Fashion PR division of Pierce Mattie Public Relations, A Fashion Public Relations. Fashion publicity, promotion marketing firm

I don’t know about you, but I’m sick of all the knock-off handbags running amuck these days. You know there’s a problem when someone comes up to you and says, “I love your handbag, is it real?” I saved for months to be able to buy my large black Gucci hobo. I love that bag, and I worked hard to get it. Its real. You just hurt my feelings. You hurt my handbag’s feelings. Same thing goes for my friend and her Louis Vuitton obsession. She actually got in an argument over the legitimacy of her LV Damier Alma bag at a party the other night.

The source of the problem comes from two main places in Southern California. The Orange County Market Place (better known as the OC Swap Meet) and the Fashion District of LA . Both places are a fountain of phony designer items. From supposed Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses, to Louis Vuitton, Prada, Hermes, and Gucci handbags. A fake Birkin bag goes for $80.00. It even has a Hermes tag on the inside. Blasphemy!

There are many ways to tell a fake though. Louis Vuitton fakes are the easiest to spot at a glance. Louis Vuitton will NEVER cut off their logo. This means that a real LV bag will not have the logo cut by a seam of the bag. Fake Gucci bags are harder to tell… but the quality of the leather is usually the dead give away. The serial number underneath the leather tab on the inside of the bag is usually a sign too. Also, some of the cheaper fakes will have the G’s look more like C’s. Fake Pradas are easy because of the lining. The real Prada lining is very intricate, and the fakes don’t have it. Fendi has a gold metal plate on the inside of the bag. It is very hard to duplicate, and usually a decent tell-tale sign of a fake.

Counterfeiting is a real serious crime. The law punishes not only the counterfeiters, but the people that purchase those items too. This can include not only fines, but other legal actions. Counterfeiting of designer items can be associated with child labor and even money laundering. So even if you don’t mind wearing a phony bag… don’t do it. Even if just for the kids.

Maryam, New York City- Today I am in New York working with a client and the media. With New York Fashion Week out of the way what else is a Fashion Public Relations Girl to do but pass along some trend info on what to look for this Spring. All these items are available at Neiman Marcus and other online shopping sites.

Looking for the top 10 next big thing for Spring? Here's a quick guide and some of the Designers who gives us the best this season:

Dresses: Nanette Lepore Print Shift Dress, Stella McCartney Ruffled Trapeze Dress, Cynthia Steffe Tunic Dress

Delicate Blouses: 3.1 Philip Lim Handkerchief Blouse, Jill Stuart Elizabeth Silk Blouse, Jovovich-Hawk Floral Print Blouse

Cropped Jackets: MARC by Marc Jacobs Cropped Jacket, Juicy Couture Cropped Pea Jacket, Valentino Red Lace Cropped Jacket

Flat Shoes: Chloe Candbury Canvas Flats, Marc Jacobs Stampede Leather Mouse Shoes, Jimmy Choo Jola Leather Flats

Something Silver: Gucci Silver Guccissima Leather Belt, Burberry Silver Patent Platform, Yves Saint Laurent Metallic Tote

Wide Belts: Michael Kors Waist Belt, Nicole Miller Ruched Ruffle Waist Belt, Avignon Soft Leather Belt

Patent Leather: Manolo Blahnik Strappy Patent Sandal, Miu Miu Patent Leather Flats, Calvin Klein Patent Leather Belt

Eyelet: Tracy Reese Eyelet Top, Nanette Lepore Ahoy There Eyelet Dress, BCBG Max Azria Eyelet Kimono Top

Above the knee hemlines: Lela Rose Belted Silk Halter Dress, Temperley London Folk Embroidered Dress , Miu Miu Oversized Above the Knee T-shirt Dress

Statement Rings: Roberto Cavalli Stone and Serpent Ring , Stephen Dweck Oval Carnelian Ring, Barse Oversized Turquoise Ring

For me, the word exotic instantly conjures up images of luxurious belts, shoes, and handbags made from the finest python, cobra, stingray, and alligator skins money can buy. The word can also bring to mind images of foreign landscapes with a beautiful sunset is progress, or over tanned girls with brilliant green eyes wearing g-strings as they walk, balancing on six inch platforms! I'm going to go out on a limb and assume that if you are reading this post, you thought of the bags as well. Who can blame you? Exotic accessories seem to be EVERYWHERE. You can't swing a dead cat in New York or Paris without hitting a women carrying a dead animal!

