Our first artisan was making gloves. He has been with Hermès for 23 years.  Watching him handle the leather, stretching it to and fro, making quick marks with his fingernail prior to cutting, one would be forgiven for thinking it was easy, for he made it look very simple.

The forms he uses to cut the leather are well over 100 years old.

Here one can see the various stages in the process of making a single pair of gloves:

Next was the handbag artisan, making a “Mykonos Blue” Kelly bag. I have no words to describe the blue, except perhaps it is the color of the sea around the Greek island…

Next up, the silk screening process for those luscious scarves:

Additionally, there was a station for an actual scarf/fabric designer, where we were able to see this scarf in its paper/painting and clear polyfilm stages of the design process.

The gem setter (not pictured, at the station below) was making a cuff bracelet hand set with 1,000 pavé diamonds. It takes her 3 months to complete.

We spoke to the watch artisan, marveling at the gorgeous self-winding movement visible behind the glass backplates of each watch and the intricate detailing, different with each style.

One station was staffed by a saddle artisan, reminding us of the origins of Hermès as an equestrian leather company.

The artisan that makes bespoke (made-to-measure) shirts says it takes her 6 hours from cut to completion–but she hand-stitches the cuffs and collars with such precision (in only 3 hours) they look as though they have been sewn from a machine.  Even the Mr. was suitably impressed with the craftsmanship.

The tie artisan cuts and folds to within a margin of error of a single millimeter.  She has been doing it so long, she barely has to look, much less use her measuring stick.

Most fascinating to me was the fact that these artisans had never even met each other; they all work at different factories spread around France.  The artisans will be here for just a few more days; if you are at all able to visit the demonstrations by Monday, Feb. 28, it will be worth your journey.

Interestingly, the plaintiff actually worked for Coach and used her employee discount to purchase the bag.  I would think a personal lawsuit would have a bit less punch since that may have violated their employee guidelines–but it’s filed for status as a class action, so people who were not employees should be able to join the suit, including the key-chain seller mentioned in my original post.

The bottom line, like I said three years ago, is that it’s not about being banned from buying from Coach; it’s about Coach accusing a seller of selling a counterfeit bag when it is obviously authentic.  That’s just nasty. The suit alleges “violations of the state Consumer Protection Act, defamation, interference with her business relationship with eBay, and other claims.”

Good luck, Ms. Kim, et. al.  I hope you are successful.

Full Story at Komo: http://www.komonews.com/news/local/115837324.html

Anyway, here’s the scoop:  A former flight attendant has designed a line of bags.  This is often a good thing.  Flight attendants must learn to pack light and think practical.  They know what to take, what to leave behind and how to pack efficiently.  They were the first to sport those darling little “bags on wheels” before everyone else.  If a flight attendant designed it, it must be great, right?  Well, in this case, maybe we missed the mark a bit.

The bags are made from vintage airline seat upholstery, with additions like seat-belt straps and buckle hardware.  The problem is, I’ve never been on any airline whose upholstery spoke to my inner diva.  Except, perhaps, the navy blue leather in Alaska Airlines’ first-class seats.  I suppose it will be durable, if a bit like, well, wearing your grandmother’s sofa cushion.  And belting it with her 1973 Pontiac.

Next gripe, the tote has a basic magnetic snap closure–bad idea for a travel bag.  It needs to zip fully closed or half your contents will wind up spewing out on takeoff.  But what about for a diaper bag?  Not enough functionality.  Needs more pockets for that, inside and out.

Shown here is the Galley Tote in Blue Lagoon.

From the website:

Our classic tote is hot off the runway with its clean simple lines and bright patterns. Deep and roomy enough yet stylish for all your favorite books and magazines. It’s a smart option for the working woman, traveling or the new mom.

• Inside zip pocket
• Cellphone/multi-function pocket
• 2 front flap pockets with magnetic snaps
• 2 side pouch pockets
• 4 metal feet on bottom
• 100% Nylon Flight Lining
• 15” straps with buckle connector
• Signature airplane hang tag
• Jumpseat charm detail

Limited Edition Vintage Pattern

Color: Blue Lagoon
(also available in Tropical Sunset)
Size: 15(L) x 15(H) x 6.5(W)
Price: $275.00

I admit it could be a fetching idea, for that…special someone.  But, for these prices, I think I’d rather have the airline ticket and leave the seat behind.  Check out jumpseatbags.com for more info.  And darling, I love you, but please remain in the cockpit.  I’ll deal with the bags.

However, I have noticed a particularly great bag that looks good in every color, and I might be tempted to eschew my usual revulsion for orange with a bag this yummy, available at Revolve.  

