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Posts Tagged ‘tote bags’

Fashion Week StyleCaster Totes by Serene Bacigalupi

Posted in Arts, Events, Fashion, tagged , , , on February 16, 2012| 2 Comments »

Style Caster Fashion Week totes designed by Serene Bacigalupi.

There’s a new trend in totes. It used to be that  a designer logo bag was the must-have but ah ha, not anymore. Nope, what best reflects fashion status in today’s Austerity and Occupy world is a freebie. A limited edition tote from a fashion show, a museum exhibit, or an art opening says, I’m not showy but I am connected.  

The latest coveted tote bag was designed by New York City artist, Serene Bacigalupi for the fashion website StyleCaster. In celebration of New York Fashion Week 2012 StyleCaster collaborated with Serene on a political theme for their party goodie bags. “We wanted to draw attention to the election season,” says Serene, “and thought that political tote bags with a fashion bent was cheeky and fun.”    

StyleCaster saw Serene’s artwork on display at the Chelsea Market in NYC and thought her quirky and imaginative style would be a good fit.

Of course the blue bag depicts our current president Barack Obama but the question was, who stands for the red? Since the GOP are still tripping over themselves to the primaries, Serene and StyleCaster decided to forgo a current candidate and dig into the 80s for an iconic Republican image. Who other than Ronald Reagan? I love this one with good old Ronnie sporting a badge that says, Style to the People. It’s just too funny.

The bags are made of cotton and are doubled sided with Reagan or Obama screen printed in black ink on one side and StyleCaster’s motto, Style to the People on the other. Serene says she was hesitant to use Reagan as she didn’t want her business, Leroy’s Place, connected to anything Republican. “I had a really hard time negotiating the line between belief, bipartisanism, and art,” she explains. ” I do feel like Reagan is kind of a funny historical figure. I was definitely more comfortable with him than, say, Rick Santorum.”

Check out Serene’s other fabulous artwork on Etsy.

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A Tote Bag A Week: A Custom Made Gift

Posted in Fashion, Vintage, tagged , , , on September 7, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Did I say a tote bag a week? Never should have said that … kiss of death. So, it’s been longer than a week, but I still have bags to talk about and this next one is special.

The lovely one pictured here was made just for me by my sister-in-law, Lori. Using vintage fabric Lori created the pattern and went to some trouble to get it just right. 

I sport it when I’m off to Pete’s for some reading catch-up and a latte treat. It’s handy oval shape easily carts around my latest knitting project, latest WWD, mags, and novel. It’s roomy and to me looks like something a suffragist would have carried at the turn of the 19th century (toting her subversive pamphlets, of course). 

Why not make a unique tote for yourself? If you’re not a seamstress, there are beginning sewing classes that start with totes. Like this class at Stonemountain and Daughter: http://www.stonemountainfabric.com/module/class.htm?classId=8447

Use vintage fabric and really make it one-of-a-kind.

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A Tote Bag a Week: The Boat and Tote by LL Bean

Posted in Fashion, tagged , , , , on August 12, 2011| Leave a Comment »

The LL Bean Boat & Tote goes well with a Giants game.

“What does a girl wear to her first baseball game?” I asked, waving the two free Giants tickets in the air like a pennant. Well, I knew for sure what tote bag would be appropriate. My LL Bean Boat and Tote.

I’ve had this bag for a few years and it’s great for a trip to the city, the library, to the park, picnics, anywhere. It’s a classic look that fits well in urban and suburban environs.

The Boat and Tote was inspired by ice carriers back in 1945. In the 1960s LL Bean started offering the cream bag with contrasting red or blue trim. 

All these years later it’s a true American classic, still made from 100 percent cotton in Brunswick, Maine. Now we have an array of options in size, color, and monograms.  

As for my first baseball game … I enjoyed roaming the vast ballpark, seeing a double play, and cheering on the team. The game went 14 innings and ended with The Giants beating The Padres, 6-5. But, most importantly, my custom-made pennant survived the entire evening of enthusiastic waving.

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A Tote Bag a Week: Balenciaga

Posted in Fashion, tagged , , on July 26, 2011| Leave a Comment »

This unusual tote was calling to me at the San Francisco de Young Museum’s Balenciaga and Spain exhibit. Made in the USA from coated canvas, it’s strong, easy to spot clean, and oh-so-chic.

The iconic image printed on both sides of the bag is Balenciaga’s 1967 black silk evening dress and a  stunning wrap made from gazar. With that image the tote is an eye-catcher and never fails to attract a second glance from passersby. A few people have approached me wanting to discuss the exhibit. (I’m always up for a chat about fashion.)  

I grab this tote when I’m headed out walking to the postoffice and/or my local drugstore. It holds a wallet and other essentials with enough room for mail and small items I might buy, eliminating the need for plastic shopping bags. An added bonus is the handles are just long enough to fit comfortably over my shoulder.

Check back next week for another installment of A Tote Bag a Week.

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A Tote Bag a Week

Posted in Fashion, tagged , on July 18, 2011| 2 Comments »

Tote from the V&A in London.

I don’t recall my mother ever carrying a tote bag, except perhaps to the beach. I, on the other hand, carry one just about every day. In fact, on the rare occasion I’m not toting a tote, I feel something is missing.

Hectic lifestyles call for carting around a lot of stuff. I have my daily tote, which contains: lunch, I.Pod, notebook, book, mags, scarf, and a change of shoes. But I also have an array of totes for specific needs. I thought it would be fun to share with readers some of my more interesting totes, where I got them, and how I use them.

Pictured left is a cotton cloth bag I picked up at the Victoria & Albert Museum. It was the first of what has become a collection of totes from museums. This one was from the exhibit – The Golden Age of Couture: Paris & London, 1947-1957.

I use this lightweight tote while traveling. It slips nicely into my suitcase and works well carrying my camera, travel book and any bits and pieces I acquire during the day. It’s also a handy alternative to my purse when I go down to the hotel reception for breakfast or pop out for a cup of coffee. I have not seen another like it and it’s a good conversation starter. (It’s interesting how often people comment on it.)

Tune in next week for another Tote of the Week.

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