Attire Accessories - Jul/Aug 2019 (Issue 77)

SCOOP INTERNATIONAL 77 Who: Aimee Ward, +44 (0)7595 844 091, aimeeward.com What: Aimee Ward’s handbags combine a love of product design, attention to detail and the beauty of nature to create products that are rare in both their aesthetic and production techniques. The collection consists of contrasting materials, including metal and leather, with the delicacy of real dried flowers and the shapes of metal laser-cut insects. The bags are designed to be standout pieces, beautiful and unusual to look at. Each bag is versatile to suit the occasion; they come with two leather straps – one long and one short – and can also be worn as a clutch bag. They are all double-sided so can be worn either way around, and the acrylic bags have a removable and interchangeable lining, creating several looks from one bag. The idea behind the collection was to create something eye-catching in terms of its beauty and individuality – a kind of wearable art. Flowers, insects and all things natural are the main inspiration, alongside both a practical and innovative approach to the mechanics of the bags, meaning there are some unusual elements that have added to the design, including the side-hinge closure. Quality and attention to detail are both important values of the brand. Keeping the manufacturing in the UK means being able to oversee the process, enable a quick turnaround and to support local economy. The production process includes several stages. Small, UK- based factories laser-cut some of the parts, which are then assembled by a small in-house team, along with hand-finished techniques, including hand stitching, flower sealing, placement and gold-leaf application. Who: Leather’s Valley, leathersvalley.com What: Leather’s Valley is a fashion brand that strives to provide a new concept to streetwear. Established in 1998, the company has mastered the art of leather works, providing luxurious craftsmanship and finishing on leather materials. Leather’s Valley create luxurious lines of trainers, bags and tailored services. The company is driven by the vision of becoming the go-to fashion brand for matchless luxurious street-style fashion items. To achieve this, it has designed its production process to follow a comprehensive in-house system that sees it provide professionalism in every phase of production, from the material selection and processing phase to the manufacturing and finishing. Who: Untitled Barcelona, +34 680 832 779, untitledbarcelona.es What: Untitled Barcelona launched in 2013 and is the brainchild of artist and designer Gisselle Morales. The company is a highly conceptual and exclusive label, with each piece being distinctive and handmade. Untitled Barcelona focuses primarily on creating handbags with original painted canvas, natural leathers and cotton. These canvases are an integral part in the conceptualisation and realisation of the bags, as they are authentic works of art that several contemporary artists produce exclusively for the company. The acrylic paintings are treated with a strong varnish to extend their life and function. However, they are delicate pieces and must be treated with love and care. Untitled Barcelona is characterised by the combination of colours and textures, and this distinguishing quality becomes the main feature of its visual language. According to the company, “Combining art with a daily handbag comes from the need to make art and to put art on the streets so it can have its own transformation. Why must art be enclosed behind the walls of museums and galleries? Art is a collective message.”