Hasta La Ideas

A proudly British label merges form and function with unexpected fabrics for truly unique handbags

Feeling constrained as a freelance interiors stylist, Londoner Tamara Fogle abandoned editorial features in favor of following her own creative pursuit. What began simply as a desire to make “things” she liked, Fogle explains “now my job is a real reflection of me, and I love that fact.” Steadily gaining notoriety since its inception in 2007, her eponymous handbag label is now stocked by a wealth of specialty boutiques across the U.K., as well as at London’s edgy Hoxton Gallery and The British Museum shop.

Fogle’s passion for her work is evident in every bag, which are each entirely designed and made in the U.K.—a decision she says is “exceedingly important.” While this drastically reduces her carbon footprint, Fogle explains her real interest is in bolstering a “diminishing industry” that truly excels in craftsmanship. “By championing British production, I hope to evoke the heritage and create the quality that U.K. manufacturing was once renowned for. My focus is to create a quality product that will last forever, and won’t be thrown away in favor of next season’s fad. Instead, it will get better and better with age and wear.”

In addition to ensuring sustainability, Fogle’s label also stands out for its fabrics, with the designer roaming the globe for unique materials and finishes that span French mattress ticking to Indian quilts. “Sourcing fabrics is the most fun,” she says. “For longstanding ranges like my Antique German Flour Sack range, I work with a few specialist textile dealers. Looking for new fabrics means I am constantly scouring antique fairs and talking to the most interesting and eccentric people.”

Her latest find is a stockpile of vintage Belgian army tent bags that are “enormous and falling apart at the seams,” but by playing with the proportions, Fogle says “the fabric can be made up into fantastic bags that combine textures like soft leather hides, hard bridle leathers and other ‘scruffy textiles’ for a distinct aesthetic.”

Tamara Fogle bags sell in a variety of styles and patterns, and are stocked in the U.K. at Elys of Wimbledon, Flint in Sussex and 18 The Mall in Bristol, as well as Iena in Japan, online at ModCloth in the States and Le Grenier in Australia. Prices typically span £125-330.

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Furni taps decades-old craftsmanship to make limited-edition moccasins

Fresh from Canada, Furni’s new moccasins bring an urban sensibility to the traditional footwear. To make the crepe-soled shoes, Furni looked to a 40-year-old, family-owned company. Known for the craftsmanship they put into their snowshoes, moccasins and other Indian handcrafts, the company is the perfect fit with Furni’s commitment to artisan techniques.

The resulting collaborative design is a men’s mid-height moccasin that hits at the ankle. Each caramel-colored shoe is made to order using the finest Brazilian leather in a Montreal workshop.

The “Rockassins,” a limited edition, sell on a first come first serve basis at a cost of $98 per pair. Production begins 21 February 2010 and will ship to clients roughly three-five weeks later. Place your order on Furni’s site.

Everyday leather bags with minimalist-luxe appeal

Brothers Tim and Dan Joo created their bag label Haerfest with the intention of designing “modern basics that age well.” With four simple styles crafted in durable materials like leather and brass, the unisex line boasts equally straightforward style names such as A1 Back Pack (shown above).

While the A1 retains the classic backpack shape in sultry leather, the A2 Bucket Bag riffs on the roll-top trend with its open top and multifunctional straps. Together, they sling over shoulders as one strap, or for a more streamlined approach, separate them to keep it casual.

The A3 Shoulder Sack, definitely the most feminine of the collection, flattens completely making it a useful bag to pack on your next trip.

For extended journeys, the A4 Overnight Duffel mods a classic but keeps it functional. The tubular shape makes it easy to stow, leather flaps secure hidden pockets and its simple leather exterior adds an alluring Bond element—sure to get you bumped up to first.

Most styles come in a variety of muted colors, which can be seen in full from the Haerfest website. Since the collection just launched, stockists are still undetermined but to get your hands on a bag, contact Haerfest. Prices span $380-550, depending on the model and materials.

Sjoerd Vroonland of the Netherlands has designed a collection of chairs, including this one with branches sprouting from the back-rest.

Called Revised Craft, Vroonland focuses on the functionality of the furniture and the use of different materials.

The branch chair is an interpretation of how chairs are used in various ways, for example for hanging coats and other items on.

The collection also includes a rocking chair made up of beads, a stool with a seat made of moulded leather, inspired by the bicylce seat, and a lazyboy.

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Here’s some more information from the designer:

Revised Craft

For my collection I ask myself the question: is a chair purely functional? Is it a showpiece and a visual story? Or is it an expression of technical know-how and therefore representative of its era?

With this topic I deconstruct 19th and 20th century design classics and translates the craftsmanship of the pieces into new materials to develop new techniques. To generate this I use self-designed construction tools.

These ‘rulers’ are, on one hand, a construction method of the seat, on the other hand a tool to generate a continuous linear form.

As a designer I’m constantly researching on craftsmanship to innovative and integrate new materials and production techniques within the designs. My pedigree shows the total process.

The rocking chair is inspired by the history of the Thonet chair. By subjecting and utilizing the beads from different perspectives the current construction is being modernized in a contemporary way.

Revitalization can only arise when you, as a designer, research and examine craftsmanship as well as design classics and products. My collection starts with a conceptual stage where no concession is made towards comfort but only on visual design and silhouette.

At this stage I chose certain materials which allows total freedom of form. This is followed by a complete and final design where technology are demanding their share.

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Diversity by Nacho Carbonell	Leather furniture by Tortie Hoare	+ by Yaroslav Misonzhnikov

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