Judith Leiber Couture Malaysia celebrated the iconic brand’s 50th anniversary recently with a special preview of the Fall 2013 Anniversary Collection and it took place at the Judith Leiber Couture boutique in Pavilion, Kuala Lumpur.
The collection paid tribute to the brand’s founding year with the debut of Remember New York 1963, which is a glittering collection of exquisitely crafted handbags inspired by iconic symbols, landmark architecture as well as the timeless spirit and vibrant energy that defines the New York City life. Some of the notable pieces in the collection include a box clutch with its intricate jeweled motif honoring the Fred F. French Building at Fifth Avenue, Manhattan and the return of the symbolic Big Apple novelty minaudière.
Also to be highlighted is the assemblage of 15 crystal-studded bags which drew references from the classic New York City historic features. There was a multi-coloured clutch resembling the bokeh of lights on Broadway, Raymond Hood-inspired Art Deco depicting the Rockefeller Center, flowers abloom in the Botanical Gardens, autumn leaves in Central Park – all captured in the intricate details of each design.
Judith Leiber Couture also treated guests to a visual presentation of the Holiday 2013 and Spring 2014 collections. For Holiday 2013, Creative Director Jana Matheson envisioned key pieces to top off any celebration, drawing inspiration from the saturated colours that are decadently displayed at the time of year. Kaleidoscopes served as the inspiration for the newly designed double-sided crystal and leather evening bags and oversized geometric crystal patterns.
The collection consists of electrifying shades of red, fuchsia, gold and silver, infused into the iconic frames and whimsical creations that are part of the Judith Leiber heritage. Classic Art Deco patterns lend their influence through striking geometric shapes brought to life by crystals of varying sizes. Exotic materials, like antique-finished alligator, hand-dyed anaconda, and polished layers add an element of texture to silhouettes that are functional for day or night. The Holiday 2013 collection is filled with impeccably crafted pieces that capture the spirit of the most wonderful time of the year.
For Spring 2014, Jana Matheson gave nautical prep a fresh translation marked by the brand’s defining elements of luxury, whimsy and glamour. Classic country club mingles with the high seas in the exotic skins collection. Python, lizard, alligator and stingray bags come in a striking palette of Kelly green, navy, azure and fuchsia. Carefully chosen semi-precious stones of pearl, quartz, rose quartz and sodalite accent the bags and further the beach meets blue blazer theme. Ornaments are deliberately designed to resemble beach pebbles and stones give the bags an organic feel. Charm bracelet-inspired adornments, part preppy and part vintage Judith Leiber, also add a surprising element to many of the pieces.
A glittering sailboat with a colorful spinnaker is the newest novelty minaudière and continues the collection’s theme. The watermelon, a Leiber classic, has an updated color scheme and is dotted with oversized crystal ‘seeds’. In addition to novelty styles, the crystal collection highlights classic preppy symbols with a nod to nautical. Patterns depicting argyle and vintage charm bracelets are spirited and colorful while nautical stripes, anchor insignias and rope-inspired designs are crisp and playful.
The collection also previews a new color of crystal in an of-the-moment shade of rose gold that is sure to delight.
Next year, Judith Leiber Couture will introduce three new customizable creations – the airstream slide lock with client’s initials, which come in various monogram designs; the cigar box clutch with children’s artwork for clients who wish to immortalize their child’s precious gift; as well as novelty pets, whose markings are duplicated on to silhouettes which are currently available for specific cat and dog breeds.
