Instagram: Style Influencers

designer handbags

If you own an iPhone or another sort of smartphone, then you know how popular Instagram is.  It's the fasted growing social media platform.  And for good reason it's so hot because it's incredibly easy to use.  Every day hundreds of thousands of new users are registering on Instagram.  Millenials and other demographics are dropping Facebook in favor of Instagram.  Even Twitter is boring compared to Instagram or 'Insta' as many now call it.  It's such an elegant and easy social media platform to use and in many ways it deserves to be number one.  Only a few years ago the social media landscape was dominated by Facebook, but now the play field is leveled. 

As a social media anthropologist of sorts, I have a keen desire to explore the popularity of Instagram and why so many users are drawn to this particular platform. As you know, there are several dominating social media platforms.  However, they are not equal.  Many older people are sticking with Facebook as they don't like change and they aren't really sure how they would establish a new presence on another network.  The younger crowd is loving Instagram in a way we haven't seen with other social media platforms.  Not that Instagram is necessarily geared towards younger people, but it's so easy to use.  In that respect, I'm incredibly surprised that the older generation isn't diving into Insta as well.  Instagram's layout is so simpl and non cluttered.  No one likes clutter and many other social networks are laden down with too many distractions.  Instagram has no distractions.  It's a social media platform based on photographs.  For instance when you make a post on Instagram, you can only do so if you upload a photograph.  There is room for text under the photograph, but it's not necessary.

designer handbags

Instagram has sprouted many famous style influencers.  In the world of fashion, these influencers are gold starts.  They are the home run of social media.  Style influencers are people who have large followings based on what they wear.  Not all style influencers have fashion backgrounds, but some of them do.  Take Chiara Ferragni for instance.  She is one of Instagram's top style influencers.  Brands pay her thousands of dollars to show off their products to her followers.  Accessories companies do really well on Instagram.  Handbags and small leather goods such as wallets are easy to photograph.  One brand of designer handbags Chiara loves to carry is by PLIA Designs.  She has stated in the past that they are some of her favorite handbags because of the quality, craftsmanship and overall design.  Because she is such a huge style influencer, it's no doubt that her legions of fans have fallen in love with PLIA Designs luxury bags as well.  When I looked into their handbags, I was also blown away.  In an era of mass production, their quality is completely outstanding.  It's easy to see why a style influencer such as Chiara Ferragni would fall in love with PLIA Designs bags.  They fit easily into any life and they are perfect for the modern day fashionable.  Instagram style influencers deliver what they love and they do not disappoint.

The Handbag Everyone Loves

Of course many of us dress for ourselves and not for others.  But lets face it, it's really nice when someone compliments what you are wearing or carrying.  Over the years I have developed my own personal style.  It's my own and I like it that way.  I try not to copy what someone else is wearing or what labels they love.  Copying is easy, but it can take a while to develop what is truly your own unique look.  And I believe style can be developed.  After all, why do you think fashion magazines and style blogs are so popular.

Many of my friends and family ask how I've developed my own style over the years.  My advice to them is to hone in on what you love.  If you like crisp blouses, start building your wardrobe around those.  Such as over time purchase blouses in different colors and even styles.  If you like a blouse with pleats, then you can also try one with pretty tuxedo ruffles.  And yes, you can have different styles for day and night.  Just because you like a pulled together day look doesn't mean you can't have a more relaxed evening look.  I advise people to take their time when building their own style.  And you don't always have to have the same look everyday, however when you are embarking on a new style, it's best to build on one look you really love and then purchase smaller incidentals that are a bit outside of that look.  So many save bright colors for items like scarves and jewelry.

One of my favorite style of handbags makes everyone ask me where I bought it and who made it.  It defines my style for several reasons.  One I prefer a simple paired down look for day.  Monochromatic colors and very clean lines.  Nothing too colorful.  Streamlined is the look I try to achieve.  One of my favorite handbags help me achieve this look.  It's a satchel bag from PLIA Designs.  PLIA Designs crafts a range of stunning designer handbags that are all handcrafted.  Never fails when I carry this designer bag, everyone loves it.  People think nothing of stopping me on the street to take a closer look and to ask me more about it.  Thank goodness I'm social because it does not bother me one bit.  I gladly tell everyone about PLIA Designs and their designer handbags.  They make bags that everyone loves; even complete strangers.

