Style into Action: designer style at budget prices

This is a story of three different qualities of an evening fish clutch and which one to buy.

A few days ago, SIA spotted the following Olga Berg minaudiere at TK Maxx for $80. The original was $500.

Hhmmm.

So the research commenced to decide whether it was worth acquiring.

The bag is a copy of the Judith Leiber koi fish minaudeure which has been done in many colours and has a retail of approx US$6K.

Note that Leiber has done a number of fish styles & I believe a number of koi fish. The discussion in this post is only about one of those koi fish. This one. Sometimes it is called the Dora style.

If you are curious, here is another Leiber koi worn by Blake Lively. It is the Ginrin Kohaku koi fish.

Attending The Age of Adeline premiere in April 2015

In Monique Lhuillier and Lorraine Schwartz jewels,
an overall vintage Hollywood style to which
the Leiber clutch gave a quirky contrast.

The shapes between the Dora Leiber & the Berg are not the same especially toward the middle & back of the fish. But as the high street would say, they are similar.

The Leiber is completely encased in crystals unlike the Berg version which has "holes" in the casing, which are partly covered in "crystals".

Leiber bags always use Swarovski crystals. Always. However for some reason, none of the retailers nor the actual web site mention this. They simply call the beads "Australian crystal". Must have something to do with legal restrictions.

Leiber has an astounding sparkle to its crystals. The Berg stones are sparkly and the photo above does them no justice, but they are chalk & cheese with the Leiber stones.

Leiber is made in Italy. Berg is made in China.

Leiber is a brass base. Berg is probably a base metal. It is quite heavy, so I doubt that it is plastic.

Leiber has a nappa leather lining, usually black, gold or silver. Berg has a felt fabric inner, in black.

Leiber has a gold tone push button clasp.
Berg opens by flicking the dorsal fins - you can see a break in fin which is the opening.

Both have removeable shoulder straps.

The crystals on both Leiber and Berg are hand glued.

Leiber has smaller outer measurements but Berg's internal measurements are not much larger than Leiber's internals. It's the Berg back fins which make up alot of it's outer measurements without providing storage room.

Then I did some more research. You have to really love it when your job allows you to call online shopping research.

I found a version of the koi which is coming out of China & is being used by alot of high street brands. In terms of quality, it seems to sit in between Leiber & the Berg, obviously closer to the Berg than the Leiber. Here it is. We'll call it the middle child.

And here is another colourway. In fact, there are a gazillion colourways of this one.

This version seems to vary in price from US$100 to around US$400 give or take, the latter being the Natasha Couture price.

It has more fins than Berg, hence more detailed crystal work.

It opens via the dorsal fins like Berg.

The inner is generally polyeurethane.

It is not completely covered in crystals but like the Berg, has "holes" in the casing, which are partly covered in "crystals".

I've noticed alot of middle children state they are made with Czech crystals, but I am sure the quality of the bling varies. One of the possibly dodgy sites calls the crystals "diamonds", not "diamond like", but "diamonds" with no inverted commas.

Aliexpress calls the crystals "crystal diamond". Yup.

The main indicator of this middle child is that each fish scale has three rows of crystals. In contrast, each scale on the Berg has two rows of crystals. If you flip between the photos & look at this specifically, you will see that it is a serious contributor to the apparent quality differences.

Based on photos from the more reputable sellers, the middle child looks like a better quality than the Berg but I have not seen it in real life.

Summary

Do I buy Olga Berg?
Not yet.
For the price, it's a decent high street version, although if I could see the middle child, I think I'd feel more comfortable with its quality.

FYI, Leiber minaudieres generally start at US$6K.
It's definitely a case of you get what you pay for.

Judith with her bags

The Dion Lee for Target Australia 36 piece collection launched in store today.

The collection is outstanding. By far the best of ANY Oz Target collaboration & there have been many.

