Hi everyone, just a quick message to orders who’s styles were missing last month, the styles arrive this friday and I will contact everyone individually via email. Terribly sorry for the delay for these styles I understand it’s been a long wait, but I’m happy to inform you that these orders will be processed end of this week. Once again apologies to everyone who was affected by this delay, I appreicate everyone’s patience and your total understanding.

Regards Mary

Love her or hate her, Lindsay Lohan has been a prominent fixture in the fashion scene for so many years now. Although today is a sad day for Miss Lohan, I hope she can overcome her past and learn from her mistakes. Her 90 day stint in jail will just add fuel to her already crazy lifestyle.

The media and tabloids have been so cruel in exposing her troubled past, so to all the Lilo fans, I’ve gathered some of my favourite handbags she has sported in the past.

CHLOE PARATY BAG Lindsay was one of the first celebs who wore this style. A true fashionista, she has been a loyal fan of Chloe for many years now.

CLASSIC CHANEL We all gotta love a little bit of Chanel. She just knows how to make it work. So many celebs wear this purse, but it’s how she calibrates it with her own individual style that makes her stand out from the rest.

MARC JACOB Stam Bag With friends in high places. Lindsay not only supports Marc Jacobs,she’s been good friends with the designer since her career started taking off. 

JIMMY CHOO Rocking it with the Ramona bag, she’s often seen in her black or blue ramona bag. This stunning bag really fits in well with her wardrobe. Another great collection from her purse collection.

BALENCIAGA MOTORCYCLE BAG A look that was made famous by Miss Nicole Richie, they were great friends for some time, shared the same stylist. Linsday loooved her Balenciaga bag.

Let’s hope that today marks the day that Linsday finally gets the help she needs. Fan or not, let’s hope Hollywood doesn’t claim another talented starlet.

xoxo mary

It occurred to me that I have not written a blog about certain features we as customer look for in handbags. So here is my take on what 3 essential features you should look for in choosing a handbag. It doesn’t necessarily mean you have to have all 3 features. Some of my customers require only one key feature, but it’s important to understand their functionally and determine what you want to get out of the bag.

The top essential feature that is popular with mums and students are the Double Carry Option. Katie Holmes loooooves her Chloe Paraty Bag, she carries it flawless with her busy schedule.  I findthis feature  extremely important. Double carry is my personal favourite, because you have the added option of wearing the bag on your shoulder or top handle styles, convenient for your day to day use. You will find most of my handbags do have this option as a majority of my styles do have the attachable strap, giving you the freedom to wear the bag at your personal preference. So look for handbags that have attachable strap, most handbags have these feature.

The second popular feature is the Multi-Pockets.  The every stylish Kate Moss wears her favourite Betty bag. With external multi-pockets, they’re great investment pieces to add to your bag collection. You will find multi pockets are huge this season, with oversized external pockets a huge trend. Multi pockets are useful to store your iphone, purses, items that you require access instantly. We all love this feature, make sure you choose a bag that you fits all your essentials.

Oversized bags have been around for awhile now, but the great thing is that every season they’re re-inventing the style trend. Last year it was the oversized handbag with oversized zippers. This trend was set by the Olsen twins way back in 2005.  This season they’re pushing for the oversized studs. Embrace the oversized trend, there are alot of styles, and the handbag is 100% total functionality, you can fit your laptop, textbooks and documents, some ladies even use it as their overnight bag.

A reminder not everyone will require all 3 features. Figure our what your needs are and have fun browsing for that perfect bag. Check out my oversized styles which capture the multi-pocket, double carry option together

In the land of Lala land, where fashion is followed and idolised by so many, LA has seen many of its starlets set the latest trend – Stud Explosion. Mui mui is the front runner, their take on their current handbag collection is super edgy and fashion forward. Think rock chic meets glamour. Stud Leather handbags are popping up everything in the red carpets, movie premiers and even the usual paparazzi circus where the celebs are just minding their own business.

Stars like Nikki Hilton, The Hills girls and the very stylish Whitney from The City can’t get enough of this latest trend.

Reality stars like Stephanie Pratt loooves her Mui Mui leather bag. Whitney mixes and matches the trend to her day to day outfits. And Gossip Girl’s Taylor Momsen & Leighton Meester always makes it look so effortless.

Why the oversized appeal of the Stud factor? Simple, handbags are statement peices, and this trend sure is catching on with everyone. With so many styles to choose from, you will see awhole lot of these styles flooding the market soon. Choose your favourite style and stick to it.

It seems Australia is hooked on the latest look. With so many department stores and retail brands, sporting the stud appeal. It surely will be around for many more season’s to come. Check out style-forte’s take on the stud handbags. With so many new styles coming in the next couple of months, adding a stud leather handbag to your collection is extremely vital for this season.

What’s the big fuss over the chain bags?

Ok so have you noticed a big explosion of Chain bags lately? Spring/Summer season certainly didn’t hold back on the trend. Every store you walk into had the popular trend displayed on the mannequins. For any fashion froward individual chain bags are so upbeat and in right now, you are missing out if you don’t have on in your bag collection. With so many tempting textures, chunky chain straps and bold colours to choose from, there’s a chain bag for any type of style.

