Recently, I deleted old posts by mistake, while trying to update design. Sorry!!!!!!! Now trying to rebuild the blog, apologies for readers.
Repeating myself.
September 30th, 2008 — Handbags, eco, luxury, news from antonello @ Luxury eco-conscious fashion
The fashion luxury handbag industry dilemma.
September 29th, 2008 — Development, Handbags, eco, luxury from antonello @ Luxury eco-conscious fashion
I cannot get tired of repeating myself that the luxury industry is returning to the idea of craftsmanship and individuality. Knowing where the item is made helps (at least for me!) to emphasise its luxury status.
It is common to hear, that designer has moved the productive activities to another country where the labour costs are cheaper. It is an odd reality, a widely spread reality. Given that I am from Italy, more specifically from the Italian region of Sardinia. I order hand-woven fabrics from Sardinia and I want to produce the handbags in Italy (mainland). Easy concept! “Act locally…..think globally”.
I personally think, the accessories market looks too close to what the big names are doing and at the end the collections are too similar and difficult to sell. I have noticed that there is scarce orientation to research, many companies rely too much on current trends forgetting to research more on the future trends and majority do not experiment with new materials.
The luxury handbag market should really consider to concentrate on materials, perhaps eco-friendly materials (produced locally), to regain its exclusivity.
Online Stores It is common to hear, that designer has moved the productive activities to another country where the labour costs are cheaper. It is an odd reality, a widely spread reality. Given that I am from Italy, more specifically from the Italian region of Sardinia. I order hand-woven fabrics from Sardinia and I want to produce the handbags in Italy (mainland). Easy concept! “Act locally…..think globally”.
I personally think, the accessories market looks too close to what the big names are doing and at the end the collections are too similar and difficult to sell. I have noticed that there is scarce orientation to research, many companies rely too much on current trends forgetting to research more on the future trends and majority do not experiment with new materials.
The luxury handbag market should really consider to concentrate on materials, perhaps eco-friendly materials (produced locally), to regain its exclusivity.
Continue reading → The fashion luxury handbag industry dilemma.
The latest must have!
September 28th, 2008 — Handbags, eco, luxury, news from antonello @ Luxury eco-conscious fashion
The latest must have guilt free handbag comes from Pibiones by Antonello.
“Pibiones pay tribute to the best of Italian eco luxury fabric choices. Trialling authentic Sardinian hand weaving methods in ethically managed factories, the collection of accessories are handcrafted by a handpicked group of leading handbag manufacturers in villages in mainland Italy.
Shedding light on Italian textiles and putting localised Italian handiwork and the importance of its preservation back on the map, Pibiones designer Antonello Tedde prides himself on only working with experts in accessories production and ultimately bringing Sardinian production methods back into the global consciousness.” London Fashion Week, BFC
Reviewing the past
September 28th, 2008 — Design, Handbags, eco, luxury from antonello @ Luxury eco-conscious fashion
I did talk before about this antique hand-woven textile. I discovered in an old wooden chest at my parents in Sardinia. It has been in the family from 1814: my great, great grandmother drew the designs and prepared dyes from local plants. She dyed the wool from my granddad sheep for her own work. She created a bedspread that remained in the family for few generations.
Its the time to review the past and look forward to achieving more in the coming years. This ecourages me to continue to work hard in the coming years to avoid the disappearance of the Sardinian hand-woven fabrics.
Ideas for my design
September 28th, 2008 — Design, Handbags, accessories, eco, luxury from antonello @ Luxury eco-conscious fashion
Where do I get design ideas? The only sources are the Sardinian fabrics and my imagination. Then, I have to make sure the idea I think is so brilliant, is developed into a concrete form. I normally start studying a particular hand-woven fabric and than I start making the pattern. The most important thing is to ensure the weavers and manufacturer understand how to produce it.
I try to be present in every production phase, to correct and redefine every component and detail. For the next Spring Summer 09 collection, I have based the handbag collection on roses and geometrical patterns.
I try to be present in every production phase, to correct and redefine every component and detail. For the next Spring Summer 09 collection, I have based the handbag collection on roses and geometrical patterns.
London Fashion Week - Estethica - Spring Summer 09
September 23rd, 2008 — Events, Handbags, accessories, luxury from antonello @ Luxury eco-conscious fashion
Thank you for visiting our stand at the London Fashion Week – Estethica - Spring Summer Fashion. We really had fantastic time talking to you. We hope you enjoyed the show as much as we did. Please if you have any question about our company, our products, do not hesitate to call us! We would also like to thank Fromsomewhere team, Orsola De Castro and Filippo Ricci, for giving us the opportunity to be part of this truly unique event and for the support of the organizers.
