Time & Place: 10:30am, Wednesday, April 23, 2008
The Starlight Building, 601 West 26th Street
Text, Vivian G. Kelly
Images, J. Ecochard
Dooney & Bourke’s Andrea Mathewson, took us through the spacious showroom filled with carefully edited groupings of the Norwalk, CT based company’s latest collection.
For Fall 2008, the phrase that best describes the various collections is
“PULLED TOGETHER”. No matter which fabrication you choose, there are options available so that you can match everything up, from you wallet to your handbag, to your travel roller bag.
Ms. Mathewson started with the most editorial item on the line – the Limited Edition appliqué patent leather sac that looked great in brown and white. If you’re craving color, not to worry, there will be many different color combinations to choose from come fall.
Last season, we fell in like with Hayden Panetierre’s [the Company’s current IT Girl] and her Hayden Bag, especially the one in white patent leather. Good news for Hayden fans, the Heroes starlet will remain the company spokesperson through the end of 2008. You still have a chance to get a Hayden this fall if you missed out for spring. Better still, the Hayden will also be available in a new smaller size for fall.
THE CAVALLINO COLLECTION
The MOST EXPENSIVE bag in the room award goes to the framed buckle traveler in a luxurious calf hair zebra print. The traveler and the satchel bags have a glamorous shape, meaning they’re large enough and they hug your body, as do many of the larger bags on the line. It’s hard to find a bag that fits our space requirements that doesn’t look too boxy. One of the things Ms. Mathewson made sure was incorporated in these bags was an inner compartment large enough for a Blackberry or I phone.
The Cavallino is a special collection and will be available exclusively at Dooney & Bourke boutiques. Price upon request.
PATENT PACKS A PUNCH
Patent onto itself isn’t a new story, but done in this sumptuous plum patent, it’s newsworthy. Dooney’s always been great about offering totes of all shapes and sizes, East-West bags, North-South bags, you name it. Our pick is the Aqua Bag, an East West bag with some nice hardware detailing on the base of the shoulder strap. This bag is a variation on the Company’s ever-popular top zip bucket bag, that has been, “refashioned”, giving it a fresh new look. Another of Dooney’s strongest selling points is that they offer many different options. If you don’t care from plum, the patent bags come in sophisticated Bordeaux as well as a Red Carpet red.
If you’re going for a very pulled together look, there are even some beautiful quilted gloves to match in plum patent.
For a super, pulled together look that reminds us of the ever-chic Valerie Salembier, Senior Vice President/Publisher of Harper’s Bazaar, you can invest in a patent rolling tote [$895], a bucket bag and a top zip clutch, in mink. With this set, hands-down, you’ll be the most stylish woman at the airport.
Bags in the patent collection retail prices start at $145 topping out at $500 for the full sized Hayden Bag.
THE ALTO COLLECTION
As always, ladies who lunch can turn to the ladylike shapes in the alto collection, offered in Brown Tmoro [“dark brown” in Italian]. Our pick from this group, the large zip zip satchel, that will look as good in Greenwich as it will on Park Avenue.
Prices for the Alto Collection: $250 - $525.
The Large zip zip satchel: $495.
NEW AND NOVEL
For those of you Connecticut types out there who love your classic all weather leather, a bag from the new Shiny leather collection is just the right update for your collection.
It looks like all weather leather, but it’s got sheen to it [especially in purple] and feels deliciously supple.
THE CROCO COLLECTION – Classic and contemporary
The pressed calf leather collection really grabbed us. In the spirit of being pulled together, we recommend the Maurizia Bag in cognac with an elegant Tmoro trim and shoulder strap.
In this collection is THE PERFECT GIFT FOR UNDER $100 – The world shopping Journal, a little book with a cognac “croco” cover gives the scoop on the best shopping in London, Paris, and Milan. At $65, this is the ideal gift for someone who loves to shop and who travels extensively. If you’re feeling really generous, you can gift a special someone the Journal tucked into one of the 11 bags in the Croco collection.
SOMETHING FOR THE EDGY & FASHION FORWARD
If you’ve got a sophisticated streak, this little subdivision of patent bags in pearlized silver is right for you. This grouping is bound to make a splash in warm weather destinations such as Boca Raton and Palm Beach.
ANIMAL – THE NEW CLASSIC
Gone are the days when animal prints were “racy” and “edgy”. They’ve become modern day classics. We loved Dooney’s spring’s giraffe and zebra prints. The pink and green zebra got thumbs up from Fashion Celebrity Stylist and personality, Finola Hughes.
For fall, there’s an attractive leopard collection trimmed in brown Tmoro patent that gives this classic print a little edge.
WHO IS CINDY? THE CROSSWORD COLLECTION
Last but not least, is the incredibly well priced Crossword Collection. This “Cindy” tote comes in both large and medium sizes. Both retail for $195. With 8 color ways to choose from, this easy tote will be a crowd pleaser with the suburban set. We left the showroom with a small mystery, unsolved. No one knows who “Cindy” is. Our best guess – Cindy Crawford, the original “supermodel”.
For additional information, visit Dooney & Bourke’s website,
www.dooney.com