Trends come and go and styles ebb and flow, but once in awhile the world of fashion springs something on us so unforgettable, it goes down in history.  Spring 2010 may have given birth to one of those memorable moments.  The mother of this infant is the every so controversial Alexander McQueen.  The baby is the dreadful Armadillo Shoe.  Three models quit rather than risk their necks (and ankles) navigating the catwalk in what appears to be the brainchild of an artist gone mad.

These shoes have made a brief but noticeable appearance off the catwalk by possibly the only woman that that can pull off the look without sending the world into shock: Lady Gaga.  McQueen should take note, however, that there is only one Lady Gaga.  McQueen, we appreciate your talent and your willingness to take fashion beyond the extreme, but there is a fine line between wearable and art.  Guess which category these shoes fall under?

The polar opposite to McQueen’s monstrosity is Lanvin’s ladylike red stiletto.  The bold hue sends a strong message of empowerment while the thin heel reminds the men that empowered can still be sexy.  The ankle strap is a refreshing change from the increasingly wild cutouts seen over the past few seasons.

Turning his back on the words “oversized bag” is Derek Lam.  His Elsa Clutch manages to be fun, sophisticated, sporty and chic all at the same time.  What makes the Elsa truly unique is the strap placement – it is attached to the front of the bag.  This enables the carrier to slide her hand down the front or simply carry it like a traditional clutch.  Although this is a simple, almost understated change, the impact is noticeable and very welcomed.

Maybe Fendi is trying to top last year’s Skunk bag, but a clear, plastic looking clutch is not the answer.  The clear clutch is not the only disappointment from this top designer.  The entire spring handbag collection lack cohesion.  While there are some beautiful bags, nothing stands out as special or even unique and when the collection is viewed as a whole, there are no unifying agents to pull it together.  It appears to be a random collection of thoughts, stitched together and put, with haste, on display. 

When spring is in full bloom, everything is fresh, new, and exciting.  This season’s accessories are no exception.  Designers have given us a taste of everything from the bizarre to the sublime.  It up to us to discover which look we want to adapt, but with all those tasty new accessories decorating the runway, it’s also a great time to try something new.