The CHIC Side of Technology: VANDERWAALS – APP-ENABLED, COLOR CHANGING HANDBAGS

VanDerWaals, the premier handbag company that combines fashion, function and technology all in one bag, announces the launch of e-commerce through www.Van-Der-Waals.com. Made from the finest premium leather and materials, each VanDerWaals handbag is carefully constructed to give women the opportunity to express themselves as never before. Inspired by the human desire for self-expression, the creators of VanDerWaals have built an accessory with capabilities previously unseen in a handbag. Using patented technologies, they developed an app-enabled handbag that can change color with just the swipe of a finger. Like a chameleon changes its colors, a VanDerWaals handbag can change its color to match a look, a mood or the environment.

Each VanDerWaals handbag is programmable through a free app that allows a fashionista to match her dress one minute and her shoes the next by selecting her favorite shade or taking a picture to match the exact color of her outfit. The bag can also be programed to flash a custom lightshow synchronized to a favorite song or make a recommendation for a lucky color based on the user’s birthdate. The bags are also programmable to flash a selected color when the user receives a phone call. No more digging through your bag to hear if your phone is ringing.

In addition to light up and color changing capabilities, VanDerWaals handbags are also able to charge a smart phone, tablet or other portable device. Through an invisible long-lasting internal battery, users can plug the included charging cable or micro USB into their device. The internal battery power can be replenished using the provided wall charger. The internal battery will charge an iPhone 6 up to three times.

The premiere collection of VanDerWaals handbags features two styles with varying patterns: the larger Caroline tote and smaller Elena cross-body satchel. VanDerWaals handbags retail between $499 and $699 and are now available for pre-order though www.van-der-waals.com with free shipping anticipated for late summer 2015, at which time the compatible VanDerWaals app will be available for download.

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Jennifer Lawrence in new Be Dior Ad Campaign

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This is what a rich girl looks like. Chic, modern and while she knows fashion and invests in it, her style is always effortless. Kudos to the stylist.

Photographer Paolo Roversi shot the Dior campaign featuring the Oscar winning Jennifer Lawrence in a variety of flawless day looks and carrying the fabulous leather Be Dior bag. The styling, hair, makeup and minimal set work perfectly together. Everything feels so fresh. I love it. 

Great timing in rolling out the ad campaign as well since Jennifer Lawrence was missed at the Academy Awards.

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DIOR RTW Fall Campaign 2014 -2015

Dior ad campaign

It's not always couture at Christian Dior. Sometimes a girl just wants to kick back in ready-to-wear. Just like this. Classic meets modern at Dior. The Autumn/Winter ad campaign - photographed by Willy Vanderperre.

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Look Festive and Stylish this Holiday Season

Photo by ...love Maegan via Flickr

by guest author Mack Hamilton

Holiday party season is nearly upon us. With classic holiday options and new trends to try, it has never been easier to join the festivities in style. To snatch the best deals on the trendiest looks for winter, shop Black Friday. According to the National Retail Federation, a record 247 million shoppers visited popular stores like JC Penney on Thanksgiving weekend to take advantage of sales on clothing, accessories and other goodies. Keep a look out for holiday attire to ring in the New Year.

Fringe continues to be a go-to look after making multiple appearances on the spring 2013 runways. This edgy, boho embellishment has been added to everything from dresses and handbags, to jackets and necklaces. Go daytime casual with a fringe top paired with your most comfortable jeans, and accessorized with an adorned bangle bracelet.

Low Heel

Photo by Bess Georgette via Flickr

Low heels are both comfortable and practical, the perfect everyday footwear solution. Choose a stylish low heel measuring one to two inches. Opt for a sexy sling-back, sleek kitten heels in a brocade finish, or a classic nude pump. Wearing a low heel is also healthier for the body. According to the American Osteopathic Association, extended wearing of high heels can cause the toes to bend in unnatural positions and can even lead to irreversible damage to leg tendons. The AOA recommends flats or shoes with a heel of less than an inch-and-a-half.

Turtlenecks

Photo by fervent-adepte-de-la-mode via Flickr

Don’t overlook this winter staple just yet. The turtleneck look remains practical and warm for chilly weather. To pull off this look, opt for a fine-knit turtleneck and wear it under a jacket. Avoid chunky knits if you’re curvy to ward off unwanted bulk. Wear the turtleneck with a necklace worn over the roll.