Online Stores Continue reading → London Fashion Week - Estethica - Spring Summer 09
Searching for handbag and wallet manufacturers.
May 10th, 2008 — Satchel from antonello @ Luxury Handbags Blog - All about exclusive luxury handbags and eco-luxury handbags
Knowing where the item is made helps (at least for me!) to emphasise its luxury status.
It is common to hear, that designer has moved the productive activities to another country where the labour costs are cheaper. It is an odd reality, a widely spread reality. Given that I am from Italy, more specifically from the Italian region of Sardinia. I order hand-woven fabrics from Sardinia and I want to produce the handbags in Italy (mainland). Easy concept! “Act locally…..think globally”. It will be an easy concept if I could find reliable companies to produce the handbags or wallets! On the net a long list of the many Italian leather and accessory manufacturer consortiums and associations representing companies willing to produce. If you call them up or visit them, you’ll soon discover that they have the some story to tell: “the situation is very bad, we don’t have work because everybody is going somewhere else”. I then ask: “can you produce my bags?”. The only answer they can give is: “sorry, we cannot produce your bags, too little quantities” or “it is not worthwhile for us developing a production sample if you cannot guarantee at least 250 bags”.
Where is the solution? I personally think that accessories manufacturers refusing small orders and charging absurd prices for sampling and production, have to think again. The competitors from “other countries” have improved quality, production methods and are able keep costs down thanks to cheap labour….and adopt very aggressive promotion strategies.
Some time ago (2006), for handbag development, I was quoted these prices by a manufacturer. Luckily, I can make samples myself!
Prototype Development
- Paper Prototype
- Prototype (in calico/fabric/fake leather for approval)
Price:
Euro 670,°° per style
Euro 500,°° per graded style
- Prototype consultation - Euros 45/h
Sample Development
- Sample realization
- Additional samples
Price:Product price + 50 %
- Sample modification and consultation Euro 40/h
Online StoresContinue reading → Searching for handbag and wallet manufacturers.
Ideas for my designs.
May 8th, 2008 — Satchel from antonello @ Luxury Handbags Blog - All about exclusive luxury handbags and eco-luxury handbags
Where do I get design ideas? The only sources are the Sardinian fabrics and my imagination. Then, I have to make sure the idea I think is so brilliant, is developed into a concrete form. I normally start studying a particular hand-woven fabric and than I start making the pattern. The most important thing is to ensure the weavers and manufacturer understand how to produce it. I try to be present in every production phase, to correct and redefine every component and detail. For the next Spring Summer 09 collection, I have based the handbag collection on roses and geometrical patterns.
Hearty spring summer 09 trends.
May 5th, 2008 — Satchel from antonello @ Luxury Handbags Blog - All about exclusive luxury handbags and eco-luxury handbags
Visiting some of the showrooms in Milan during “Salone del mobile”, some of the exhibitions reminded me of the view from my window in Sardinia.
In Milan
An hearty bench
View from my window in Sardinia.
Pibiones by Antonello - Autumn Winter 2008/2009 - Fashion Exhibition
February 18th, 2008 — Autumn Winter 2008, Events, eco-fashion, trends from antonello @ Luxury Handbags Blog - All about exclusive luxury handbags and eco-luxury handbags
Thank you for visiting our stand at the London Fashion Week – Estethica, autumn winter 2008 2009 fashion. We really had fantastic time talking to you. We hope you enjoyed the show as much as we did. Please if you have any question about our company, our products, do not hesitate to call us! We would also like to thank Fromsomewhere team, for giving us the opportunity to be part of this truly unique event, for the support of the organizers and to Monsoon and Accessorize for their sponsorship of Estethica.
Continue reading → Pibiones by Antonello - Autumn Winter 2008/2009 - Fashion Exhibition
Estethica - London Fashion Week
January 25th, 2008 — Autumn Winter 2008, Events, news, trends from antonello @ Luxury Handbags Blog - All about exclusive luxury handbags and eco-luxury handbags
Yes it is official and soon….the Pibiones eco-conscious collections will be exhibited at London Fashion Week (autumn winter 2008) – Estethica (eco-friendly fashion) on the 10th till the 13th February - exhibition number ES21, visit the LFW website http://www.londonfashionweek.co.uk/ for more information.