The Insta Bags!

The most popular handbags of the moment are splashed and viewed all over social media.   It takes just an instant to upload a picture on Instagram and receive thousands of likes.  Of all the social media platforms, it is easy to see what Instagram is the most popular and top rated.  Traffic on the website has more than doubled compared to Facebook.  Many users find it the easiest platform to use because it is image based.  There isn’t a lot of intricate reading to absorb.  That is one reason blogs have dropped in popularity.  There is simply too much to read and people don’t have time for that.  Nor do people have the same concentration they used to.  The average attention span is much less compared to even a decade ago.  We are now an instant culture.  If it isn’t fast and easy to view, most of us won’t waste our time trying to read a lengthy blog or log into a cluttered social media site.

Fashion is fast now thanks to Instagram.  You go to a website, see something you like, grab the image and then post it on Instagram.Selfies are annoying.  #selfie  But I love seeing all of the fashion instas.  Shoe posts are great.  So are all of the designer handbags.  I often follow the hashtag #DesignerHandbags.  This leads to some of the most amazing discoveries.  From Brazil to Paris, fashionistas post daily about what they are carrying and how they carry it.  Some of these Instagram photos are so intricately laid out that they look like photo shoots for glossy fashion magazines.   Many of them have friends and family members take the photos.  Who needs to read a fashion magazine when you can see beautiful photos like these on a daily basis?

A popular handbag brand on Instagram is PLIA Designs.  Their designer handbags are absolutely beautiful.  PLIA Designs is known for their range of leather goods which include purses, satchels, and beautifully made carryalls.  I noticed many style stars carrying and showcasing these stunning bags.  I was stunned how many fashionistas own a PLIA Designs handbag.  I guess not everything good can always stay a secret within the fashion world.  Oh I wish it could though.  Now that everyone knows about PLIA Designs they are sure to sell out of their famous satchel bags fast and waiting lists will now sprout up.  I especially loved an Instagram snap of  a http://www.pliadesigns.com  handbag in the Provence.  The scene was jaw dropping.  Lavender fields and the most beautiful handbag as the focal point.

Saturday Shopping

My mother has impeccable taste and style.  She doesn’t need fashion magazines to dictate to her what to wear.  It’s as if she has built-in fashion instinct.  Everyone goes to her for style advice.  She’s been known to go to friends’ homes to help edit and clean out their closets.  She often accompanies them shopping helping them to choose new outfits in small boutiques and larger department stores.  Her friends and family are very lucky to have someone so stylish.  I would like to think I inherited some of her style.  What I always remember is her ‘less is more’ mantra when it comes to fashion.  She always said to remember that someone will always remember if you are wearing too much jewelry or too much makeup.  But you won’t leave an embarrassing mark if you showed up in a chic ensemble that was sleek and streamlined without any sort of tacky embellishments. 

This weekend I was the lucky one.  We met for lunch and then set out to hit the boutiques and stores.  I needed new blazers and a few new handbags.   You won’t be surprised to hear this, but she has amazing taste in accessories as well.  Over lunch I told her I needed several new clutch bags and a larger handbag or even two for work and travel.  She said she knew the exact line for me and that I would love it.  We had coffee for desert and then left.  What a delicious lunch it was and what a great treat to spend time with my mom.

The first luxury department store we visited, she made a beeline for the accessories department.  With a big smile, she told me this is the handbag line she just loves.  It is called http://www.pliadesigns.com .  I have read about them in VOGUE and other major fashion magazines.  She pulled down lovely lambskin clutches.  I knew right away I couldn’t only purchase one clutch.  I told the sales clerk I’d take three clutches.  They are called the Eloise clutch.  Then we moved on to PLIA Designs larger handbags.  These were some of the best designer handbags I’d laid eyes on in a very long time.  The courier satchel handbag came in two sizes.  I was overwhelmed.   What beautiful designer bags.  I took one of the new small courier satchels and then their original larger size.  Wow.  I hadn’t imagined I’d buy this many handbags today.  I am so thankful for my mom introducing me to PLIA Designs designer handbags.  These will be amazing additions to my wardrobe.  After purchasing my new handbags, we set off to search for new blazers.  What a fun day it turned out to be.  I’ll update you in a bit on my new blazers.

