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/

FLORAL PAISLEY SHOPPER

Its a beautiful summer's day and i'm feeling floral. I love this vintage floral shopper. The proportions of this are just perfect and i love the simple clasp detail in the centre.

The floral paisley is embroidered onto this heavy fabric and finished off with simple red leather binding.

The shape is wide at the base and narrows to the top. I also really love the flat zip pocket with metal zip on the front panel.

The inside of the bag shows where the handles are lovingly attached and the additional inside pocket.

The bag has a home made feel about it, even though it probably is not home made. Even the little metal corner details are very dinky and cute. This is the kind of bag i can imagine a cool grandmother with oversized round sunglasses wearing slung over the forearm on her way to the shops in West London.

Curved edged suitcases. Are these real or is it an effect?

They are in fact real and by french luggage company Moynat
 It is called the Limousine Briefcase with a concave base inspired by the Limousine trunk.

RED HANDLES. HMMM

Doing a little bit of research into handles of shoppers, I came across this bag, its from etsy, sorry lost the link. Handles are going back to being really simple with hardly any hardware to be seen. Less is more and even to the extent that the same material and colour is used in the handle as the main body material. I really love this simple red shopper with a flat construction and little darts down the bottom.

VINTAGE HIKING

Backpacks, rucksacks, whatever you want to call them. They are not just sporty with puffy shoulder straps anymore but go back to their roots of vintage camping with military inspiration. Here are some amazing images of vintage ruck sacks, note the colours, the details and the subtle branding style which make these bags so delectable.

MULTI ZIPS

I'm liking the multi-zip thing. Layer the zips neatly. Stack them up.

SIDE HANDLES

I'm really liking side handles at the moment. Nice flat ones or even ones that do not really work - see the Jas M.B tan bag with the covered over handle.


This bag here is Jas M.B taken at Tranoi tradeshow in Paris a few months ago from their SS11 collection. I love the subtle (or not so subtle) allusion to the hidden handle and the general understated nature of the design.


This is a vintage bag from etsy. The front decorative strip may just be decoration but it reminded me of an oddly placed handle.


This is a recent photo from fashion week. This flat handle is actually functional but i love how it offers another way of carrying the bag but it also acts as a decorative detail.

The flat front handle is my decorative (or not so decorative) detail of the moment.

90s EMBELLISHED BAGS

Decoration is back. I'm loving embellished bags, 90s style. Geometric structured patterns work best. Hardcore studs, rivets and chains are the way to go. Mixed metallic finishes on heavy weight black leather is the way to do it.

WITHNAIL AND I INSPIRED BAGS

Inspired by the cult movie - Withnail and I, i did a bit of bag research. I describe the look as disheveled bourgeois or ramshackle. The movie is about a couple of want to be thespians out of work living in squalor in camden. They decide to go on a weekend away to uncle Monty's holiday cottage in the countryside where their domestic abilties are even more tragically hilarious.

Scratched leather frame bag. Adult version of a very serious school bag.

The slightly shiny leather on this bag coupled with the 70s style lock makes it a very nice understated business bag. Found on etsy.com

Hartmann travel bag, i imagine this is quite 70s.

I think this is a music bag - a sort of opening leather portfolio.

Vintage Gucci holdall

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.

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.

Lorinza Studs Backpack

I really like this bag. Its japanese... of course. The panel of studs mixed up with the highly rugged, performance construction brings a bit of city to the outdoors. Note - not everyone will be able to pull of this bag. i suggest starting with some skinny jeans...



As seem at http://www.highsnobiety.com/news/tag/lorinza/

ILLUSTRATOR COMPONENTS FOR DRAWING BAGS

As i have been designing bags for quite a while i have built up a massive library of bits and pieces that i have created in illustrator. Just thought i might share them with any other people who might be interested.


Here are a few clips / dog clips - the kind of hardware that come in handy for straps and buckles.


Just a few of the many many zip pulls that i have drawn. Unfortunately they are drawn straight on but i have lots drawn at wierd wonky angles as well.


And here are some of my lovely brushes. Zips and chains are my favourite. I can get quite obsessed with getting these right. Above, we have metal zips, plastic zips, nylon zips, a couple of varieties of chain including ball chain.

I can't quite figure out yet how to download here the illustrator document containing these brushes and components. So please bare with me. Otherwise if you want them in the meantime, just email me and i will send them to you.


JACQUIS BRUSHES -download here