PVC: Fantastic plastic?

PVC or polyvinyl chloride is a “synthetic resin,” a type of plastic, that is fast gaining popularity in the clothing industry as a leather substitute.

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While there are definitely a lot of objections the use of PVC in the products of high street and designer brands as it is seen as “glorified plastic,” supporters of the material claim its flexibility and durability as the characteristics that make it superior.

Pvc.org takes it a step further and propounds arguments based on environmental and ethical standards, citing that: “Not only are leather-like PVC-coated fabrics cheaper to produce, but they also offer great flexibility to fashion designers. The overall effect is that stylish clothing from the catwalk can be brought to the high street at an affordable price and without the environmental or ethical impacts sometimes associated with leather.”

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Bags made of PVC gained traction mostly because of aesthetics, that is, the transparent, jelly-like appearance of PVC bags cater to the trend-seeking crowd as a fashion novelty. A prime example of trendy bags made of PVC are the Furla Candy bags, which are popular mainly for their bright, vibrant colors. Of course, the structure, design, and impeccable workmanship associated with Furla as a brand are likewise embodied in the Candy bags.

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Plastic has gone far in high-street fashion. Of unquestioned form and function are shoes, sandals, and slippers that high-profile designers have gamely taken on to address fashion’s move towards eco-conscious production. Recycled plastic is proving a good argument for adopting the environmentalist’s pet peeve as material for articles of clothing and accessories.

What will the bag industry think of next? Find out from this Cleo & Patek Twitter account for a feel of the trends in the bag industry.

Iconic bags and their namesakes

It was said that Grace Kelly had the honor of being the first ever woman to have a namesake bag. After the defunct Life magazine published Kelly's world-famous photograph at the height of her pregnancy, Hermes decided to rename the bag she then wore. And the rest is fashion history, with the world witnessing the birth of more timeless bags named after equally timeless beauties. Here are three of them:

 

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1. "Birkin" by Hermes. In what would turn out to be a beautiful coincidence back in 1981, French singer-actress Jane Birkin sat beside Hermes founder Jean-Louis Dumas on a flight. As Birkin placed her straw bag in the airplane's overhead compartment, everything in the bag fell out. She then complained to her seatmate about the absence of a classy bag that is roomy enough to carry all of a woman's essentials. In 1984, the first Birkin was crafted. While the bag’s popularity may have outshined the French artist who inspired it, Birkin didn't mind it much. After all, the French fashion house gives her a bag each year, which she auctions for charity, in turn.

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2. "Lady Dior" by Christian Dior. French First Lady Bernadette Chirac gifted Princess Diana with this structured hand-carried bag, then-exclusively crafted for her, during the princess' official visit to France in 1994. Two years later, Dior officially christened the bag Lady Dior, as a tribute to the royal icon who immediately fell in love with it. Diana may have been gone for more than a decade now, but things like the Lady Dior bag have kept her memory alive.

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3. "Sofia" by Salvatore Ferragamo. In 2009, the legendary design house proved how loyalty could pay off. During the golden years of cinema, the Italian fashion genius made a name as "Shoemaker to the Stars". Sophia Loren, acting legend and an icon of beauty during her prime, became one of Ferragamo's high-profile clients, which at that point included screen legends like Greta Garbo and Audrey Hepburn. Decades later, the design team of fashion house rewarded Loren with a satchel that matches the agelessness of its long-time patron.  

Emerging brand Cleo & Patek looks up to the most distinguished names in high fashion for lessons in business success. Its handbags and purses are created with the same amount of quality and craftsmanship as these legendary design houses. Visit this Facebook page for more masterpieces of craftsmanship.

How to choose designer bags for work

Designer bags are not just symbols of luxury and elegance; they are in fact sturdy, efficient companions for everyday use. Many designer brands offer less expensive models designed for regular use in the workplace. When purchasing a bag for the office, take into consideration the following qualities:  

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Durability

Most authentic designer bags are durable enough for the office. Choose bags that are made of high-quality leather: these were treated substantially, and have undergone various stress tests to withstand wear and tear. They are scratch- and fireproof, and can be used extensively without one worrying about damage due to constant bumping and dangling.  

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Design

Unfortunately, not all designer bags have designs appropriate for everyday use. Some can be too flashy, or have colors that can be an eyesore in the office. Opt for classic, neutral designs that look professional yet elegant.  

