After all, what are accessories for if not to put a smile on your face when you wear them?

We’ve got to start with Karl Lagerfeld’s Spring & Summer 2010 collection for Chanel:

Interesting carved heels, bright colors and check out the flowers on the handbag.  If that doesn’t brighten your day, I’m not quite sure what else would…

Stella McCartney showed a more subdued collection, but check out the detail on this handbag:

I don’t know how practical that folding wooden purse is going to be, but as a cool accessory – it gets full marks from me.

Okay, so this tote from John Ribbe doesn’t exactly qualify as “whimsical”, but after so many shows filled with restrained, neutral clothes, it’s fun to see some color:

Hey – it’s for springtime, that’s the season to pull out the candy-colored accessories and have some fun!

images: Zuma Press

Post from: TheGloss

Candy-colored flats and sky-high stiletto heels have shared the runways with strappy platforms and even suede peep-toe boots.  Today we’re just having fun with some seriously fierce high heels!

Check out these amazing boots from Barbara Bui:

Now that’s an interesting take on the cage boot – those geometric cutouts make for a striking boot.  I think going with a neutral color is a good option for this strong of  a style statement – a brighter color could be overkill.

Loewe mixed colors and leathers for their woven vamp, stiletto-heeled, peep-toe platforms:

I absolutely love the bright, spring-y green of Tsumoru Chisato strappy, lace-up platforms:

Now that’s a great color for spring and summer!  Clean, fresh and whimsical   I have to admit, it’s nice to see some brighter colors for spring shoes in Paris as well…

images: Zuma Press

Post from: TheGloss

Barbara Bui used lots of necklaces to make a big impact for her runway show:

This is definitely a look that can translate well in the real world – of course, you may want to consider just wearing a couple of necklaces instead of half a dozen…

Lanvin kept to their ultra-embellished aesthetic with their lush jewelry:

With everything from peacock feathers to sterling silver motifs, semi-precious stones to antiqued metal chains, these jewelry pieces are sure to appeal to the woman who likes a whole lot of look from her jewelry.

Loewe created chunky, studded chains for their runway show:

They also sent their models down the runway wearing black necklaces as well, but I love the combination of the different shades of warm brown and amber in particular.

images: Zuma Press

Post from: TheGloss

Some of the designers from Paris Fashion Week are certainly proving that!

Check out some of these extreme, um – hats?  Headwear?  Sculpture?  Gardening experiments? from the Spring & Summer 2010 collections:

How many of us played with pots, pans and collanders as kids?  I bet you’ve got a photo stashed away somewhere with a strainer on your head, right?

Do we want to wear them as adults too?

Hat by South Korean designer Lie Sang Bong.

I have to admit, I have a peculiar requirements for hats.

I need to be able to see when I wear them…

Also by Lie Sang Bong.

I’m not quite sure if this one reminds me more of those little paper frills that used to be placed on roasts, or of a giant party decoration:

By Hiroko Koshino.

I love floral accents on hats, and let’s face it – feathers have been used on hats for centuries:

This creation from Bernard Willhem takes it to a whole other level though…

images: Zuma Press

Post from: TheGloss

The designers have kicked off their Spring & Summer 2010 collections with a bang – so let’s get to the good stuff already… bring on the accessories!

I must admit to not having a particular theme for this post – I’m simply sharing some of my favorite early picks from the runway.  So what’s making me drool right now?

I’ve been a fan of Issey Miyake for many years now – even though the fashion sometimes takes a turn into the downright weird – I still am a fan:

That handbag is shaped so cleverly, with each leather “fish scale” shaping the purse.

There’s nothing weird about John Galliano’s latest handbag offering for Dior:

Clean, elegant and oh-so-stylish – yum!  There is much to be said for handbags that can be carried for years, and this one certainly qualifies.

This fabric belt by Portuguese designer Fatima Lopes reminds me of a Japanese obi belt – I’d wear it!

I might not show that much skin under it though…

images: Zuma Press

Post from: TheGloss

If you need a little more luck in your life, you might consider Frankie Morello’s generously-sized horse-shoe belt:

Of course, carrying that cute little purse might do the trick too…  Or maybe it’s the shoes that are lucky?

Anteprima also created some large versions of their teensy little glittering clutch purses:

They showed several colors, but I love this soft, minty green in particular.

Lublu Plastinina sent their models down the runway sporting some seriously chunky necklaces:

It looks like big, beaded necklaces are going to be a big hit for next spring.

Milan had some interesting contrasts all week long, with designers showing everything from the brightest neon colors to very restrained neutrals.  It looks like spring and summer 2010 will have a little something for everyone.

images: Zuma Press

Post from: TheGloss

Some designers are stepping away from the bright colors and tribal themes into something a little more glittery and feminine.

Clear rhinestones and crystals have shown up on several runways, including Anteprima:

Their models carried delicate clutch purses, encrusted with tiny crystals, and finished off with faceted crystal clasps.

Mila Schon joined the embellished tights crowd with her glittering hosiery:

And what’s better than glittery tights?  Finishing your outfit off with sparkling silver platform heels, of course.

There are some crafty fashionistas who are making their own embellished tights & socks as well – all you need is a needle and thread… and some patience of course

Dsquared2 showed some tank tops that have been embellished into something decidedly less ordinary:

It’s amazing what you can do with some rhinestones…

images: Zuma Press

Post from: TheGloss

Some designers are showing very restrained collections with neutral palettes…

And some have not!

The bright colors have ranged from more traditional summer colors to some very bright neons – which look even brighter when you pair them with more neon and black.

As you can see from the Dsquared2 finale, neon is going to be a presence for next spring:

Didn’t we do that in the eighties already?  Oh well, runway looks are always more extreme than the real-life versions…

Laura Biagiotti went for bold, bright and girly for her shoes:

I love the combination of the jeweled accents and turquoise color – I have to admit that I’m still not a big fan of fringe on shoes though.  We’ll see how these look next spring!

Kristina Ti chose a lovely shade of rich magenta for her suede peep-toe boots:

images: Zuma Press

Post from: TheGloss

Everything from rubber and leather to more delicate beads and metals are showing up on the runways.   Designers are using tribal accents as well as more traditional jewelry motifs.

Fisico created big, chunky necklaces from carved wood for the runway:

Dsquared2 sent their models down the runway sporting some interesting jewelry:

I’m not sure if those flowers are made from leather or rubber, but the contrast between the girly flowers and the industrial materials make for quite an interesting necklace.

I might suggest leaving the trucker hat off though…

Okay, so I think that this piece from Laura Biagiotti’s runway is actually stitched into the dress, it still looks like it could be a fabulous bib necklace:

I love the combination of the naturally-shaped quartz stones and round glass cabochons, framed with the metallic beads.

images: Zuma Press

Post from: TheGloss

I’ve pulled a few of my favorite handbag & tote picks from some recent shows – I love Moschino’s summery prints for this oversize tote:

And I’ve got to say – those bloomers are pretty cute too… although I don’t think I would wear them outside my house

Bottega Veneta also sent soft, unstructured totes down their runway:

That cheerful yellow is going to be great for summer – and the braided handle add a nice detail to the otherwise simple bag.

Versace’s bags were a little more structured, but this lavender is another soft and feminine pick for spring and summer handbags:

images: Zuma Press

*Contest Alert* you can win a pair of Peace & Love earrings and a Peace & Love charm bracelet from Twisted Silver here!

Post from: TheGloss