What used to be reserved for a select few has found its way all over the fashion market. Companies from all categories are showing these "Luxury" items made of exotic skins. When we say exotic, we usually mean Alligator. Python is a close second. Like so many other trends in fashion, Americans look to European fashion designers for direction. In France or Italy an exotic Alligator bag has been the ultimate fashion accessory for decades. The strange thing is that by definition, Alligator bags are not, well, exotic in America. You see the most luxurious Alligator skins are from Louisiana. As in the state. In the United States. How foreign and exotic is that? If you are a women living in Paris, then mais oui - it is very exotic. If however you are a women living in Manhasset, NY or Palo Alto, CA then it seems your $20,000.00 bag is pretty, well, local - and usual. Ok, granted its southern which can seem exotic or Foreign to a New Yorker - but that is another story.

I know a woman who lives in northern California. She spent over $100,000.00 on a black Alligator bag from a very famous French fashion house. You know the one. It's bags are named for the actresses who first carried them. Anyway the lady in Norther Cali had hers custom ordered and then.. she pimped her bag!.. DIAMONDS all over the handle! What she doesn't realize is the concept is vulgar. Diamonds on gold are tasteful because diamonds are more luxurious than gold, but diamonds on Alligator is a moot point. It's like they cancel each other out. The worst part about it is now when the women in question goes shopping, all the sales people nudge each other and say, "Here comes the bag." They refer to her as "THE BAG!" how sad is that? So while everyone is buying any bag with a scale on it, just remember - its called an ACCESSORY! Take it easy. Wouldn't six figures be better spent on a great piece of art work? or at least on a 1/16 share of a private plane?

The designer brand superstore, Scoop, has opened a 10,000sqft megastore on Broadway that consists of a variety of categories to dress the family from head to toe. The store opened today while converting their previous space on Broadway into an outlet store called Scoop it Up.

The new home of Scoop is so large, that owner Stephani Greenfield will be adding categories to their current line up such as Scoop Home and expanding upon their beauty business, which will include skin care, candles and men’s fragrances. Scoop’s fashion brands include high end and low-end top designers such as Marc Jacobs, Lela Rose and Diane von Furstenberg. Price points meet all variations for these luxury lifestyle brands.

Scoop has a silent rivalry with Intermix, another lifestyle fashion store who is said to be upgrading their store to 5,000sqft. Now that Scoop is expanding into more than just clothing, such as handbags, shoes, jewelry and the expansions mentioned above, it will be interesting to see how Intermix will utilize and maximize their new space to compete with this megastore, which now appears to be a mega-competitor.

If you live in New York, Miami, L.A. or Chicago, then you've probably noticed more and more British accents as you go about your daily routine. With the British pound at the astronomical exchange rate of almost 2 to 1 to the US Dollar we've been holding a half off sale every day of the year!

The deals and steals going on in fashion are so tempting that British families are not only taking more vacation in the U.S, they are coming on long weekend shopping trips! Even if you factor in Airfare and Hotels, they are still finding bargains left and right. Remember, this is not like getting a discount at one store or in one category - its EVERYTHING. Restaurants - half price. Hotels - half price. Taxis - half price. I was in the Miami area a few weeks ago to pay a visit to what I think as one of the most luxurious shopping malls in the country. The Bal Harbour shops are an oasis in the middle of causeways, freeways, and no-ways that are so often part of the Florida experience. Once inside you are not in Florida anymore, you are in the state of Luxury!

