I decided to Split  the African Print Bags into their own shop Busu Bag.  Busu is Swahili for Kiss.  Please check out the new shop…. BUSUBAGS

Black Velvet dress, with rhinestone clasp. Label: Made in France/Lydia Carlton Circa 1990

French clothes from the 1880s to the 1980s, including designs by Jean Patou, Nina Ricci, Christian Dior, Chanel, and Louis Feraud.

For centuries, French clothes were considered de rigueur for fashionable women all over the world. More that status symbols, French labels guaranteed an article’s quality.

Coco Chanel Famous Suit: Circa 1960

 The clothes featured in the exhibit adorned the figures of Wichita women and include the corset and bustles of the 1880s, the  style of the 1920 flapper,

Christian Dior’s softer post -war look of the late 1940′s,the 1960′s youth appeal and the bright colors of the 1990s. For many, French fashion has a je ne sais quoi, that indefinable something that sets French cloths apart from all others.

French Fashions

The 2.55 handbag bears that particular name simply because it was originally issued in February 1955. Her features have all a piece of tale to tell. From the inside out:
• The lining – The lining’s brown color represents the color of the uniforms from the convent where she grew up.
• The inside compartment – there’s a zippered compartment at the inside of the front flap. That’s where Coco Chanel hid her love letters (from her lover at the time).

coco bag

• The backside – there’s a back outside flap on the handbag – that’s where Ms Chanel stashed extra money.
• The shoulder strap –  Coco Chanel grew up in a convent, at the orphanage. The caretakers hold the keys at their waist dangling from the same type of chains as the 2.55 shoulder strap chains.
• The front lock – the 2.55 front lock is different from the classic double CC logo. It’s logo is called “the Mademoiselle Lock” (because Ms Chanel was never married)

The Soulfulkisses.. Zi Zi Quilted Bag

Zi Zi Brown Quilted HandbagZi Zi lining

My inspiration for the bag is CoCo Chanel , French fashion designer. She is famous for her quilted bags. This is one of those bags that make you feel a little sophisticated. Like you should be strolling up the Champs Elysses.

Lining

Ikea fabric

I have been drooling over these Swedish  fabrics from Ikea.  I finally purchased a couple of yards. The pumpkin and black with Birds is Gunilla. The  big flowers is Fredrika.  Gunilla Lagerhem Ullberg, born 1955, is one of Swedens most well known and respected textile designers. She has designed fabrics and wallpapers for several Swedish companies; SANDEN textiles, NK, Ikea of Sweden, Handarbetets vänner and Svenskt Tenn.

60s-style Fredrika fabric..It’s the work of Helen Trast, she takes her. inspiration from  bright and colourful vintage Scandinavian designs.

I am using the Gunilla for handbags. The Fredrika fabric design is to large for my bags, so I decided I will add a border and use as a table-cloth.

Ikea Bags Gunilla

Flower Collector

It is nice when I sell a bag to get   visual feedback. I received this message from one of my buyers with a cute Picture. 

“My daughter loves it! It is now her bag for collecting flowers. “

Fuchsia Floral

This fabric is very popular. I made the mini tote, large tote, Hobo and wristlet  all with a fuchsia lining.

Hobo Coulture

I have reworked my hobo bag. I have made them large and included a zippered pocket for security. Check out Bags  at SOULFUL KISSES.