Bag it

What’s an attire, be it a sari, salwar suit or  designer label dress without an appropriate bag to go with it? It’s an extremely important accessory to enhance that smart look. From small purses to big shopping carriers, bags are indispensable to every woman’s lifestyle today, as was in the past. Think of the Victorian ladies with their fancy little purses. But today multi-tasking women  need bags to match different occasions. 

“You may call bags a large pocket, offering some good extra layers to fit in all your necessary knickknacks,” says fashion designer Nimish Shah. From cell phones, car keys to wallets, cosmetics-kit and even umbrellas during the rainy season, a versatile bag is a must, he points out.

So, medium size bags are in now for the convenience factor.  “A woman’s dress is usually devoid of pockets unlike a man’s to hold the essential stuff.  Bags fill in that gap. You can also stack in a lightweight jacket in case there’s a slight nip in the air or squeeze in a shawl if you come home late at night,” Shah adds. He also adds cross body slings, backpacks and the long strap variety to the list. “These are very much in. Large tote bags and the puny Chinese purses are definitely out.”

Designer Masumi Mewawalla of Pink Peacock Couture finds “a printed bag super trendy as it goes with everything in your wardrobe. A sturdy shoulder bag also helps you get through the wet season with ample packing room and crisp details”.

Sure, crocheted and straw handbags have appeared on the runways too. “But these lovely woven items are more statement pieces than something we can rely on to cart our essentials,” but she admits that  they are extremely attractive showcasing a diversity of dyes.

“Handbags are now every woman’s besties like dazzling diamonds. Be it for the office or an evening of fun and  frolic, bags are sported as arm candies,” comments Shivam Khanna, director, Eské Paris. Targetting modern Indian women, this internationally reputed accessories brand has introduced an exclusive line of handbags in a wide range of eye-grabbing samples . Shoulder bags, cross body bags, hobo bags, shoppers’ totes and clutches in a plethora of colours and designs grace the shelves of all its swanky outlets. The colour palette noticeably extends from pop vibrant shades to subtle classics. They are modern as well as fashionable and claim to cater to both high-end  and middle- end of the consumer profile.

Subscribing to bags in beautiful pure leather with nice detailing, Shah rejects the fake ones as a strict no-no. “Faux leather can’t prevent weathering. Over time, it seasons, develops cracks and finally peels off,” he points out. “Rather, canvas bags are more durable and handy. I like less hardware. So the make and construction of the purses integral to my design,” he adds. Black and turquoise green are his suggested hues for the kind of bags he prescribes.

Recommending different types of bags for different sections, Shah chooses a backpack for a college girl on the campus. “Obviously, as she has to put in lots of things together for the class.  This is quite convenient for transport and travel. Plus it renders a youngish flavor with high-street spirit. For a woman at workplace, cross body bags with secured hardness is ideal.” The ever-fashionable clutches for  an evening party, on the red carpet or a wedding reception never falls out of style. For travelling a medium-size bag is ideal.

Keeping the ‘Skill India’ philosophy in mind, Shah opts for handcrafted bags which go well  with ethnic wear. “Embroidered bags in Rajasthani stitches or with leather embossing bring a value-addition to the finished product,” he observes. Moreover,  potlis and jholas in radiant colours and gold-silver brocades hit it off in Indianshaadis with the bridal outfits being desi lehenga-cholis or Banarasi saris and guests too going for the traditional wear. Sequins, mirror-work, Gota Patti and appliqué stitches are also applied to craft out exquisite bags at home-grown cottage industry outlets.

Talking of affordability, Khanna shares the principal motive behind his brand’s entry to the business. “Our focus is on craftsmanship as well as comfort, which makes our bags and footwear popular. At a highly within-your-means price-point, the customers are able to get a premium commodity,” he claims.

With several brands like Nappa Dori and Globus also inundating the cyberspace as tough competitors, fashion experts view online shopping as a big change-maker in shopping habits of consumers in India. The aspirational and well-travelled working women comprising a big chunk of consumers these days, these  portals strive to offer the best of products on-line.

Mewawalla’s upcoming bag-launch promises an array of everyday usage. “The USP is to dole out enough pockets to organize the belongings inside. Our bags are also appropriate for a wide variety of social and professional situations,” she says. “A versatile bag can be put in anywhere its owner might want to go on a daily basis. In sync with this concept, we pledge to make our collection immaculately appropriate for all seasons and reasons for its users,” she affirms.

When it comes to the shade-card, she ticks off blacks with occasional whites alongside a steady appearance of subtle nudes, gorgeous browns and glossy tans. This would induce a much-needed break from the monotony of regular tones, she fathoms. Faux leather, fabric and vinyl shine as the most popular bag materials according to her.

“The material of a bag helps determine how long the item will last. Printed cotton bags with embellishments are also much in demand. Rather than motifs and prints, you would witness colour-blocking as a centrepiece in my inventory of bags,” informs the designer-manufacturer, who is ready to retail by this December.

Trans World Features (TWF)