Calvin Klein, spring 1998
Again–the color says it all…I had to have these seafoam green Italian-made sunglasses to wear with the bag(s)!
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Calvin KleinSeafoam Belt Bag
Calvin Klein, spring 1998
9 ¾” w. x 6” h. with a 5/8” belt
Exactly as in yesterday’s post, this chic little belt bag is quintessential Calvin Klein—perfect proportions, minimal details (no extraneous hardware!), and the softest Italian lambskin in a just-beyond-neutral seafoam green. The thin profile and supple leather keep the bag close to the body. This is not a tourist’s fanny pack! With its low slung belt, it is, however, a very modern way to carry your lipstick and look fabulous doing it! And obviously I’m addicted to this beautiful color.
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Calvin KleinSeafoam Shoulder Bag
Calvin Klein, spring 1998
11 ¾” w. x 5 ¼” h. with 8 ½” drop
This chic little shoulder bag is quintessential Calvin Klein—perfect proportions, minimal details (no extraneous hardware!), and the softest Italian lambskin in a just-beyond-neutral seafoam green. With its thin profile and short drop, this bag is designed to be worn high under the arm and close to the body. Hidden magnets snap the top edges together.
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Calvin KleinAsian Sandals
Calvin Klein Collection, summer 2006
These sandals define contemporary fusion fashion. The inspiration is the traditional Japanese Geta clog, but it’s made elegant with lacquered silver leaf and black suede, and very contemporary by the sexy wedge-shaped thong and gladiator laces.
Shortly after finding these at Sak’s Off Fifth, I was given the Issey Miyake bamboo and leather bag (06.19.2009)—it was serendipitous—they’re the perfect counterpoint!
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Issey MiyakeBamboo and LeatherDrawstring Bag
Issey Miyake, autumn 2006
4” x 4” base x 6” h. + cord
Adorable! This charming little bag is a unique combination of butter-soft leather and Kyoto bamboo with urushi lacquer. Hachiroh Kosuga, of the Kohchosai Kosuga Bamboo Gallery in Kyoto, is the bamboo designer. According to the gallery, “Kyoto bamboo gained the place in history when it was found ideal by Edison as the filament for his first electric lamps. And it is still highly prized for its purity, its natural flexibility and the living quality it retains even in finished works.
“With honor and respect for the bamboo, the craftsman combines his sensitivity and skill with this beauty in making a masterpiece. His creativity determines the value of the works.
“The delicate rhythm found in each piece is sometimes a harmony of the two.”
I was honored to be given this by a Japanese friend who knew of my passion for unique bags. It came from the Madison Avenue Issey Miyake boutique.
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Pleats Please by Issey MiyakeMohawk Bag
Pleats Please by Issey Miyake, summer 1999
5 ¼” w. x 11 ½” h.
This drawstring pouch looks like a Mohawk when closed! It’s made of a wonderfully papery-feeling, crispy polyester. It was both pleated and silk-screened after fabrication, which resulted in the color striation on the pleats and the bleeding on the edges of the violet color block. The top edge of the bag was laser-cut into strips which are supported at their base by the lining.
I found this little handbag in the Pleats Please shop in Soho in the summer of 1999.
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me by Issey MiyakeGrapes Reticule
me by Issey Miyake, summer 2007
5’’ diameter x 5 ½”—7” h. (stretches with contents)
This amazing little reticule is another example of Issey Miyake’s unrivaled ability to manipulate fabric to create volume. A shibori technique has been used to magically transform black polyester chiffon into an ethereal bunch of grapes! The pouch is lined with teal crepe de chine, which gives a glow to the “grapes.”
My dear friend and fellow Issey devotee gave me this treasure for my birthday. She purchased it at the Madison Avenue Issey Miyake store.
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Pleats Please by Issey MiyakeBilbao Bag
Pleats Please by Issey Miyake, spring 2008—“Bilbao Bag”
13 ½” x 13 ½” + adjustable straps
I love how this foldable, collapsible bag resembles origami! According to the MoMA website, “the construction of this bag is inspired by the panels of metal that steel workers fuse together to create a functional structure.” Perhaps it’s another homage to Bucky!
Just like the geodesic dome bag, the triangles are polyvinyl chloride fused to polyester, only for this bag the poly is a mesh which provides lightness and movement to the unlined tote. I first saw this bag in the autumn of 2004 in both pewter and bronze at the Issey Miyake Tribeca store—gorgeous! Check out the Museum of Modern Art Design Store and Takashimaya New York for the current color selection. And no, it’s not available at the Guggenheim Bilbao, but there are two very cool silver museum logo totes by Chus Bures in the museum shop.
Pleats Please by Issey MiyakeGeodesic Dome Handbag
Pleats Please by Issey Miyake, autumn 2003
13” diameter
When I first saw this in a boutique window, I thought it looked like a big squishy beach ball. Upon closer inspection, I realized it was a geodesic dome! I certainly can’t speak for Mr. Miyake’s design intentions, but to me it is a witty homage to the great Buckminster Fuller.
The triangles are polyvinyl chloride fused on polyester, made in Japan. A single magnetic snap closes the polyester lined bag.
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Jean Paul Gaultier Fork Sunglasses
Jean Paul Gaultier, c. mid. 1990’s
These hilarious sunglasses are the first thing I bought that was designed by the very irreverent M. Gaultier… and to think I found them at Marshall’s! I always laugh when I wear them, as does anyone who sees them.
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