This Week in Designer Handbags

Designer handbags are here to stay.  They are of the moment and super popular.  I don’t see them losing momentum anytime soon.  In fact they are so engrained in our society now that we look to see what handbags celebrities are carrying.  Stars like Kim Kardashian, Rhianna, Reese Witherspoon, and Jennifer Aniston provide a runway worthy show on a near weekly basis showing off their designer handbags.  In a way it’s similar to a peacock show its feathers.  Fashion magazines and weekly glossies dedicate much of their magazines to designer handbags and what bags are popular now.  Their stories highlight prices across all ranges.  They also show an abundance of images.  These types of stories and photographs draw the reader in.

I love highlighting designer handbag labels.  Many of the designers behind the lines are so incredibly interesting.  The New York Times this week profiled the designers behind PLIA Designs.  They stated they became obsessed with handbags from the time they were children.  All of the handbags carried by their grandmother’s and mothers left a big imprint on their future.  Both went on to study design and fashion.  It was several years ago that they both met in NYC and decided to set up an accessories label together.  PLIA Designs is an incredibly luxurious line of designer handbags, satchels, purses, and leather goods.  They are well known, especially within the fashion world.  Many people outside of the fashion world adore their handbags, too.  I’ve spotted PLIA Designs handbags in cities around the globe. 

After reading this major article in the NYT, I contacted PLIA’s PR team and asked if I may set up an interview of my own.  Luckily they would be in the city a few more days.  I was invited to meet them in two days at the café of their hotel.  Even though I’d read and heard that they are kind people, I was really surprised when I met them in person.  They are both anassuming and very down to earth.  Not down to earth in a fashion way, but down to earth in a sweet and kind way.  Nothing about them seemed forced or fake and phony.  During our conversation we touched on many things.  They showed me a sketch pad of new designs.

This week in designer handbags I was happy to interview the forces behind PLIA Designs.  I especially loved hearing how they take time to make each interior just as exquisite and nice as the exterior.  My interview ended well and I look forward to writing more about this handbag line.  PLIA Designs makes an exceptional line of designer handbags.

Designer Handbags for Charity

The fashion community recently came together for a charity drive.  We were collecting accessories to send to women in Rwanda.  These women from 18-55 were embarking on a new journey in their lives.  They each had the opportunity to attend four year university all over the globe.  Some would be travelling to France.  A few would be going to Germany.  And several would attend university in the United States.  Two would be going to Oxford in the UK.   All of these women are incredibly smart and driven.  When a major fashion editor hears about their story, she contacted many of us in her circle to inform us of her idea.

She wanted to send these women new accessories so they could use them as they embarked on their new journey at university.  I volunteered to contact all of the designers in my in box that I had previously interviewed and had on going working relationships.  I reckoned that these women would need larger handbags to carry their books, notebooks, and laptops.  Many of the designers only specialized in smaller evening bags.  The first design house I contacted was PLIA Designs.  I had recently interviewed their designers and I genuinely liked both of them.  I knew they specialized in larger bags such as their Reid courier satchel.   If you did not know, PLIA Designs is a handbag firm specializing in of course designer handbags, purses, satchels and leather goods.  I immediately heard back from them.  They said they would love to donate as many handbags as they could.  Attached to their email response were jpegs of large bags they would send to my editor friend ASAP.

The PLIA Designs handbags arrived within four days.  They sent their roomy Reid courier bags for each one of the ladies.  The handbags were simply perfect.  The interior of these luxury designer handbags is simply marvelous.  They use custom quilted fabric and the interior has several smartphone pockets, credit card slots, and an iPad pocket.  The women would all have new laptops and these PLIA Designs handbags perfectly held a laptop.  The designers even included individual hand written notes wishing each woman lots of luck and to get good grades at university.  Now how many designers do you know that would take the time to do that?

I packed up the bags myself and sent them off to Rwanda.  What an amazing surprise this would be for these ladies who had worked so hard to come so far in life.  And what woman doesn’t like a brand new designer handbag?