Who?What?Where?When?

Anya left her career as a successful model to study fashion at St Martins College and upon graduating landed herself a job at Alexander McQueen. After assisting McQueen during Paris Fashion Week, Anya turned her hand to her own line of luxury handbags, handmade in an atelier in London. A combination of symbolic shapes, bold colours and exquisite leathers, Anya’s bags offer a classically simple design with a twist. We love that fact that many of Anya’s handbags are bespoke and handcrafted, ensuring every customers gets that truly unique shopping experience and a handbag to treasure forever. Designed and handmade in London from the finest Italian leathers and with hand stitched finish, the Anya Sushko bags are timeless and classic – so keep your eyes peeled for Anya Sushko’s handbags, now available on BagServant.

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What inspired you to create your own label? How did you set up your company?

Since I was a kid I always liked to be at the centre of events and I have always had a flair for creative arts – I have been part of dancing clubs, school theatres, musicals, played piano, did ballet etc. so from an early age I had the drive to go as far as possible in my life. I come from Riga, the beautiful capital of Latvia. Soon after finishing school, I decided to explore the bigger world. I moved to London to search for new opportunities.

Straight after graduating from London College of Fashion, I decided to start my own business as I had the vision and the drive.

I guess it was a very ambitious decision but I don’t regret it at all as by setting up on my I have managed to achieve a lot.

Did it all go smoothly or were there teething problems?

No definitely not smooth and not easy! Each part of the business had and has its own difficulties which I discover and learn how to deal with on a regular basis.

We know that you hand make your bags, how long does it take and why it is important to you?

Design development is a very long and sometimes painful process. When everything is done by hand it can take few weeks to develop a bag from a sketch to a final product. But once all is finalised, depending on the bag complexity, it can roughly take few days to make it, for example my signature Modern Extravaganza Bag takes 2-3 days to handcraft. This is a very intricate and detailed process, which I am proud to uphold in this age and time.

For me it is important to have handmade products as this makes it special. Sometimes I am surprised what the human hand can do – isn’t this amazing? Nowadays it is rare to have entirely handmade bags and therefore I am very proud to have this skill to produce my bags myself.

What type of handbag do you usually carry yourself?

I have a huge variety of samples that I can carry to different events. I like stunning, noticeable bags. But on a daily basis, funnily enough, I carry a simple shopper bag or a tote.

What is your personal favourite bag from your collection?

I love Modern Extravaganza, Karolina and Dexter bags. But all in all it is difficult to choose one favourite piece, as they are all favourites – I fall in love with them when the first one of its kind is finished. Often the most recent one becomes my favourite one! Then new ideas come and new designs are born and favourites follow – it’s an on-going process for me.

Who are your style icons?

Ditta Von Teese. Sensual, strong and sexy, like the women she represents.

What makes your handbags unique from other brands?

First of all, I think it is important to stand out and I would like to think that my designs are unique and different. I never copy or search for new ideas from others so hopefully I am reflecting my personality through handbags. Secondly, I am a perfectionist; all that I do has to be perfect or I feel unsatisfied, so quality is crucial to me. I keep improving and developing the materials and hardware all the time.

You offer customers a chance to customise handbags, what gave you the idea for this?

When the entire product is designed and hand made in the house, it makes sense to personalise it. It all started from friends and family, by adding a small wish, name or initials inside the bags or fulfilling someone’s dream and making a bag in the colour or with the detail they want. Then you tent to offer this service to more and more people. Personalisation is also the ultimate luxury in the age of mass production and I know that it means so much for my clients, who appreciate individuality and quality.

Why do you feel there is a gap in the market for this?

People love it and always come back for more… Nothing can compare to a bag that is the only one. I guess it helps people feel special and I can certainly identify with that. Before I started making my own bags I was a big fan of brands like Gucci, Luis Vuitton, etc. – ahh those small tags with your initials that LV offers, aren’t they gorgeous? You just want to keep the bag with you even while you sleep.

Overall I don’t think there are many brands that offer this service in handbags but there is a demand, thus a gap in the market.

How much freedom does the customer have when designing their own handbag?

Sometimes I work for other brands designers following their directions, then the freedom is all theirs as long as it aligns with the cost that can be involved.  Design development can be quite pricey.

But at the end of the day it all depends on what both sides want, what can be possible and how much it can cost.

How long does it take to create a bespoke bag?