Every major fashion designer in the world has shop there. The favorite lunchtime spot of the Madison avenue soial set - La Galoue even has an outpost there. There are palm trees surrounding Koi ponds that hold dozens are the most colorful koi you will ever see. On sunny days, you even find turtles sunning themselves on the rocks - all this while you contemplate that perfect shoe from Jimmy Choo or that dress in Magenta from Oscar de la Renta! It was on one of these perfect days that I strolled into one of boutiques that was having a Spring trunk show. The company is French and dominates the trunk show experience. I was in awe at the amount merchandise for sale, the amount of samples to pre-reserve, and just at the amount of people in the store - all excited to be previewing the new collection, all except one. I overheard a very pleasant sales associate being lectured by an unhappy British woman AKA Ms. London. She was telling the associate how she "never" saw anything like this in London. In London she informed the associate, the boutiques are always kept in impeccable order! The associate said she was sorry to hear that the customer was unhappy with the boutique and she explained that it was busier than usual due to the trunk show. Ms. London was not impressed and said she had been a model (must have been in the 50's!) and that things were NEVER This way. She pursed her lips for a bit and looked around and left. So Ms. London "Debbie downer" soured a moment of my perfect day.

I have spent alot of time in London myself and you know Ms. London was right. Boutiques on New Bond or Bruton Street or Brompton road are beautiful and they are luxurious - but they are not crowded! You see British women shop differently than Americans. British women are frugal. They typically go and browse for something once, twice, even three times before purchasing. The other major difference in London is that like it or not, there is still a definite class system in place. People who work in shops are treated as a lower class than the people shopping in such shops. There is distinct attitude towards sales associates and anyone that works in the service industry. The home of Big Ben can also be the place to find Big attitude by the ladies who shop for a living. The best example of the old school class mentality is found right in Harrods - the most famous department store in the U.K. - if not the world is owned by a non British citizen. Mohamed Al Fayed has been fighting to get citizenship for over a decade. Just log on to his website Alfayed.com to find out how he feels about the British establishment!

• Best Picture - The Departed
  
• Best Director  - Martin Scorsese - The Departed
  
• Best Actor - Forest Whitaker - The Last King of Scotland
  
• Best Actress  - Helen Mirren - The Queen
  
• Best Supporting Actor - Alan Arkin - Little Miss Sunshine
  
• Best Supporting Actress – Jennifer Hudson - Dream Girls
  
• Best Foreign Film - The Lives of Others

Posted From Paris - March 2nd. Things have always been known to be bigger in the U.S. Europeans talk about the dreamy big sky country of the Western United States. They are amazed by our big cities, shocked by our big food portions, and repulsed by our big asses! This week in Paris however, we saw designers were thinking bigger is better!. Volume was all over the runways by those trend setting designers and the keepers at the gate of the large fashion empires.  Three that stood out are:

Yves Saint Laurent - Stefano Pilati has had a bumpy road in his first few seasons out of the gate at YSL. Some say he is too much of a departure from the Yves look, and some just want reference to the master. For fall Mr. Pilati was all about less structure and volumous cocoon shapes. The sleek styling brought attention to clean lines free of needless detail - something he has been criticized for in the past. The collection was modern and chic. Wearable, yet editorial - which is no easy task. Its seems Mr. Pilati is finding his groove at the helm of YSL for sure.

Stella McCartney - Oversized proportions are nothing new for Stella. She has developed a look for herself with chunky knits. They always have an edge with color or print, but look like you could curl up by the fire with a good book - or at least the latest issue of Vogue. While it was her Saville Row tailoring that put her on the map, it is her more athletic designs that have proved to be commercially successful for her. It is her sportiest looks that girls collect season after season. With swing coats, and jackets she gave them something to get in line for this fall. The perfect things to wear over her active collection from Adidas. Season after season the house known for trainers sell out of her high design "gym clothes". Giving the old saying about ADIDAS a twist - All Day I Dream About Stella!!

Chanel - When Karl Lagerfeld says SEW - the Chanel atelier says "how fast?" - and when Karl said SNOW - Chanel made that happen too! Thats right. It snowed Friday morning in Paris, but only under the glass dome of the Grande Palais. Mr. Lagerfeld showed his Fall RTW collection under a "sky" of giant white tissue clouds. The runway was a large "frozen" lake covered in snow. His ice princess' made their way around the rink in knee high boots in white and black leather. It was the 1870's meets the 1970's as long coats in deep aubergine were cinched with bright white belts and draped with big tweed bags embellished with charms, charms and more charms. Turqoise was all around - from shoes to bags. The gigantic chest plate necklaces made you somehow think African - while the pixie like models with their crimped hair were more Austrian! While Michel Gaubert remixed David Bowie and we heard snippets singing "pressure", it was the girls who looked pressured not to have a wipe out as they tried to make 6 inch stiletto's on "ice" look easy.  We even saw one pair of golden ice skates draped over one girls shoulders- knowing Karl, it could have been a new take on an evening clutch! With KL the sky is the limit! Maybe he was also dreaming of that big sky country out west - just at the finale - the paper clouds started to move and the entire room was bathed in little paper snow flakes.   It was a beautiful site- and a total fashion moment.   After all, what could be more exclusive than having Chanel snow in your hair or on your person as you had lunch afterwards at L'Avenue.   The Avenue Montaigne restaurant was the place to be after the show and the snow!