So if you have found yourself owning quiet a few chain bags, the good news it that this trend has only begun. This season, you will see bigger chains, more defined jewelled peices on handbags, and funky studs. This fad is here to stay. So if you are looking for some inspiration or wanna know what’s hot this season here are a few things to remember about the 80’s.

• sequins & studs
• short cocktail dresses
• grey is the new black
• any shades of blue
• stone wash denim
• leather skirts
• ray bans
• structured shoulder jackets (back then theycalled it shoulder pads)
• jewelled clothing peices
• ankle boots
• leggings pref. liquid leggings (they are lot shiny)
• red nail polish
• chain bags

Check out our latest range in chains bags.

Hey guys,

A big thank you to everyone who has supported Style-FORTE, these past 12 months, everyone’s constant support and encouragement has been overwhelming. And I really appreicate everyone dropping by.

Thank you to everyone who gave me feedback on my website, I love what I do and your continued support and honest opinion means the world to me.

The store will still be trading during the holidays, and new styles have just arrived.

Don’t forget you can follow me on Facebook and become a Fan.

Have a beautiful Christmas and even better New Year’s. Happy holidays everyone..

xoxo Mary

So with Christmas just around the corner, I’m sure you guys are busy rushing to finalise your holiday trip, presents and don’t forget that all important christmas parties and functions.

But if you’re planning to go away this festive season why not check out one of my best seller’s and probably the ultimate Travel Tote Bag, perfect for short trips and ideal for summer.

So what are the summer trends this year? Department stores and boutiques are flooding their stores with maxi dresses. Not only are they comfortable, they are so many styles & colours to choose from. The great thing about it, they not only look good on the stars, it looks great on just about anybody. Make sure you accessories it correctly and of course, make it uniquely you. Check out Eva, Lauren & Jessica sporting white maxi dresses.

2009 Summer Essentials’

• Oversized sunnies
• Metallic or Tan colour Sandals
• Oversized Handbag
• Oversized rings, bangles or long necklace
• Panama 20’s style hat
• Boyfriend Denim Shorts
• Tie Dye Prints (dresses or tops)
• Leggings
• Red Nails

So who’s getting it right? Not only is she gorgeous, Jessica Alb, she just gets it right all the time. Love her gorgeous dark teal dress and her panama style hat.

Check out some of these summer maxi dresses available in Australia.

Witchery Strapless Maxi Dress $189.95 ; Bardot Gold Dust Maxi Dress $49.95

Check out my Top 10 Best Sellers , lots of new styles that will cater for any outfit.

Hi everyone, with xmas just around the corner, I’m sure everyone is getting into the swing of the festive season. New styles just arrived last week, will have more hopefully this week or next week.

My favourite? Check out the Maxi 3-Way bag, I’ve got it in Black and everyone keeps raving on about it. Also available in Pure Red & Off-White, this will be great to add to your summer wardrobe. Also loving the Moon bag, light & compact and most importantly looks great with any summer outfit.

More news next week. Thanks again for stopping by and supporting me. Be sure to visit my facebook page and add become a fan.

Xoxo mary

 It’s official Taylor Jacobson leaves Rachel Zoe Inc forever. The finale of Season 2 aired just last week here in Australia. Things were looking up for Rachel & Tay, I remember hearing about her leaving a few weeks ago, and unfortunately it’s true. Some may say it’s been a long battle; Taylor was constantly questioning her future at the company. With her frustration of feeling like she was doing the one man show for the company, the promise of more involvement in the Rachel brand, was a new challenge that she was craving for in her career.

With so many followers of the rock chick Assistant Stylist, so many bloggers and fans are talking about what really happened? Did she get fired or did Tay simply had enough and decided to move on? Is she moving on to start her own company or rumours have it, she got a job with Dior?

 Without a doubt, Rach will be desvastated as Taylor has been her rock. Read Tay’s  Twitter post stating: “Today is an end of an era and a beginning of a new professional chapter. Looking forward to what the future brings…!!!”. Awww… good for her. With so much creative experience, this lady is not only gonna pull in great looks for future clients, I’m sure everyone wishes her the best in the future with or without Rachel.

As a personal fan of Tay’s style, fans of the show absoluately love her look.  Check out Tay’s signature look, and team it up with your favourite oversized handbag, flats and bold jewellery.

Sunglass Hut – Ray Ban Wayfarer $249, Bardot – Boyfriend Jersey Jacket $59.95, Cotton On – Oversized India Stripe Top $29.95, Sportsgirl – The Legging $15.95

Check out New Moon’s Dakota Fanning carrying the Balenciaga Funky City Motorcycle Tote Handbag.

With New Moon mania, here are some recent pics of the stars and what handbags they are wearing.

Kristen Stewart (Bella), makes casual wear look so good. With her signature Ray Ban’s, skinny leg jeans, converse, she’s usually seen sporting a black backpack. But this gorgeous Oversized Tan Tote adds totally stands out from her usual attire. Known for her rocker chick style, and her just got out bed look, she manages to always look so natural & stunning.

My absoulate favourite is Ashley Greene’s Rebecca Minkoff black oversized clutch. Super stylish and sleek. Oversized clutches are here to stay. Love her shoes too!

If you are a fan of Coach, you will die when you see Nikki Reed’s Hampton Tote Handbag pictured below. She teams it up with funky denim and sneakers. With such a high end sophisticated purse, she makes wrong look so perfect. Talk about super trendy these chicks are setting trends that people will adore.