Transparent bags

Transparent bags are still going strong. In the trend of exposing all our bits and pieces for everyone to see, clear vinyls and plastics are a key new material for accents and the main body materials. Try combining leather and tinted vinyl for an updated look.

CLEAR CLUTCH

You can have a bit of fun with fashion. Check out this clear clutch with a bit of a child-hood twist. Fashion meets fantasy. I really love it and the current trend towards transparent materials in accessories. You would hardly want to put anything inside though. Just a few crucial fashion items.

Henrik Vibskov

Henrik Vibskov does some pretty nutty designs, but normally i really love them. These laptop or ipad cases are genius, and especially cool if you are a regular taxi user.

CHALK BOARD BAG

Somewhere handy to keep the shopping list when you head out to pick up some groceries.

Alexandra Cassaniti

This bag is by Alexandra Cassanti available to buy from Creatures of Comfort.  It has a hand drawn paisley print which looks like it has been painted once the bag had already been made.  The rustic veg tanned leather combined with the drips and splatters make this bag pretty special and unique. This is art meets bag in a big way.

DIPPED

I like dipped coatings. I can't deny.



Jack Spade.

NATALIA BRILLI

She has designed everything from laptop cases to jewellery and covered a drum set in leather. I love her stuff, her name is Natalia Brilli and she is a Belgium designer. It is not often you come across a designer who has such a specific claim to fame / MO, but still manages to have so much variety and newness in her work. I came across her a few years ago, but still love her stuff as much as i did then.


Her stuff is quirky and playful, clever and sexy at the same time. Its like a small obsession she has not unlike me and tape (http://ilovestickytape.blogspot.com/) but has managed to make an international brand out of it.


The embossed objects which seem to sit below the surface of the black leather give clues as to what is enclosed, and take full advantage of the beautiful properties of leather.


All her pieces are hand made in Paris and i am continuously inspired by her evolving style and collections.

REHACER BACKPACK

These backpacks are by Rehacer which is a slightly elusive Brand which comes out of Japan. They have some amazing backpacks which combine the classic eastpack style with a touch of the wild, rugged outdoors. This one here is called the Deer Daypack, i figure there could be some deer skin involved, but either way, it definitely summons the feeling of the great American outdoors.


The natural leathers and suedes are mixed with some native embellishments such as beading and raw leather edges in a truly old street meets new street style.


The bags are understated and humble which is what i always love about Japanese style, it usually manages to get just the right mix of coolness with a very effortless vibe. It comes in three colourways - white, tan and black and each combine multiple materials mixing performance and luxury through its mix of details and fabrication.


It is one of the new executions of this classic shape that i have seen in a long time. The bags are available to buy through the Japanese shopping/style site : http://www.anoutcommune.com/ which also stocks a lot of very delectable items.

CHALK BOARD BAGS

You don't have to worry about getting pen on these bags. They are made from chalk board type fabric that you can personalise using chalk. I saw these bags a couple of season's ago in Paris at Tranoi.


The designs are by a couple of friends Luisa and Tine, and launched only a couple of season's ago. I love the stripped back style of these bags. They are part vintage influenced but also explore new and interesting materials and material combinations.


You can see the rest of their range here: http://www.tl-180.com

TO SHEARLING OR NOT TO SHEARLING?

It was always a bit of a question mark as to whether shearling / sheepskin would take off in the world of accessories.


Personally, i don't mind these two bags, the above one looks like a little sheep with handles and the bottom Celine one is actually quite cute.


I think it comes down to a question of function. Shearling on the outside of anything whether it be clothes or shoes seems a bit wierd to begin with seeing it is associated with keeping things warm and snuggly. In addition, sherling on bags is slightly wierd seeing there is no particular need for keeping say, your keys or wallet warm.

Make your own mind up, what do you think? To shearling or not to shearling?

WOVEN BAGS

Fashion seems to be heading back to the crafts. We are loving all things with a hand made feel and in this case its basket weave, raffia and woven details. These are best done with a nice modern contrasting touch.


This spring/summer 2011 Hermes bag combines the iconic Hermes style with a boxy basket weave topped off with some luxury leather trims.


