Louis Vuitton X Yayoi Kusama take two

louis vuitton x yayoi kusama 2012

pictured: This is my little pouch from the original Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama collaboration in fall 2012. I love this little bag and have pulled it out for many occasions over the years, including fashion week!

I love a good designer collaboration. While some are interesting to look at, such as the recent Gucci and Balenciaga collab, others are so intriguing, I want a part of them. This re-collaboration between Louis Vuitton and artist Yayoi Kusama is exactly that; a collab I want a part of.

In case you just read that last paragraph and are wondering what in the world I am babbling about, here is the tea! Ten years after the first collaboration, Louis Vuitton is collaborating, once again, with famed artist Yayoi Kusama. Her work is instantly recognizable and renown throughout the world. In 2021, Kusama collaborated with Louis Vuitton to created totes, handbags, and accessories in her famous dot patterns. Most of the pieces were black and white, yellow and black, red and white, or red and black. I loved the black and white patterns, so I snapped up this little pouch to wear on special occasions; after all, it was a special collaboration, so an everyday bag didn’t feel right. I am in love with this little bag!

For the Cruise 2023 season, Louis Vuitton has once again partnered with Yayoi Kusama to create another special collection, and it is just as fabulous, if not more, than the original. Hold onto your hats, this one might blow them off! While I don’t have permission to post photos from the collab here, you can see the bags yourself on Louis Vuitton’s Instagram. Check out their saved stories to see the bags walking down the runway.

The new collection includes a more three-dimensional version of Kusama’s famous dots. There are stud-dots, which I want in my collection, and there are rainbow dots painted on bags. I love the soft box bag with studs. It really is a fabulous piece. Please check their Instagram so you know what I am describing.

Missed out on the first collab? Here are a few pieces on the secondary market online, enjoy!

This new collection is said to launch in January 2023, but I suspect you can get your hands on it before Christmas, after all, many designers release cruise a bit early in order to take advantage of the holiday rush. What do you think of the collection? Do you have a favorite piece?

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy

BAF Weekly IT List

spring street style trends

BAF Weekly IT List from top right: blazer vest / small convertible handbag / spring nail polish / casual dress (under $50) / eye shadow quad / small top handle bag / slingback heels / classic satchel /

The weather is heating up! This means freshening up our wardrobes with lighter pieces so we can get through these warmer days. This lightweight dress is perfect as we move into summer temperatures. It can be worn casually with sandals or sneakers, or dressed up with flats or a low heel. It also comes in tons of colors! I am picking up another one for the summer season. Love this dress!

There are so many handbag trends this year, it can be overwhelming and hard to keep up! You can jump on the early 2000s bandwagon and pull a bag out from your archives, or go for a small bag such as this convertible handbag or this fabulous IT bag by Balenciaga. Of course, a classic satchel which has been on department stores best seller list for over a decade is always fabulous too.

One of my favorite trends in the late 1990s was the blazer vest. I am so glad it’s back! This is a great alternative to a blazer on hot summer days, plus, it can elevate a pair of jeans or a denim skirt on casual days. I am thinking of snapping another one up in a fun color for the summer. Black is perfect to start. Love!

Shop the BAF Weekly IT List online:

Stay tuned! Summer nail polish reviews are coming up on the blog next week.

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy

The 2000s bag trends that are hot now

2000s bag trends hot summer 2022

Pictured: oversize tote (hot IT bag for 2022) / Balenciaga City Tote (new version here) /

Remember those bags you coveted back in the early 2000s? They’re back! So crawl into the back of your closet and pull out your archives, because they are hotter than hot this year!

There are a few late 1990s, and early 2000s IT bags which are back with a vengeance this year, in addition to overall handbag trends. Remember the Balenciaga City Tote aka “moto bag?” It’s back, and if you cannot get your hands on a vintage one, Balenciaga has a new version with slightly inverted sides you can purchase now, and rock as if it were the original.

Remember the Dior Saddle bag? It has been popular again for the past few seasons, and it is holding steady as an IT bag to own now. If you don’t have one from back in the day, Dior has a few sizes, colors, and fabrications to choose from today. The common complaint I hear from Saddle bag owners is that everything in the bag falls to one side, if you don’t mind that, this could be your bag.

In addition to specific IT bags from close to twenty years ago, the early 2000s gave us several handbag trends which are hot again this year. Remember oversize handbags you could carry a small child inside? They are back, and the hottest one on the streets this year is from YSL. See above graphic.

The other trends to watch for include nylon bags from Prada, Bowler bags (I love Dior’s version), all types and sizes of hobos bags, baguettes (doesn’t have to be Fendi), classic Chanel bags (think flap and 2.55), and the Chloe Marcie in any style; saddle or satchel. Love!

Shop handbag trends from the early 2000s online:

What was your favorite handbag trend from the very late 1990s and early 2000s? My favorites include the baguette, Chloe Marcie, hobo bags, and nylon bags.

Quick shout-out to nylon bags; they can be worn in the rain! Love a bag I don’t have to worry about during inclement weather.

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy