Hello Darlings,

Last week’s Bridal Boot Camp was loads of fun. Many brides were smitten by the bedazzling Clara Kasavina evening bags and jewelry. I heard a few discussing giving rings as their bridesmaid gifts. The enamel dome rings are a perfect choice for such a gift. There’s also matching bangles. I wore the ivory enamel bangle to the event, which got me into the wedding spirit. Another big hit was a slouchy evening option that Susan (head of PR at Clara Kasavina) cleverly labeled “the ice pack bag” – actually name Gardenia Puff. That’s one shnazy ice pack option. I can just imagine Mary Antoinette stuffing it up with ice and putting it to her delicate head.

While chatting with the brides, I discussed various handbag options based on the style of your wedding. For more thoughts on ideal bridal bags read my article www.BagTrends.com and watch this clip from BETTER TV.

DESTINATION WEDDING
Bride: Channel Wilma Flintstone and look for natural fabrics with white/ivory stone detailing. Clara is coming out with a NEW! linen clutch for spring 2009. Contact sales@clarakasavina.com for details. Guests: Keep it soft and breezy, but remember it’s still a wedding. No picnic baskets, please. Go bolder and vibrant with your color options, like this hand cast, enamel option (and yes it goes with the rings I mentioned before… but don’t do matchy matchy. Try a pink bag with an orange ring. Trust me!) Contact sales@clarakasavina.com for details.

CITY WEDDING
Bride: it’s about modern, architectural shapes and finishes. You can also bring in silver as your color option. Guests: consider the city skyline as your color palette – steal, blue, heather grey, golden yellow, burnt orange and brick. Same rules apply to guests in terms of chic shapes and clean lines. I’d stay away from too much crystal here.

TRADITIONAL WEDDING

Bride: Pile on the crystal ladies. Do as I have and go with the Lilia (it’s very OMG in person). Keep in mind romantic accents like lace, rosettes and soft curved.

Guests: Satin jewel tones, classic black, merlot and plum will look fabulous. Crystalize too – but not too much. It’s not your day!

Have a bag-a-licious day!
Pamela Pekerman

Hello Darlings,

What a relaxing weekend. The fiance and I vegged around, did some cross-word puzzles from New York Magazine, listened to music, watched TV… it was divine. Hope you were able to rest-up, as well. For all my fellow brides-to-be we can all use any R&R we can get. Planning a wedding, even for me who isn’t really stressing the small stuff, can still be exhausting and overwhelming. That’s why I want all my fellow NYC brides to join me at Scully & Scully for a Mini Bridal Bootcamp.

The Bridal Bootcamp is a fabulous soiree where brides will be able to ask experts on tips ranging from photos, decor, cakes and accessories. On behalf Clara Kasavina, I’ll be on hand to chat up wedding trends, fashion dos and don’t and much more. So, come and join me, Clara Kasavina (yes you can meet her too!) and other fabulous brides-to-be TOMORROW. Purchase Tickets from The Wedding Salon.

WHO: you and other stylish brides
WHAT:Mini Bridal Bootcamp
WHERE:Scully & Scully, 504 Park Ave in NYC
WHEN: November 19th, 6-8pm
WHY: Get the latest tips on wedding trends, ask me any bag-a-licious questions, meet Clara Kasavina

Have a bag-a-licious day!
Pamela Pekerman

Hello Darlings,

After a relaxing weeking with my nieces – two bagistas in training! – I’m back with more scoop in the form of a mini fashion history update and current celeb sightings.

In the 80s and early 90s Clara Kasavina’s hand cast and sculpted jewelry was worn by many (yup it was a jewelry brand before handbags. Those of us in our early 20’s or late teens may not know that – heck I wouldn’t know either were it not for the fact that my aunt once helped design some pieces… that’s another side story and odd twist of fate). Any who, after focusing solely on bags for the past decade, Clara is revisiting her love or as she tells me “we never stopped making jewelry. The evening bags are like jewelry.” In fact, the detailing on the clutches and day bags, the frames, the Swarovski embellishing, it is all the same meticulous approach the brand used in their jewelry design. What’s old is new again and you’ll be happy to know that just in time for the holidays Clara Kasavina is going back to its archives to produce some oldie, but goodies — of course are coming too!

Speaking of new pieces, on the recent issue of Essence, the lovely Beyonce wears a Clara Kasavina necklace. She picked out the piece and has since requested more styles. It’s only a matter of time before more Hollywood divas sport Clara’s architecturally-inspired, artful creations. Need a great holiday gift or want to indulge in some little luxuries for yourself, check out this unique ring under $100. More styles will be added soon!!

Have a bag-a-licious day!
Pamela Pekerman

Hello Darlings,

Many of you may know the name Clara Kasavina from red carpet images, magazines, or maybe you own one of Clara’s divine evening bags or vintage jewelry from the 1980. But, with this blog I hope you will get to know the real stories and people behind this iconic – nearly 25-year-old – brand. I’ll be here regularly posting news about Clara Kasavina’s latest styles, press, celebrity friends and trend updates from around the world.

Who am I? Some call me the bag guru others a handbag expert – either way you slice it I’m a bag-a-licious mix of fun. I’m Pamela Pekerman, founder of BagTrends.com, the handbag writer for AOL’s stylelist.com, and the on-air bag trend guru for the Home Shopping Network. I’ve also done TV and radio segments for VH1, NBC, CBS, E! radio and other on, you guests it, handbag trends. Through a twist of fate and my personal love of the brand, I landed this sweet gig of telling the story of Clara Kasavina. I’ll be chiming in on lots of scoop about the real Clara, her husband Misha who does all the fabulous casting and sculpting of the bags, Clara’s fans and plenty of live videos too! So, let’s enjoy this ride together. Oh and if you’re a Clara Kasavina fan, send me a picture of your favorite bag and why you love it. I’ll be sharing your stories here, as well. And, finally (sorry I’m excited so I’m extra long winded) if you have any handbag questions for me don’t hesitate to send along!

Have a bag-a-licious day!
Pamela Pekerman