then, reconstruction

The process of reconstruction – the charcoal bag

This is the fun part, designing then reconstructing the tweed jacket pieces into a finished handbag.

The formality and classic heritage of the jackets lent itself to a more structured handbag design than the totes or leather slouch bags I've made before.

 

Each element of the original jacket is used as a design feature, but also as a practical component of the finished bag. 

A jacket pocket is featured on the front of a bag. The jacket sleeve, complete with buttons, is a feature on the other side. The inside jacket pockets become pockets inside the handbag. The heritage of the original jackets are visible in each handbag.

 

Straps are adjustable, giving you the option of over the shoulder or across the body, and are sewn from wool tweed and recycled leather, finished with a bit of bling.

Each bag is sewn from a mix of wools, tweeds from jackets, plain wools from jackets or skirts or pants, and pure wools from my stash. Each has a particular colour palette – this one is Olive green. A perfect bag for greenolive don't you think?
 
 

Comments

[Sue]

Martine these are just lovely. Some of the nicest things you've made I think :-)

[alison]

Will you be selling these online? They are just gorgeous, and I am covetting like mad - but I don't live close enought o visit you at the markets