These top loading baskets look thoroughly modern and chic even though they are made with old, crafty techniques. I love the raffia embellishments and the colours.


London based Jackson twins did this fun twist on a knitted bag. I love the light and airiness of this style and the innocent little message woven into the front panel.


This bag is from the Kaufmann Mercantile Store online which is one of my favourite places at the moment. It is a market and fruit picking bag with an added modern twist, the cotton backpack straps. It has a thoroughly peasant feel about it. Made from rattan, its original function is in harvesting and fruit picking. I think it would make a perfect market bag, and i absolutely love it!

This one is from etsy, it reminds me a bit of the chanel bags. I think the chain in combination with the basket weave gives the normally casual material a playful night time feel.


This one is the Fendi peek - a-boo bag done in raffia. It comes in three different colours and looks like it has been crocheted. I absolutely love this one and the blue leather trim adds a luxury but still understated touch.

BAGS WITH FACES

There is something a bit odd about bags with faces. Especially when the face belongs to the poor critter that has given its skin over to become a man-clutch bag as shown in the image below. This picture is by Yvan Rodic on his fantastic blog http://yvanrodic.blogspot.com/


I really want to find a few more examples of this type of thing. There is something slightly unsettling about this but at the same time probably a bit like wearing fur...

I would really love to see an obviously faux version of a bag like this.

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.

70S SUEDE PATCHWORK BAGS

These 70s style suede bags are nice. I like the craft meets fashion styling. I found them on etsy.

FENDI BAGS INSIDE OUT

These current Fendi bags are a design classic. This season sees them transform from the inside out. The subtle luxury of the brand is hidden on the inside of the bag, luscious leather and microscopic beading adorns the inside rather than the outside.

Of course we all know that the bags are carried 'open' letting it all hang out is a fashion must for all the ladies lucky enough to sport one of these. Who cares if you lose your blackberry, just buy a new one!





Hidden luxury is in, ostentation (is that a word?) is sort of sliding out.

Not necessarily a key trend in China but just wait, its taking off.

PARIS STREET SHOT

This is a photo taken in paris during fashion week a few weeks ago. It looks like a delicate business card holder, but i think its inspiration for a whole new genre of products. I love it.

ORNJ BAGS: ROADSIDE BARRICADE BAGS

These summery basket bags by ORNJ are handmade by Detroit-based artist and designer David Shock.


They are made of reused construction fencing, salvaged from abandoned fields and work sites.


You can buy them through their etsy shop here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/davidshockdesigns
and find out more information about them on their little website: www.ornjbags.com

I think they are elegant and decorative and not so much about recycling as they are about clever design.

WOODEN IPHONE CASES

I have been seeing SO much wood around lately... these iphone cases, eyewear, faux wood prints, footwear... aghhh, i'm almost sick of it... but not quite. These cases are from Brook Farm General Store. They have some nice stuff there.


They are made by a company called Vers based in Massachusetts and retail for US$39.99.


I like em, but they are slightly 'architect-y' style-y.


But a nice idea and nicely done yeah.

I apologise to architects out there for sterotyping, but if you own dark rimmed glasses or a black roll neck sweater... you know who i'm talkin about.

TOOL BOXES

I just love tools and I wish i could keep mine in a toolbox like this one. Its from Alice Supply, costs US$60 and is seriously nice.


The below one is a bit bathing ape and not quite as special but both of them together show what a fab product Alice Supply have come up with.


I only wish i could see a picture of the inside. It also comes in a Paul Smith-y stripey version but I couldn't bare to post it, not even to add to my 'irritating bags' section.

ALEXANDER WANG

This sexy little number by Alexander Wang is an 'it' bag that people actually buy and wear, i have spotted it being sported around shoreditch many a time. Its super accessible and you don't even have to live in west london to have it.


What i love the most is the soft marbled leather. Did i mention that beautiful soft supple marbled leather? Oh my god, its so nice. poor cows. I also love the slinky chain and the metal zips on the front two pockets with facing zip pulls.


This bag reminds me a bit of an old pair of jeans. Nothing too flash but luxurious in its minute and subtle details.


Slouchy is another word that comes to mind.


and here is a close up of the leather which has a sort of denim look to it. Back to watching CSI now...