 

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Functionality

An office designer bag should fit everyday essentials. It should have enough compartments to maintain organization of one’s personal items. Some designer bags can be large enough to carry heavier gadgets like laptops and tablets. Opt for bags that can hold a substantial amount of items without looking too bulky.

Cleo & Patek has a wide collection of exquisite luxury bags, purses, and wallets durable and functional enough for everyday use. Visit this LinkedIn page for more information and updates on the leather bag industry.

REPOST: The amazing bags that look just like cartoons – but are actually REAL

Tired of those similar-looking designer bags? This article on the Daily Mail features Taipei designer duo Rika Lin and Chay Su and their line of quirky, optical illusion bags sure to turn heads wherever they go.  

Have these eye-popping bags dropped out of the latest Disney cartoon and been photo-shopped into these images?

It certainly looks that way, but stare at them and you'll see that they are in fact 100 percent real and exist as you see them in the fashion flesh.

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The quirky bags created created by Taipei-based design duo, Rika Lin and Chay Su, are designed to look like bold, colourful 2D drawings that have come to life. And they really do!

There's no doubt wandering down the street with one of these will make people do a double take.

This cool idea came to the designers one afternoon when the friends were sketching their dream designer bag. 

They thought how amazing it would be if a two-dimensional hand-drawn illustration could come to life as a real bag so they then set off exploring the possibilities.

After much hard work, eventually they're brand 'Jump From Paper' was born.

'We love to confuse people, but more so, we love to see them burst out into laughter once they realize these are real bags.' said Chay and Rika, who aim to take fashion outside the proverbial box.

The girls, say they're 'addicted to collecting funny and weird stuff', and take inspiration for their designs from everything in their daily life. 

The bags, which started as a small run in 2010, are now a hit in over 25 countries worldwide.

In the UK, they are exclusively available at the Saatchi Gallery on London's trendy King Road and the website, jumpfrompaper.com.

The designs include handbags, shoulder bags, cross body bags, backpacks, purses and laptop and ipad bags and start at 30 Euros for a purse and up to 150 Euros for the bigger bags.

Their imaginatively named collections include Time Machine and Wanderlust.

The limited edition Time Machine series are all 1950s inspired and include the cute, spotty Ballerina (90 Euros) and the red, white and blue striped Swing-Swing (95 Euros).

And don't worry, your man need not miss out. The Wanderlust manbag costs Euros 150. 

The designers' ethos is to be 'colorful, quirky and always with a sense of humor'.

They say they're driven by a passion to create laughter and to encourage people to let their imaginations go wild. 

'Why take everything so seriously?' say Chay and Rika. We quite agree!

New York-based luxury brand Cleo & Patek is the maker of leather handbags for no-nonsense fashionistas with a real taste for style. To keep abreast with the company’s latest collections, follow this Google+ page.

Arm candy 101: Bag styles every woman should own

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Every bonafide fashionista surely has a closet filled with bags of all shapes, sizes, materials, and colors. While there’s no problem with building an expansive collection of snazzy arm candies, clutter that takes up shelf space is an issue.

If you’re thinking of overhauling your closet but not sure what to keep, check out this list of essential bag types which you need to retain:

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 • Clutch—Perfect for after-hours engagements, it can go with jeans or formal attire and add a dash of fun and elegance to the occasion it’s intended for. Look for a bold yet versatile clutch that’s perfectly sized to fit all of your essentials. A Cleo & Patek black patent clutch has four different compartments, each with exquisite details to glam up your look.  

• Structured multi-purpose bag—Choose a work bag that straddles versatility and design to help you complete your day-to-day chores in style. Pick one in a neutral color and make sure that it can hold everything you need during your work hours and beyond.

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• Crossbody bag—A crossbody bag is a must-have for activities that call for hassle-free convenience. Whether you’re doing your weekend shopping, having a leisurely walk in the park, or commuting in the train, this bag gets the job done correctly.  

 • The signature bag—This arm candy is your most prized possession, not just because of its hefty price tag, but also because it’s an extension of your individual style. Invest in a signature bag that works well with most of your outfits and that doesn’t sacrifice convenience and functionality for the sake of style. Hop around the city with a Cleo & Patek tan and black signature tote bag and enjoy convenience and high-functionality with a dab of sartorial sophistication.

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With a lot of choices, it’s easy to get distracted in your path to good purchase. Remember, just because it's the most gorgeous thing you have ever seen on the shelf doesn't mean the bag will be perfect on you. Invest in the most reliable bag types that transform each of your outing into a sartorial experience.


 
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