We had such high hopes for the styles that would fill the frames in “The Devil Wears Prada,” the film version of Lauren Weisberger’s novel skewering the rag trade and one particularly haughty, haute-couture-clad fashion editor.
After all, costume designer Patricia Fields dressed the women in HBO’s “Sex and the City” and made millions of women lust for Jimmy Choo heels and Fendi baguettes. We figured she’d do the same in “Prada,” which opens June 30.
Then The Purse arrived. Described as a “distressed studded handbag,” it is worn in the movie by Anne Hathaway, who plays the fashion editor’s assistant. The Purse is touted as versatile because it can be worn several ways.
The problem is, that no matter how it’s worn, The Purse looks awful, even when toted by the lovely Hathaway.
Aside from the contrived design, the idea of toting around a brown distressed “pleather” bag is anathema to the fashion-savvy.
But fashion victims abound and because The Purse carries the cachet of both the movie and Patricia Fields, women are willing to part with $79.95 for it. An exclusive on amazon.com, The Purse is on backorder until Aug. 1.
Style staff members offered seven uses for Patricia Fields’ handbag:
Shield from the paparazzi
Frisbee
Airplane pillow
Last-minute costume
Saddle bag
Messenger bag
A way to finally recycle Uncle Fred’s Naugahyde sofa
