CURVE MAGAZINE

In The Land of the LA, size matters, as bigger is always better, be it beach house, box office, star size or cash accumulation. Whatever the economic climate, Big is forever in.

It’s no wonder that LUST4LUXE stopped the celebs in their fashion tracks last year at a Golden Globes swag suite. Their big bold bags, made with soft supple Italian leathers, patent lambskin and metallic animal skins, complemented by chunky chains and links, were a huge success with the celeb set.
Global goddesses from young one Hayden Panettiere to Wild Child Lindsay Lohan, our favorite hot mama Angelina Jolie and the iconic Sharon Stone are strapping these puppies on and stepping out in seductive SoCal style all over the globe. Hollywood Hauties have fallen truly, madly deeply for LUST4LUXE’s statement making bags.
The San Diego duo and Del Mar based designer Jeff Catalano and partner David Savarese are SoCal boys through and through. “We’re two straight guys who love fashion and know women”, says Catalano, who’s been in the fashion business for over twenty years. The 40 year old started out in ’87 designing contemporary casual street wear, then later got in to licensing, bringing retro based brands from the ’70s and ’80s back into fashion.
Moving into accessories eight years ago, Catalano began to see the light as he and 31-year-old Savarese joined fashion forces designing for the likes of Marciano, Bebe and Urban Outfitters among others. Savarese brought to the table his patented internal lighting, a sophisticated system, allowing for easy late night access to keys, lipstick and cell phones.

These dream weavers known for their innovative leather weaves found their more fashion-forward designs, more often than not were lost in translation. “The clients never jumped on them. They just didn’t get it,” says Savarese. Tired of making money for others who missed the mark, they ventured off on their own two years ago and have yet to look back. They can’t keep the sexy Selene or the Antigua, their biggest sellers stocked on the shelves.

Moving forward, “A featured selection for the fall and winter season was our leopard print pony hair, woven through suede” says Catalano. The collection was equally as successful as their launch. “It’s inspired by wander-lust visions of Moroccan tea lounges and Sahara caravans. The collection is made of natural hand woven, oil washed lamb and soft Italian leather. The color palette is a mesh of purple, green, ivie, golden camels, deep browns, charcoals, black and cabarnet.” The season’s Casablanca styled couture is filled with deep rich colors and sexy clutches sure to sate a wide range of fashion palettes.

Spring they were equally as innovative and expressive with a mix of pink and teal blue brights and a series of silver and gold metallics with haute hardware, in several fashion savvy size and shapes, suited for every occasion, be it casual or couture. So, if you are looking for a fall fashion fling, this may be the thing.

Grab one of their cutting edge couture bags for city, sand or your next global getaway. This new line up of seasonal sirens is sure to turn heads and illicit envy. They work well with denim, dresses or nothing at all. It all depends on the statement you’re making and the company you’re keeping.

Bags range from $280 to $525 at Henri Bendel’s New York, Fred Segal in So Cal’s Santa Monica (Jennifer Kaufman) or at Madison Leather Company in San Diego and in high-end boutiques across the country.(www.lust4luxe.com)