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FASHION

Get a Grip on a glitzy handbag

Dear Mattie:

. There are so many new .
handbags this season. Which
one do I need?

Baffled in Blueridge
Dear Baffled::

The ultimate fashion state-
ment always stems from your
accessory. Your image mat-
ters. Whether you're at the
mall, in the gym or on
Robson Street, don’t think
others don’t notice what

ou’re carrying.

y A‘small leather bag will
take you to that business
meeting. A far-out beaded ~
bag will hold your front-of-
eee tickets to the best’.
arty in town. You could

pepe y find a bag that is

th functional ant stylish
this season, but why try: go
for a professional urban look

eh day, and radical i Fantasy by :

ight slip through the weave
of: Ines de la Fressange’
black an white crochet,

stamped with the log of the
century-old fashion house.
LV, Celine and Gucci are
names printed all over their
bags, screaming for attention.
There is a new wave of hip
bourgeoisie with not-so-dis-
creet charm.

The mother of all trends,
Miuccia Prada always seems
to have her pulse on fashion’s

next big thing. Prada’s conti- ; -

nental white leather bag has a
Zen-like sleek sophistication.
Handbags in pearlized
leather, in fabrics and metal
designs, and clutches with.
crystal handles are the new

artforms. 7

For a great Miami look ©
you can either sport a huge’

LeSportsac soft floral suitcase ..

or a YSL snakeskin carryall -.
with huge hoop-like metal_
straps. :

On the beach or on the

go, bags are bolder and

brighter. Look for brights
and pastels, florals and straws,
and detailing such as stitch-
ing or fringe.

Let your bag
escape to paradise.

Accessories are personal .
decoration. If Chanel’s
post-modern bag is a lit-
tue out of your bud-
get, why not :
treat yourself

your

. to the

miniature
key ring

- version?

Elizabeth Hurley takes a

flight looking very glam, with -

her LV passport wallet. Or
how “bout a Fendi pouch,
which fits a key and a credit
card? As long as it’s big
enough for people to see it, a
small look can go a big way.
Go as soft as you like with
embroidered roses or hard as
you like with a shiny box. A
silvery metal bijou has a
. clever ergonomic design.
Fendi has some really wild
animal faux bags — if you
_, don’t mind looking like

" you've stuffed your cat in the ©

bag.
All that slitters can be
your

“mn.

handbag. Embroidery, rhine-
stones, beading, fur trim and
sparkly decoration are the
trends to follow. Delicate,
feminine floral and graphic
prints and a sexy, ¢ edgict
esthetic style has emerged.
From Hilary Swank to
Gwyneth Paltrow to Uma
Thurman, all the ladies acces-
sorized with unique style a at. 7
the Oscars. '

Make sure your accessories
are eye-catching and remem-.
ber a glitzy handbag can...
eee up any outfit. Get:

eeu,
Mattie — : ;
Mattie a la’ Mode is anew
biweekly Sashion. advice® co
end your questions for.
Mattie Jobnstone’: ¢/o::the
North ‘Shore