Mini Bag

Photo by hanspetermeyer.ca via Flickr

While the new “it” bags may be barely big enough to carry your iPhone, that didn’t stop mini bags from becoming the next big thing. These small and stylish accessories are fun to carry for work, holiday parties, or just around town to carry your essentials. Cross-body bags, clutches and shrunken versions of popular full-size handbags force women to only carry what they really need.

Patent Coat

Photo by ...love Maegan via Flickr

Patent leather is not just for shoes. Glossy patent leather raincoats and knee-length belted jackets are both stylish and figure-flattering. If you decide to go with a patent jacket, opt for a more conservative outfit. Classic-fit jeans look good on almost everyone and work well with classic patent leather jackets. If leather is not your thing, anything with faux fur trim, metallic print or rich jewel tones will also be in-style this winter.

Tartan

Photo by Robert Sheie via Flickr

Tartan, plaid, checkered or whatever you like to call it is back in a big way. This pattern has been seen on a wide range of attire, from cozy jumpers to tailored skirts. Achieve the all-too-cool grunge look with a checkered or plaid shirt layered or tied around the waist. Keep warm with a blanket-like knitted wool or oversized coat in tartan. Even 

head-to-toe plaids

 have been spotted on runways. Don’t be afraid to experiment with print mixing, such as tartan mixed with leopard print. Enjoy the holidays in festive ensembles that reflect your personal style.

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Louis Vuitton Fall 2011

"Dominatrix Sleeps Tonight" but for Louis Vuitton, she's just waking up!

Marc Jacobs was feeling a little kinky as he explored and glamorized fetishes [through fashion]. In some cases, the intention was clearly evident such as in the leather corset-like pieces, the officer/military hats and the lace-up dominatrix boots. Sexy silk stockings and uniform jackets added to the mix.

On more subtle fetish-like planes, there were dress up motifs like puffy sleeves and "Peter Pan" collars. There were retro looks that reminded me of librarians (if they were very chic).  Most of these looks were very structured and very Parisian.

Jacobs was quoted as saying the motivation for the collection was women's "inexplicable obsession with bags" which got him thinking about and investigating the types of things women are passionate about requiring "discipline."

My personal favorites are the sheer dresses and though you may not be able to wear them as such in public, they sure make for great runway. [Let's not forget the stunning handbags, btw!]

Photos: Monica Feudi

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Mi Energia Handbags

What do you get when you combine the ultra softness of lambskin, the elegance of silk, luxurious cashmere and really good kharma --

Mi Energia

handbags and scarves. Chilean born,

Susan Pielsticker

is the genuis behind the label and speaks passionately about her work:

fashionado

: Tell me about your choice of textiles.

Mi Energia

: In trying to decide what to make the bags out of I knew that I wanted them to be of very high quality. I'm a huge bag collector and a lot of the bags that are being produced today are of non-

leather. I wanted mine to be very soft and very light and that's how I chose lambskin.

fashionado

: How do your bags wear?

Mi Energia

: I'm not very careful with my bags and they are holding up nicely. The leather is already so soft and getting even softer with wear.

fashionado

: I noticed your bags are made in the USA.

Mi Energia

: I did my research and found companies that manufactured over seas yet I kept coming back to

Kiran Bindra

of

InStyle Exchange

and the fact that I really wanted my bags made in the USA.

fashionado

: How did you come up with the name Mi Energia?

Mi Energia

: I'm a divorced mom of twins for about 5 years now and I am really into positivity and doing things to increase self confidence. I have a degree in psychology and I have always been fascinated with metaphysics and human behavior. I find it intriguing how you can control your mind. I'm always trying to keep myself motivated, driven and confident. I used to keep a piece of paper in my purse with affirmations like: "

I am happy; I am strong

" so I decided to merge the self help concept into the whole line which is how the affirmations got printed unto the silk lining of every bag. Mi Energia is spanish for " my energy." I needed the bags to have a lot of meaning and be personal.

fashionado

: With your line, you have achieved form, function and substance. Would you say that's what separates Mi Energia from others?

Mi Energia

: I wanted my bags to have a purpose more than the physical. I wanted it to be mental as well, so they are more than just bags  or just scarves. I wanted to go beyond fashion.

Mi Energia handbags & scarves:

Susan Pielsticker is an inspiration to fashion design. It was refreshing to speak with someone who loves fashion, style and beauty and is not misguided with its superficiality. Susan has successfully intertwined substance and beauty into a must-have line of handbags and scarves. Symbolism never looked so good!

For detailed information about Mi Energia, view their catalogue and SHOP! Check out their website:

http://www.shopmienergia.com/

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