Handmade Purses – Accessory or Art?

Handmade purses combine art and function.  Each one is a unique creation.  A handbag that is handmade becomes a one of a kind accessory to wear proudly or display as art – or both!

When you think of it, a handmade purse is really the ultimate designer purse. It is truly a one of a kind item.  These handbags are made by human hands, not a robot in a factory.  This puts a real personal touch on each and every item.

There is value even in the flaws because they are personally made.  Isn’t it interesting how a human caused flaw can increase the value of an item, but a machine produced flaw causes an item to lose value?  Its reasons such as this that make owning handmade purses more valuable.  Also, because they are handmade, they have value depending on who the designer, artist, or artisan is that produced the handbag.

Some artists and designers have gone on to become quite famous.  Owning an original item from them goes up in value with the popularity of the designer.

Often designers are born out of necessity.  What I mean by this, is creative people who want an item and either can’t find exactly what they want, or cannot afford to buy an item, make their own.  Their creative juices flow and they make such beautiful items that other people admire.

This grows into people asking for the “designer” to make one for them.  This can snowball into a full out career!

Top Deals on Handmade Purses at Amazon

Did you know that the famous fashion designer, Mary McFadden started out making her own clothes?  It is true.  Ms. McFadden said while she was working in Africa as a journalist she had to make her own clothes out of necessity.  Her personal clothes and designs became so popular people literally started buying the clothes off of her back.  (If you would like to read more about Mary McFadden click here.)

So, the next time you see a unique handbag, ask yourself, “Are those handmade purses an accessory or art?”

Bolsos de Christian Dior – un Testimonio de la Belleza Clásica

Los bolsos de Christian Dior son el testimonio vivo de un estándar que aguante la prueba del tiempo. Posee cierta calidad que sea agradable, satisfaciendo, y significativa. Comprándolo de los bolsos auténticos del al por mayor-diseñador que los vendedores nunca déjele abajo. (more...)

Christian Dior Handbags – A Testimony of Classic Beauty

Christian Dior Handbags are the living testimony of a standard that endures the test of time. It possesses a certain quality that is pleasurable, satisfying, and meaningful. Purchasing it from the authentic wholesale-designer handbags sellers will never let you down. The brand name itself exudes the command that its beauty is not only physical but that it can last for a long duration of time. It makes every penny worth it. Talk about an investment! Christian Dior is yet another haute couture icon which has been one of the many pioneers of the Parisian fashion. Several other comrades have made their own names but every single product that bears the Dior brand name never fails to ring a bell.

Christian Dior Handbags

A Good Look at the Designer Christian Dior (more...)

Timeless Vintage Handbags

Vintage handbags represent more then history; they are timeless capsules that bring us back to the golden age of movie stars and fashion.  A vintage purse symbolizes an era, and captures a moment in design history.  Quality handbags from previous eras are still available today and have become an increasingly popular accessory choice.

During the 1930’s the smartly dressed woman would have several handbags.  She would have a purse for the afternoon, one for traveling, one for evenings out on the town, and for Sunday church.  The materials of these purses were often made of (more...)

Balenciaga Handbags – A Background

Cristobal Balenciaga is one of my new favorite fashion designers.  Although he is not new, actually he lived from January 21, 1895 until March 23, 1972, and became a famous designer in the early part of the twentieth century; he is relatively new to me.  Since I think he is so incredible, let me share with you a little bit about his history before we get into his beautiful Balenciaga handbags.

Guetaria is a Basque town in the Gipuzkoa region of Spain and the place where Cristobal Balenciaga was born.  Although the town is a fishing village, Cristobal chose... (more...)

Designer Mary McFadden on Fashion

Mary McFadden, international designer, spoke to a group of approximately 50 students and local community members shortly before the publication of  her book, “Mary McFadden: High Priestess of High Fashion--A Life in Haute Couture, Decor and Design.”

The subject of her lecture was, “Symbols of the ancient world and how they apply to design.”

Ms. McFadden has lead a very interesting life.

She has traveled extensively and applied those visual experiences to some of her designs.

However, most of her inspiration comes from ancient art.

Her lecture juxtaposed images of ancient art alongside photos of her fashion and jewelry designs.

Ms. McFadden began her career as a journalist and photographer.  Some of her inspiration comes from nature.

For example, the shape of a garden, or a river, may inspire a pattern for embroidery or quilting.  It’s clear to see how the, “Photographer’s eye” has played a big part in her design success.   Her job description may say, “Fashion Designer,” but there’s clearly a photographer at the heart of this artist.  It’s all about vision.

The lecture began as what seemed to be a quick course in ancient art, but flowed quickly and seamlessly into a talk that showed the audience how the end product was conceived.  Mary McFadden said her dresses were like the beautiful Greek and Roman columns.  She showed examples from the, “Book of the Dead” (1,000 B.C.) and spoke of how the Egyptian lines influenced her textiles. It is commonly thought that wearing horizontal lines makes you look fat.  Ms. McFadden explained that a horizontal line used correctly can actually elongate the figure, and she showed examples of this.  It was fascinating!

The ancient art images shown were familiar; yet they were discussed not for their place in an art history book, but from the perspective of their garments.  They were shown for pattern, texture, drapery, style, etc.  This made me think, “This is the take home message – learn art traditionally & use art untraditionally; take it to a new level; morph it into a form of your vision.”

The lecture came to a close with a question & answer session.  Ms. McFadden said early on in her career as a journalist and photographer she was in Africa and had to make her own clothes.  People began to buy the, “Clothes off of her back.”  When she got back to the United States she had a fashion show with the help of a friend.  There were only four samples, yet she sold $1,000,000 worth of clothes!  That’s when she had a career change.  Designer Mary McFadden said, “In order to get into a business you have to distinguish yourself from everybody else.”  She also said, “You need to publicize your garment, get someone famous to wear it, and price it correctly to make a profit.  Often people make the mistake of under pricing their garments, and then they can’t stay in business.

Mary McFadden: High Priestess of High Fashion--A Life in Haute Couture, Decor and Design