PERSONAL BAGS

The latest trend for personalisation and customisation seems to be growing and also expanding across lots of bag categories. From luxury to the intensely personal, we take a look at some great examples.

This school rucksack from East London bag company,  GOODORDERING with its retro style pairs perfectly with the iconic Smily Face button badges shown above.

Of course Chanel's 'home made' style ruck sack from their SS14 catwalk show shows how extremely high end fashion can be inspired by the street.

This red clutch bag featuring oversized perforations comes with 80 attachable 'scrabble' style tiles which you can use to write a message on the bag, or you can just spell out your name. What i like about this bag is that it actually looks quite fashionable rather than overtly home made. The lettering is quirky and understated and the customisation method is simple and effective. There are more bag styles in this range but i think this one words the best, find out more by visiting We are Selecters website.

I have always absolutely LOVED charlotte olympia, and if i could afford one, it would definitely be on my 'buy myself a birthday present list'. This 'be mine' perspex clutch is on netaporter and features a cute personal message inspired by the retro sweets.

However, i'm much more of a fan of her crafty hand-embroidered book clutches and mini-bags such as this one above 'The Fog Boat Story'. I think they are really timeless and fun.

I think the glamour in faux customisation started with Stella McCartney ss14 (i think) where she designed bags and apparel with wonky beaded drawings. The elements are seeminly mismatched and misplaced like it has been done as a birthday card by a 3 year old. This naieve illustration is so cute and works really well on evening clutch bags. And of course was unashamedly copied by the likes of H&M, zara etc. Well, why wouldn't you! 

Here is a slighly more cleaned up version by Giuseppe Zanotti, you can really see how this trend has developed from clunky and naive attempts at personalisation through to more slick renditions of playful decoration. The trend of customised and personalised bags will defintely continue as well see technology allow the quick and affordable techniques to make this happen such as 3d printing and short run processes become more common place.

Check out more about bags on our facebook page. by the same name.

PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS

I have seen several high end interpretations of these iconic styles, done in leather and other luxury materials. They have a shabby, grunge feel about them. My fascination with these disposable shopping bags, especially when i first came across them in China town in NYC.

Someone else shares my fascination. As featured on trendland.com

NOT A GOOD TRAVEL BAG

This is not really a great travel bag for when travelling across international borders. It reads "this bag contains a gun, a bomb, a very large knife and loads of drugs". Unless of course you are planning a very sophisticated version of reverse psychology.

WOVEN PLASTIC BAG

JOSH BLACKWELL

This is a regular plastic shopping bag turned into a crafted basket with a bit of surface decoration. They are by an artist called Josh Blackwell and the project is called 'plastic baskets'. I like it alot
There are more photos to be found here: http://www.joshblackwell.com/

VEGETABLE BAGS

I have been inspired by bags designed or created for specific purposes. Just like camera cases and mobile phone bases, this is bag deigned for vegetables. Its designer accessories for the fridge.


This is the ideal replacement for all those plastic bags that get wasted and thrown away. The mesh construction allows the vegetables to breath but more importantly you can see the contents without having to open the bag. This would be the perfect accessory for my brand new fridge.


Baggu do some excellent bags, check out their website: http://baggubag.com they are so cute and to me represent the uniqlo or american apparel of the bag world.

SIDE BAGS

I have come across a sort-of trend where bags look like they are being carried on their sides. They have handles on their sides which allow and encourage new ways of carrying the bags. I like it.




From rucksacks to sports bags, its something really interesting. I saw once a girl crossing the road with almost all the contents of her bag spilling out almost falling onto the floor, and thought "why doesn't she hold her bag properly" well i guess she was trying out a new way of carrying her bag.

THE 90s

Did you have a stud machine in the 90s? I didn't. But i wish i had. I'm not sure why but this bag takes me back to the era of DIY decoration, the be-dazzler and such. The ultra cool, new thing about it is the wierd orderly fashion in which these little studs are arranged. It makes me imagine that some designer had received a swatch card of available studs and embellishments from the factory in china and decided to re-create the level of excitement faced when one comes across a sample swatch card.


Its like a little fishing tackle box where you have all your hooks and flies arranged in the little compartments OR some kind of wierd board game where you have to collect a certain number of stars or dome studs in order to progress to the next level.

Either way, this bag makes me feel happy. Happy in order. Happy in options. Happy in 90s embellishments.

STUDIO TOOGOOD

These bags are from Studio toogood, creative consultancy... its the kind of place that does, in my book, truly creative work. Everything on their site, i just stare at for ages... i don't even know where to start with these bags.


