I've often spied many celebrities on the red carpet with a Judith Leiber minaudiere (purse). Some are adorable and some outright strange.
However all are very expensive and highly collectable.
What is interesting is that she's picked up on the trends that I've also flagged. Birds, Seashells and Butterflies. As I've already mentioned in prior posts, these are "Huge" trends at the moment.
Judith Leiber's items are always on the cutting edge of high fashion, but are timeless classics at the same time. In addition to designing handbags and minaudieres, the company also produces eye wear, fur, and cashmere accesories. Here's some more from the Spring 2010 Line.
And did you know that these artful handbags and minaudieres are part of the permanent design collections at The Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, The Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C., the Houston Museum of Fine Arts and the Los Angeles Museum of Art.
Not only has Hollywood has had a 50 year long love affair with the brand, but nearly every First Lady dating back to 1963 has carried these custom-made bags to the U.S. Presidential Inauguration. How is that for an interesting bit of trivia.
Other interesting designs include these.
Disco Ball Minaudiere
Bee Hive Minaudiere
Although gorgeous and very striking, I couldn't see myself clutching the last one any time soon. Imagine your iphone ringing/vibrating and someone pointing out that your bee hive is buzzing. Then again, it would certainly be a conversation starter. However the birds are stunning and in my opinion timeless.
These really do emphasise that fashion can also be art. Although some do it better than others. And like art, fashion is in the eye of the beholder.
