Archive for March, 2010

Are Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake still together? They are so mum about their relationship that it keeps us all guessing.

Anyway, I found this picture of them and couldn’t help but notice the woven bag Jessica is carrying.

Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake

I also found another picture of Jessica carrying the same bag.

Jessica Biel carrying the woven Gryson Olivia

The bag is a woven Gryson Olivia. Here’a closer look at it in brown:

Woven Gryson Olivia

Originally priced at US$1295, not everyone could afford it. It did go on sale for about US$900++ online, but to some that wasn’t low enough. In New York, it went for as low as US$497, but exclusive only to Century 21 shoppers.

I tried searching for a cheaper look-alike but couldn’t find one. Now if you want the woven Gryson Olivia for its name (in other words, you’re basically into the brand), then by all means splurge on one if you can afford it.

But if you like it because it’s woven, then you might as well look for an alternative because there are a lot of woven bags in the market that are much more affordable.

Here are some woven bags which might ease your craving:

Steve Madden Dreamweaver Hobo, US$89

Jessica Simpson Rumor Top Zip, on sale for only US$77 at Zappos.com

Elliot Lucca Ambra Hobo, US$298

Cole Haan Genevieve Plaid Small Triangle Tote, US$398

Here’s a photo of Anne Hathaway with her woven Ferragamo bag. This was taken a few fall seasons back, but I love how timeless she looks, like this was taken just last winter. The outfit does it of course – from her wrap dress, to her pumps, to the lovely woven black bag, everything about it spells classic.

Anne Hathaway

The beauty with classic pieces is its timelessness. It can be easily transformed to fit different seasons by doing a few adjustments with accessories.

To illustrate, let’s get a look-alike of Anne’s dress and make it spring appropriate. A good one to choose would be the AKA New York Wrap Dress below.

AKA New York Wrap Dress, on sale for only US$90 at Shopbop.com

With this dress in mind, the first thing you need to do is lose the black tights. Keep the legs bare and beautiful (and hairless!).

Second step, accessorize with colors to brighten up the blue wrap dress; no need to use a belt.

Juicy Couture Mia Stripe Packable Sun Hat, US$78

Disney Couture Pocahontas Arrow Hoop Earrings, US$38

Then wear a pair of uber chic flat thong sandals in neutral color like the Frye Kayla below.

Frye Kayla T Strap Studded Sandals, US$148

And last but not least, do wear a woven bag like Anne Hathaway’s Ferragamo because woven bags are the thing to tote this spring.

Keep the color of the bag in basic black, and avoid using patent because your dress (the AKA New York) is already shiny. A good woven alternative would be the Cole Haan Prudence Square Hobo.

Cole Haan Prudence Square Hobo, US$398

If the price of the Cole Haan bag is a little high for you, then you can go for the Steve Madden Woven Wonder Satchel instead, priced only at US$109.


Steve Madden Woven Wonder Satchel, US$109

Once you’re done, you’re pretty much spring ready!

Diane Von Furstenberg wowed us with her chain link woven leather handbags a few weeks back (click here to read our review on Diane Von Furstenberg’s chain link woven leather bags), and it looks like she wants to keep on wowing us because her latest tribal inspired collection from the Hayworth line, is another spring hit.

We know tribal prints and patterns are hot this spring, but instead of using printed materials to come up with her collection, she used the weaving technique to create the patterns.

The tribal inspired set consists of a clutch and a tote; both feature contrast woven banding strategically interlaced to create ethnic inspired designs. To keep it modern, she accentuated the bags with metal studs.

Diane Von Furstenberg Hayworth Clutch, US$395

Diane Von Furstenberg Hayworth Tote, US$725

Such a technique (of weaving bands into the bag to create tribal patterns) actually makes the bags look more ethnically authentic. So far, I have not seen another brand do such a treatment so this makes DVF a pioneer once again.

You may shop for these bags via Shopbop.com.

You may also try this intricately woven Diane Von Furstenberg Hayworth Tote:

Diane Von Furstenberg Hayworth Tote in Woven Leather, US$725