This season the Estethica exhibition (eco-friendly fashion) confirms the diffusion of a new passion for simplicity and fashion with values. The attention will be concentrated on a non-toxic, ethical, transparent product, which signifies the use of highest quality materials. Pibiones new handbag collection 2008 is rich in research on detailing, influenced by couture, by search for well-being and materials that are ever more eco-friendly and sophisticated.
The theme is inspired by Sardinian villages (from which each bag takes the name), the lights, the colours that reflect daily life and yet at the some time very much the mood of modern metropolitan city. The black and white, the cream, blue and green with emphasis on discretion with particular attention to linear styles inspired by architecture.
Reviewing the past in the New Year
January 15th, 2008 — Autumn Winter 2008, Spring Summer 08, news, tips from antonello @ Luxury Handbags Blog - All about exclusive luxury handbags and eco-luxury handbags
Please accept my late wishes for a very Happy and Prosperous 2008.
I would like to start the New Year with a textile that I recently discovered in an old wooden chest at my parents’ home in Sardinia. It has been in the family from 1814: my great, great grandmother drew the designs and prepared dyes from local plants. She dyed the wool from my granddad sheep for her own work. She created a bedspread that remained in the family for few generations.
It’s the time to review the past and look forward to achieving more in the coming years. I will continue to work hard in the coming years to avoid the disappearance of the Sardinian hand-woven fabrics. For a designer from a small and distant village in Sardinia, my first objective has always been to preserve as well as advance craft skills that are at risk of disappearing due to globalisation & mass-produced designs. Serving as an ambassador for Sardinian crafts it is an honour and a privilege. I want to thank the numerous supporters of the press and on-line fashion review sites. I also want to express my greatest appreciation to the numerous fans, friends, and family who have encouraged me in this task.
Thank you and Happy New Year from Pibiones by Antonello
Online Stores
New Hopes for Eliza Gabriel
November 20th, 2007 — Design, Handbags, eco-fashion, eco-friendly, luxury from antonello @ Luxury Handbags Blog - All about exclusive luxury handbags and eco-luxury handbags
When you are next eco-shopping in Paris, be sure you look for Eliza Gabriel handbags – the accessory range was presented at Prêt a Porter exhibition - So Ethic - in Paris. The bags are produced in her native village Taquaritinga (Brazil) by women’s cooperative businesses dedicated to fabric recycling. The Costurando Novas Esperanças (ACNE). New Hopes is the motto of this creative Brazilian association.
This bag is one of the many beauties you can find on their website http://www.elizagabriel.com/collections.html
Inspired by nature
October 31st, 2007 — Design, Moodboard, Spring Summer 08 from antonello @ Luxury Handbags Blog - All about exclusive luxury handbags and eco-luxury handbags
One of my moodboards, for spring summer 2008 fashion. Pibiones handbag collections 2008 are inspired by nature: the sun, emerald green transparent sea and unspoiled white sandy beaches, the colours and the intense perfume of Mediterranean wild plants. The concept behind the collections is back to a basic life. Eco-chic with strong emphasis on sophistication and elegance.
Pibiones eco-friendly handbags. The eco-claims.
October 16th, 2007 — Developement, Spring Summer 08, eco-fashion, eco-friendly from antonello @ Luxury Handbags Blog - All about exclusive luxury handbags and eco-luxury handbags
Let’s be clear about pibiones eco-friendly claims:
Online Stores Manufacturing techniques. All the fabrics used are hand produced on traditional looms, this tend to use less energy. Every factory and workshop has a few fabrics on display, weaving is generally done to order. As well as the classical styles, fabrics can be done in any design and in any colour a client submits.
Production processes. Fabrics and handbags are hand produced in ethically managed factories – workshops are entirely managed by women: all the companies are inspected regularly by government officials to check compliance to European legislation.
Recycled linings and care bags. The Pibiones handbag linings are made of beautiful ends of rolls and off cuts recycled new fabrics from Sardinian textiles factories. These fabrics would usually end up in skips and landfill, to be incinerated.
Local natural wool. These fibres come from organic farmed sheep (conventional farming is a huge consumer of non-renewable fossil fuels. Sardinian farmers have been using organic farming for generations, this tend to use less energy).
Wools dyed locally with Sardinian plants. Pibiones exclusive ‘luxury eco’ line of accessories also uses sustainable yarns made with Sardinian sheep wool dyed locally with Sardinian plants.
Nowadays, majority of the coloured cottons and linen (produced with sustainable production methods, particularly by traditional organic farming) are dyed chemically. Workshops are using yarns colored with Indanthren – dystar (on their website): “Indanthren dyes do not contain heavy metals. This ensures safe handling, meets international ecological standards for dyed textiles and minimises the contamination of production effluent”.