For a trip down memory lane, SIA has lived through Target Aust adult collaborations with Alice McCall (2006), Tina Kalivas (2006) and TL Wood (2006) - these three were dropped concurrently, Gail Sorronda (2007), Yeojin Bae (2007), Josh Goot - Aussie wool pieces (2007), Zac Posen (2008), Collette Dinnigan lingerie (2008), The Veronikas lingerie (2008), Stella McCartney (2007 & 2010), Dita von Teese lingerie (2011 & in 2013 moved to Myer), Roberto Cavalli (2013), Missoni (2014), Desert Designs (2014), Dannii Minogue petites & accessories (2014 & ongoing).

The Dion Lee collection is outstanding in the following ways:

1. The fabrics are of great quality - the knits are double thickness & the extra weight helps to hold everything in, the neoprene is thick, alot of items are lined, there are lovely silks and cottons, even the viscose has a lovely feel to it. As a comparison, the knits are much better than the Missoni knits which were quite thin & flimsy.

2. The patterns & textures are very good. From laser cut, perforations, mesh, logo prints, a fabulous element print with neon peach and cobalt blue accents, I wouldnt have expected so much from a discount store collaboration.

3. The making of the items is wonderful. The seams, the lines, the finishing, the trims, all terrific. No crooked seams, no dodgy closures.

4. Prices? Similar to Runway to Rack, so on the more expensive end of Target, but still within a discount store range. Affordable high street.

Those who know Style into Action, know she is a hard marker & has high standards.

Social media

The collection seems to be getting quite a bit of flak in social media. People are not happy with the thin, tall model being used in the advertisements and they are claiming it doesn't work for a typical Target customer. Partly because the clothes "look skinny" and partly because the items are "too fashion forward".

Style into Action's response to these issues are:

1. Re: Tall thin model doesn't look like typical customer

If you expect to understand how a garment will fit you based on how it fits a model, you are setting yourself up for a lifetime of shopping heart ache. Models pose with toilet rolls down their back, with pins & bulldog clips all over the garment outside of our view.

The real tests of whether a garment is worth trying on:

a) What is my body shape?

b) What is my height?

c) What is my colouring?

d) What styles/colours suit someone with a), b) & c?

e) If the item aligns with the styles identified in d), then try it on.

Part of this process is to look at photos. Not the model photos, but the catalogue photos (no model's body is included here) which dont have a human being in them.

The model & her looks are irrelevant. They are there to sell the clothes but only if you ignore them do you have a fighting chance of finding something that flatters you.

2. Re: Why should we support a retailer who is using overly skinny models?

If you want to, you can protest the use of models by boycotting the retailer. But if we all did this, the retail trade would come to a halt. People would lose their jobs. retailers would close down.

The fact is that the industry understands that more healthy habits need to be instilled in models. But it also sees that the use of skinny girls sells more loot. People want to see skinny models. So the retailers use these models. Despite their complaints, the consumers are driving this.

3. Re: Too fashion forward?

Let's talk Target.

At the most basic level, Target's main customer is a mother with kids at home. It's main labels for this market are its Target Collection (which has work pieces & dress up pieces), Life & Style (which has relaxed pieces) and essentials (which has the basic cheaper pieces you would wear around the house).

On the plus size, there is Belle Curve (ex Moda). On the petite side there is Dannii Minogue's range.

But it has many other groups of shoppers too - single young teen girls up to 20 yo (Lily Loves), fashion forward women in their 20s (Runway to Rack) and empty nesters who love classic elegant pieces (Yours Sincerely).

The important thing is that all these groups can & do cross over. That means that there is no reason why any girl can't have pieces from most or all of these labels in her closet.

Let's talk Dion Lee.

Dion's look is minimalist, athletic sporty with jolts of colour.

There is no reason why every Target demographic can't have one piece of Dion in their closet.

Even if you tend to buy the floral or preppy pieces in Target Collection, you can still include Dion in your closet.

If you love the boho edge of Lily Loves, there is no reason why you cant include Dion in your closet.

If you love the trendiness of Runway to Rack, you can include Dion in that mix.

Obviously there is a more limited cross over of Dion with Dannii Petites and Belle Curve because size wise the items don't match.

