April Purse Fool

A Fool And Her Purse Are Soon Parted 

Okay Katherine, here's my April Fools' day meditation - 
There is nothing more precious than self-trust. 

The lady raccoon pictured looks like she could have been 
punk'd back in 1582 in France when the April 1st taunting day
started. France switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian
that starts the year on January 1st. People who kept celebrating 
new year's April 1st became the butt of jokes and hoaxes.

Those April Fools were taunted with paper fish stuck on their backs
and were called poisson d’avril (April fish) meaning they were 
too gullible, like an easily hooked fish.

This picture caught a raccoon d'avril

 

MJ, here's my Spring/1st of April handbag. Isn't it gorgeous and shiny? The metallic glitter artwork is butterflies! What better way to celebrate the season. Many designers have glitter purses in their collections, including Kate Spade, Coach, Neiman Marcus, and others. Perhaps that's an idea for my Katherine Watson line. And look at the handy kiss clasp opening on the metallic hardware strip along the top. It keeps everything secure inside. Not a shoulder bag, obviously it's designed to be carried in your hand.

Cool Katherine. Not everyone celebrates April Fools Day and spring has sprung.

April Fools! You're a poisson d'avril MJ. This is a mini bag.Now you can see it's real size.

You got me! I'll just laugh, breath deep, and go back to my meditation on the joy of self-trust as I guard against any other deceptions by you. The micro and mini bags date from long before today. From the early to mid 1900's, women carried around small purses called ‘reticules’. They were carried by the wealthy as a status symbol because they were small, elegant and held very little.

As far as the contemporary mini/micro bags, it was at Fendi’s Spring/Summer 2015 collection that Karl Lagerfeld first introduced the phenomenon. His take was structured and embellished, accompanied by fluffy oversized key chains. Chanel played with size in their Resort 2020 show, where tiny bags were hanging from gold-chained belts on the waists of top models. Not anything I've seen in downtown Bayside, at least not yet.

Here's some other mini bags. The one in the back left corner is handmade in Hawaii. The other two in the back are fun creations from Lori Greiner. Inside each they even have a secure zip pocket.

What was that black, furry creature I saw hanging in the corner of that other picture? Was that your cute cat Purrada?

Not hardly. That's a Diane K creation.

This is a cousin of the contemporary mini/micro bag. It's a wristlet. You can see from the ring at the top, this is meant to be worn like a bracelet.It's a sateen inside, contrasting from the fluffy outside.

Seems like wristlets are much harder to steal. And with the length you can carry more than just a mint, which is all I can imagine fits in some mini bags. 

The beaded, pretty clasp at the top closes with a snap. It's looped around the bottom of the bracelet ring and sewn on tight so you can open the clasp and reach inside.

 I can see now that's a purse and not Purrada, she never wears beaded jewelry. You fooled me again Katherine. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice . . . .

Happy April Fools, Everyone! We really mean that! Stay safe, and one last picture for you to meditate on,

Raccoons d'Avril

Thank You Medical Workers - Doctor Satchel Bags

Thank You Medical Workers, you are saving our lives. We appreciate especially in this terrible time, the risks that you take, your great sacrifices, and your sincere commitment to help people. The heroic efforts of those in your field through history is celebrated by many, including those of us in the fashion industry. As international purse designer in the new mystery book Kat Out of the Bag, I know the doctor satchel handbag design well. It's a beautiful structure, and so practical. Here you can see one example, including its handle, one on each side. And you can also see the double zipper dangling from the top. Striking, yet understated hardware.

Oh yeah, you can take it from me, Moonjava, Katherine's Purse-onality Museum historian, the doctor satchel bag was copied from something known as the Gladstone bag.

Here's a picture of a Gladstone bag made from ox leather. Hinged luggage was first developed in the mid 19th century. The Gladstone bag is a British patent registered by Edward Cole. The catchy Gladstone name came from a UK budget minister William Ewart Gladstone (1809-1898), who used a red one to carry his paperwork around. And so, his budget briefcase was called the Gladstone bag. He was later the four time Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, as if his bag wasn't fame enough. By the end of the 19th century, the practical advantages of the Gladstone bag were noted by doctors who began using them to carry their medical tools.