Bags, Bags, Bags... Its all about Handbags. You can't name a fashion company that doesn't have a handbag collection of licensee. If you watch the wrap up of the fashion shows from the past season - the message is clear. Designers realize that such a small percentage of women watching can actually afford - or fit into their RTW creations. On the other hand, a huge portion of the population are willing to stretch their incomes and budgets to have one of the "it" bags of the season. With all this leather everywhere you look, I thought I would focus on three companies who have a true legacy of craftmenship. Each has been in business around 150 years. With that type of experience, you can be sure that any purchase you make would be a sound decision.

 Loewe  - Spain

(pronounced Lo-ev-ay)

 This company dates back to 1872.   Its founder, Enrique Loewe Roessberg was a German craftsman who settled in Madrid during an exciting time of new prosperity that saw the birthplace of the Leather goods industry in Spain.    Bringing a new sensibility from his German heritage to the sensual and passionate leather craft of Spain a unique legacy was born.   The company was first known for creating travel trunks for the Spanish royal family.  Understated luxury has been a consistent trademark of the brand.   Along its long and storied history the house has contracted several talented designers to create it's RTW collection - including Giorgio Armani, Laura Biagiotti, and Narciso Rodriguez.

The company has always had an understated elegance in its style and in the way it distributes its collection.  There are boutiques all over Europe and South America.   With so many brands selling on every corner, this is one to search out and make a long term investment that will always be in style.

Tanner Krolle 

 This British brand holds a stiff upper lip in their style and position in the marketplace.

Dating back to 1856, when Frederick Krolle first began his bespoke service of custom order travel trunks for the new wealth of London and the British Royal Family.

Through the generations outfitting traveling royalty became a tradition.  Famous Royals and lesser known dignitaries have ordered full sets of luggage of the most exotic skins and more than one time - diamond encrusted.  The late Princess Diana was just one of the famous fans from the Royal family.

The last 5 years has seen the company in a bit of a free-fall.   Changing hands more than once, now in those of an ex-pat British hedge fund financier based in Rockefeller center - the collection still has an identity crisis.    In the last three years, there have been as many designers and P.R. companies handling the image.   What is too often the case, our friends from across the pond are a little to cautious to spend some British pounds on advertising here in the U.S.    I would steer clear of the new collections that are bit too constipated and buy one of the incredible classic pieces that have kept them in business for over 150 years.     

 Louis Vuitton

 This brand needs little introduction.   The travel gear craftsmen have a history of bespoke order pieces from its founding in 1846 by its namesake Louis Vuitton.   The patriarch of this legendary brand had a vision of continuity through innovation and custom orders from the French aristocracy and the wealthiest members of Parisian society.

The logo monogram that is so ubiquitous with the mere mention of the name came about via the second generation of Vuitton's.   Now run by the 5th generation Mr. Vuitton the brand is as famous as it gets.   The house maintains a luxury image while at the same time reaching into all walks of life from designer to street customers.  

I am going to stick to the theme of this article and suggest you stick to a classic piece from the company archive catalog in monogram coated fabric.  Those are the pieces that will remain in style for years to come.   The new spring collection is a little scary.  I couldn't help but think that news that the brands creative director Marc Jacobs has re-entered rehab was a confirmation of my feelings about what is now in the boutiques.   I think there was some clouded judgment at play about 6 months ago when the drawing board might have been seen in double or triple or with floating fuzzies on it!

Each of these collections represent an amazing legacy and each was a pioneer in their homeland before the world was so small.  Which you choose is really up to you, whether you want one that will validate your style in the minds of the masses - or the other two that will get you noticed , but not recognized - you can't make a bad choice! 

