British designer Tove Emilsson has created modern purses using medieval techniques with his Hunters Bend collection.

The line’s wallets and spectacle cases seem very contemporary, but they’re actually made using an ancient method of manipulating leather. The leather is soaked with boiling water, which makes it pliable. Once it’s dried the leather then sets hard in place.

The technique was original used to make armor during medieval times. More recently Simon Hasan made boiled leather stools and vases, and Tortie Hoare made boiled leather furniture. Perhaps it was only a matter of time before a handbag designer experimented with the technique!

Emilsson created the Hunters Bend line while studying at Sweden’s HDK School of Design and Crafts.

“The Hunters Bend project is about how our personal possessions affect our perceived identity and in what way the value of an object may increase with the relationship that is built up towards the user,” she explained.

Each purse is made from a single piece of leather, which is folded in upon itself until it locks into place. The effect is quite stunning, and the sort of thing I’d love to see rolled out into a mainstream collection. As the Hunters Bend line was created as part of a school project, I won’t hold my breath waiting for its appearance in stores. I’d love to see some boiled leather goods hitting the accessories market though, wouldn’t you?

[Source: Trend Hunter]

Complementary colors and luxury lambskin help this Fendi Mia Degrade hobo take you from summer into spring, and right through the rest of the year.

This is one of those rare purses that remains timeless in spite of the trends. The modern pleated front moves from bone in the center to a rich coffee brown. These colors are neutral but not boring, so they should impress in any setting.

And as we might expect from the house of Fendi, this is a hobo that screams luxury. Its lambskin body is buttery soft, and the dramatic pleating makes sure we know it. The painted logo plate in the center boasts the bag’s heritage while still retaining its class. The chain looped strap won’t be too comfortable to carry, but it looks so impressive that I barely mind.

While it looks quite structured in the photo, it’s worth noting that this Mia bag hasn’t completely lost that bohemian hobo slouch. That makes it a little difficult to get items in and out of, but again those designer looks tempt me to overlook those practical niggles.

Part of me thinks that we have a right to demand perfection for our $1960, but this hobo comes so close to that lofty standard that I’m tempted to accept its flaws!

More Features of This Fendi Ombre Lambskin Hobo

• Top zip closure
• Logo jacquard lining
• An interior wall pocket
• A chain decorated strap with a 9.5 inch drop
• Measures 14.25 x 11 x 6.5 inches
• Made in Italy

Get this Fendi Mia Degrade Handbag:

• Available to buy at Nordstrom
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Fendi bags on BagBunch
• The Treesje Bliss hobo bag, a great alternative to this pleated hobo bag.
• Searching for more Fendi bags on eBay
• Other Fendi Mia bags on eBay:

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Seamstress Julia Okun offers an alternative to mass-produced purses with the hand-crafted bags from her line, Rennes.

The Boston native is involved in every aspect of the creation process, from drafting the design to completing the final stitch. This hands-on approach ensures that each bag is of exceptional quality, and made with a little bit of love.

Rennes takes its name from Rennes-le-Chateau, a small village in the south of France. Its purses might have a healthy dose of European style but they’re born and bred in the United States.

Okun is a graduate of Boston’s School of the Museum of Fine Arts, but she didn’t initially imagine fashion in her future. She studied tempura painting before turning her attention to leather work. Using the sewing lessons of her mother and aunt as inspiration, Okun instinctually learned how to create stylish, yet timeless, handbags.

Apparel items and small wallets sit alongside Rennes’ handmade bags. There are a range of these available, from clutch purses to larger totes, duffle bags, and backpacks. I’m not usually a fan of backpacks, but I can’t go past the Siduri one pictured. It’s so chic, without even a hint of schoolgirl!

All the Rennes fashion items are all available from the Rennes website.

[Source: Trendhunter]
[Image Source: Rennes website]

Handcrafted Leather Handbags on eBay

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Yves Saint Laurent is so unimpeachably timeless. It’s more than a little impressive that the line has consistently been able to stay relevant for decades. This leather and metallic clutch is a great example of how it’s managed to do it.

