Prada's Spring Summer 2008 Ad Campaign

On Prada's current advertising campaign you will see this vast mural used as a backdrop for their models as they showcase the latest in must-have accessories and intellectual fashion. The panel was designed by Los Angeles artist James Jean as a wallpaper format that measures an impressing 17' x 200'! The artwork can be seen hanging on Prada's flagship stores in Beverly Hills and Soho's Epicenter.

Prada says it “represents the somewhat perverse intersection between Hieronymus Bosch and Aubrey Beardsley. The image depicts an intense landscape of man-eating flowers, dragons, hybrid creatures and eerie fairies.”

Via Yatzer / NOTcot

Faux Handbags

I spotted all these faux handbags during a single day's outing in Rio de Janeiro. I still kick myself for being too shy to pull out my camera in the subway when I saw this shabby-looking granny carrying a faux Louis Vuitton Murakami handbag, bows and all. Like any other major city these days, you will find peddlers selling copy-cat Guccis, Pradas and Fendis, and Rio is no exception. The local government does such a poor job to combat piracy in general, with conterfeit CDs, DVDs and computer software being sold EVERYWHERE, that I assume fashion is not high on their priority list.

Considering that for the price of a real LV bag you can purchase a good second hand car in Brazil it is no wonder that the local ladies also want to sport some flash, even if without the cash.

Prada @ Neiman Marcus

Neiman Marcus first opened its doors on September 10, 1907 - that's 100 years of great shopping to celebrate. NM is doing so in typical style with exclusive offerings from their top designers, including handbags. Miuccia Prada marks the occasion with this classic clutch in a rich cherry leather. It's a simple fold-over with a magnetic snap closure and features a gold embossed luggage tag hanging from a slim leather strap. They are also available in nude or black leather, for US$995.00. For ordering or just dreaming click here.

In other pricey bags news, this is the newest & VERY exclusive Louis Vuitton Tribute Patchwork handbag, one of only 24 in the world and 5 in North America. We hear (tacky) Beyonce already has one. The first Tribute Patchwork was out in March 2007, and since then it's been making quite a (bad) name for itself. As one of the most expensive handbags in the world, the Tribute Patchwork has become this summer's ultimate fashion-victim status bag. Priced at US$52,500, or the price of a two-bedroom condo in Copacabana, it's made from choice parts of 14 other Louis Vuitton bags. It easily overshadows the competition... Ugly? No, FUGLY!