FB LOVES
WHAT’S STRIKING OUR FANCY THIS MONTH
Material Concerns

Ostrich. Pony. Metallic lizard. To all the exotic handbag materials out there, we”re adding one more: oilcloth. That’s because, at least as rendered by Michelle Sommer and Yvette Yelardy, the hardy material comes off as casually cool, utterly touchable, and endlessly practical. (Made from cotton surface-treated with vinyl, the duo’s line of water-repellent pieces is precisely the thing for a Boston spring.) Based in Brookline, Sommer and Yelardy originally created their tote bags and clutches to handle the rigors of the mom-on-the-go lifestyle but also maintain the luxurious feel of supple calfskin. (They commissioned Korean manufacturers to make the specialty fabric especially for them — the soft-est vinyl-coated cotton your hands may ever touch.) But beyond combining softness and durability, the partners have infused the bags with serious style — starting with patterns like chocolate filigree and pomegranate herringbone that are so fetching, we’re ready to call them our new grommet-studded snakeskin. I MY OILCLOTH, $18 TO $228, AVAILABLE AT VELVET RIBBON, 1620 BEACON ST., BROOKLINE, 617-277-0066, MYOILCLOTH.COM.

Park Service

One thing Boston and Paris have always had in common: an enduring adoration for their respective parks. As of this spring, you can credit that shared love not only for some stunning landscaping, but also for an impressive new accessory. In honor of our city’s annual Party in the Park, Hermès has broken out its sketchbooks to create a scarf sold exclusively to support the 6th annual event to benefit the Emerald Necklace Conservancy (which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year). Taking our city’s green spaces as inspiration, the French house has captured an idyllic spring scene on silk in either yellow or orange, and is handing over a portion of the proceeds to the Justine Mee Liff Fund for the Emerald Necklace Foundation. The Party in the Park, which will unleash its gala in the Back Bay Fens’ Kelleher Rose Garden on May 13, has become known chiefly for the exquisite hats donned by its attendees. Which could set the scene for a spirited competition between signature accessories: Will it be the scarves, or hats, that take the spotlight? I FOR PARTY IN THE PARK TICKET INFORMATION, CALL 617-522-2700, EMERALDNECKLACE.ORG. SCARVES AVAILABLE AT HERMÈS, 320 BOYLSTON ST., BOSTON, 617-482-8707.

Brilliant Ideas

Gigantic, boldly colored jewelry may be a thing of last year’s economy, but the Elizabeth Taylor in us still finds herself looking around for sizable sparkle wherever we can find it. Which is why Knight & Hammer’s latest ring, Big Love — dubbed such in honor of the nickname given to designer Joseph Knight by his Boston fan club — caught (and kept) our eye. The megawatt rock (88 carats of quartz) is an oversize cocktail ring in an exclusive special cut (a cabochon top and faceted bottom) that’s offered in just about every color, from mandarin orange to deep purple. Grab one in sterling silver for a statement bauble that only looks like a splurge (at $835) or invest in an heirloom-worthy version in yellow or pink gold ($5,370). Both of which Elizabeth would surely approve. Big time. I AVAILABLE BY APPOINTMENT AT DANIELA CORTE, 91 NEWBURY ST., BOSTON, 617-262-2100, DANIELACORTE.COM.

Face the Enemy It’s around this time of year that we start remembering our faded New Year’s resolutions: the five pounds we plumb forgot to lose, the art classes we never signed up for, and the regular massage appointments we were too stressed out to make. But this spring will be different (we swear) now that we’re armed with the new Beauty In: Toxins Out Detox Duo by MD Skincare. Detox Duo clears skin of environmental pollutants with two products: bath crystals and an antioxidant enzyme buff, both of which are made with natural, vegan-friendly ingredients (shea butter, halite crystals, oatmeal) and left our faces newborn-soft. Then there’s the bonus: both products contain aromatherapy agents to help relax you. So you might be able to finally remember to book your masseuse after all. Not that you’ll need to. I MD SKINCARE DETOX DUO, $55, AVAILABLE AT SEPHORA, THE SHOPS AT THE PRUDENTIAL, 800 BOYLSTON ST., BOSTON, 617-262-4200, SEPHORA.COM.

Style of Substance If there’s one thing we can all applaud (and open our wallets for), it’s extraordinarily good clothes that help an extraordinarily good cause. Throw in a world-class runway show by a renowned designer in an elegant hotel, and, well, that’s the sweetest possible icing on the cake. Hence our delight at Carmen Marc Valvo’s latest collaboration with cancer survivor Carol Arrick-Wells and Ovations, the Massachusetts organization that raises money and awareness for the cure of ovarian cancer. Valvo, whose designs have graced everyone from Catherine Zeta-Jones to Oprah to Kate Winslet, eschewed a show in Manhattan this year in favor of unveiling his creations in Boston. In a time when budgets are tight and giving to those in need is more important than ever, Valvo’s top-notch designs are a welcome lift. Stop by the champagne reception after the show to meet the designer himself, thank him for opting to show in Boston, and raise a glass to one of the best style decisions we think he’s ever made. I AT THE LIBER T Y HOTEL, 215 CHARLES ST., BOSTON, ON MAY 2, 2:30 P.M. PURCHASE TICKETS AT OVATIONSFORTHECURE.ORG/EVENTS.