Malan Breton Handbags

Designer Malan Breton has a new signature handbag line and he's releasing them two at a time on his Web site, MalanBreton.com. This week we have Zelazo and Tartuffe.

Next week, two other designs. Go shop before he sells out!

Malan Breton On Sale

Designer Malan Breton is having a sale on selected items in his online shop. Here are some of my favorites (click to embiggen):

Black Diamonds
Item# noir1428
Regular price: $995.00
Sale price: $605.00

Black Austrian Crystal clutch with gunmetal chain strap and gunmetal gorgeous closure.





Simplicité
Item# 943402
Regular price: $3,995.00
Sale price: $2,796.50

Pearl and 8mm trilliant cut Citrine Bracelet set in 100 percent Sterling Silver





Perles de la Mer
Item# 942402
Regular price: $1,495.00
Sale price: $1,046.50

8mm trillion cut Citrine and Pearl Earrings set in 100 percent Sterling Silver

Spring 09 Fashion Week - Malan Breton

Malan took inspiration for his Spring '09 collection from a 1968 Julie Andrews movie, Star - not a box office hit, yet nominated for seven Academy Awards.

His lines were clean, simple, classic, but punched up with shimmery fabrics. And new to the world of Malan this season is his line of jewelry, seen here worn by a few of the models.  The most gorgeous piece is on Amanda Fields (above, in the gold gown) featuring 400+ carats of citrine plus freshwater pearls.

I love the little jacket!

Shear Genius Party

So where shall I start? Maybe the beginning would be good, eh?

When I got to NY, I took a cab from Penn Station to our hotel, the Tribeca Grand, where the event would be taking place. After checking in (but not yet able to get into my room) I left my bag in care of the porter and headed up 6th Avenue on my way to see Nina Garcia at Saks. I noticed Charlie Price and his sister a few steps ahead of me on the sidewalk and introduced myself. Charlie immediately reached out for a hug and remarked that he was happy to see I was there. The three of us walked together for several blocks, gossiping about certain Mormon reality show contestants and the like before they headed off to lunch and I found a cab to take me to Bergdorf Goodman.

I had intended to be at BG for only half an hour or so before heading to Saks, but I ended up in a makeup artist's chair for a good two hours as he transformed me for my red carpet event. My tanned and handsome artist, who shall remain nameless to protect the guilty, looked like a cross between David Beckham and Tom Ford. He was so entertaining as he did my face, the time passed before I knew it, and I missed Nina. Oh well...I have met Nina before. And you can't beat off-the-record celebrity gossip!

Back at the hotel, I met up with Laura K and we chatted a bit before realizing we had a 5:30 dinner reservation at Perilla so we needed to get our asses in motion. And our dinner companions were to be Malan Breton and Amanda Fields. Unfortunately for you, pretty much our entire dinner conversation was also off-the-record (I'm such a tease!), but let me just say that I had a lot of fun. And the food was good too.

Back at the hotel we changed into party attire and went down to the hotel's party room where I met Daniel! Laura snapped a picture of us with Charlie, acting all suave in his Tom Ford for Gucci blazer.

Then I was distracted by the gawjuss Rene Fris. And...Jaclyn Smith. The cute dude between them is Jaclyn's stylist, Lorenzo, who works for Jose Eber.

Jaclyn is stunning in person. I gushed about how gorgeous she looked and complimented Lorenzo on her hair and makeup. Then we chatted about the blogs. Both Jaclyn and Rene insist they don't read the blogs or the recaps. I'm sure Rene knows he doesn't escape unscathed, although for the most part we all think the show would suffer if he were not on it. He's got a crazy accent, but he's so much fun to watch. And drool over.

I told Jaclyn that I haven't read anything particularly mean about her. At least not from the SG recappers. There are people out there that criticize her looks, but I don't think any of them are going to look half as good at her age.

Also in attendance were Gail and Glenn, both such pretty ladies and far more attractive in person than on TV. Glenn said by the end of taping any particular episode, any makeup they had on had melted off under the lights. That's Laura K in the green, btw. She's a lot of fun.

