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

WHAT DRAMA SHOPPER

This is the kind of drama you get to see at London fashion week. Great bag. Love a bit of typography!

HOT WATER BOTTLE BAG

These quirky bags are from Italian designer Gianmarco Godi. They are called Bagigia - the hot water bottle dressed in leather. They are very cute, neat and quirky and when i stopped the italian man with the waistcoat when i was at Tranoi in Paris during fashion week to ask about the bag he was wearing, it was Gianmarco himself.




These bags are super niche and quirky and i just couldn't resist posting them here. Especially because i have been seeing them dotted around fashion week and the designer himself.. well , what a nice man!

CHILD LIKE BAGS

These bags from the autumn/winter 2011/12 catwalks are larger than life. The below clutches by Louise Gray are definitely lots of fun and look like they have been designed in some kind of dream state. Puffy handles, patch work materials and paintbox colours which swirl and clash are lots of fun on the catwalk.



The proportions of the handles on this bag combined with the narrowness of the bag makes me laugh.


Its like craft day at kindergarten, but in a wierd way, i sort of like it.


This one here is a real doozy. Its by Jean Paul Gaultier and its basically a fur lined shopping trolley, the kind you see old grannies wheeling around the high street. The bag has been edged with fur in a way which almost looks like it has been edged with pieces of steak - sloppy and shoddily done which gives it a very strange, almost barbaric feel.

CANVAS RUCKSACK TO LOVE

This ruck sack is to die for, just love the detailing and the proportions of the front straps. Sorry to whoever it is on etsy who posted it who i can't credit because i am crap and lost the link.


Ruck sacks are still the 'it' bag of the moment, maybe its because i am cycling around everywhere and seeing them all the time, but either way, dressy day time backpacks are growing rapidly day by day in popularity.


I really love seeing personal creations on etsy - people making their own bags, its probably not really all that hard, especially simple ones like this made from humble materials such as canvas / cotton or even waxed canvas or coated nylon.

CROCHETED AND STRINGY BAGS

I recently started doing some crochet. Its fun, if not a little hit and miss. So far i have sort of got the impression that it doesn't really matter if you make a mistake, it still looks cool.



Anyway, this inspired me to look into crocheted bags, i really like the cleanness of these. They are simply and minimal but still have that gorgeous crafty feel.


I like the idea of using really thin elastic to crochet bags so they are a bit bouncy.


This one here is by The Jackson Twins based in West London.


Mostly the rest of them i found on etsy. I think the coloured crochet really works well with wooden hardware. Not sure why, it just does.

LIBERTY SUITCASE HANDBAG

The Liberty collaboration with Merci store in Paris was very cool. Here is one of the little suitcase style bags that resulted. It is the perfect marriage i think- beautiful graphic print in soft cotton coupled with a classic 'globetrotter' style case with wood details.


The price was really great too, i think it was less than £30 or something like that. The Merci store is definitely worth a visit... or 10. I go there every time i go to paris, and i get slightly lost getting there every time too.

http://www.merci-merci.com/

BILLY KIRK BIKE BAG

I LOVE THIS. i want one. I know it would rock on my bike! I love that it is made in the US of A, and I love that it is so simple and honest and cool.


http://www.billykirk.com/

MORE OLD SCHOOL BACKPACKS

Here are some oldy worldy inspired rucksacks or backpacks whatever you would prefer to call them. I love this super boxy number just below. It reminds me of the old fashioned Globetrotter luggage made from compressed cardboard like a lot of us used to use as school bags all those years ago.


There has been a resurgence to backpacks particularly in the fashion world of late. Lets face it they are very ergonomic and comfortable.



I really like the combination of materials used in these satchel style bags. The long leather straps combined with canvas or oiled cottons... hmmmm. yum.


This photo was taken at the Fuji rock festival in Japan. They have lots of cool bags over there! Every time i go to japan i cannot resist buying bags.

PRINTED BAGS

These bags are a clever idea that i bet has been thought of loads of time, but someone has now actually done it, and done it quite well i think. Its the classic designer handbags such as Hermes Birkin and like printed onto the relatively disposable and super cheap but iconic canvas shopper.


I particularly love the quality of the print and the vibrancy of the colours that has come through.




And the printing of the base is pure class!


You can find out more about this on this fab site i found these bags at: weareselecters.com