Retro Travel Bags

I can't get enough of these retro travel bags from brands like samsonite and american tourister. What are the equivalents of these bags now that we will look back on with nostalgia?

From the piping to the chevron on the zip closure the details are really nice, it also helps that this bag is in great condition. This one was found on Etsy, one of my favourite places to find these kinds of bags.

Check out this tumblr blog featuring nostalgia and inspiration from this era.

http://goodordering.tumblr.com/

ASSYMETRIC TOTE

I like this, it is asymmetric, but not in a corny way.

MADMAXX

NEXUSVII have done a collaboration with Japanese legendary bag company Porter to come up with this dark and delicious collection. It fully explores the mash up between fashion and active sports, and reminds me of what would happen if a vintage hawaiian shirt had a crash with a New York bicycle courier.

The collection is featured here on Hypebeast there are a few more pieces to this collection but these are my favourite.


The collection is part of the Spring/summer 2011 collection appropriately named "you are my sunshine" and explores new technologies which allow photo printing on fabric to reach a whole new level of vividness and commerciality.




I feel like this collection is truly unisex with a sultry hawaiian vibe. The colours are super saturated and rich and the print pattern is intense and believable. Like.

FREITAG TOTE

Freitag is still a cool brand and they are re-inventing themselves through a more grown up line as well as some very nice new shapes. Take this tote bag for example with a messenger style shoulder strap.


Its like a functional over night bag that can be slung over the shoulder and worn whilst riding a bike. I sold my old Freitag on ebay a year or so ago and i sort of regret it.


I'd like to get a new one but they are quite expensive. But worth it, as they are the original tarpaulin bag. There have been lots of copies, but none are as good.


Loving the Freitag. Nice work.

WHITE ON WHITE MESSENGER

This bag is lush. White on white is nice.

MINI MESSENGER BAG

I'm feeling rather silly today. This is what i wish i looked like for one day. If i looked like this, i would stay home all day lazing on the couch with my crocheted bag stroking it gently with my fury hands. I may be slowly going mad, either that or i have been hanging out with quirky swedish people too much of late.

Chapman Bags

When i was at Bread and Butter (tradeshow) the other week, i came across Chapman bags, they are handcrafted english bags of the most deliciously luxurious quality. What was extra special about this season's collection is the colour. Gone are the olive green's, browns and tans, and in come one of the hottest colours of the season... purple.


This fishing bag with net front pockets is one of the old school formats finding its way back into urban life. I see loads of these bags being ridden around london when i'm on my bicycle riding to work. I love the matching colour net and the brown leather trims.

And the shopper is also pretty cool, but maybe doesn't translate as well to modern urban life than the fishing or messenger styles but completes a nice collection.

The barrel bag is one of my all time favourites, this large one is man-size and perfect for an overnight, or gym bag. So for about £100 its luxury, fashion and heritage in one.

Solar Panel Bags

Here is a collection of solar panelled bags which i have stumbled upon, browsing around the web. From the very sporty outdoorsey beginnings of solar bags, they have come a long way, but yes, still have a long way to go.

Noon Solar bags (http://noonsolar.com)

These ones by Noon Solar are pretty cool, with a lifestyle feel, they integrate this high technology into bags that you want to actually carry. Below is a bag by one of my favourite Thai designers (oops forgot the name of the brand but will get back to you). The black panel in the middle isn't actually a solar panel, but i reckon it could be.

Painkiller Mademoiselle autumn/winter 2008/09

I really feel that things are just at the beginning with solar powered bags, especially now when we are practically non-existent without our mobile phones / blackberrys / iphones / ipods. In countries like Australia, and South America, there is really no excuse to use the sun to charge our phones, slightly more far fetched in countries like the UK, especially in winter, but its still only sunlight that is required to make this happen.


These bags above have the solar technology a little more integrated and there is a bit more design going on but they still look a bit like a school project.



These are also by Noon Solar, above, i think they look pretty fab for a high tech bag. They take about 6-8 hours to charge and more on a cloudy day and thats enough to charge your phone or ipod. The technology hasn't yet got to the point where you can charge a laptop but i think this capability is well on its way.

Doors Jas M.B

I just bought a new bag. Thats a big deal for me as I find it hard to find the right one, being obsessed and surrounded by them all the time.


