Byline: Marcy Medina
Obviously, not everyone was lucky enough to sally forth from the Beverly Hilton clutching a Golden Globe statuette. Fortunately, the second-most-coveted accessory — small, stylish bags whose form nearly eclipsed their function — were a little easier to come by.
In advance of their official retail debut in March, Tod’s brought out its spring Night Rings, crescent-shaped sequined mini-totes, carried by Sandra Bullock and Sarah Jessica Parker, which feature two oversized metal rings that hug the wrist like a bracelet.
“The bag is a play on proportions that strikes a balance between something casual yet elegant,” said designer Diego Della Valle.
Bulgari took a classic day shape into after hours using colored satin. “Evening bags should complement a woman’s dress, not distract,” said Nicola Bulgari, vice chairman of the Bulgari group.
Queen of the minaudiere Judith Leiber always attracts plenty of attention with her custom jeweled boxes. Bjork, Laura Linney, Goldie Hawn and Holly Hunter proudly brandished their precious Leibers throughout the evening.
“It’s perfectly natural at a time when women are dressing in a more personal manner than ever before,” said creative director Drusilla Plunkett.
The more personalized the bag, in fact, the better. Lulu Guinness, a whimsical designer who is England’s answer to Kate Spade, made her presence known here by outfitting “It Girl” Jessica Alba with one of her limited-edition, Fifties-style fan-shaped clutches.
“I felt that for L.A. and awards season, clutches were best, because a strap is not very becoming to the outfit,” said Guinness. (Remember Jennifer Aniston’s strapless Prada at the Emmys? Its sleek lines compromised by an awkward shoulder strap?)
Elongated, crystal-encrusted clutches from Beverly Hills designer Katherine Baumann also came away as big winners Sunday, with Hilary Swank, Megan Mullally and Allison Janney all having them in hand.
But Baumann keeps function firmly in mind: “Naturally, they’re also designed to accommodate your cell phone, in case your agent calls with your next job.”