Brit It!

The Brits have a knack for designing "it" accessories. In the last couple months, we haven't been able to perch ourselves in any chic environ without meeting a Luella or Jimmy Choo bag at eye level. Now Clements and Ribeiro (after years of collaboration with Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo and Christian Louboutin) have stepped into the competitive accessories category with shoes and a re-launched bag line. The grab-and-go, ethnic spirited range (manufactured by Baltali — the same facility that does Luella and Mulberry) seems a shoo-in to be the next must-haves. Employing a commercial formula for success, the line doesn't stray too far from current sensibilities: sweet leather satchels with utility brass hardware say a bit of Marc Jacobs or Mulberry. Studded and grommet pumps and Mediterranean blue-green leathers are also not new, but the duo works their unique feminine flair for prints and applying ethnic bits. And, their Bollywood-inspired turquoise gladiator sandals with metallic topstitching and pearl strewn platforms were a nice touch. The early word is that retailers including Neiman Marcus and Barneys have already written the line for spring.
-Jason Campbell

Photos: Clements Ribeiro spring 2005