Pibiones is co-operating with local workshops to promote the traditional weaving methods and dying techniques that have been almost abandoned. I am are currently evaluating the cost effectiveness of sourcing organic cotton, to be dyed locally with Sardinan plants and used for future collections. Pibiones eco-friendly handbag ranges create new meanings and usages for traditional Sardinian textiles. This interest is reinforced by a desire to preserve as well as advance craft skills that are at risk of disappearing due to globalisation & mass-produced designs.
- Wool Fabric Linens, Fabric Textiles Collectibles
- Wool Fabric Textiles, Linens Antiques
- Production Art Animation Art Animation Art, Characters Collectibles
Continue reading → Pibiones eco-friendly handbags. The eco-claims.
Maria Carta. Voice of inspiration.
October 14th, 2007 — Satchel from antonello @ Luxury Handbags Blog - All about exclusive luxury handbags and eco-luxury handbags
Maria Carta - Deus Ti Salvet Maria (1974)
It is good to know that my face and voice may still be remembered by the Sardinian people. The sound of my songs connects me to our history, which means so much to us. “Maria Carta”
My designs are influenced by Maria Carta music, she generated an appreciation for popular traditions. Her strong passion, vitality and attachment to her native land have made of her a most significant ambassador of Sardinian culture in the world. In her songs: Sardinian legends, folklore and native customs that preserved cultural traits and themes from ancient times.
The grass is getting greener
October 10th, 2007 — Autumn Winter 2008, Spring Summer 08, eco-fashion, eco-friendly, trends from antonello @ Luxury Handbags Blog - All about exclusive luxury handbags and eco-luxury handbags
The new Pibiones Spring Summer 2008 colour moodboard is the perfect way to start talking about the AW 08-09 fashion handbag new trends.
The handbag prediction for Autumn Winter fashion 2008 are clear, the next seasons are going to be focused on environmental friendly materials and natural materials. Fluffy wools are going to be the next new big thing on the handbags. The shapes are going to be simple and sophisticated with a little gothic influence.
This new idea for the next Winter season is to try out materials in place of leather. Searching for and experimenting with new materials has become the key issue in the accessories industry as well as many others, partly driven by the increasing trend towards “eco-friendly” and “ethical” products.
In the next years more designer in search of inspiration are going to take in account ecological problems, safeguarding the dignity of workers and fighting the exploitation of the very young. This new trend, and I hope is not only a fashion phase, will also rise production costs and creates competitive disadvantages. Waiting for this predictions to become reality in the next few seasons, we have to pay more attention to that segment of consumers who are aware of this problems and are willing to spend a little extra for their sustainable products.
The handbag prediction for Autumn Winter fashion 2008 are clear, the next seasons are going to be focused on environmental friendly materials and natural materials. Fluffy wools are going to be the next new big thing on the handbags. The shapes are going to be simple and sophisticated with a little gothic influence.
This new idea for the next Winter season is to try out materials in place of leather. Searching for and experimenting with new materials has become the key issue in the accessories industry as well as many others, partly driven by the increasing trend towards “eco-friendly” and “ethical” products.
In the next years more designer in search of inspiration are going to take in account ecological problems, safeguarding the dignity of workers and fighting the exploitation of the very young. This new trend, and I hope is not only a fashion phase, will also rise production costs and creates competitive disadvantages. Waiting for this predictions to become reality in the next few seasons, we have to pay more attention to that segment of consumers who are aware of this problems and are willing to spend a little extra for their sustainable products.
More wide-range informational campaigns should be aimed at the “fast fashion” consumers, certainly the fast-buying comes with an appealing price tag but low prices are made possible by exploitation of labour and natural resources. The top 10 tips for greening your wardrobe from the Ecologist (for more green issues):
-
Shop Smart
-
Buy high quality clothes made to last
-
Look for organic or eco fabrics
-
Say no to sweatshop labour
-
Be a clothes connoisseur
-
Wash Green
-
Make do and mend
-
Do-it-yourself style
-
Shop with a voice
-
Join a campaigning group
aGaiN NYC in London.
October 8th, 2007 — Events, Handbags, Spring Summer 08, eco-fashion, eco-friendly from antonello @ Luxury Handbags Blog - All about exclusive luxury handbags and eco-luxury handbags
I love this purse from Allison Teich, the bright clutch is decorated with a vintage wooden buckle. The fabric is 60’s mod and the lining is hot pink. I could not go to see these eco-purses at the Esthetica fashion spring summer 2008 exhibition in London, I can never get an invitation for the show. May be next time somebody can send me one!!!! I had the chance to see it at the Terra Plana shop in Covent Garden, London. From their website: “aGaiN NYC limited-edition handbags are made from vintage, rescued and repurposed materials and fabrics. Made in Brooklyn, with part of the profit made from sales donated to environmental charities”.
