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/

MERCHANT & MILLS OIL SKIN BAG

I like the narrow handles of this bag and the inbalance (or balance) of proportion. The simple oil skin canvas bag is accented by thick but narrow quality leather shoulder straps.You can buy this bag here at the Merchant & Mills shop. They have a real bricks and mortar shop in East Sussex. I will keep this in mind for my next road trip. This bag retails for £48 not bad.

Goodordering back pack

Kickstarter project by East London bag designer Jacqui Ma is funding right now. Don't miss out on getting yourself one of these cool back packs at a really amazing price.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jacquima/goodordering-bags

Goodordering Cycle friendly bags

Cycling has definitely taken off as the transport of choice in many urban settings. So what better accessory that a fashionable bicycle bag. These ones are designed by yours truly and available for a limited time through Kickstarter. It is a crowd funding tool which i am aiming to raise the required sum for in order start getting the bags manufactured.

Click here for more info and to back the project: Goodordering Cycle bags by Jacqui Ma. Designed in East London, made in Shenzhen.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jacquima/goodordering-bags

The range consists of backpacks, and cycle friendly pieces that attach to your bicycle and then transform seamlessly into shoulder bags.

You can also get more information about the bags by visiting : www.goodordering.com

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.

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!

TRIANGLE AND PATCHED

I like small triangle bags. This one is made from patches in leather that reminds me of the 1970s. Its modern and vintage at the same time.

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.

WILLIAMS BAGS

These extra-ordinary bags by Williams British Handmade are by Sarah Williams. Generally the pieces are artworks inspired by vintage bags and made into strange shapes. They utilise traditional craftsmanship techniques and translate them into ultra-modern abstract pieces which seem to tell a strange, fantastical story.


See more of these amazing pieces at: http://www.williams-handmade.com/collections.html


I'm not sure what this bag is designed to carry, maybe a piano accordian?

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.

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

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

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/

RUSSEL'S BAG - SCHOOL BOY CHIC

This is Russel and his backpack.


Its like a briefcase with backpack straps which convert when unhooked into a shoulder bag.


The inside is decked out with lots of pen holders which comes in handy when you want to be organised.