Hello my stylish friends!

If the collections in New York were any indication of things to come, I am doubly excited for what awaits me in Paris and Milan. There are comebacks galore by established houses like Valentino, and creative collections by up and coming designers such as Alexander Wang and Risto Bimbiloski; who just may become your go-to guys for chic and unique. As I begin packing once again, I realize I must leave behind the nonchalance of the summer Florida wardrobe, for the pulled together formality of French and Italian cities. Dressing up is a way of life no matter the season in Europe’s fashion capitols, and while I cannot wait to get back to my summer uniform of easy linen shirts and breezy sundresses, I love the change in wardrobe travel brings.

Oscar’s Garden of Delight

Flowers are a passion of mine and one of many interests I share with Oscar de la Renta who, this season, has translated these lush images into chic and easy dresses and sportswear. I adore the look of gorgeous French bouquets spilling out of a canvas tote, or beautiful peonies and cabbage roses blooming abundantly in a garden. This seasons Oscar collection translates these images into floral print frocks with flirty hemlines, interpretations of petals cascading down a rose colored cardigan, and exquisite necklaces bursting with bejeweled blossoms of every species. Digging into Oscar’s feminine garden philosophy should be as easy as slipping into one of his petal soft leather pumps, and will keep you smiling all summer long.

Bold and Beautiful

Nicholas Varney has taken chalk white to a bold new level. Cachelon
(white onyx) and 18k gold in oversize links say ultra modern and casually sophisticated. I am taking this statement piece with me on my current trip so that I have the perfect accessory to wear all day and into the night. Pairing it with Irene Neuwirth’s one of a kind aquamarine tear drop earrings, trimmed in pave diamonds, would light the face of any travel weary soul.

Style Staples

Remember that Lanvin trench I told you about last month? It will prove a classic over lightweight Genetic denim. The trench becomes travel ready when paired with an open toe Schumacher bootie. Complete the look with a Celine tote in color block camel and black. Totes have made a strong resurgence on the runway, with a more modern, refined shape. This one is sure to be a classic for years to come.

Michael Kors: A Lifetime of Achievement

Congratulations to Michael Kors for being honored with the Lifetime Acheivement award by the CFDA and for having his Hollywood fragrance, that we love at Marissa Collections, nominated for Perfume of the Year by the Fragrance Foundation FIFI Awards!

As we approach another buying trip next week, we take a moment to reflect on our last trip to Paris. A whirlwind of designers and showrooms left us breathless in anticipation for our last appointment… the Alexander McQueen Showroom.
A few blocks away from our charming hotel in the Bastille Area we approached a large blue door and a wave of excitement washed over us as we paused to anticipate the viewing of a master’s final collection. Due to his recent passing, Alexander McQueen’s formal Fall 2010 Runway show had been canceled. Only a private showing was previewed by a select, and exclusive, party of buyers and press. Entering the showroom was like walking onto the movie set from ‘Angels and Demons.’ The use of over the top exaggerated shapes, and textures with heavy embroideries and brocades, gargoyles and religious motifs were exciting and a perfect storyline befitting a collection conceived by this great talent and his finale…
While we await our fall deliveries we offer you a preview of what to expect from the late bad boy of fashion. In true McQueen style, the entire collection seems to be a juxtaposition of demure and hard edge. Motorcycle jackets and lace skirt suits are treated with the same bravado. Sumptuous black lace covers a flesh-tone clutch while Union Jacks laid out in spikey studs adorn another. Masculine black leather biker boots are balanced by lady-like suede pumps, decorated with purple Swarovski Crystals, and crowned skulls sit atop streamlined tortoise-shell handbags.

Anya Hindmarch Handbags

Resort 2009

Anya Hindmarch has created a truly luxe collection of must have piece for  Resort 2009. The collection features glaced leather and naplak silhouettes found in bright cobalt, black and tan. Her inspiration is drawn from graphic art from the sixties and seventies.

Michael Kors Python Handbags

Michael has done it again. His Resort 2009 Collection features beautiful handbags in coral, dune and turquoise python.  Some are jeweled with malachite, lapis and coral pieces. His collection draws on the elegance of Babe Paley juxtaposed with the earthy opulence of Tony Duquette. Michael Kors python handbags are must for your next resort vacation.