Online Stores
Sonya Kashmiri at LFW Estethica - Spring Summer 2008
September 27th, 2007 — Spring Summer 08, eco-fashion, eco-friendly, news from antonello @ Luxury Handbags Blog - All about exclusive luxury handbags and eco-luxury handbags
Sonya Kashmiri was showing her luxury environmentally-friendly collection at The London Fashion Week Estethica Exhibition (Fashion Collections Spring Summer 2007 edition). Since I haven’t been to the show, I did some desk research (googling!). Vegetable tan leathers from Portugal with organic cotton linings are used throughout her collection. Non leather components in Sonya’s handbags are kept to a minimum, recycled leather are also used for structural support. This fantastic eco-handbag is available at the Natural Store with a £250 price tag.
Online Stores Continue reading → Sonya Kashmiri at LFW Estethica - Spring Summer 2008
Slowing down fashion collections for Spring Summer 2008
September 25th, 2007 — Events, Spring Summer 08, eco-fashion, eco-friendly from antonello @ Luxury Handbags Blog - All about exclusive luxury handbags and eco-luxury handbags
The Estethica space within the Exhibition at the London Fashion Week, devoted to the eco-sustainable “high fashion” for eco-designers to showcase their collections. They have been selected according to these eco-fashion categories: FAIR TRADE, ORGANIC PRODUCTION, RECYCLING. I must say that I haven’t been there (not easy to get invited!), but I still would like to visit or exhibit there next season for Autumn-Winter 2008-2009 fashion collection. How can you apply? “Simple”, send back the questionnaire that you can download at the London Fashion Week website.
I will send back the questionnaire with details on Label (ethical principles, materials, production and transportation) to @fromsomewhere.co.uk, than I will let you know about the result. It is common knowledge that to be considered for the exhibition you have to be loved by the press first, but not harm in trying. The eco-handbag designers selected for the Spring Summer Fashion Collection 2007 were: Again NY and Sonya Cashmiri. I will be looking at them in detail soon.
- 1920-1949 Clothing Clothing, Fashion Advertising Collectibles
- Integrity, Fashion Royalty By Brand, Company, Character Dolls Dolls Bears
- 1920-1949 Shoes Clothing, Fashion Advertising Collectibles
- Ebony Fashion Fair reminiscenses Ebony Fashion Fair is coming to town again. If you want to see a good show, very electric, by all means go. The fashions are wonderful; the music is wonderful; the strutting is wonderful; the audience is dressed to the hilt... There was a year, the first year I went.........
Continue reading → Slowing down fashion collections for Spring Summer 2008
Ask the experts at 100%Design.
September 24th, 2007 — Design, eco-fashion, eco-friendly, trends from antonello @ Luxury Handbags Blog - All about exclusive luxury handbags and eco-luxury handbags
Searching for new inspiration for the Autumn-Winter 2008-2009 eco-friendly handbag collection, I visited 100% Design. It couldn’t have been more exciting, the world of architecture and design coming together at a contemporary show.
The message was clear, the new more demanding consumer wants more information on the history and source of the material. All the ingredients where stuck on wall at the 100%Material, with lots of graphics to make visitor understand the connection between finished materials, finishing techniques and raw materials.
The Light Garden from Greenpeace underlined the energy efficiency as one of the best solutions to climate change. Their leaflet encourages people to use efficient bulbs for all the lighting needs. Greenpeace is calling for designers, architects and retailers to get rid of old fashioned, energy wasting bulbs NOW.
The Light Garden from Greenpeace underlined the energy efficiency as one of the best solutions to climate change. Their leaflet encourages people to use efficient bulbs for all the lighting needs. Greenpeace is calling for designers, architects and retailers to get rid of old fashioned, energy wasting bulbs NOW.
Spring Summer 2008 eco-fashion events.The green trade shows
September 15th, 2007 — Events, Fashion, eco-fashion, eco-friendly, luxury from antonello @ Luxury Handbags Blog - All about exclusive luxury handbags and eco-luxury handbags
In trying to decide which eco-fashion trade fair that will be good for my handbags, I looked at key eco-fashion events, available in August - September (Spring Summer 2008).
For me, these are the fair that cannot be ignored: the So-Ethic eco-section of the Prêt a porter show and the Ethical Fashion Show in Paris, Estethica at the London Fashion Week.
