Fashion

Get Ready To Be Shocked By This Brand Makeover

by Tyler Atwood

Life in New York City may be centered around a sense of urgency and purpose, but at the launch of Kipling's Always On Collection at Grand Central, the theme was all about balance. The new collection heralds inspiration from the modern woman-on-the-go, with roomy top-handle totes and cross-body bags for keeping all of your workday essentials handy. And thanks to a design overhaul, each piece in the Always On Collection has a utilitarian-chic spin from autumnal plaid material to burgundy faux-crocodile. Highlights of the collection include the moss-and-caramel-colored Everleigh Handbag, whose envelope shape recalls the quintessential Celine Trapeze bag, and the Chrissa Bag with its rich wine-hue and petite size. Buh-bye, nerdy backpacks of our past.

The handbag launch itself encouraged the same balance of style and practicality, allowing guests to unwind after a long day of work with a custom manicure, a massage, and a scoop of Ciao Bella gelato or a glass of prosecco depending on one's mood. The revelry was accompanied by a DJ set by Harley Viera Newton, who kept the playlist uptempo and filled with both classic and modern hits. Guests chatted and posed under a gazebo-sized replica of a Kipling bag and took the chance to kick back in a living room-style setup thoughtfully provided for weary attendees.

The next time you too feel as though you're "Always On", remember to restore your inner balance with a glass of wine, a sweet treat, and yes, a Kipling bag.

Images: Courtesy of Kipling