An exclusive overview of premier Naples Florida Shopping by VisitFlorida. Marissa Collections is proud to be mentioned in the online video. Click here to watch Naples Florida Shopping.

With London Fashion Week in full swing we felt we should give a shout out to one of the city’s brightest stars, the “enfant terrible” Alexander McQueen. Despite designing for over a decade, and a move to Paris Fashion Week, McQueen still pays homage to his roots. His most recent fall collection was inspired by Queen Victoria and British Colonial India.

McQueen, a graduate of St. Martins Design School, began a career in fashion at 16 when he dropped out of school and began an apprenticeship with Saville Row tailors Anderson and Shephard. A position at Romeo Giglis soon followed. McQueen’s climb to the fashion stratosphere began upon his graduation from St. Martins, and fashion icon’s Isabella Blow’s purchase of his entire graduation collection. An eponymous collection soon followed with a position at Givenchy, which ended in 2001. In 2000, the Gucci Group bought a 51% share in Alexander McQueen, and an expansion of the brand, with a men’s collection, eyewear and fragrance, soon followed.

Despite the fine workmanship of a French Haute Couture atelier and the impeccable finish of Italian manufacturing, McQueen is a true English boy at heart.

Marissa Collections is very proud being named Elle.com Boutique of the Week.

Take a look…it’s awesome!

Highligted vendors included:

Lanvin

Valentino

Manolo Blahnik

Rachelle Copeland and Emily Ironi, the brains behind the beautiful Alexis Hudson Handbag collection, bring over 15 years of industry experience to the fresh, young brand industry insiders immediately labeled “one to watch.”

Copeland and Ironi spent years learning the business of accessory design and sales, and in 2005 they pooled their talents to launch the collection whose name pays homage to Copeland’s five year-old daughter Alexis, and Ironi’s “baby” German Wirehaired Pointer Hudson. From the word go, the Alexis Hudson partners had a clear cut vision for their brand and have seen their vision through to reality: creating the “perfect bag” and providing “absolute therapy for handbag addicts.”

As the creative force, Copeland designs bags that are the perfect marriage of function and form. Like a classic ballet flat or chic trenchcoat, an Alexis Hudson handbag is destined to stand the test of time thanks to its ability to adapt to and transform the individual style of each woman who carries it. Each luxurious Alexis Hudson bag includes subtle, yet thoughtful, design elements such as hidden magnetic closures, penholders, adjustable straps, key chain clasps, and plenty of room for all the important things a busy girl carries.

Using her vast sales and marketing experience, Ironi successfully launched the Alexis Hudson line, landing it in some of the country’s most touted and high profile boutiques in just a single season. Thanks to instant visibility, the Alexis Hudson collection started showing up on the arms of the most fashionable women and chicest celebrities (including Eva Longoria, Katherine Heigl, Heather Graham, Jill Hennessey, Kate Hudson, Keira Knightley, Elisabeth Rohm, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen and Cindy Crawford to name a few) from coast-to-coast.

Pop culture has focused in on the world of dance. With shows like So You Think You Can Dance lighting up television screens, it is understandable fashion designers would translate dance into their designs. While some designers find inspiration in the soft and languid movements of ballet and contemporary, Jamin Puech has found it in an underground revival party of transient tones mixed of Hip Hop frantic, electronic punk, ultramodern beatnik and fired up disco.

The fall collection of handbags in leathers of all kinds, shiny or mat, muted or ultra flash, acidified and intertwined are mixed with embroideries raised with exotic wooden sequins, playful resins, smoked or iridescent gigantic spangles like authentic sunglasses to the stars. With design taking such a modern sleek turn, accessories have become the go to for that personal touch. Jamin Puech has choreographed the routine for modern sophisticated women dancing to the beat of their own drummers.

The bourgeois bohemian style of Mary Kate Olsen and Talitha Getty is an example of the San Francisco Bay Area culture, the main design influence of 49 Square Miles.

The hand bag collection is made of Italian leathers in sumptuous saturated color with exposed stitching and minimal hardware. 49 Square Miles is a combination of more than 30 years of fashion industry experience with a deep genuine love of the San Francisco Bay Area, giving each bag an artisanal organic quality. Like Olsen, Getty and their like, these bags are perfect blend of nature and glamor. The 49 Square Miles Bigmouth hobo embodies much of this style from their current Fall collection.