My bag of choice was a Jas M.B small 'wings' which is hard to describe any other way but beautiful. Its made from solid quality leather, unfussy, honest in construction and unpretentious in logo branding.


Find out more about this much loved brand and Jas M.B on their website www.doorsbyjasmb.com


Each bag seems slightly different and take on the characteristics of the individual leather skin they are made from. The branding is hardly visible and the bag ages with use as it should.




The bags are versatile both in their image (what outfits you can wear them with) as well as function. Mine has 3 different ways of holding it - shoulder strap, grab handles and short shoulder strap and i do actually use all three of them.

The napBook - Pillow and Bag in one

Its the napBook - a pillow and a laptop bag in one. Designed by icelandic designer Hafsteinn Juliusson, its pretty self-explanatory. Quirky and probably quite protective to your laptop as well.


Visit the website at http://hafsteinnjuliusson.com

Margaret Howell and Head Porter Collaboration

These bags here are the result of the various collaborations between iconic english designer known for her classic style and japanese bag company known for their edgy, iconic (and overpriced bags). I have to be honest and say that i'm not sure this match is one made in heaven.



The Japanese are known for their individual style and we all know that they love english classic styling but just throwing these two together and waving a magic wand for a bag collaboration isn't necessarily going to work straight off... and i don't think it does.



These courier bags are like cheap Porter versions with no real distinguishable personality. They are neither Margaret Howell or Porter but somewhere in between.

More Leather Satchel Bags

This backpack style satchel bag isn't exactly ergonomic, but when it comes to style, its a classic.

Leather Satchel Bags from Ebay

Here are a collection of leather satchel bags found on ebay. A wide variety of different shapes and sizes featuring lots of different types of buckles and straps.









I found these really inspirational.

John Galliano Autumn/winter 2008/9

I am really feeling men's bags at the moment, these bags are hot off John Galliano's autumn/winter 2008/09 catwalks in Paris. They are rough and tough and very masculine. This is a returning trend - the ultra-masculine, coming through both in mens and women's fashion.


The leathers are dry and textured with imperfections. The colours are tough and the cuts of the bag look like they have been made by cavemen. (as do the models)

Raw edges and torn finishes with roughly placed studs and buttons make the look raw and wild.


This elongated messenger looks like it has a sheep skin interior lining worn across the body either at the front or back. The hardware has a hammered brushed finish and looks like it could have come from an old gate.

Knog cycling bags

Knog, the aussie brand specialises in cycling gear and their couriers and messengers are the talk of the town. Their website is also very slick with a very strong brand identity. Watch out Crumpler, you have a new kid on the block. www.knog.com.au


With a distinctive crumpler look, the bags are not the most original in the market but i think there is enough room for another slick aussie brand that uses a great combination of materials and colours in the cycling market.

Rootphi and Timbuk2 Collaboration - Lamitron

As reported on the Cool Hunter website, RootPhi is currently working with Timbuk2, a San Francisco based messenger bag & accessories company, on a special project. Its all about using recycled materials in messenger bags. RootPhi has developed a recycled fabric called Reclaim. Made from polyethylene. It is an amazing technology which turns plastic bags into a strong durable fabric suitable for use in bags that get bashed around alot.


It is an amazing idea and a solid application of the technology. Timbuk2 who is very well known for their simple messenger bags that is all about the material, this is definitely a great colab idea and i can't wait to see more happening within this area.


One of the best things about this technology is that the process allows you to still be able to see the detail in the original material, visible recycling technology. Great work guys! Find out more about Rootphi at www.rootphi.net

After a bit more snooping around, i've found out that Target has put a 'cease and desist' order against Timbuk2 for showing the target bullseye logo on their recycled product. To be honest i can't believe that Target don't see this as an opportunity for them to get some good green publicity. This has caused Timbuk2 to to though in their words, "the ridiculous process of identifying and removing any Lamitron bag that contains the Target logo."

Ridiculous i would say. Target you are complete idiots and I think have drawn more negative publicity to yourselves by doing this.

See more info on this on Timbuk2's site here.

Paul Smith Printed Ghetto Blaster Bag

Paul Smith's printed Ghetto Blaster bag is an very literal execution of this fantastic idea. I've seen a few different takes but i like the high resolution of this one.


I also like that the bag has a soft construction which make the buttons and knobs warp with movement. Nice one Paul Smith. Now do something nice with your women's collections.