: “She gives me a lot of free bags and everything from big travel sizes, duffels and cases, to everyday bags like the one I have now are great. Her colors are awesome and I just love the floppy designer [of the bag I’m carrying.] There’s a lot of space, but it’s still a neat, cute bag.”

What JoJo covets now: “I just saw this yellow Gucci purse that I’m flipping out over cause I think yellow is so cool.” So does the rest of the fashion world, as this has been the color du jour on the runway.

JoJo’s thoughts on Baby Phat: “The bags are off-the-chain and I’m excited. I want to go to a showroom and pick some out. Next time I’m in New York I’ll go.”

September 12, 2006—The chaos, make-up, fashions and of course, Betsey herself minutes before she unveiled her Spring/Summer 07 collection.

September 12, 2006—BagTrends got backstage access to Betsey Johnson show and we couldn’t help stop one of our favorite style gurus, Robert Verdi, to get his take on Spring/Summer 2007.

BagTrends: So, what trends have developed, thus far?
Robert Verdi: Well, it’s a pivotal season. I think it’s the first season that we’re seeing a new silhouette. There’s a volume change happening in clothing that started in fall and for spring we are seeing the full evolution. It’s a volume change and it’s not tight and it’s not loose. It’s about dramatic promotions. It’s about the difference in these two concepts living together. So, you’ll see the pairing of full poet’s sleeves, but then a narrow pant leg. It’s all about loose juxtaposed with tight.

BT: What about length?
RV: Short, shorts and short skirts are still hot.
BT: How unfortunate!
RV: For the leggy girls it’s great.

BT: What about dresses?
RV: Oh, it’s the shift dress. Every girl needs a shift dress coming up. And it’s not the classic stiff shift of the 60’s. It’s an almost sack style that skims the body and it’s hitting at the mid thigh.
SIDE NOTE: Yours truly wore a shift-like dress today, which skimmed the body hitting me mid thigh!!!

BT: Have any colors been popping out more than others?
RV: There’s a lot of mustards. Also a little bit of pink. Colors haven’t committed holey this season …
BT note: The gorgeous Bobbie Thomas interrupts our interview to whisper “Don’t listen to him.”
BT: You really are this silly together! (Then, we all have a little laugh and Robert continues.)
RV: There’s dulled-down mustards, these quite, muddy mustards. Also, dull pinks and muted green..

September 11th, 2006—With so much emphasis on clothing, runways, and celebrities, it's easy to forget about an essential ingredient of fashion: accessories. That's why we're thankful for the Accessories Exhibit—located in the lobby of the tents at Bryant Park—for showcasing a stellar collection of handbags, shoes, and jewelry. After all, what's a fashionista without a fabulous bag? Check out some highlights from the Accessories Exhibit Kickoff, which featured designers—in the flesh —showcasing their latest spring goodies. - Niki Khindri

Susan Farber Collection handbags: Farber's gorgeous handbags have been toted by A-List celebs like Debra Messing, Sharon Stone, and even the ladies of Desperate Housewives. At the Exhibit, Susan shows off her favorite styles, including a gorgeous cream patent leather bow-clutch (also shown in red), and a glamorous Mongolian fur shoulder bag. To find her designs for yourself, visit www.susanfarbercollections.com.

Susan Rapp Handbags: A native of Louisville, Kentucky, Susan Rapp's ladylike handbags are inspired by the delicate femininity of Kentucky Derby fashion. Paired with a tea-time dress, wrist-length gloves, and wide-brimmed hat, these bags are perfect for a day at the races. For more info, visit www.susanrapp.com.

Bagteria USA: The ultimate statement of luxury, Bagteria's exquisite vintage-style handbags, designed by Asian designer Nancy Go, are hand-crafted using vintage beads, antique fabrics, and precious materials like Mother of Pearl, Swarovski crystals, and ostrich leather. Previously sold exclusively in Europe, these limited-edition bags can now be found in the U.S.; for more information, visit www.bagteria.com.

PLANK: Plank, designed by Doreen Hing, originally started as a yoga accessories line, but now includes a complementary handbag and small leather goods collection (pictured here: faux-pony hair wristlet clutch and purse from the Vedanta series). These cute, practical purses come in bright, cheerful colors designed to capture the vitality of the yogi lifestyle. For more information, visit www.Plankdesigns.com.

