Almost a year after Derek Lam left his position as the creative director of Tod's, the Italian brand has finally named his replacement.
With Fall right around the corner, it's about time you invest in a must-have bag that you'll carry all season. Since celebrities have the most coveted styles, why not look to them for some help? Everyone from Jessica Alba to Reese Witherspoon to Elizabeth Olsen to Kate Bosworth has been spotted with stunning designer bags from Jimmy Choo, Gucci, Tory Burch, Givenchy, Opening Ceremony, and many more high-end labels. Without further ado, check out 12 must-have celebrity designer bags, then buy the one that makes your fashion heart skip a beat.
Welcome to Friday, the end of the week, the beginning of the weekend, and, most importantly, the magical day where we reveal CelebStyle's top stars of the week. Our winners really turned it out this week from mixed-print masterpieces to fresh updates on classic color combos to Western-inspired ensembles we are totally coveting. Diane Kruger fused stripes, florals, and polka dots in Paris, Selita Ebanks accented her streamlined NYC look with snakeskin pumps and a neon green Marc by Marc Jacobs clutch, while Camila Alves went Western in a purple floral-accent dress and embroidered Mexicana cowboy boots. And let's not forget Kim Kardashian, Anne Hathaway, Portia de Rossi, Jessica Alba, and Michelle Williams, who donned spectacular styles of their own. Take a much-deserved break for your busy Friday to get a closer look at our trendsetting standouts, then shop their looks for yourself.
Jessica Alba strolled Beverly Hills in her favorite Jenni Kayne pointed d'orsay flats and her latest lust-worthy accessory, a two-tone leather Tod's bag ($1,595). Jessica's nude button-down blouse, mauve skinny jeans, and pointed flats were cute on their own, but layering a striped blazer over her neutral look injected the perfect pop of unique flair. Gold shades, a double wrap necklace, and a few silver bracelets completed her sunny style. Re-create this look by shopping similar pieces below for a sweet and chic ensemble perfect for Fall.
Jessica Alba grabbed coffee in Studio City over the weekend, and along with lighter locks, she debuted a new pair of Current/Elliott floral jeans ($198). To tame her busy bottoms, Jessica sported a simple blue tank up top, then finished off with black Surface to Air caged sandals, round retro sunglasses, and her newest purse: Tod's two-tone gray bag ($1,595). Score Jessica's exact floral jeans and bag to incorporate into your wardrobe. They would both look fabulous come Fall.
>> Dorino Della Valle, founder of the Italian fashion empire that owns Tod's, Roger Vivier, and Hogan, died Tuesday. He was 87.
WWD reported that Dorino, father of current Tod's Chairman Diego Della Valle and Vice Chairman Andrea Della Valle, died in the Italian town of Casette d'Ete. Dorino started making Tod's shoes in the basement of his home there in the 1920s, but the business didn't become a full-fledged luxury house until Diego expanded the operation with manufacturing in the 1970s.
The Della Valle family now owns a range of fashion companies and has a stake in other nonfashion businesses, like the RCS MediaGroup and the soccer team ACF Fiorentina. Calcio Sport reported that the team has suspended its regular practices and will observe two days of silence until Dorino's funeral on Thursday. Spokespeople for Tod's had not responded to a request for comment by the time of this posting.
>> The rumors are true — Derek Lam's contract with Tod's is set to expire this Fall, and the company doesn't appear eager to renew it.
In a statement released Tuesday afternoon, the company said it's looking for someone to replace Lam after his current contract ends on Sept. 30. It made the announcement on the same day that it reported a profit increase of 24 percent from last year, and said it would actively be looking for someone who has the time and energy to fully dedicate himself or herself to the job. The Financial Times posted the statement in full:
"Following the rumors of an alleged termination of the collaboration between Tod's and Derek Lam, the company confirms that the agreement between the parties is set to terminate on 30/9/12. In the meantime, Tod's is in the process of evaluating its options, considering that, based on the company's future development plans, the role of the Creative Director of Tod's will be central and even more important. The choice will therefore be directed toward an individual with great creative talent and able to commit the necessary amount of time to the success of the brand."
That last part, about being "able to commit the necessary amount of time to the success of the brand" suggests that the company is on the hunt for a designer who isn't already running a (or in Lam's case, two) successful clothing line.
It's been widely reported that Derek Lam has left his position as creative director of Tod's — though it may come as a surprise to many that he worked there in the first place.
WWD reported Monday morning that Lam has ended his quiet relationship with Tod's, the Italian luxury goods house, after six years on the job. The story doesn't cite any source in particular, and Tod's had no comment when Fashionologie reached out for more information Monday.
But that's not surprising, considering Lam's employment at Tod's wasn't very highly publicized to begin with. He became the company's creative director in 2006, shortly after he was named a runner up for the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund prize in 2005. In September 2010, it was announced that Lam would renew his contract with Tod's for an additional two years. If he really is leaving the company, he'll have missed that mark by six months.
Perhaps the most interesting thing about this story is the suggestion that Lam left Tod's to focus on his own collection. If that's true, he should be primed to do great things in the upcoming seasons; even with the stresses of creating shoes and accessories for Tod's, Lam was already designing his critically acclaimed main line, and he introduced a diffusion line — 10 Crosby — earlier this year.
The classic look loafers gave to your school uniforms is now the polish they lend to balance your effortlessly cool basics. It's an update on the old-school favorite that makes them a lot cooler than they were in grade school. This time, pair yours with skinny denim, cargos, or leather pants, and forget the regulation-length pleats. For inspiration, we're looking to some of our favorite celebrity influences, like Natalia Vodianova, Nicole Richie, Olivia Palermo, and Jessica Alba who stepped out rocking their preppy versions with relaxed staples, casual layers, and femme contrasts in mini dresses and lace tops. This is exactly how we plan to wear the trend for Spring, letting our edgier separates play perfect opposites against the classic kicks.
