SPOTS GALORE

Everywhere i look i see spots. Well thats an exaggeration, but i love spots, its like a neutral but a print at the same time. But gone are the days where spots are just retro and fade into the background a bit, the new spots are bold and have something to say for themselves.


These dalmation-style spots are graphic but have a sort of natural, random feel about them. They are certainly not random as they are clearly hand /computer generated but made to look imperfect. Some of the spots on the gloves are a bit more like splodges.


Here we have Marc Jacobs putting spots on unexpected surfaces like this shagpile rug bag for example. The spots are spread quite messily over the bag and they are interrupted by the seams, this, i like, its sort of a rebellion again perfect spots.


And then Marc Jacobs again, putting playful spots on serious bags, serious leather. The bags are almost graffitied by spots, and i love how they match in with the models hoisery.


Cute but granny at the same time, a fresh combination for winter.

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.

70s MACRAME

Here is a selection of macrame and jute bags mostly from the 70s. I was doing a little bit of research on woven bags and elastic and came across these on etsy. Don't you just love that site?!



I was extremely tempted to purchase this one which was going for just US$26, but really, do i need another bag? No!


I just love the neat rows of macrame that make up this bag and the contrast of the wood handle with the crafty feel of the main body of the bag. I also love the colours - just off whites which are so summery and fresh.


The slight deco patterning which adds a bit of subtle embellishment to the pattern.


The range of patterns and styles are just endless, and these are just a few of the images i found when i searched "macrame bag" on etsy. I wish i could do macrame, although mine would end up in a different category altogether. Perhaps experimental macrame or something like that.

My obsession with macrame continues on this previous post... http://anotherbagblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/macrame-and-stringy-bags.html

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.

FRUIT BAGS

Hermes have designed this extremely cute apple bag. Its sort of so bad that it is good. Actually, its not really bad at all. Just funny that you could carry something as simple as an apple around in something worth so much money!


Although, it is does seem a little unnecessary, its definitely cute, inventive and backs this up coming trend of quirky little bags for the party season.



And here is the famous Banana Guard, the predecessor of the Hermes apple bag. As silly as this might seem its really not a bad idea at all. These cases elevate the status of the humble fruit, a sort of back to basic reminder. I also love the idea of cases that protect specific things such as sunglasses cases and instrument cases, check out my 'case' tag on the right hand column.

If anyone find any more fruit style bags, please send them my way!

SISAL BAGS

I have been doing my regular etsy trawl-through looking at bags as usual and wanted to post these cool 80s sisal bags. I just love them. I still have my original one that i bought when i was 15, recently shipped it back with me to london from Sydney where i had it storing my socks.


They are part hippy, part hipster, super practical, strong and feature the most amazing range of colours and patterns.


Sisal goes Egyptian?!


I normally love them more when they have raw leather handles providing some nice contrast, but i equally love this handle detail which dips down the front.


This one is definitely my favourite, I love the etsy description:

"Deep Dark Autumnal 1980s or 70s Woven African Bag .vintage sisal ethnic ruck sack .tooled leather top with buckle strap .your new fave backpack or hippie diaper bag .you decide"

So true!


Check it out on etsy right now: http://www.etsy.com
There are so many nice 80s things on this etsy shop!

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.

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.

CAMERA BAG KATE SPADE

A very cute little bag by Kate Spade called Pocomo. It has a SLR camera embossed onto the front flap. Its a little different to lots of Kate Spade's other bags, but probably one of my favourites.


I love the combination of the boxy-ness and the tan colour with the simple outline of the camera.


A beauty of the moment. But comes at quite a price at $225, you can check it out here: http://www.katespade.com

Home is Where the Bag is by Jo Meesters

I love this oversized bag by Jo Meesters.