The sort of backpacks that have been getting a lot of fash-y chit chat involve ones made out of fur that are at risk of engulfing the model (Kanye's fur backpack on Bambi at his show… that said, I still loves it…) and alligator ones that cost the equivalent of a mortgage downpayment yet still manage to incur waiting lists (The Row of course…). The sort of backpacks that I've personally been in physical contact with however are more modestly priced but no less interesting in my eyes. It feels redundant explaining the joys and plus points of a decent backpack. Only the peeps who regularly carry their laptops, a few books, magazines, maybe some groceries and then all the usual handbag-y stuff would understand the aesthetic and practical requirements of a rucksack. That's hopefully everyone who is reading this… ?!?
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I spoke of one of the joys of being back at home was that I can once again nick things from Steve. Turns out his incoming list of stealable things just keeps getting better. In addition to the no-brainer jumpers and jackets, French and English Confectioners, a small-ish London-based leather goods label have bestowed upon him this vegetable leather and patent rucksack. F&E are actually on Etsy now whilst they rebuild their website so you can get your hands on this particular rucksack specimen in addition to versions in grey and navy patent. The very reasonable price of £200 packs a lot of handmade craftsmanship into the rucksack. Both Steve and I have crammed a lot in and the straps show no sign of weakening and the double stitched seams ensure it's as sturdy as it is pretty.
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I must confess I haven't actually physically seen Haerfest's (pronounced Harvest) bags but I can be fairly sure that this relatively new New York-based leather goods label run by brothers Tim and Dan Joo are committed to design and craftsmanship. “Familiar yet unexpected,” underlies their designs and following the qualitative mantra of a lot of young and smart labels these days, Haerfest strive to use quality materials with great attention to detail. Opening Ceremony have them in two different skins at the moment but for S/S 12, a seep of colour in the form of carmine and navy will be entering the fold.
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I'll be talking up the rest of Ostwald Helgason's supremely textured and layered S/S 12 collection but this cork and patent backpack definitely deserves a shout out on its own. Yes, it's 100% real cork, a material the label sourced from Hong Kong and when reinforced with the black patent, it creates a hardwearing texture that looks unexpected as a backpack. Wait till you see the cork in action as jackets, tees and baseball caps though… looking like a CORKER won't be too difficult where Ostwald Helgason's S/S 12 collection is involved… uh-huh-uh-huh-uh-huh…
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When I went to go see Simona Citarella's debut shoe collection at her boutique Wok in Milan, where I also incidentally found a different side to the city's fashion beat, I came across Swiss designer Julian Zigerli whose debut menswear collection involves a lot of jacket backpack hybrids, some more noticeable as backpacks than others. Some of his printed pieces are now available on Far Fetch but the one I picked up was a frighteningly bright highlighter pink number with an inbuilt drawstring rucksack…
Steve can't quite fathom what man would opt for this shade of pink as this is supposedly a menswear piece but I've obviously got no problem with the shade. Some daring Milano fashion dude's loss is after all my gain and the fit of a sized small jacket is perfect for stuffing a few layers undernath as well as having a roomy rucksack to boot. I haven't got round to testing the weight resiliance of the piece yet but I reckon one copy of The Gentlewoman, a wallet, my keys and a jumper will fill it up quite nicely.
For those that wanted to see the results of my visit to Repetto L'Atelier, here they are. They've been slightly battered by the sand dusty of the Tuileries gardens but the trio of colours which I picked out for the trim, the lace and the shoe upper remains forcefully bright.
(Worn with Topshop x Michael van der Ham skirt, Peter Jensen lurex jumper, Repetto L'Atelier shoes, stuffing a Benah pistachio green iPad case in the jacket)
21 comments
laura
2011-10-17 at 4:29 PMthe jacket is cool! 🙂
Can’t imagine carryng things around in my jacket. haha
Inspire me Bitch
2011-10-17 at 5:01 PMYou’re just Perfect !
Andrea
2011-10-17 at 5:24 PMI love love love it!!! so obsessed with packpacks, need to get one for this season. The grey one is beautiful. By the way I’m a huge fan and you have inspired me to get my own blog so if you have two minutes check it out!
http://fierceglam.blogspot.com/
xoxo
Andrea
Loi
2011-10-17 at 5:54 PMThat is one cool jacket!!! A jacket and a backpack in one, WOW!!! But my question is that is it comfortable to wear? Isn’t it a bit heavy and sort of dragging your whole back down once it has things in them?
http://www.laestetica.com.ph
http://www.squidoo.com/get-to-know-dr-almond-derla
Updo Hairstyles
2011-10-17 at 6:49 PMThose backpacks take me back to high school and with that jacket I am there! They are so classic looking and I will have to check them out and maybe I’ll look like I’m in high school again!
Lucy
2011-10-17 at 8:20 PMOh Susie this is just amazing, SUCH a good post – and just at the perfect time too – my friend is doing her final major project on them so you’re a perfect resource.
Personally I have me eyes well and truly glazing over Lazy Oafs ones, so colourful!
Adore the sporty jacket with inbuild rucksack, very simply and beautifully designed!
xxx
SarahJayne @ Goldmine Trash
2011-10-17 at 8:39 PMThat’s the craziest jacket I’ve ever seen. Impressive!
Kellebelle
2011-10-17 at 9:03 PMAmazing! Love these backpacks… Need them …ALL!
x
http://kellebelle.wordpress.com/
Olive
2011-10-18 at 12:02 AMI love your outfit, it such a great jacket that has double function as a jacket and as a bag, superb! also that repeto flats!uh you really know how to combine a view colors look pretty #envy
Joy
2011-10-18 at 12:25 AMThese are really pretty great!
train quilt
2011-10-18 at 4:07 AMIt’s great!Thanks for posting.
Tracy
2011-10-18 at 4:29 AMLove that jacket!!!! those colors and the idea, ,,, That’s remind me of Hoiming’s leather bag!!
Mccade
2015-01-12 at 8:22 AMHey, that’s the grstteea! So with ll this brain power AWHFY?
Ophelia
2011-10-18 at 6:50 AMWow, so innovative!
http://cestlavieophelia.blogspot.com/
Constance
2011-10-18 at 7:28 AMAwww I love you ballerinas!
http://www.afrenchinlosangeles.com/
thefashionguitar
2011-10-18 at 9:36 AMI am not sure if I would wear a back-pack soon… nevertheless, I like the trend, and the back-packs you are showing are really nice!
XO Charlotte
Jenny
2011-10-18 at 3:44 PMI love the pink backpack jacket! so cute and practical 🙂
Filipa
2011-10-19 at 1:22 AMIm sure the designs will be different, but cork clothes, etc, isnt really a novelty, at least in Portugal: http://www.pelcor.pt .
Amy
2011-10-19 at 9:23 AMAmazing – I normally hate rucksacks but these are fab. Might have to make a bit of a u-turn and get one…
Amy
http://amy-hall.co.uk
Sian Conway
2011-10-23 at 3:00 PMThe top backpack is beautiful and the jacket pack is such an innovative idea x
http://sianconway.blogspot.com
Dwayne Pech
2011-12-01 at 1:12 PMOh my gosh, I’m in love with that jacket/backpack. That’s perfect for those who only carry a few, flat stuff. Just don’t fall on your back, or your iPad would be crushed, LOL.