MJ, you're right about practical uses. Here's a close up of the side view. You can see the stylish tapering to the top, and how the zippers give you such a very wide opening so you can easily access what;s inside, yet nothing will spill out. In this example the side measures 8" across at its widest point.

This bag, for example measures 8" across at its widest point. Height is 7" and it's 13" across the front. Notice the side paneling that expands across the low zipper opening to prevent the contents from spilling out.

Just look at the light colored interior in this example, so you can easily spot what you're looking for among everything you're carrying in this very roomy interior.Roomy is the key Katherine. A Gladstone bag was really a small suitcase built over a rigid frame. It was designed to separate into two equal sections. The innovation it had was that unlike a suitcase, it was deeper than it was long. Gladstones were made of stiff leather and belted across the top. 

Here's a view of the one interior, zippered side pocket. The rest is all wide open spaces. As a purse, designers have made the doctor satchel a wonderful design that's stylish and easy to carry.

When doctors adopted the Gladstone, they filled it with what they needed when they made their house calls and when they went out on emergencies. Their bags were well worn with all the use of the hard working medics. As medicine changed, it was used less and less. Some doctors in the 20th century would stuff the smaller things they needed in their medical white coat pockets. But recently a different medical bag is being seen at times. Tools like pocket ultrasound machines, a PanOptic ophthalmoscope to check eyes including for abnormalities in arteries, and an ipad which helps in so many ways not only for the doctors but also to explain information to patients, and those are just a few examples. To carry the modern tools a doctor needs, many are now turning to new, modified messenger bags.

And here's our message to all you medical workers/heroes - Thank You!

Irish Tweeds and Celtic Purses

Top of the day, Celtic style 

As an international purse designer, I enjoy the diversity of designs and materials used in purse designs around the world. This week is a great time to savor the Celtic style, and that's no blarney. Today, the term Celtic generally refers to the languages and respective cultures of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, the Isle of Man, and Brittany, also known as the Celtic nations. The Irish tweeds are a most beautiful and durable wool. Here is an Irish Tweed Satchel Bag with Celtic Knot embroidery by Mucros Weavers, made in Ireland. Approx. dimension (14″ x 12″ x 5″).

MJ look at the amazing colors these tweeds have in store for us, a pink plaid . . .

Or a multi vernal plaid crossbody

Oh man Kat, your tweed crossbodies remind me of another Celtic purse in history that's so cool. The sporran shows how necessity is the mother of invention. Kilts have no pockets. Made from leather or fur, the sporran was a wallet. It hung front and center from an ornate belt buckle on a leather strap or a chain. Whenever it got in the way, it was shifted over to hang from the hip out of the way.

Check out this one made completely of leather. Three tassles was a common ornament, the number three of course being significant. They were often hand tooled with Celtic knot, or thistle or other groovy design. They closed with a stud or hook

Back to Irish tweed MJ, it doesn't always have to be a plaid. Here's a picture of a pretty Mucros Weavers of Ireland Niamh Tweed and Leather Bag in Rust Herringbone.

Kat, I'll tell you that as a Flower Child, I've read all kinds of stories, including Irish myths. You'd appreciate the Druid Crane Purses I've learned about, a magical bag. Manannan mac Lir is a major sea god and guardian of the otherworld. He made his bag from the skin of a crane - those birds were the third most common domestic pet in Ireland. His bottomless bag was full of treasures - knife, King of Scotland's shears, another king's helmet, bones of a whale, all kinds of stuff. These Crane bags are also in stories of other Irish heroes. A Crane bag and what it carries is as unique as each person who carries one.