The important thing is that no single collection or label will cater for every Target customer at any point in time AND it would be very strange if any customer only purchased from one label.

To be truthful, if you stay within your comfort zone over the medium term, stylewise, you will look stale & dated. Incorporating carefully selected pieces over a number of labels adds interest & youthfulness to your look. Well dressed women pick & choose what suits them & their lifestyle.

Well dressed women choose style not fashion.

The social media people who think the Dion range should work for everyone is looking at shopping through rose coloured glasses.

The easiest way to "cross over" (code for mixing labels in your closet) is with accessories - the sneaker, the backpack & the tote. Think of them as a OSFA.

The other way to cross over (& include Dion in your closet) is to choose the simple pieces are easier to wear & less complex in their construction - think the tailored pants, the knit tops, the LBD or the hoodie. In contrast, a body con dress, the leggings, a cut out blouse, crop top or bomber may be harder to wear especially as you get older.

In summary, Style into Action believes this collection is wonderful & has pieces which will suit a wide variety of people if carefully selected.

Individually, the pieces in the collection are:

Fabulous fabric - doubled up fabric.
Thick keeps everything in its place.
$110

Fabulous fabric - doubled up fabric.
Thick keeps everything in its place.
$89

Great pencil shape, love the side split.
Fabulous fabric - doubled up fabric.
Thick keeps everything in its place.
$79

The bustier top has adjustible wide straps.
The faux wrap skirt is longer than it looks and is lined!
$59 (top), $79 (skirt)

Fabulous for booby girls.
Lined, wide adjustible straps.
Front
$119

Back

Fabulous for booby girls.
Lined, wide adjustible straps.
Front
A cross over piece.
$119

Ribbed stretch halter with open lower back.
Front
$59

Back

Fabulous laser cut bomber.
Beautifully inserted zip & plain hem/cuffs/yolks.
$99

Stunning & beautifully made, pure silk
Hand wash & towel dry flat - never dry clean
Front
A cross over piece (as long as you suit the colour)
$89

Back

Fabulous laser cut pencil skirt
with shorter element print lining.
Back split by opening zipper.
Front.
$79

Back

Stunning & beautifully made, pure silkHand wash & towel dry flat - never dry clean
Front
Another cross over piece
$89

Back

Neoprene totes with signature straps & blue bonded interior.
The bottom has corners - subject to easy wear if used daily.
A terrific cross over piece.
$69

Gorgeous neoprene bucket bag & convertible to backpacks.
Blue bonded interior.
Leather trim.
Love.
This is a great cross over piece.
$79

Neoprene 10 cm heel with leather sockbed.
A great day to night piece.
$89

On trend neoprene sneakers.
$49
Another terrific cross over piece.

Workout worthy oversize tee with reflective strip.
$59

Tailored pant, skinny leg.
Will emphasis thighs if worn by a pear.
$89
Another terrific cross over piece.

Stretch tee shirt dress, easy to wear but
some showed initial signs of pilling

Cute tailored jacket in the same nylon
fabric as the tailored pant & 3/4 pant.
Laser cut design on back.
This could cross over too.
$109

Simple racer back knit top in a lovely viscose with eyelet & ribbed knit
(I didnt know I would ever say a viscose was lovely, but this one is!!!)
Also in black
Front
Hello cross over!
$49

Back

3/4 stretch pant, narrow leg, not good for pears.
Another cross over piece.
$79

Gorgeous cotton/silk shirt with doubled up yoke
Beautiful stitching although the hem band may
make shorten the body a touch.
Front
$79

Back - gorgeous.

Back

Gorgeous heavy knit dress in a fine & an open weave.
$110

Stunning heavy weight hoodie with fabulous
texture & fabulous edge finishing.
The grey has yellow undertones so best for warm complexions.
Front
More cross over.
$99

Back - love, love, love.

Simple racer back knit top in a lovely viscose with eyelet & ribbed knit
(I didnt know I would ever say a viscose was lovely, but this one is!!!)
Also in cobalt
Front
Lots of cross over potential
$49