They are an eclectic collection of odd camera and lens cases, fixed up and lined with a futuristic gold lining fabric. Little straps have been added here and there, but overall they retain their gorgeous vintage feel.


Both the bags themselves and the installation / display which was part of London design week last year, are just sublime... the type of thing i wish i was involved in.


The bags look like archaeological artifacts dug up for display at a science convention...


Coupled with the modest, humble surrounds and the stark white walls, the bags are given individual personalities. Hanging from little hooks ready to be plucked by the lucky new owners.

Read more about them here: http://www.studiotoogood.com/Projects/Super-Natural

TASTEFUL FAUX CHANEL

I LOVE THIS!!!
In fact, i am feeling a Chanel graffiti attack coming on right now. The democratisation of luxury? A fine comment on haute brands? either way. It rocks.

LOUIS VUITTON PERSONALISED

There have been a of brands getting into this 'personalised / customised' area of accessories branding. People are looking for something special, well, beyond special even, they are looking for something UNIQUE.


Its easy enough for luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton to do this, afterall, they have always done it. Starting out in custom made luggage, the brand seem to have come full circle from their mass made luxury epi-leather super branded bags that we have come to see all over the place.


Here are some photos of bags that i took at a recent press day. They show the range of classic monogram bags adorned with stripes of colour and initialed in a modern painted style.


The idea is that you purchase the bag from a LV stores and choose your colour branding and state the initals that you wanted painted onto it. When the artwork is complete they post it out to you or you come and pick it up in store. Its a pretty chic way to customise the bags, but i say that they should go a step further and you should be able to take your old LV bags into the store for a bit of a graphic revival. I think slick modern paint on an old worn in LV bag would look fab. Much better than a brand new one, and LV would also be doing their bit for the old environment at the same time encouraging people to treaure their old vintage bags and think twice before buying a new one.

Hand made craft accessories

These handmade pieces are taking the fashion world by storm. If your grandmother or mum ever taught you how to crochet, sew or knit , you are all sorted with some amazing little crafty accessories.


They are best teamed up with some high-tech equipment such as an ipod , iphone, blackberry or laptop to emphasise that contrasting vibe. Don't be frightened of making mistakes either, the more wonky and hand made looking the better!


Even this little wristbadn is a gem, found on etsy (who can resist)


Fancy making a trivet to steam punk up your kitchen or dining table?


You don't need an overlocker just some bad tele to sit in front of whilst you make this cosy little jumper for your ipod.


Or if you like things a bit more consistent and you are feeling a bit advanced try out making a knitted laptop sleeve. How fab!

Bag collages

I like Photoshop sometimes. Here I have very roughly and quickly constructed a couple of bag collages. A new idea of things to show on this bag blog.


Here you have a tan matt leather shoulder bag superimposed with the purple patent leather straps of the iconic Mulberry bayswater handbag.



A bit of Juicy Couture on Mulberry action.


I'm not sure what the motivation is yet. I just like the idea of creating things from things that already exist and given that the web is a virtual forum, i think this is a good place for a bit of experimentation and exploration.

Louis Vuitton x Takashi Murakami “Monogramouflage”

Louis Vuitton x Takashi Murakami “Monogramouflage” Keepall 55

Vivienne Westwood Painted Bags

Vivienne Westwood's hand painted style bags.

Fendi Colour me Mine - colour in bag

This fendi bag comes with 10 pantone markers and the idea is that you create your very own personalised fendi handbag. I think its a cool story and a current innovative and playful idea.



Alot of people have dissed it but i think it plays on the whole concept of luxury itself.


You don't have to draw doodles over the whole thing, you could simple just write your name on it if you wanted to. Or write the name of your loved one on and give it as a present.


You could stalk a famous or notable artist and even get them to draw something on it. I can think of countless ideas for this little number. Nice one fendi.

Bag Customisation

Anya Hindmarch - 'Be a Bag' range where you send your snap in and have it be transformed onto a bag.


On the other end of the spectrum Timbuk2 are doing a very decent job of the customisation market. You can build your messenger to your very own spec. The prices are really competitive, only slightly more than what you would pay for one off the shelf. Have a go of it yourself here.



On the far other end of the spectrum since the beginning of time Louis Vuitton have offered a personalisation service where you can get your initials or family monogram printed directly onto your travel trunk. However, the price tag might be slightly higher than a timbuk2 messenger.



Freddy& Ma allow your design your own handbag by selecting from a wide range of fabrics - neat site too. While you are there you can design a matching cushion too.