More illustrious designers among the more mainstream labels eco-friendly handbag companies present at these shows, has attracted a wealth of new international buyers and exhibitors. In the following weeks, I will be focussing my posts on the eco-friendly handbag exhibitors.
- Clothing Clothing, Fashion Advertising Collectibles
- 1920-1949 Shoes Clothing, Fashion Advertising Collectibles
- Fashion Fair Lipstick Makeup Store
- Ebony Fashion Fair reminiscenses Ebony Fashion Fair is coming to town again. If you want to see a good show, very electric, by all means go. The fashions are wonderful; the music is wonderful; the strutting is wonderful; the audience is dressed to the hilt... There was a year, the first year I went.........
Continue reading → Spring Summer 2008 eco-fashion events.The green trade shows
New authentic. Fine materials or complicated workmanship?
September 15th, 2007 — Spring Summer 08, eco-fashion, eco-friendly, luxury handbags, news from antonello @ Luxury Handbags Blog - All about exclusive luxury handbags and eco-luxury handbags
My sustainable luxury handbag world. I re-posted this entry because my blog is changing, it is only natural to concentrate on the eco-friendly luxury handbag market.
Luxury handbags are often made of fine materials with very simple workmanship, it is difficult for the average luxury buyer to perceive the actual value of workmanship. So what the consumer knows about quality? Not often the quality perceived by the manufacturers coincide with that of the consumers. Let’s take hand-woven fabrics for example, any imperfection for me means the fabric is hand-woven and adds value to the fabric. It means that that fabric is a work of art, made with love and passion. For the consumer, on the other end are defects. Luckily this is changing, the new trend “New Authentic” generation is tired of seeing the same sort of fashion, knowing where the item is made helps (at least for me!) to emphasise its luxury status.
Fashion has always been based on skills, craftsmanship and natural resources.
Now disposable fashion (clothing and accessories are worn twice and then thrown away) has made us forget: who, how and the costs of “fast fashion”. Handbag making is become more about the label than the expertise, many companies have seen and increased pressure from investors. No more highest quality but the highest profit.
Now disposable fashion (clothing and accessories are worn twice and then thrown away) has made us forget: who, how and the costs of “fast fashion”. Handbag making is become more about the label than the expertise, many companies have seen and increased pressure from investors. No more highest quality but the highest profit.
Luxury houses have been concentrating on new consumers abandoning the traditional customer, now many of the designers are trying to gain them back. Is this a sign of change? Expect the new fashion collections for spring summer 2008 and autumn winter 2007 to have a bit of a retro touch.
Online Stores - Fashion Fair Lipstick Makeup Store
- Pre-1920 Clothing Clothing, Fashion Advertising Collectibles
- Integrity, Fashion Royalty By Brand, Company, Character Dolls Dolls Bears
Continue reading → New authentic. Fine materials or complicated workmanship?
I am back! The new Autumn Winter 2008 collection
July 31st, 2007 — Design, luxury, luxury handbags from antonello @ Luxury Handbags Blog - All about exclusive luxury handbags and eco-luxury handbags
Have you seen the new website design (http://www.pibiones.com/) ? Please check the new autumn winter collection 2008 and write back to tell me what are you thoughts about it. No need to say, I have been very busy with photo shoots and editing. The Spring Summer 2008 handbag collection is ready, I am very satisfied with the result. As I mentioned before on the blog, the new ss08 handbag collection is entirely made out of eco-friendly handwoven fabrics. Even the handbag accessories are made out of fabric. The Pibiones handbag linings are made of beautiful ends of rolls and off cuts recycled new fabrics from these Sardinian factories. These fabrics would usually end up in skips and landfill, to be incinerated.
Online Stores
Continue reading → I am back! The new Autumn Winter 2008 collection
Is green the new black?
April 28th, 2007 — Developement, Events, eco-fashion, eco-friendly from antonello @ Luxury Handbags Blog - All about exclusive luxury handbags and eco-luxury handbags
Oh no, too late! I really hope, I can get a place at this extraordinary event starting on Monday, Is green the new black? At the London College of Fashion http://www.arts.ac.uk/34329.htm. I just discovered about it through Style Will Save Us web site. I really would like to to meet Virginia Rowe, the editor of the online Eco-magazine. The all event is dedicated to Eco-fashion….the new trend. I could try with my old LCF student card!
