Jeremy Scott's (3rd) taking the piss

Yes, I hate bags, and I say it loud. Rarely do anyone find me carrying a bag unless necessary.

Bags sold as 'luxury item' is now a norm, anyone who is a brand or got a brand would do a bloody bag or two. Why are they so pricey? I know not; all I know is that the whole bag flood is killing fashion. It's all about status and compulsive shopping, women have this idea of buying a seasonal bag instead of seasonal wardrobe, but for what? Bag equals not fashion - Wake up!!! I don't like to talk about bags here, unless it's fun or/and really well designed, like this one.

Jeremy Scott designed the 3rd collaboration at Longchamp. He took the idea of the holdall and covered it in the colour of a gold card: at the front, the emblem of Scott and a bank account number; at the back, the signature of the holder and a magnetic stripe. Between the two, a solid cotton cloth, two handles and the small flap of leather distinctive leather flap. I applaud for his irony take onto the object and the creative space given by Longchamp which, surprisedly, after 60 years of success, knows not to take things too seriously. Innit great?

Madonna's gear exposed

Sans Lacroix and Gaultier. In came Givenchy and Jeremy Scott.

Most people are lucky to work with Madonna once. Costume designer Adrianne Phillips has lasted 11 years, from the singer’s pre-Raphaelite look for “Ray of Light” to the urban cowgirl of “Music” to the Patty Hearst look of “American Life” and on and on and on. In other words, measured in Madonna time, Phillips is roughly 77 years old. Still, La Ciccone’s upcoming “Sticky and Sweet” tour has had its own unique challenges for her longtime stylist. “Normally we prep in April and May, and open in June,” says Phillips. “This time, the tour begins in August. It’s a nightmare. Everyone in Italy and France is on a beach sunning themselves.”
Thankfully, everyone is a bit of an exaggeration, as Phillips goes on to detail a mile-long list of willing collaborators and everything they’ve designed for the trek, which begins Aug. 23 in Cardiff, Wales, and comes to the United States in early October. Givenchy’s Riccardo Tisci designed two outfits, while Tom Ford provided bespoke suits for the band. Three pairs of shoes have been custommade by Miu Miu, there are thigh-high boots courtesy of Stella McCartney, sunglasses from Moschino, and other outfits and odds and ends from Yves Saint Laurent, Roberto Cavalli, and Jeremy Scott.

(left) designed by Riccardo Tisci at Givenchy. (right) Jeremy Scott's 'Old school' section.

Like her shows in the past, this tour will be divided into four sections. The first references gangsta pimp and Art Deco with Givenchy costumes. This, it would seem, is Madonna’s current take on her longest-running fashion inspiration — the dominatrix. “It’s a theme that runs throughout her career” Phillips says.
She’s not afraid of being hard.” The second section has been termed “Old School,” and harkens back to Madonna’s early days in New York, with Scott’s outfit and some vintage prints from Keith Haring, the late graffiti artist and friend of Madonna who died of AIDS in 1990. “He and Madonna were friends. If her were alive, it would be his 50th birthday as well. So I thought, ‘What if we revisited that?’” Afterward, there’s a gypsy section with more costumes from Givenchy. “Riccardo’s a new young talent. If you look at Madonna’s history with fashion, that makes him an obvious choice.” Finally, there’s a futuristic rave section with lots of Japanese influences. And while The New York Times complained recently about Madonna’s style choices, Phillips says getting older has had little effect on her sense of fashion adventure. “She always wants to push the envelope. There are no vanity considerations based on her age.” As Phillips adds seconds later, “She looks good in everything.” - WWD, 5 August 08