The texture on this clutch has been manipulated expertly. The outer edges have a fine grain, while the vertical center stripe has an ostrich effect. The metallic treatment on the ostrich portion is really beautiful and I love how it looks sprayed rather than printed on.

The timeless shape of this clutch has a few new touches. The rounded front flap is a subtle touch, and the way the striping continues from flap to body makes the design look very consistent. All the edges are very soft, which makes the whole look very feminine.

All this talk about the design details can’t really relay the spot on perfection that is this clutch. It’s edgy, but totally classy, and will be wearable for at least your lifetime.

More Features of the Yves Saint Laurent Leather And Metallic Clutch

• 9″ x 7″ size
• Internal pouch pocket
• Fully lined in gold leather and black twill

Get this Leather and Metallic Clutch by Yves Saint Laurent:

• Available to buy at Net-A-Porter
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Yves Saint Laurent bags on BagBunch
• The Halston Foxy Pochette, an edgy alternative to this bag.
• Searching for more Yves Saint Laurent bags on eBay
• Other black leather clutches on eBay:

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Felix Rey embraces its silly side with this fun Cockatoo Basket tote.

It goes without saying that this bag isn’t for everybody. Its woven straw body is one we’ve seen many times before this summer, but its sequined cockatoo accent makes it much more fun. That black feathered tail is the cherry on top of a very silly, but somehow irresistible, concoction. However it’ll take a girl who don’t take herself too seriously to appreciate it. That bird is a polarizer, a feature that you’ll either love or hate.

Felix Rey relies a little too much on the cockatoo to sell this purse though. Its spacious interior doesn’t have enough pockets to satisfy, and the magnetic closure isn’t as effective as a zip would have been. It’s all perfectly adequate, but also not very inspiring.

Personally I think $140 is a bit too much to spend on a purse that’s a novelty, but it’s also not too exorbitant either. I can imagine this tote becoming a fun addition to the wardrobes of anyone with the confidence to carry it.

More Features of This Felix Rey Straw Tote

• Herringbone lining
• Dual handles with an 8.5 inch drop
• Measures 14 x 16.5 x 6 inches
• Made in China

Get this Felix Rey Cockatoo Handbag:

• Available to buy at Endless
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Felix Rey bags on BagBunch
• The Felix Rey Birds of a Feather tote bag, a great alternative to this parrot bag.
• Searching for more Felix Rey bags on eBay
• Other bird tote bags on eBay:

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A Chinatown store employee in New York City has been charged with two counts of copyright infringement in the third degree after attempting to sell cardboard versions of designer handbags.

Wing Sun Mak reportedly attempted to sell three cardboard purses with Burberry logos, and one with a Louis Vuitton insignia. He is an employee at Fook on Sing Funeral Supplies, a store that sells paper, cardboard and plastic objects for the deceased, known as joss. According to Chinese custom the joss is burned as a tribute to the dead, who then receive the items in the afterlife. Replica designer handbags aren’t the only goodies on offer; the store also sells cardboard mansions, cardboard flat screen TVs, and cardboard sports cars!

Mak plans to fight the charges, and surprisingly he has the support of one of New York’s strongest opponents to counterfeiting, Councilwoman Margaret Chin. She said she expected the police to be more culturally sensitive to this practice which has been around for hundreds of years.

Honestly I think this case is indicative of the way that copyright law has gone crazy. The initial intent of these laws was to protect companies who may suffer lost sales and consumers who may be duped by counterfeiters. But is anyone really losing out here? I can’t imagine any company suffering lost revenue because a few cardboard alternatives were sold, and any person with half a brain isn’t going to buy a cardboard Burberry believing it’s the real deal. I also can’t imagine anyone ever burying an authentic Louis Vuitton bag because they couldn’t find a cardboard one!

What do you think about this latest copyright infringement case?

[Source: Accessories Magazine]
[Image Source: Hans Bernhard/Wikipedia Commons]

Denim has to be one of my favorite affordable accessory materials. Synthetic often look shiny and cheap, while traditional cottons can appear a bit too casual. However denim manages to be a bit more versatile, seeming relaxed yet luxurious at the same time, so I was thrilled to see it starring on this Evans satchel.

