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 …
Tag Archives: Designer Handbags
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 …
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 …
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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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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Jean Paul GaultierLaser-cut Shoulder Bag
Jean Paul Gaultier, spring 2000 12 ¾” w. x 15 ½” h. Another pristine bag from spring 2000: minimally detailed shoulder bag of smooth black leather with laser-cut edges and a cord-attached fabric pocket. Even though the leather has a rigid appearance, it is flexible enough for one handle to invert into the other to …
Jean Paul GaultierFingerholes Bag
Jean Paul Gaultier, spring 2000 9¼’’w. x 11’’h. Smooth black leather “fingerholes” bag with laser-cut edges and a cord-attached fabric pocket. I purchased this bag at Galerie Gaultier, Rue du Faubourg Saint Antoine within hours of arriving in Paris on a handbag shopping expedition. After seeing a thumbnail-sized photo of a flap version of this …
Jean Paul GaultierBracelet Clutch
Jean Paul Gaultier, spring 2000 17⅛” l. x 6 ¼” w. Smooth black leather fold-over flap clutch with magnetic snaps and laser-cut edges—purchased in Paris in the Jean Paul Gaultier boutique within the Galeries Lafayette. This perfectly proportioned, minimally-designed bag doubles as a bracelet—certainly a good idea since it’s only moderately functional as a handbag! …