Colorful ExtrasVintage, Paint, and more....

Colorful Extras

Accessories are an important part of any outfit. They add extra flourishes, adding another level of complexity to any outfit. Accessories say a lot about the woman who wears them. In particular, bags and shoes give personality to an outfit, providing that extra pop of interest. I have always loved colorful accessories for the wonderful transformative powers they bring to any ensemble. They turn boring and blah into powerful and intriguing. They're versatile, eye-catching, and unusual.

Below are some colorful accessory brands that have stood out to me recently.

Diego Dolcini

It can be difficult to create a classy design when using multiple colors. I'm sure many designers avoid color for this reason, worried that their designs will end up looking cheesy or clownish. Diego Dolcini, however, is an exception. He uses color with skill, sculpting elegant shoes and handbags into elegant multi-hued creations that are beautiful and sophisticated.

Dolcini launched his brand in 1994. He has worked with Emilio Pucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, and Bulgari, among others. The company is known for its luxurious shoes that "emphasize the beauty of female feet." The designs are influenced by art, cinema, and architecture, the latter of which is visibly apparent in the structure of Dolcini's creations.

Kotur

I have always yearned for the perfect whimsical bag: one that effortlessly combines fun with ladylike sophistication. It seems that this once intangible desire has become reachable, now that I have discovered the fall 2011 line of Kotur bags. Adorned with playful details, the bags don't sacrifice elegance for playfulness. Rich colors add a luxe vibe to the designs, while feathers and the like add an exotic quality that one can't quite describe.

Born and raised in New York, Fiona Kotur's line was inspired by vintage brocades made by a 90-year-old man in Hong Kong. After the man retired, Kotur, a co-founder of Tory Burch, was driven to start her own business. The first Kotur collection was in 2004 and was soon picked up by stores such as Bergdorf Goodman, Scoop, Harvey Nichols, and Browns. Kotur offers bags in a wide variety of price ranges, from three or four hundred dollars to over one thousand dollars. The bags mix modern innovation and tradition and are inspired by a variety of exotic places.

Jerome C. Rousseau

I have always been a fan of architectural details. Geometrics, interestingly shaped silhouettes...I love it all. Even my own fashion designs reflect this adoration. I believe that shoes, in particular, are like sculptures. They are molded around the foot, structured to give support. Thus I was utterly enraptured by the designs of Jerome C. Rousseau as soon as I stumbled upon them. The shoes are beautifully crafted, combining rich colors with unusual shapes that give each pair a modern, luxurious quality. One can tell how well-made the shoes are simply by looking at images of them. Simpler pairs make a statement and detailed pairs catch the eye and will cause many second glances.

Born in Quebec, Jerome C. Rousseau first started sketching footwear after being inspired by the retro shoes of a Deee-Lite video. He studied at London's Cordwainers College and later worked with designers such as Matthew Williamson, Isabella Fiore, and John Rocha. Rousseau launched his eponymous line in 2008 and has since been featured in many publications worldwide. The shoes are crafted in Italy by hand and are inspired by European design, modern art, pop culture, and nightlife.