By Nancy McKeon
PLEASE DON’T tell anyone that I go to the lurid New York Post for fashion tips; I really don’t. Nonetheless, I noticed last Monday that the Post’s Page 3 had abandoned its usual bionic bustlines and showed instead a svelte Paris Hilton brandishing a glittery “martini glass” as an evening bag.
“Suddenly,” the Post opined, food-themed minaudières are everywhere. Yup, suddenly, like 45 years ago when the fashion world noticed that businesswoman/craftsman Judith Leiber was turning out exquisite crystal-embellished evening clutches that looked like slices of watermelon and bunches of asparagus, not to mention her fabulous “Fabergé eggs” (soprano Beverly Sills and TV’s Mary Tyler Moore each had one), Bengal tigers, and full-blown roses.
Not everyone can afford to plunk down 5 grand for a masterpiece by Leiber, who died in 2018 at age 97. And now a slew of accessories meisters have homed in on the food stuff. We’re talking a slice of pepperoni pizza (Kate Spade), a Holy Cannoli (Melissa McCarthy at the Oscars), a bucket of KFC, and a sleek leather Peanut M&M.
Does it sound, and look, like the circus has come to town? Seen all together, sure. But your black velvet evening trouser suit needs only one of these as glittery punctuation.
Mind you, a lot of these do not achieve the level of craftsmanship of a Leiber. But take a look. But don’t eat too much.
About as close to perfection as a watermelon can get: the Watermelon Slice from Leiber Couture, $4,695.
Leiber Couture shows how it’s done: the Cosmopolitan is $5,795, all covered in crystals. The lime wedge is the clasp.
From Kate Spade New York, Slice 3D crossbody bag, made of embellished satin with leather trim, $428.
Also from Kate Spade New York, the Milk Carton Printed Crossbody bag, with PVC body, $348.
Kate Spade New York had a fling with Heinz ketchup back at the beginning of the summer. The Glitter iPhone case seems to be what’s left of that collaboration, $45.
Anya Hindmarch of London, known for her cheeky takes on commercial products, cleaned up the ketchup aisle with her satin and sequin Heinz Ketchup Mini Tote, $1,850. But before you take the plunge, be sure to read the Anya Brands caution: The embellishment on this product is very delicate, so please handle with care. We would recommend that care be taken when wearing this product, as it could cause snagging or marking when worn with delicate fabrics. Please avoid contact with liquids as they could remove the finish of the product. This product is not suitable for children under 36 months due to small parts. This piece is handmade and so each one is unique. You may notice the colour and finish varies. So noted.
M&M’s seem to be the Kate Spade New York collab for the hols, as they say. In addition to this smooth leather 3D M&M (top handle and crossbody chain), $428, there’s a whole 10-inch-wide yellow package of M&M’s as a crossbody, $328.
At the Oscars, Melissa McCarthy carried a blinged-up version of the Holy Cannoli Purse. This tamer example of foam-sculpted novelty food purses by LA-based Kinza Winza is $480. But if you can’t live without McCarthy’s Cannoli Clutch, Bedazzled version, you can order one made for you, $550. Note that the Italian pastries are 13 inches wide.
Also from Kinza Winza (if you’re on a health kick), there’s the Banana Bag, also sculpted from multiple lightweight foams, $310.
You thought those were silly? Here we go with a McDonald’s McFlurry. It’s from Loungefly, which specializes in licensed pop-culture figures, is $65, and, appropriately enough, is made from polyurethane.
BoxLunch tells us this polyurethane KFC Chicken Bucket Crossbody Bag is exclusive to them. We should think so! It’s $79.90; please note the metal drumstick and chicken wing zipper pulls. If you’re truly deep into KFC, BoxLunch also offers a KFC card holder, $18.99. It just has the letters K, F, and C on it. Go figure. (A real bucket of KFC fried chicken, 8 pieces, is $21.99 in my NYC neighborhood. And 920 to 2,400 calories in any neighborhood.)