eggplant analine leather w hardware by Perry Gargano
cameo messenger bag..
brown italian leather w one of my very favorite hardware pieces by Perry Gargano
I loooove this story = Leigh Ann and Henry.
This is not the reason why I began making things, but this is an example of a sincere reason why I will continue endlessly..
I recently ran into Henry and thanked him again for sending this photo of Leigh Ann (the same day he proposed!). I told him I was creating this blog and asked if it was ok to post this photo. He so generously said 'of course it's no problem' and should he write something to go along... So I happily accepted and what follows is the email I received today......
...So after a night of probing Leigh for ideas to her birthday present it was pretty clear I had a pretty high hurdle to jump. She confessed that before she became a responsible adult she used to blow her savings on buying bags...like the expensive kinda stuff. At the time I didn't want to get her some off the shelf designer bag 'cause she tends to wear bags in a certain way that excenuates her lifestyle. I just didn't know how to find something like that without actually having her there to pick it. I put the idea aside.
I wanted to propose on her birthday. After all what more does a birthday girl need than a diamond engagement ring. I knew I was going to propose but I didn't know how exactly I was going to do it. I couldn't think of anything until I met Kristine. Actually, I met her bag first then met Kristine. I commented on how much I liked it and how extra fancy the premium hardware and leather looked. After she told me she made it and it was a prototype it was like finding the last piece to my puzzle. Seriously though.
A week before the b-day we hooked up to talk about ideas for Leigh's bag. I mentioned I was going to use her bag as a vehicle for proposing. She laughed 'cause I think she didn't take me seriously. She came up with the most fabulous shape and design, allowing me to choose the leather and fabric lining first. When I got the bag...a day before her birthday by the way...I was enamored by how cool it was. It was brown premium leather accented by gold hardware and purple fabric lining that wrapped around the seams of the messenger type bag. It was really sleek but slouchy enough for Leigh...I said to her-"You know, this bag is going to be much more than just a bag for us." She shot me a big smile in response but immediately went back into telling me the cool custom features she did. I then showed her the ring. She smiled so sincerely that it was as if she deeply understood how beautiful I thought this bag was going to be for Leigh.
Hells, the box I put the ring in nearly matched the leather of the bag. Next day-I gave her her present with the ring inside it. She almost didn't find the ring box because Leigh was too busy looking at the bag. Her sister, who was in on it, asked Leigh if there was anything inside. She found the ring and the rest is history. Thanks Kristine!
Zip zip away..
It was just a matter of time before the zipper introduced it's practical and aesthetic offerings to my designs. 2010 will be filled with lots of zipper experimentation. All styles can now be made to close with leather flap or zipper!
Copan Copan..
Buttery soft lamb skin, lined with patterned cotton fabric. Interior leather pocket. Leather woven chain, with cushioned leather strap. Invisible magnet closure. Hand stitched detail. Hardware by Perry Gargano. 14.5 in x 8 in
Blue Shimla and a yellow elephant...
Buttery soft lamb skin, lined with patterned cotton fabric. Four interior pockets. Leather woven chain, with cushioned leather strap. Hand stitched detail. Invisible magnet closure. 15 in x 20 in
Montreux..
Buttery soft lamb skin, lined with patterned cotton fabric. Interior leather pocket with zipper. Leather woven chain, with cushioned leather strap. Hand stitched detail. Invisible magnet closures. Hardware by Perry Gargano. 16 in x 8.5 in
London Clutch..
Black crocodile embossed cow hide, lined with striped cotton fabric. Two interior compartments, one with zipper. One magnet closure. Two removable chains included, one long to wear over shoulder and one to wear around wrist. Hand stitched detail. Hardware by Perry Gargano optional. 13 in x 6 in
Buttery soft Brussels..
Buttery soft lamb skin, lined with patterned cotton fabric. Interior leather pocket. Adjustable leather woven chain straps. Leather flap with invisible magnet closure. Hand stitched detail. Hardware by Perry Gargano optional. 19.5 in x 7 in
a collaboration is born..
These are a few of the first handbags featuring hardware by Perry Gargano.
late 2008..
This period was when it all started get really exciting in terms of developing the intricacy of what is now a signature hand stitched detailing.
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