LEATHER... from runways to Sophie's Closet...

Céline, Hermès


Balmain, Prada

Leather -- both in terms of wear and in terms of accessories -- are all the fuss this season, in a range of colours from classic black, brown and tan to saturated reds and yellows. Fall always demands leather: it's soft, warm, and weather-proof. On the runways, Hermès, Prada, Céline, Balmain and Louis Vuitton all rocked leather ensembles and the September issues are just drowning in leather: Liya Kebede in Vogue Italia and Kat Dennings and Jessica Chastain on the cover of W. Leather accessories have expanded beyond bags, to jewelry and headbands. Model Miranda Kerr is wearing an amazing long leather statement necklace in Spanish Vogue.


Miranda Kerr in Vogue Espana (Septmeber 2010)

As much as we wold love to walk around with a half metre long necklace around our necks, we would much rather go for a more realistic leather piece of jewelry like a bracelet or a headband. Chan Luu, Vita Fede and Ettika all offer an assortment of leather bracelets in various sizes and colours.

Chan Luu's wrap bracelets are quite classic and elegant and can be easily paired with precious stones.


CHAN LUU Single Wrap Bracelet (AED 390, available in white, red, aqua blue and pink)


CHAN LUU Wrap Bracelet (AED 840, available in teal, pink and red)

Vita Fede's leather bracelets are definitely a bit on the edgy rock side. They would go great with a casual outfit or with a sexy body-con dress (think Rhianna). How cute is the one with stars? It just screams "Baby, I'm a star!"


VITA FEDE "Capri" Bracelet (AED 770, available in taupe, red, black and navy)


VITA FEDE "Pesci" Bracelet (AED 740)


VITA FEDE Cometa Double Cream Bracelet (AED 520)

Ettika's bracelets are fun and playful, especially the one with charms. It's always fun wearing something that dangles! The crystal deerskin leather bracelet also comes in an array of colours


ETTIKA Deerskin Leather and Crystal Chain Braid Bracelet (AED 330, available in black, tan, white, red, and turquoise)


ETTIKA Braided Wrap Charm Bracelet (AED 450)

Feeling like wearing some leather on your head too? There is no better accessory than Jennifer Behr's headbands. Two beautiful new leather pieces are combined with gold for a glamorous look. The studded headband is beyond amazing! The white headwrap with crystal plays up on a more romantic side of leather, soft and elegant.


JENNIFER BEHR Leather and Chain Headband (AED 550)


JENNIFER BEHR Studded Leather Headband (AED 990)




JENNIFER BEHR Leather Headwrap with Crystal Spray AED 1250


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COLOUR THEORY... from runways to Sophie's Closet...

We know that colour is always in, but for this fall season, one of the biggest trends is monochromatic hues from head-t0-toe. We loved rich shades of red, combinations of deep mustard yellows and army greens, winter blues and luxurious shades of brown and burgundy. Wearing one hue all-over produces a very striking image, one that says "I want to be noticed." Of course, we think accessories should play a part in this colour game, whether matching to an exact hue or choosing from a broader spectrum.


REDS and PINKS


Maison Martin Margiela, Bottega Veneta

Margiela's bright red ensemble is striking and Bottega Veneta's provides a softer mix of red and pink. The brightness of the Bounkit earrings would compliment Margiela perfectly, and both Vita Fede and Ettika bracelets would blend in with Bottega Veneta seamlessly.


BOUNKIT Carnelian earrings (AED 1670)


VITA FEDE Como Single Hex (AED 285)


ETTIKA Deerskin Leather and Crystal Chain Braid Bracelet (AED 330)


GREEN and MUSTARD


Burberry Prorsum, Akris

Green and mustard are both quintessential fall colours. We loved the army theme at Burberry and its mixing and matching of soft and hard elements: for example, wearing a silk dress underneath a military jacket. Akris offered an elegant but androgynous pant-suit. We think Vita Fede's bracelets would compliment both looks, or to dress it up we'd go for Siman Tu earrings.


VITA FEDE Como Wrap Circle Double (AED 360)


VITA FEDE Como Wrap Double Cone (AED 360)


SIMAN TU Green Jade Chandelier Earrings (AED 1700)


BLUES


Rachel Roy, Oscar de la Renta

We love the almost turquoise shade of blue by Rachel Roy (who says turquoise is for summer only?) and Siman Tu's chandelier earrings or Ettika's braided bracelet would add just a little bit of sunshine to this light blue winter ensemble. In contrast, we love Oscar de la Renta's deep navy blue, also an unexpected shade for fall.


SIMAN TU Aqua Glass Chandelier Earrings (AED 1700)


ETTIKA Deerskin Leather and Crystal Chain Braid Bracelet (AED 330)


VITA FEDE Como Wrap Circle Double (AED 360)


BROWN and BURGUNDY


Salvatore Ferragamo, Tse

Fall is not fall without brown or burgundy. Both are easy colours to pull off head-t0-toe. We especially love all the layering at both Ferragamo and Tse: what perfect fall looks! Mix shades of deep brown with gold for the ultimate fall experience. We suggest Vita Fede, Jennifer Behr (in lieu of a hat) and Rachel Leigh's adorable "Olivia" bow bracelet.


VITA FEDE Como Wrap Cone Double (AED 360)


JENNIFER BEHR Sailor's Knot Gold (AED 1100)


RACHEL LEIGH "Olivia" Snakeskin Bracelet (AED 350)


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