Ordinarily I prefer my denims a bit darker, but the ombre effect we see here has intrigued me. The weathered finish looks relaxed and broken in, yet a bit more interesting than the average. I’m not sure the pale tan synthetic trim is the best match though. This color really seems washed out, and consequently doesn’t support the denim as well as it should. A few shades darker and I think Evans would have created a much stronger look.

The design does the job without really pampering us. I wish there was more than a single interior pocket, but it’s probably enough to keep this mid-sized space organized. The regular handle probably won’t be too easy to use when the bag is full, but the longer strap is certainly up to the task. I wish this was detachable as most long straps are though. This bag is going to look very messy if you’re carrying it with the top handle.

This bag really is all about the denim, and Evans delivers that centerpiece well. It’s just a shame that the supporting players aren’t so inspiring. However for just £22 it’s hard to be too critical.

More Features of This Evans Blue Satchel

• Made of 100% cotton
• Measures 10 x 7 inches

Get this Evans Denim Handbag:

• Available to buy at Evans
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Evans bags on BagBunch
• The Jessica Simpson Tribeca Duffel bag, a great alternative to this denim bag.
• Searching for more Evans bags on eBay
• Other denim satchel bags on eBay:

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Judith Leiber is creating a very special one-of-a-kind clutch to benefit the Festival of Children Foundation. The clutch purse, which will be made in the image of the foundation’s carousel, will be raffled off to benefit the children’s charity.

The carousel purse will feature 3,000 twinkling Swarovski crystals. With each one applied by hand, that process should take around 15 hours. Talk about a labor of love! While Judith Leiber has produced several limited edition purses for charity, this is the first time the company’s made a one-of-a-kind clutch for a non-profit organization.

The Festival of Children Foundation’s founder Sandy Segerstrom says she always felt her foundation’s logo would make a gorgeous Judith Leiber bag. “It’s another dream come true. How can you put this into words?” she gushed.

If you want to own this unique purse, you’ll need to buy a raffle ticket at Judith Leiber’s South Coast Plaza store from September 1. They’re not cheap at $100 a pop, but with just 100 tickets available you’ve got a much better chance than winning the lottery! And besides, money raised will benefit the foundation, so at least you know your hard-earned cash is doing good!

The lucky winner of this money-can’t-buy prize will be drawn on September 29. What would you give to win a one-of-a-kind Judith Leiber purse?

[Source: Daily Pilot]
[Image Source: Festival of Children Foundation Facebook]

Judith Leiber Swarovski Crystal Clutches on eBay

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Take Emilio Pucci’s signature style to the shore with this colorful Beach Tote.

I really love the psychedelic print that covers this beach tote. I’ve always admired Pucci’s patterns from afar, but been a little nervous to incorporate them into my wardrobe. However when summer rolls around we tend to have a little bit more fun with fashion. And when anything goes, it seems like the perfect time to be a little bolder!

The seafoam and blue hues are perfect for warm weather wear. I also love the way the green is picked up in the handles. Yet as with many Emilio Pucci handbags, there’s still something holding me back. In this case it’s the all-over leather. Ordinarily I’d be excited about the level of luxury, but let’s remember that this is a beach tote. Would you want such a beautiful material around sand, salt water, and sea air?

And with luxury materials comes a luxury price tag, in this case a substantial $550. If you’re confident with fashion you might be able to use this tote all year round, but if this tote will spend more than half the year in your closet you may want to think twice.

More Features of This Emilio Pucci Leather Tote

• Magnetic top closure
• Internal purse with chain
• Dual handles with a 9 inch drop
• Measures 21 x 12.5 inches
• Made in Italy

Get this Emilio Pucci Printed Beach Handbag:

• Available to buy at Saks Fifth Avenue
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Emilio Pucci bags on BagBunch
• The Emilio Pucci Leite bag, a great alternative to this beach tote bag.
• Searching for more Emilio Pucci bags on eBay
• Other Emilio Pucci tote bags on eBay:

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