It will depend on design, complexity of the bag and materials availability. I’d say approximately a few weeks.

What is your handbag personality?

I am a Trendsetter.

What are your future plans and how will you develop the brand?

Ideally, I would like to be an established brand known for amazing, stunning, top quality bags – modern luxury. The collaboration with BagServant is proving one of the best opportunities that 2012 brought and I look forward to a long term relationship with them. This is what I wish for but who knows what life has prepared in future. I believe in perseverance, hard work and staying true to what you stand for and your values. I hope that this will bring me where I want to be.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

I have been honoured to receive great feedback and endorsements from the industry – from other designers, from several buyers for high profile stores, from the media – which I am extremely grateful and happy about. Still, the best is when a customer rings and orders a bag, especially when you realise how much it can mean to them – I’ve had clients ordering bags for weddings or for anniversaries and it’s always beautiful to see and feel the human story behind a purchase.

If you could sum up your personal style in one word what would it be? 

Original.

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The Olsen Twins then spoke about how the idea came up for The Row and what they wanted to try and achieve, they believed that they could bring something to the market that nobody has brought before, anonymity. “We knew there wasn’t another brand offering basics in a luxurious and contemporary way. If I wear certain designer brands, or too much of something, I look crazy, and I need something to break it up. If you are wearing a Chanel jacket and you need an anonymous piece that will show just how special that jacket is, I hope that is what The Row gives you.”  Ashley Said.

Mary Kate and Ashley do not rule out the possibility of working with  high-profile design positions but Mary Kate seems to want to focus a little more on The Row  by saying “we are really focused on The Row at the moment,” but Ashley seems a little more tempted by adding “but we could probably help them a little…”

Read the full interview at net-a-porter.com

We’d like to introduce you to an exciting new brand called Mirage Handbags. Launched in Spring 2013, the exciting new brand has just landed in 54 stores throughout the UK including Fenwicks, and is also going on line with Viva la Diva, Barratts, online Debenhams and Amazon.

Mirage bags give the inspiring fashionista a slice of the action by cleverly reproducing a three dimensional illusion of high fashion iconic totes by printing on supreme quality, and hard wearing 600D nylon, with top quality zips and fittings. The handbags give the illusionary effect that you have a lot more on your arm than it seems. Retailing at just £25, these stylish handbags will entice the customer to buy into more than one seasonal trend – ideal for these post luxury recessionary times.

Always scanning the catwalks for the most up to date trends and prints, Mirage handbags translate the hottest trends on to their very own seasonal designs. This Spring, Mirage are currently showcasing, an opulent foulard inspired by Dolce and Gabbana, a kimono print that sits within the strong oriental themes of Spring and geometrics that nod towards the recent Prada and Mui Mui Graphics.

These modestly priced, practical and on trend handbags are ideal for any Trendsetter and we can’t wait to see what else Mirage have in store for us this year!

For more information visit miragebags.com

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Who?What?Where?When?

Folli Follie is a Greek company which designs, manufactures and distributes jewellery, watches and fashion accessories. Folli Follie creates fashion in 25 countries with more than 380 points of sale worldwide, including shops in the most fashionable streets of the worlds major cosmopolitan cities: London, Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong,New York, Dubai, Athens, Beijing, Seoul and Honolulu.

However, this season, Radley’s inspiration for SS13 was everything colourful and for the first time, the luxury British brand, has brought us a series of bold colours so we can flaunt practical and functional style in the hottest summer colours. The best-selling Radley pocket bags (above) are now available in nine cute colours and we can’t wait to get our hands on the them!

The Radley Chiltern (above), is a large everyday tote bag and is now available in a series of summery colours such as peach, red, orange and yellow. Worn by Laura Bailey, the Chiltern tote is affordable and fun fashion. At just £129 these bold bags are sure to be a hit for SS13.

The iconic Radley Barnsley (below), has also been showcased in array of colours such as green, blue and cream.

We are loving this infusion of colours and feel Radley have reinvented their traditional styles for a modern and fresh twist on classic shapes.

Check out Radley’s SS13 collection

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Who?What?Where?When?

Launched for AW11, M.Hulot was born out of a longing for purity in design, sensitivity and truth to materials along with attention to execution and finish with an added dose of fun and femininity. The label is a direct response to the throwaway culture of the mass-market and an antidote to heavily branded designer goods.