How many of you change up a handbag simply because the one you are currently using only looks appropriate for the season we are currently in? Then of course there are the trends, and I know that for most people like myself, trendy bags only have so much life to them and then they put off to the side when the next big trend arrives. If you are going to invest in a quality handbag, why not chose one that looks good no matter the season, or trend for that matter?

There is this new handbag designer, Bryna Nicole, who designs some fantastic looking handbags that really are timeless designs. We all use a clutch at one time or another, or a tote or even a satchel. It’s all based on our own need to be expressive with our fashion accessories to make a statement about our own individuality. Each one of Bryna Nicole’s handbags does just that, not just through design but through color as well.

For example, the Rossi Wristlet is a handbag that can take you from day to night, and its luxurious too with its Italian leather body and suede interior. The Minna Slouch is one of those “comfortable” handbags that hugs the body of its owner with its calfskin material. It has a few color choices, but my favorite is bronze as it gives it that ultra chic type look to it.

The best part is knowing that Bryna’s collections are based on what women are looking for in a handbag: style, taste, design and color that transcends season after season and trend after trend. Her handbags fit into the gap created by many designers that look to have their handbag simply be the next “it” bag and not one that will have any long lasting style quality to it. Her handbags are one of those unique finds where you don’t mind investing the money to purchase one because you know that you will have it for the long haul.

What qualities do you look for when purchasing your next handbag? An expression of yourself, design, material or something completely different?

If accessories make the outfit, then a handbag should be a priority to make your fashion statement complete. No one understands this better than up and coming handbag designer, Amanda Che. Che, whose collection of handbags makes its official debut on May 17th, has a style to complete every outfit leaving your friends wondering how you became so fashion forward.

Each handbag in the A.Che handbag collection is made of luxurious deerskin leather with a logo plate decorated with genuine Swarovski crystals. A constant among each handbag in the line are A. Che’s signature diamond knots.

Not only did Marilyn Monroe inspire Anna Nicole, but she was the inspiration behind Amanda Che’s Marilyn Collection, as well. The Marilyn Collection comes in three colors, white, black and nude, and represents Marilyn’s timeless presence in Hollywood. The Audrey Collection and Sophia Collection also symbolize the significance of two classic Hollywood beauties. My favorites among her collections are the Sophia Clutch and Marilyn Satchel, although I also think the Marilyn Basket is also very unique.

If you are in Los Angeles, the A.Che handbag collection can be found at Le Trend in the California Market Center. Soon the bags will be available for sale on the A.Che website for the Fall 2007 season. You can get a sneak peak of all of the handbags in each collection by going to www.a-che.com, clicking on “collection” and using the username: signature and the password: collection.

For more information about Amanda Che and the A.Che line please contact:

Fashion PR Division: Maryam at piercemattie dot com

Fashion is beginning to merge itself with social media. Fashion communities are popping up where you can mix and match pieces of clothing with shoes and various accessories and publish your fashion match for others in the network to see. Of course, no fashion site would be complete without telling you who sells the items and enabling you to purchase what you’ve styled (or the styles of others).

In a previous post I mentioned MyShape.com, a place where you can shop for put-together outfits based on your shape; sites like Polyvore and FashMatch have taken the idea of a clothing match site one step further by creating a community of members who are the driving force behind the mix and match ensembles allowing them to create outfits from pre-existing brands in their database and upload fashion items of their own for every fashion members mix and matching pleasure. Each site tells you the brand and store where the items are available, not only making the whole process fun (and addictive), but allowing you the ability to purchase some pretty terrific looking outfits.

Both sites offer top designer names and brands in fashion like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Burberry, Baby Phat, Betsey Johnson and Marc Jacobs (among many others), as well as brands that may be more for the budget oriented like Old Navy, Abercrombie & Fitch, Forever21 and Target. Both sites are also free to join, which is always a bonus if you are inclined to purchase clothes you fall in love with.

Honing your styling skills can be fun, especially with an audience filled with like-minded fashion addicts, but I can also see how it can be bad for your wallet when you find wardrobe after wardrobe that can’t seem to live without.