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.