Exploiting UK craftsmanship, M.Hulot has forged relationships with factories in Northamptonshire, Manchester and Somerset to bring you a product that has heritage, as well as style and functionality. Each product is made using only the finest Italian leathers and softest Turkish skins.

Influenced by the stylishly attired fictional Frenchman, Monsieur Hulot, the label reflects his struggles with the modern world and it’s increasing pace; harking back to traditional craftsmanship and quality.

Spring Summer 13

The launch of the M.Hulot SS13 collection has seen a playful twist on classic handbags. Brand new pieces are affectionately named after vintage coffee makers, continuing the  M.Hulot naming tradition, which in the past has included vintage sewing machines and record players.

BagServant loves the fact that every handbag has a story and a secret, making the handbag shopping experience personal and touching, every step of the way.

One of our personal favourites from the SS13 collection, id the Cona Bowling Bag, which is practical, stylish and unique and ideal for Boardroom Perfectionists. The Cona Bowling Bag happily fits a laptop so it is ideal for ladies on the move that need to carry their office with them!

Our other fav is the Bi-colour Envelope Clutch Bag. This cute and simplistic clutch bag is currently one of the brand’s best-sellers. It’s hardwearing and long lasting leather ensures that this handbag can be carried night after night but will still last the test of the time.

We are so excited to have the fabulous M.Hulot brand on board and can’t wait to see more of the new collection – we just know you’ll love it!

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Who? What? Where? When? 

Matthew Williamson was born in Manchester in 1971 – a true British gem!  He grew up and studied there until the age of 17, when he was offered a place on the fashion degree course at Central Saint Martins College, London. Matthew graduated from Central Saint Martins with a BA in Fashion Design and Printed Textiles in 1994.

Matthew Williamson Ltd was founded in February 1997 by Matthew and CEO, Joseph Velosa. Matthew showed his acclaimed debut collection, ‘Electric Angels’, at London Fashion Week in September 1997, and the brand’s popularity has steadily grown ever since. Matthew’s debut show of only fourteen vibrantly coloured looks worn by models including Kate Moss, Helena Christensen and Jade Jagger made a huge impact on the fashion world, showcasing a taster of what was to come in the years to follow.

Find out more about Matthew Williamson and be inspired you can buy a book.

Matthew ‘s handbags are ideal for Eco-Glamazons and Trendsetters and we just love them!

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This season, V73 has brought us our favourite and most affordable IT bag, the Bandes Printed Canvas bag. And their varied array of handbags, scarves and now shoes, never seizes to delight us. The Italian brand, founded by Fine Arts graduate Elizabetta Armellin, is simplistic, pure and undeniably stylish, and that’s why V73 is our Designer of the Week!

Who? What? Where? When? 

Elizabetta Armellin studied at the Accademia di Belle Arti in the picturesque city of Venice which inspired her to create the luxury brand V73. The brand name was born from the street number of the Atelier where she worked, and the memory of her experiences are incorporated into the collection via the very same colours that she used in her paintings.

At a quick glance, the bags appear to be made from smooth leather or exotic skins like python and ostrich, but they are actually intricate paintings over canvas. This means the pricetag is purse friendly! The designs are clever, luxurious and any Trendsetter would be a fool to miss out.

Eco-glamzons will also adore these handbags as all the bags are eco-friendly and use dyes made from natural pigments. Each one is completed with tone-to-tone cowhide trimmings on the handles and feature detachable charms. And if that wasn’t enough, the talented designer donates a portion of sales from the current collection the Senology Medical Center charity which works to fight against breast cancer. Seriously, what’s not to love about this brand?!

Check our our favourite V73 handbags:

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KENZO, a name well-respected by fashion industry insiders and a name associated with luxury. From perfume to skincare to clothing, there is not much the KENZO brand haven’t conquered. And from a handbag point of view, their designs are always different, unpredictable and truly elegant. So where did it all begin?

Who? What? Where? When?

The KENZO story, unlike many others from the fashion world, is often untold. The man behind the fashion house of KENZO, which was founded in 1970, is Kenzo Takada, a Japanese fashion designer and one of the first males to attend Tokyo’s Bunka Fashion College.

After earning his diploma, he settled in Paris in 1964 and in 1970 he showcased his first collection at what was first known as Jungle Jap, a boutique in Paris at Galerie Vivienne where he sold his handmade women’s collection. After one of his models appeared on the cover of ELLE, his collection was presented in New York and Tokyo.