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Friday, January 11, 2008
Fashion Scoops: Hot Topic... Wild Boys... Moneybags...
Published: Friday, January 11, 2008
(Page 2 of 2)
WILD BOYS: Houston socialite Becca Cason Thrash hopes to make the Louvre even more "Notorious." A concert by Duran Duran under the museum's iconic I.M. Pei pyramid headlines a three-day event being organized by Thrash, vice chairman of American Friends of the Louvre. To be held June 9 to 11, "Liaisons au Louvre" will span multiple events, including a lunch at the American Embassy, high tea in Christian Lacroix's gardens, cocktails at Baccarat and a black-tie gala at the museum, which includes private viewings of the most spectacular galleries and a seated dinner before Duran Duran lets rip its musical reflex. Thrash says she hopes to raise more than $2 million by inviting about 250 prominent people from America, along with VIPs from Mexico, Europe and Asia. Ticket prices are $10,000: less for French residents.

MONEYBAGS: Sluggish holiday sales may have sent jitters through U.K. retailers, but at the other end of the market, it seems consumers aren't holding back. Despite having a price tag that runs up to a heady 13,000 pounds, or $22,000 at current exchange, for an alligator skin version, Burberry's Warrior bag already has enough takers to warrant a waiting list. The drawstring tote, part of the spring accessories collection, hits Burberry stores later this month. (Prices for the purse in plain leather start at a slightly more modest 1,595 pounds, or about $3,150.) The bag is the latest in a series of Burberry ultraluxe accessories, including the studded leather Knight bag, which retails up to 11,000 pounds, or $21,000, for an exotic skin version. To satisfy demand, Burberry recently held a series of trunk shows specifically for the limited edition versions of its luxury bags — such as the Knight, the Manor and the Ashcombe clutch — in python and alligator skins. The events took place at Burberry stores in cities including London, Las Vegas, Rome, Madrid, Kuwait and Moscow. And, to add a bespoke flourish, the bags, whose interiors carry a plaque engraved with each owner's initials, were delivered to customers in limited edition quilted leather boxes.
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Burberry recently held trunk shows for limited edition versions of luxury bags.