Bag of choiceIn a world dominated by big brands, what bags do professional accessories buyers choose for themselves? At a recent buyers' meeting at Harvey Nichols in London, they all turned up sporting Pauric Sweeney bags in his signature python skin, with horn handles.
Working from a beautiful 18th-century palazzo in Florence, where we met recently, the Donegal designer is going from strength to strength and will open his first stand-alone shop in Tokyo later this year, followed by a further 10 concessions in the Japanese capital. Some of the bags in his new collection are in black patent or pleated black napa leather, mixed with purple patent in a futuristic way. Though python is very much his trademark, other bags come in soft calf with an unusual metallic finish and chain handle detailing. The autumn/winter collection is already in stock in Harvey Nichols in Dundrum, Dublin (and in Harrods, Liberty and Browns in London), at prices from €800 upwards. Unlike many other brands in the same price bracket, loaded with hardware and logos, Sweeney's bags are favoured by those looking for classic yet directional looks. www.pauricsweeneybags.com
Galliano goes native
John Galliano's recent Dior couture show at Versailles, billed as "extreme elegance" to celebrate the house of Dior's 60th birthday, was a predictably lavish and extravagant affair with a breathtaking display of colour and form (check it out on www.style.com). Ever the showman, the designer's swashbuckling finale saw him dressed as a toreador, following a recent visit to Spain, the country of his ancestry. During the course of the trip, he spent time with bullfighters in Seville, hanging out with rising star Miguel Abellan and the legendary El Spartaco, Spain's greatest bullfighter, who took him to his farm and gave him lessons in bullfighting. Apparently Galliano showed a lot of promise. Later he was allowed to watch the matadors prepare for the corrida in their elaborately embroidered gold and braided regalia. They asked him questions about Kate Moss, according to the New York Times, and both men attended his Dior show and post-show party.
Cat power
When sports behemoth Puma teamed up with the creative forces of students from London's Central St Martins in February of this year, the results were bound to be Olympic standard. For the competition, students had to re-design some of the brand's most iconic footwear styles, and the results hit the shops next month. The winning shoe (£110/€162, left), is a gleaming fusion of a trail boot and dance shoe which, though bizarre in concept, looks hot, and is accessible to both sexes. The gold medal winner is from Russia, and two other designs by runner-up students, from Sweden and Australia, were also put into production. The shoes will be on sale in Puma flagships worldwide (our nearest is Carnaby Street in London) from August 1st. Alannah Sparks