Monica Botkier first delved into the fashion industry as a photographer, one who needed a handbag chic enough to be trotted in front of the industry’s scrutinizing eye. Functional and wearable, stylish and detailed–the Botkier bags were born.

Botkier Sasha Medium Duffle in Orange Leather and logo lining. Measures approx 17″W x 12″H x 6″D. Double handle measures approx 15″ with a 6″ drop. Detachable shoulder strap measures approx 14″ with a 9.5 inch drop. Zip closure. Interior zip and cell pockets. Front flap pocket. Silver hardware.

I particularly love the light beige lining.  (Side note:  I like to be able to see inside such a voluminous bag, and a dark lining in a large bag is like a black hole for car keys.  Are you listening out there, designers?  How much more difficult would it be to use beige, pink, red–anything other than black?  Thank you, Ms. Botkier.)
Free Priority Shipping at REVOLVEClothing.com

That changed yesterday, when I cracked open my December Harper’s Bazaar.  Finally, a bag that is so amazing, so “BV,” with such attention to design lines and complex leather engineering, it made me actually stand up and applaud.  The color is sumptuous.  The lines are sleek, yet the detail is intricate.  It reminds me somewhat of smocking popular in the 70′s or of vintage gathered lace trim.  Some may find it fussy, I find it fabulous!  I’m sick of boring bags.  Too many of them look the same right now, and for the prices they are fetching, it’s really a crime.  Finally, here’s a bag that warrants the tag.

Here she is, my new love:  The ’08-’09 Cruise collection Cobalt Gorgiera Boston Embroidered Shiny Goatskin Bag,  211490/VIHB0 $5,860 on pre-order at the BV site.  Not that I have an extra $5,800 in change lying around behind the sofa cushions, but a girl can dream…

Oh, Santa Baby!

Shop Shoes, Bags, Clothes and Accessories for Men, Women and Children – from fashion’s finest labels such as D&G, MARC BY MARC JACOBS, JIL SANDER, COSTUME NATIONAL and more.

You have limited time to shop as the sale ends Sunday Oct 26 at 11:59pm EST. So click HERE to start shopping immediately.

I decided to go for something in a retiring fabric, since they are on sale at 40% off.  I chose the Villager in the Pink Elephants pattern.  As an added bonus, 10% of the proceeds from Pink Elephant items goes to the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer and other breast cancer projects and services.  Way cool.

My package arrived in record time, and I was surprised to find my item sweetly wrapped with tissue inside a lovely apple-green Vera Bradley storage box.  What impressed me immediately was the quality of the cotton fabric and grosgrain ribbon zipper pulls as well as the sheer attention to detail–even to the point of making sure the print lines up perfectly on the pockets and shoulder straps.  This would ordinarily be an expensive way to make a bag, with a lot of waste from cutting off excess for pattern match, unheard of for a bag this affordable (Regularly $72, on sale for $43.20).

The Villager is a very usable size at 16″ x 12¼” x 4″ with a generous 11¾” strap drop and sturdy removable insert to keep the base flat. Not only does it have two handy pockets on the outside (one zips, one slips), the entire inside is ringed with six additional slide pockets, so there is a place to organize everything. The top zips closed for security, a must for me.  (I have to know that the contents of my bag won’t end up on the floor of the car to roll around underfoot when I brake suddenly, which is more frequently than I like to admit.)

The best part is that the bag (except for the card insert) is machine washable, which makes it a great everyday carryall that won’t have to be babied.  There you have it ladies, value for money, functionality, and fun–I no longer wonder why Vera Bradley has such a huge following!

After seeing and holding one for myself, I can definitely recommend Vera Bradley, and I will be back for more.  Click the banner to see for yourself!

The grained leather is buttery soft and supple, with a 9″ strap drop that allows it to be comfortably worn over even larger shoulders.  It’s one seriously “smooshy” bag.  It’s not a heavy bag, yet it feels solid enough to withstand the average day’s knocks.

Roomy enough for even my needs, it includes two interior patch pockets, an interior zip pocket, and two exterior side pockets with turnlock closures.   The flap top closes with a turnlock–but, of course! The Marc by Marc Jacobs logo engraved on the hardware is mercifully subtle and unpretentious–a plus for you gals tired of serving as walking billboards.  The Quinn is lined in a funky logo print with scrambled “MARC JACOBS” letters, and sports four protective metal feet on the bottom.

13.5″ (at base) x 11″x 7.25″   $468.00

Check it out at eLuxury

Oh, and here is the Elderberry in the partial sun of my patio:

Elderberry Quinn

It’s a good time to order before retiring prints are gone!