Spring Summer 07 bags - My favorites
April 28th, 2007 — Design, Developement, Spring Summer 07, luxury handbags from antonello @ Luxury Handbags Blog - All about exclusive luxury handbags and eco-luxury handbags
While looking at the Spring Summer 2008 predictions, I decided to “shop” around to “choose” my favorites luxury handbags for the Spring Summer 2007, the current season. I am sure you have already purchased your SS07 handbags, but I must look at the current season purses to predict the future collections. The Autumn Winter 2007 2008 collections are being produced as I am writing, I had a look at those too! I think is a little early…in the year… to talk about the fall winter 08.
The B bag from Fendi. This SS07 the most wanted bag, has been produced in silver. I must confess now! I am a big Fendi admirer. I like this luxury company and Carla of course… (one of the five sisters who run the empire, “loved by the press”) I had the pleasure to meet while working for the company.
The growing…peaches.
April 25th, 2007 — Spring Summer 07, luxury, luxury handbags, news from antonello @ Luxury Handbags Blog - All about exclusive luxury handbags and eco-luxury handbags
Remember the peach flowers I bought back in March? Tiny leaves appeared few days ago. Following my previous post, I want to thank the numerous supporters of the press and on-line fashion review sites. A special thank you to http://labourofheart.blogspot.com/ for publishing the Pibiones handbags http://labourofheart.blogspot.com/2007/04/pibiones.html on their “must add on your favorites, and to Ivy for writing about Pibiones sustainable handbags in busy with style : http://www.busywithstyle.com/50226711/sustainable_luxury_handbags.php. I feel particularly honored by the comments left by Pibiones luxury handbags on http://www.thisnext.com/item/3A69AA42/Pibiones-by-Antonello-luxury.
The new virtual window display.
April 18th, 2007 — Design, Developement, Spring Summer 07, luxury, luxury handbags from antonello @ Luxury Handbags Blog - All about exclusive luxury handbags and eco-luxury handbags
The nice weather has influenced even my new window display at www.pibiones.com! For the Spring Summer 2008, I am going to use more corals from Alghero to decorate some of the Pibiones handbags
Spring Summer 2008 Coral Moodboard
April 16th, 2007 — Design, Developement, Moodboard, Spring Summer 08, luxury, luxury handbags from antonello @ Luxury Handbags Blog - All about exclusive luxury handbags and eco-luxury handbags
I am already thinking about the next spring summer 2008 fashion and I have just started to taste the spring summer 2007. I looked at the SS08 leather and accessories trends a and predictions. Le Cuir - Paris and Premier Vision. I don’t remember if I mentioned a very useful prediction site worth checking: http://www.fashiontrendsetter.com/content/color_trends.html. The weather is so nice, and even my mood boards are affected by the summery weather. As previously posted, I normally gather and display my inspiration for the collections on MOOD BOARDS, another design moodboard example that explains the attachment to my native Sardinia.
Here are some of the many colours for SS2008.
Shaking hands and kissing goodbye
March 27th, 2007 — Development, Handbags, Production, luxury handbags from antonello @ Luxury Handbags Blog - All about exclusive luxury handbags and eco-luxury handbags
I am going to make certain generalisations regarding the characteristics of one nationality or another but I certainly do not want to create stereotypes of any kind. It is based on my personal experience, on the years spent working in a cross cultural environment.
This entry is dedicated to all those handbag designers that produce in Italy and are dealing with Italian handbag or leather manufacturers (if you are lucky to find one willing to work with you!), unfortunately the current trend shows that the numbers are dropping fast: many Italian and foreign companies that once produced in Italy are taking their production to China.
Some time ago with an British colleague of mine, we held a pre-production meeting in Milan. We flew from the UK and after a two hour flight we arrived at the factory at lunch time. The representatives of the factory invited us for lunch. For Italians this is a very important part of the day, something that cannot be missed and where business is normally finalized with a glass of wine. Our diary for the day was completely different from the Italians, our schedule was: 8 o’clock fly to Milan - 12.30 pm Meeting - 4.00 pm Coffee and 5.00 pm fly back. Their schedule was a different story, the team (my colleague and I) arrives in Milan at 12.30 pm for a meeting, but because this would be lunch time why not have lunch and discuss the production at the same time. After lunch, having coffee we can have go through the files and sign the production orders. We ended up heaving lunch but I had to convince my colleague that it was rude to reject their invitation.
After we shared details of our personal every day life, including the political situation. I remember really well, my British colleague being very nervous and so anxious during lunch that in the end she stood up and said: “let’s have the meeting now”, creating embarrassment for us all. I personally think (mind you, I am Italian), if it happened to be in Milan at lunch time it is normal and acceptable for Italians to have something to eat and have a business meeting at the same time. Italians also like to shake hands and kissing goodbye and a little extra effort can get them on you side.
