Has Donna Karan shown her creative flair, taking a chance in what could very well be a naff concept, turning it into something on every gal’s “I Gotta Have it!” list? or is it an attempt to salvage her handbag reputation by this “astrological” marketing cliche?
The Zodiac collection, which features, yes, bags inspired by the signs of the Zodiac were unveiled by the designer as part of her pre fall collection, which came out in June.
As Karan said in a WWD report:
“It makes sense — I live by astrology….I am a Libra. I can’t make up my mind. We never find a balance. We like it all.”
Picking up a Virgo handbag, she said, “I need a Virgo around me. Libras always need Virgos. My husband [the late Stephan Weiss] was a Virgo.”
“The challenge was, would I wear this bag? These I would,” she said and, pointing to a large shopper, added, “You know I will be carrying this for the rest of my life.”
The bags, which are now available online for around £1,300 or $ 2,500 at places like Net a Porter certainly don’t come at a cheap price, and now, several months on after its debut, it can be said that, in spite of their somewhat novel concept, the bags have not arrived at the ” so last season” list just yet.
For Virgos like me, there are two models to choose from, the Modern Virgo North/South or East/West totes in waxed vachetta, which gives it a chic, weathered look. Personally though, I prefer the Leo tote in shrunken lamb pictured above.
If you visit the Donna Karan website, you’ll find only some of the zodiac signs represented – Leo, Aries, Scorpio, Libra, Pisces, Virgo and the evening star (lovely roll clutches). Some of which, like Leo, have more than one design. You’d think they’d make one for the Taureans at least, as they’re known to have a weak spot for indulging in luxe items like these.
And lastly, I have to say that these new-fangled “exotic” names just don’t get me excited.
Shiny goat? French bull? Shrunken lamb? hmmmm….. Besides from sounding very un-Peta friendly, they remind me more of the menu of a restaurant trying too hard make ordinary dishes sound posh.