The Online Fashionista | 11/20/2008 11:40 am

Holiday 2008's Online Fashionista

Photo Essay

Fashion’s most luxurious brands have finally arrived at the online party in a big way this holiday, and as webizens, we at wowOwow say welcome, darlings. Never has being a giver of the most rare, the most exquisite, the most unexpected gift ever been easier.

Here is Gucci’s new Tattoo Heart Collection bag (25 % of the purchase price is donated to Unicef). $695

Gucci.com

38 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Ms. D - You’re absolutely right! I was so disgusted half way through the slide show that I didn’t see Whoopi’s book. Now that’s a worthwhile purchase. But, truthfully, almost none of the other “gifts” is essential or even useful. When a significant percentage of the public is losing jobs and homes, it just seems obscene to me to put up a slide show of luxuries. A long time ago, there was a book, “Bargin Hunting in the Bay Area”, that flew off the shelves and created a whole culture of shoppers who supported thrift stores, junk shops and outlets. It would be great to see something like that here on wOw.

By Maurine H on 11/20/2008 1:57 pm

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I know. It’s a price-point strata I’ll never quite understand. But I think people who are eager to define themselves in the upper echelons of monetary power and taste are all too eager to patronize designers and manufacturers who price their goods out of reach for those from whom these moguls would prefer to exclude themselves. The badge of aristocracy. The stuff here is probably just the bargain basement. So we might see that diamond-studded snowflake dangling from Andrea Mitchell’s neck before the winter’s through.

By Ms. Dee on 11/20/2008 2:28 pm

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oh yes Ms. Dee… those rose tatoo boots… me to!!! But then i have a boot fetish.

By Chrome Toe on 11/20/2008 3:53 pm

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Perhaps Wow is trying to draw a wealthier crowd. I think if they read even a portion of the bloggers comments they would know we’re not rolling in $$$$$$$$$$$$ Those how have the $$$$$$$$$$$$ are out working for it. Most of our bloggers seem to be retired or close to it.

By Dona Howlett on 11/20/2008 2:30 pm

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Dona, believe it or not, they read us. Honestly. I’m sure Joni would be the first to tell you she isn’t the same person she was when she was envisioning wOw…. She simply didn’t know we are out here. And she is responsive… Mary, oh, Mary lives on a yacht because she has closed herself off; you have to know there’s a reason for that. But the others? I think they are still incorporating what has happened to their minds, hearts, sensibilities, world view since they started this site.

By Mugsy Peabody on 11/20/2008 3:34 pm

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And, Mugsy, that’s just the point. Those of us who blog regularly on wOw are the ones who keep this site alive. It’s obvious that we are a well-educated but not overly wealthy group of women. If Joni is paying attention, (and I agree with you that she is), she should be learning that the middle class segment she meets here, is comprised of people who care about what’s going on in this country (and others), regardless of our positions. I’m just not quite sure what direction wOw is taking now - so many topics deal with superficialities. It seems to me that in the beginning months wOw was meatier - I loved the “Lost Heroines” topics and Ashley Judd’s diaries and some of the more philosophical topics and discussions. I have some thoughts about how to appeal to a broad base of articulate women bloggers. Maybe I’ll write to Joni.

By Maurine H on 11/20/2008 4:51 pm

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I think…. like Joni said above that this is an equal opportunity site. I think there are women on here who can afford some of these gifts. And if by chance there weren’t… come on people lighten up… it’s WINDOW SHOPPING. It’s fantasy. Not to mention there were some affordable gifts including a childrens book set. The fact that the country is in financial crisis and people are losing their jobs does not change the fact that there are beautiful expensive things to look at in the world.I don’t expect people with money to never show it. I don’t think that’s crass. Not to mention this is their site… they founded it… they run it… and it’s been a gas for all of us. if they want to look at things we know they can afford well more power to em.

By Chrome Toe on 11/20/2008 3:49 pm

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If I remember correctly, this site was initiated to gather merchandising data (preferences) on a segment of the population that, up until that point, has been virtually absent in the Direct Marketing files (we do not reveal ourselves willingly - in most cases, so … ). The site was established for esthetic reasons, but to test the preferences of women, who are known to hold the most wealth in our nation through inheritance, primarily.

By C jay on 11/21/2008 12:31 pm

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Opppps - s/b “not established for esthetic reasons … “

By C jay on 11/21/2008 12:33 pm

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hmmm… i had not known that. But i’ve always figured that it was started with some sort of money making goal. these are business women after all. this is one of the best women’s communication sites i’ve seen. i love it. so I have no problem with them gathering data or making money off of a good idea.

By Chrome Toe on 11/21/2008 1:19 pm

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I know I am taking a loan out right now to get that toy car. Sorry Kelly, Cannot agree. Yes it is their site, but it wouldn’t be successful without its readers and that’s us. Comments were made weeks ago about making this site inclusive for those of us who cannot afford such things, or maybe anything for Christmas in this economy. Now I see that Joni is “listening”. But my question would be “Why did it take WoW comments to show them what they should have already known?” They have read the many comments here, and we all know each other’s economic stories. I hope that recession-proof gift story post soon, because I am starting my shopping this weekend.

By Brooklyn Gal on 11/20/2008 4:41 pm

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Our family started back a few years ago just drawing names among the adults so that we could buy one nice gift for a person. Everyone buys for the children of course, they are the ones that really enjoy and make Christmas fun. But I hope too that the other gift story comes out soon because I would like to do my shopping a little early this year.

By Sandbee (FB) 54 on 11/20/2008 5:24 pm

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This WOW segment is like having a Nieman Marcus or Tiffany catalog and just drooling. Drooling is OK now and then if one is still happy with what is around us and affordable.

By Jeannot Kensinger on 11/20/2008 6:16 pm

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Yes, there is drooling. And when WoW first started, we did droll with the luxury reports. But, when people who had jobs suddenly don’t, and savings and investments dwindle into nothing, it’s time to stand back and say ‘How, as a website for women, can we help?”

By Brooklyn Gal on 11/20/2008 7:44 pm

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A $995 QUESTION MARK??? That is really disgusting. This reminds me of a discussion I was having in another thread about some exclusive schools overcharging the wealthy just because the wealthy THINK they’re getting more. I suppose people willing to pay $995 for a Question Mark would certainly be willing to pay nearly $27,000 a year for a PreK/K day school program without even batting an eye. You know, call me bitter, but my 26 yr old son could use a nice, warm, down coat this winter but doesn’t have the cash right now to buy it, so he’s wearing his wool coat with the hoodie under it. I would love to buy one for him, but it’s out of my reach as well…. and that slide show, beginning with the title “for sons and lovers” followed by that $995 Question Mark that, no doubt some woman with more money than sense is buying her son-who-has-everything this Christmas, makes me ill.

By DeBúrca obj on 11/20/2008 10:39 pm