We were able to take my favorite recapper, David Dust, to the party with us, along with Malan and Amanda. And we spotted another Project Runway favorite, Emmett McCarthy come in later in the evening.

At just before 10pm we entered the hotel's theatre to watch the show. My row had Malan, David, myself, Amanda, and Laura. Malan was cracking David up with his hilarious asides, all of which he apologized for in his charming way. He even got me to snort a couple of times - loudly. I barely paid attention to the show, I was having such a good time in the audience. But in the end...Dee emerged victorious.

I liked Dee. I knew from the first episode that she would be the winner, and I can't exactly put a finger on why I thought that. And she's the only stylist I didn't get to meet that evening, because she always seemed to be busy chatting with someone else, and I didn't feel important enough to barge in and introduce myself. Anyway...congrats to Dee. (But I really wanted Charlie to win. Or Daniel. Or Paulo. Or Glenn. Ok, I know they can't all win.)

Experience Fashion Week in NY First Hand!

...by winning these tickets to Malan Breton's show, Thursday September 11, at 9am. The bidding ends August 28th and proceeds go to Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA).

BC/EFA is the nation's leading industry-based, not-for-profit AIDS fundraising and grant making organization. BC/EFA is the on-going, committed response from the American Theatre community to an urgent worldwide health crisis. By drawing upon the talents, resources, and generosity of this community, BC/EFA raises funds for AIDS-related causes across the United States. Since its founding in 1988, BC/EFA has raised over $140 million for critically needed services for people with AIDS, HIV or HIV-related illnesses.

Mini-interview with Malan Breton

Plus size fashion's come a long way since the polyester doubleknit pants and tops that constituted my choices in the Junior Plenty section of Lane Bryant back in the 70s. (Yeah...that's what the "jp" stands for on those "JP Collection" tags, LB shoppers.) No longer are we generously proportioned women forced to wear ugly clothes, seemingly designed to shame us for our amplitude. Even Lane Bryant clothes are less hideous not quite as ugly more attractive than they were. And fashion designers are considering our needs as well. Take Malan Breton - he's now offering elegantly-styled clothing in sizes from 2 to 20!

I was excited about this new development and thought it would be a good time to ask the designer a couple of questions.

theminx: I've read that the adorable and vivacious Nikki Blonsky is your new muse. How did that come to be? Was she your main inspiration for your making clothes in larger sizes?

MB: Nikki is a kind friend. I became friends with her and her wonderful mother a few months back on a cruise in the Caribbean. I love her energy and she is such a positive role model for people to be who they are. I adore that. She is such a lovely person.

theminx: Designer sizes are not always the same as mass-market sizes. Can you tell me the bust/waist/hip measurements that you use for sizes 16-18-20?

MB: BWH for size 16 18 and 20 would be
16= 42, 34, 44
18= 44, 36, 46
20= 46, 38 , 48

theminx: Anything new and exciting that you want to share with us?

MB: I am very excited to have sizing for women who want to feel beautiful women of all sizes, I am also going to be launching a small line of Men's and some other exciting things at NY fashion week. Thank you for asking. I think Women should have the option to dress beautifully no matter what size they are.

Malan Breton Handbags

Malan by Malan Breton Handbag Preview Sale going on now at Mr Breton's site. Here are my two favorites:

This is the Jalousie bag, in diamond patterned patent leather, in black or slate.

And these cute clutches in lacquered croc-embossed leather are called L'spéciale. I particularly like the one in "Pagoda" (red).

Thanks!

Malan Breton got a little mention in for my jewelry on his fan blog.

Malan Breton Handbags

The very lovely Malan Breton, Project Runway alum and designer extraordinaire, has come out with a line of handbags and accessories. Just look at these beauties - all available online at Malan's site. And...some are on sale!!

The patent leather Onyx Touring bag - hello! This one is so mine!


I love the shape of this spicy red number.


And for evening, this is a stunning clutch.