Still true MJ, each purse and it's contents reflect the purse-onality of the wearer. Here's one of my favorites when I'm wearin' of the green, whether St. Patrick's or another day. It's a sleek, beautiful, and functional tote by Iman. Just look at the spaciousness and organization of the interior!  Two easy access side spaces, split in the middle by a roomy, secure zippered pouch. There's even two slip pockets. And just look at those tassels. 

Happy St. Patrick's celebration everyone.

And Katherine, here's my Moonjava meditation, it's an Irish saying - May you have the hindsight to know where you've been, the foresight to know where you are going, and the insight to know when you have gone too far.

A Purse With A Story

Happy International Women's Day!
Let's Celebrate Every Day!

Katherine Watson here, of the mystery Kat Out of the Bag. An international purse designer and founder of the Purse-onality Museum, I can confirm that all purses tell a story.

I'm going to share a story by Jessica Leigh Hester about a purse that literally tells a story. It's an Italian purse made, likely in the 17th century, with a "trashed manuscript".  

Inspired by International Women's Day, let me show you what the world has carried around over time.

It's interesting that even long ago, trends spanned the globe.

Moonjava, what do you think? Purses are all through history. 

You're right on Kat. Take the 12th century, it's recorded purses were made from leather for the sole purpose of carrying money. But around the world purses have been made from materials available, making a beautiful variety. One example is basket purses. Your picture here is a contemporary bag by Baskets of Cambodia. In Africa they also had basket purses in the beautiful African prints that are so very vibrant and colorful.

This is an example of a Contemporary African print purse made with the ankara fabric

Yes Moonjava, and this contemporary basket bag is so light and easy to carry. The materials a bag is made from can be so intriguing, and also helpful to the purpose, as well as beautiful.

And look at how roomy the interior, including three side slip pockets and a zippered side pocket. All of this is kept securely with a full zippered top.

Well, Katherine, leap to the 16th century, the Renaissance, purses became adorned with ribbons, fringes, lace, bows, beads and decorative stones.
MJ, that reminds me of my beautiful beaded replica of a 16th century, Italian beaded purse, pictured here.

I admire the intricate beading, and I love the color!

It is cool, Kat. The originals and replicas both show skilled crafting.

And considering the style, it's actually quite roomy, with the beautiful silk lining, and even a little slip pocket. It was in the 16th century that we began to see velvets, brocades, and satin used.

Yes Kat, in 16th century Italy we saw the Cartella, a more spacious purse that included a knife pocket. That was also the period of the Brachetta which men wore over pants as a codpiece and it carried money and a handkerchief. Yes, men carried purses. They also carried hand bags. And the Renaissance invented the Borsada Matrimonio that was filled with money as a wedding gift. This was also a time when messenger bags became popular, catering to the needs of the Italian working classes, and also in other cultures around the world. Yes, messenger bags in history!

In the 17th century all the rage were small bags with drawstrings. These were made of silk, and sometimes of metal. The one in my collection is made of metal, yet surprisingly light to carry. In France this style was called reticules. In the United Kingdom they were called Indispensables. And for peasants and travelers, the drawstring style was the sack made from leather or fabrics and worn cross body.

This was also the beginning of swete bagges. These were bags filled with sweet smelling materials. In a time when personal hygiene was grim and grimy, swete bagges were stuffed with sweet-smelling herbs and spices, lavender or perfumed balls of cotton. In the long run, swete bagges were also stored with clothes and linens and used for aromatherapy.

 

Admire the space inside this vintage drawstring bag

Shall we tell them, MJ?

Go ahead Kat, you're bursting to tell

In my mystery Kat Out of the Bag a note is discovered hidden within the lining of a vintage bag. Amber who is in charge of the gift shop finds it. What she and her roguish boyfriend Michael discover is quite revealing. I analyze it along with the clues I find myself. What an exciting chase ensues!

Enjoy the following published story, and Happy International Women's Day! - Let's Celebrate Every Day!

How a Trashed Italian Manuscript Got Sewn Into a Sweet Silk Purse

Book waste can be beautiful.

BY JESSICA LEIGH HESTER

 https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/manuscript-fragments-purse-lining