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/

LL BEAN

Apparently this is a World war 2 L.L. Bean officer's case. Definitely looks like it has been through the wars. It says on the inside tag that it is made in Maine. Its nice to see some authentic old stuff.
 I particularly love the metal zip. its in good shape huh!

ASSYMETRIC TOTE

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

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.

Home is Where the Bag is by Jo Meesters

I love this oversized bag by Jo Meesters.

JC DE CASTELBAJAC

You've got to love Bambi.


Woven carpet bag with embroidered Bambi and friend. This guy is seriously mental... in a good way. I met him at Bread and Butter a few seasons ago. Check out his website, but don't do it if you have epilepsy. http://www.jc-de-castelbajac.com/

JAS MB AT TRANOI FEMME PARIS

Bonjour, I just got back from Paris and the hustle of Fashion week where i checked out Premiere Classe and Tranoi Femme tradeshows. There was some absolutely fantastique stuff on show.


One of my favourite brands of all time is Jas M.B. Jas was at the show and I was even tempted to make a little personal order myself - which is this amazing 'Camera Case' cross shoulder mini handbag that you see above. I can't wait to receive it!


The brand has done some amazingly cool backpacks which are really lifestyle inspired and also pretty for what its worth.


This double strapped backpack is satchel inspired with the long leather straps and classic detailing.


In classic Jas M.B styling, this tote made from a coated canvas is accented with leather details.



The quality of leather is just to die for, take this, for example, clutch with removeable shoulder strap made from large grain leather. Pure luxury. I am really loving the simple shapes coming out right now with minimal hardware.


And for a little bit more bling, Jas M.B has done these tote bags with a very geometrical array of 'diamond' studded bolts.

I absolutely love the understated-ness of this brand. Minimal branding, minimal bling. Made in the UK and just good old fashioned fashion.

MENS SUEDE TOTES

In my humble observation, one of the nicest things going around at the moment are mens suede bags. Totes, sports bags and other more casual styles done up in luxurious suede in an array of different colours. Here below you can see an electric blue tote during Paris fashion week.



This isn't really suede, i know but its a really soft supple leather by Tillmann Lauterbach, Autumn/winter 2010/11


And here we have a chocolate brown gym back style by Hermes autumn/winter 2010/11


By Ermenegildo Zegna from spring/summer 2010. I love suede in these sandy, caramel colours.


Again by Ermenegildo Zegna from spring/summer 2010. This sort of plum colour suede gives off a dusty feel. I think the simpler the bag the better with suede, so no pockets and minimal hardware.

1970s VINTAGE LUGGAGE

I really love bags from the 1970s. I'm not sure whether its because its the obligatory 30 years ago to make them cool again or because i love vinyl. These bags below are vintage travel bags of the Samsonite and American Tourister variety made for the early days of mass plane travel.


The location of this umbrella pocket on the tote above is just superb.


And who can resist and angled front zip pocket.



This front pocket which is neither integrated or loose is also a winner. Looking slightly awkward stuck onto the front of this navy vinyl number. Even the width of the shoulder strap - neither wide nor narrow gets my creative bag juices flowing.


What about this suitcase sans wheels. I love the slightly elongated profile of it and the rounded badge stuck smack bang in the centre.


Loving the sliding shoulder pad!


And the very sight of this bag above reminds me of flared trousers and the Brady Bunch.


And, yes, you can have it all with this full family set of mustard coloured luggage. Who's up for a trip to Disneyland?

Tila March

I love Tila March. Its a brand which evolved from a meeting between a fashion editor and a marketing executive. the kind of story that makes you cringe with jealousy! The bags are fresh and simple and the colours are really amazing.



I really love this simple orange tote, these pics were from net-a-porter but i think the bag has been removed from the site to make way for the new collection.


The brand also does footwear, but i think the accessories are especially strong. its a sort of fusion between Orla Kiely and Anya Hindmarch.



The bags have such a strong graphic identity which is the theme that comes through in all the styles, you seriously have to check out the rest of the new collection on the website: www.tilamarch.com


Expect more posts by Tila March to come.

Maria Francesca Pepe

I love the style of Maria Francesca Pepe, the young italian designer who has an amazing rebellious style of design. Her jewellery pieces speak volumes and you really have to check those out but seeing that this is a bag blog, here are her bag pieces. I was recently lucky enough to get one of her lovely pieces of jewellery for my birthday which i absolutely love. Thanks Morgan!




The bags are contemporary in styling but have the sexiness and with the supurb quality of the Italians behind them. The perfectly balanced mix makes sense given that MFP studied at the Royal College of Art in London. The perfect mix if you ask me.


From womenswear to jewellery and bags, there is nothing that this designer cannot do with such original style.


The integration of jewellery into the hardware of the bags works so well giving loads of substance both to the pieces and to MPF as a brand.


Find out more by visiting her site: http://www.mfpepe.com

Martin Margiela Holdall

I JUST LOVE THIS BAG. its a Martin Margiela retro sports inspired holdall. With a spectacular material combination and colour blocking, it is so lush that i can't stop looking at it. I'm seeing this shape as the new barrel bag. watch out!




Leather and canvas combination of materials with Margeila's always keen eye for detail and branding.

Louis Vuitton and Stephen Sprouse

Here are a couple of pics of the result of Stephen Sprouse's collaboration with humungous fashion house Louis Vuitton. It launched at the beginning of 2009. Its luxury fashion meets street sport cool, from shoes, bags and other small accessories, this collection is pretty out there and colourful. Bold, expressive and brave are also words that come to mind.


I wish i could say that i hated this collection but the truth is, i don't. I think it rocks.


I'm not sure if i would ever be caught dead wearing any of these items but i'm sure there are alot of people who would. Its going to be ripe for knock-off city though, just you wait, all those chinese manufacturers are going to start leaking wonky versions of this purposefully wonky print.

SKULL BAG by Jacqui Ma

Just playing around.

Tote bag with relgious symbol graphic print application.


Leather bag made from perforated leather with oversized metal skull hardware attached to front.

Vivienne Westwood drawn bags Spring Summer 2009

I just love these Westwood bags from the Spring/Summer 2009 collection. The hand-drawn on polka dots add a personal touch to the normally perfectly manicured look of designer handbags.


The work-in-progress dots give the feeling that the bags are in the middle of being designed. It also makes you wonder whether its the spontaenous work of Westwood herself which make these bags even more fantastic.


Leopard skin contrasting with fat marker circles.


I love seeing these casual shoppers on the catwalk, adding a beach-like casualness to the whole catwalk scenario.