Hayden-Harnett: At the Exhibit, I chatted with Toni and Ben of the handbag line Hayden-Harnett (which happens to be one of my personal faves). For spring, they debuted gorgeous leather bags in earth-tone colors. I also got a sneak peak at the Fall line, which includes bags in leather and tweed; small leather goods like wallets, coin purses and necklaces; leather keychains-slash-purse ornaments in funky shapes like mushrooms and owls; and a jewelry line, including a fabulous black leather cutout necklace, which Toni modeled herself.For more info, visit www.hayden-harnett.com.

The Bagisto: Phillip Bloch
The Bag: a beige traveling bag made by Jas. M. B, purchased in Australia.
Why it’s bag-a-licious: it’s all about the zippers and stitching – he has it in three other colors!
Why he’s at the tents: for the love of fashion and to chat with us!
 

The Bagista: Tracey Stern, shoe designer and owner of Salon Tea
The Bag: Calvin Klein
Why it’s bag-a-licious: the exotic skin and geometric design – it’s swinging 60’s with a modern twist.
Why she’s at the tents: to see Luca Luca’s fashion show.

Patricia Field, exiting Sass and Bide, looking fabulous as always.

Phillip Bloch, sitting front and center at DVF. - Michelle Finkelshteyn

Molly Sims and a shady Nicky Hilton mesmerized by the DVF show. - Michelle Finkelshteyn

Thanks for keeping the shades off Mr. Robert Verdi, seen at the DVF show. - Michelle Finkelshteyn

Mischa Barton trying to exit the Jenni Kayne show. - Michelle Finkelshteyn

I spotted Jared Leto at the Jenni Kayne show, and I have one thing to say: What happened to you? - Michelle Finkelshteyn

Ivana "wife #1" Trump at the Marc Bouwer show with her gentleman friend. - Michelle Finkelshteyn

Fashion Week draws some of New York's chic-est, decked out in their most fabulous attire and fiercest bags. Young, old, male, and female, these trend setters prove that fashion never goes out of style. - Niki Khindri

Fashionistas Lisa Miller (left) and Maria Del Greco lounging in the Accessories exhibit. Here's Maria's bag - yes, she designed it!!

These three hotties could have passed for runway models.

Rayna, a Junior Marketing Editor for Saks 5th Avenue, carrying a Goyard bag. And FYI - everyone is carrying a Goyard bag. And why not, between shoes changes, make-up and all the swag, every bagista knows that function and style can be happy together...

These budding fashionistas prove it's never too soon to flaunt your own sense of style.- Niki Khindri

September 9, 2006—Fashion Week SWAG (aka gift bags) is overwhelming and sometimes a gal just doesn’t know what to do with so many scarves. Day two and two scarves later (one from Fiandaca and another from Nicole Miller), I wanted to see what the fashionistas did with theirs. I spotted bagistas using scarves as handbag accents – loved it! There was also a gal that made a nice belt. Nora Ruth, sister of Colombian-based designer, Diego Valencia, turned her Nicole Miller scarf into a fabulous dress. If this was a Project Runway challenge, Tim Gunn would have to agree that Nicole really made it work!

September 8, 2006—Bobbie Thomas’ face always looks flawless. She was shooting a segment for the Style Network inside the Bryant Park Tents and I couldn’t help but notice how insanely gorgeous her makeup looks. Then, I spotted her makeup artist and just had to pick his brain. Here’s what Ricardo Ferrise had to share about makeup, Bobbie and beauty.

BT: What's your secret?
Ricardo Ferrise: I use a lot of Nars. It’s my favorite brand. I do a lot of layering on Bobbie with pretty colors blended glamorously. Bobbi’s also a fan of gloMinerals and I use their foundation on her. It has a great consistency.

BT: It can’t hurt that you have an amazing canvas to begin with (i.e. Bobbie).
RF: She has a gorgeous face and gorgeous features. We like to play up the cheeks and do a lot of gloss and shine on the lips. But, you always want to keep a balance. Too much gloss looks greasy and not enough looks flat.

BT: Quick, I have 5 minutes to be camera ready. What should I do?
RF: Apply a nice bronzer to the apples of your cheeks. Put some gloss on your lips, even a clear gloss. Finally, mascara the shit out of your eyes. Oh, and don’t forget to curl those lashes! – Pamela Pekerman

September 8, 2006—Hm, that looks like an Andrea Brueckner bag on the left. Wonder where she got it?

What will they wear next? Stay tuned...