Producing in Italy can be a risky business! Italians are very good and skilled at making luxury products. If you think you have found the perfect Italian manufacturer for your handbag collections, when orders come in, you may have to consider taking your production to China because the factory may be refusing to follow your production orders. Happened to me! It is very difficult to get any Italian factory to sign anything and there are special rules http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/entrepreneurship/supply/documents.htm for CMT factories. Have a look at this links dedicated to “sub-fornitura” (CMT) : http://www.subfor.net/show.jsp?page=134 with info on factories willing to produce for you. I particularly love this article from a lawyer giving free advice (in Italian) on line http://www.misterfisco.it/saggi/contratto-subfornitura.PDF
The contract (a template in Italian) can be found on http://www.po.camcom.it/servizi/regola/subforn.htm :
Here some tips:
- Always fax or e-mail your order.
- Somehow, get the manufacturer to write back confirming the order.
- Send specifications sheets on anything (design, style, components, manufacturing, stitch, details, ironing instruction, labels, swing tickets….) to avoid disappointments (I will soon post some of my specs)
- Try to get the manufacturer to sign the “subfornitura” agreement
- Annoy them and keep calling about your order.
- Somehow, get the manufacturer to write back confirming the order.
- Send specifications sheets on anything (design, style, components, manufacturing, stitch, details, ironing instruction, labels, swing tickets….) to avoid disappointments (I will soon post some of my specs)
- Try to get the manufacturer to sign the “subfornitura” agreement
- Annoy them and keep calling about your order.
Good luck!
Preventing handbag theft.
March 16th, 2007 — handbag theft, luxury, luxury handbags, news, tips from antonello @ Luxury Handbags Blog - All about exclusive luxury handbags and eco-luxury handbags
Handbag theft is increasing everywhere, have you insured your collections? We must protect ourselves against thieves, I was thinking of taking out insurance for my backpack. I still haven’t designed one in Pibiones fabric (I got some special fabric and soon I am going to make one for me!) for now I am wearing a Gucci and Mandarina Duck backpacks in black.
The average luxury handbag is worth at least € 500, purse €145 with some cash, mobile phone, MP3, make up bag and the hassle of car/house keys and card replacement. Not to mention the possibility of identity theft.
If you would like to know more about handbag theft and how to prevent it, here more advice:
http://www.purseblog.com/general/purse-theft-what-to-do/
http://cms.met.police.uk/met/boroughs/harrow/05crime_prevention/meet_the_harrows/nan http://www.cherwell.org/features/the_perils_of_a_handbag_theft
Thank you for supporting Pibiones handbags
March 1st, 2007 — Handbags, Spring Summer 07, luxury, luxury handbags, news from antonello @ Luxury Handbags Blog - All about exclusive luxury handbags and eco-luxury handbags
Inspired by Karin, I thought it would be nice to share with you the peach flowers I bought in China Town. Thank you Karin for writing about my bags.
I would also like to thank other two Pibiones supporters: Beatriz from Spain (bolsoblog.com) and Michael Andres at Iguana Fashions,
I would also like to thank other two Pibiones supporters: Beatriz from Spain (bolsoblog.com) and Michael Andres at Iguana Fashions,
A special thank to Alla Moda for spreading the world about Pibiones handbags.
Continue reading → Thank you for supporting Pibiones handbags
Recycling the yarns.
February 28th, 2007 — Design, Fashion, Spring Summer 07, luxury, luxury handbags from antonello @ Luxury Handbags Blog - All about exclusive luxury handbags and eco-luxury handbags
I have a (big) bag full of left over yarns, cutting off the excess fabric used for the handbags I always think that can be useful for some other project….you never know. I feel like the old people in my village that save anything! I have started using this yarns for making t-shirts for my friends. I spread the yarn across the front or the back of the t-shirt, use pins to create the design and then with the sewing machine I go over the yarns to secure them to the t-shirt.Illustrations are drawn from the sardinian culture. May be, I can start making handbags with the some process!
Karin’s world.
February 28th, 2007 — Fashion, luxury, news from antonello @ Luxury Handbags Blog - All about exclusive luxury handbags and eco-luxury handbags
You must have a look at this fantastic website from Karin Eriksson. Swedish based designer/maker of functional ceramics and one off interior pieces. Karin’s blog is very interesting: the inspirations and thoughts around crafts and design.
I love the flowery range! I love all her delicate work.
I love the flowery range! I love all her delicate work.