Category: Bags
Hands up x
I’ve mixed up the pics of mens and women gloves, mainly because I don’t like segregation of any form; I think it leads to the worst kind of fomo. And because it generally leads to the men getting the cleaner, stronger designs. Which is not to say these gloves by Mabel Shepherd aren’t fab and certainly deserve a place on both ‘presents to give’ and the lust list. Can you tell which one is which?
(All pics Pinterest and Mabel Shepherd)
Except the computer had other dividing ideas – still, do you mind your designs conforming?
Laters, Kate x
Tara x
Tara Button and her website Buymeonce are a blast of fresh, spring air.
Tara’s concept is simple – our lives have been stuffed full of things we’re told we need that lets us down so she has been on a mission to track down the best quality and investment pieces that every house actually needs.
This resonates so much it almost hurts: I too am tired of this modern life that believes it can tell me who I am through the purchase of a skin cream, what I need: permanent upgrades and who I should be: spending lots of money, constantly implying that the real me isn’t good enough.
Just open your eyes to the insistent message of the season: Spring clean your wardrobes/house/family/life – it’s time to refresh!…The underlying, insidious message being that we will make you insecure to make you buy more.
(All pics Buymeonce)
Is it norm corm in the extreme? I don’t know. But what I do know is that we can’t spend our way to happiness and something needs to change. This seems a very good place to start.
Laters, Kate x
First impressions x
Ashya x
The marmite of the bag world: The fanny pack, the bum bag, the bag that is awesomely functional but struggles to be beautiful. Until now.
Feast your peeks on these beauties: Made by Ashya, a Brooklyn based design label who wanted to produce an unconventional and reimagined look for a luxury bag.
Bumbags have always had a place in my heart – I possess two – but high on the lust list has been a leather utility styled version with a masculine edge: These tick that long sought for box.
The company takes it’s eco credentials seriously – the bags are produced locally in NYC’s garment district, as is the hardware used.
(All pics Ashya)
They’re not a cheap option, but that’s the incentive of buy less, buy better. This is an investment that will just get better with age.
Which has to be a good thing.
Laters, Kate x
I spy x
Is it possible to be unflamboyant yet charismatic?
The washable paper bag Collection from Uashmama would shout a resounding yes!
The vaguely eastern exotic name is actually designed and handcrafted in Tuscany by a company created by 4 sisters in homage to their mother.
Made from a 100% washable cellulose eco-friendly material, the paper is made using virgin fibre from cultivation not deforestation, it’s lightweight but feels like leather and washes like a fabric and the price point is excellent: from £8 to £116 (the man who’s so hard to buy for? Nailed.)
(All pics The Future Kept)
Honest, thoughtful and self effacing: Feel the force.
Laters, Kate x
Elvis & Krasse x
Elvis & Krasse are one of those companies that make you wish you were them. At their workshop based in Kent, they rescue raw materials destined for landfill and recraft them into authentic luxury items. Donating 50% of their profits to charity means their Godly status is secured.
Two projects are their mainstays – working with de-commissioned fire hoses that once lived in hell and are now made in heaven.
And working with Burberry on the global issue of leather waste, using their cast offs to create inventive designs.
Their products are built to last, combining world-class handmade craftsmanship with timeless design. And they also repair for life for free. Yes. You can read that again and believe it.
Loved and honed into existence, this is one Company to remember.
Laters, Kate x
Street style x
Bags of love x
It was on Wednesday when the realisation struck that I was already down to one pair of school socks between the two of them. I high-tailed it to Oxford street, partly because I wanted speed…partly because I had an ulterior motive: A few weeks ago, after years of drought, I’d spotted that the stalls selling the touristy type of tat usually avoided had started selling designer rip-offs again. I’m not a great fan of faking it make it..except if you want to do something a bit radical.
I’ve been wanting to cover a recognisable designer bag in junk for sometime (sort of inspired by Anya Hindmarch, but also by an earlier random street style photo of someone carrying a battered Louis Vuitton bag covered in sewn on patches). This is just the start – the idea is to cover as much of the bag as possible.
Except maybe the back.
Laters, Kate x
J’adore..
If I was a trust fund babe, this would be my luggage of choice.
Made in America by Steamline, they’re the perfect marriage of the elegance of yesteryear and the practicalities of modern performance: Handcrafted in leather and brass they swear to be lightweight and durable.
In the past, Louis Vuitton held the aspirational luggage high ground – but it’s now so tinged with the fake tans of tv reality star wannabees that to say your luggage is LV is like announcing to the world that your coat is fur and your knickers are missing.
After years of broken zips, plastic and making do, maybe it’s time for a change…these are certainly on the list of lust.
Laters, Kate x
Sensi x
Poor kids. Summer uniform became compulsory on Monday, all light cotton and ankle socks…and it actually snowed here last night. Not like an alpine blizzard but it actually settled…cars were covered. It’s an issue: Within one day we can experience a years weather: Spring, summer, autumn and winter…it certainly makes for interesting times.
An ideal outfit would be this dress from Sensi Studio for the summer sun, teamed with a pair of wide legged trousers for the autumn drop (replace or remove as required)..and a duvet for the cold.
Sensi Studio is a new label for me…I like the fact it utilises Ecuadorian artisans and their many skills with simple lines and interesting additions.
Love!
They also make mean raffia bags and panamas.
(All pictures Sensi Studio and Net-a-porter)
One to watch.
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 