Evening bags actually got their start as a coin purse hung from a girdle around the waist. The thing that differentiates the evening bag from a regular handbag is that evening bags have always had a certain status appeal and do not take into consideration practicality.
In the 13th and 14th century, evening bags were pieced together from beautiful and elaborate wall hangings, rich with embroidery, and also vestments from religious clothing. Another influence for the evening bag was a small pouch wore at the waist of a rich lady where she would keep alms for the poor. This bag marked her as a high status person who was "showing off" by carrying around money for those less fortunate than herself. The more elaborate the bag, the wealthier the lady.
During the time of Queen Elizabeth (1558-1603), evening bags were crocheted into the shapes of clusters of grapes and animals such as frogs.
During the 17th century, gaming bags became popular for both men and women. These bags had symbols involving thrift and sayings of the day. The gaming bags were used to carry winnings from games the well-to-do played with each other.
As women started to carry around more for the evening (fans, perfumes, and calling cards), bags needed to get bigger and silk knotted bags were used. This trend, however, did not last long and smaller (and more feminine) bag once again became de rigeur for the elegant lady.
The origins of the evening bag would not be complete with mentioning the reticule bag that was first carried by the empress Josephine and soon taken up by ladies of the court and then the countryside.
Showing posts with label history of handbags. Show all posts
Showing posts with label history of handbags. Show all posts
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
A Brief History of Mary Frances Handbags
Mary Frances began designing her bags in the 1980's when she decided that commercial real estate was just not for her. She felt a need to express herself creatively and had always loved costume jewelry, with it's glitter and glamour. Mary Frances really wanted to create this jewelry but also did not want to be stuck selling her creations one by one at local craft fairs.
She visited a friend in the Philippines in 1989 and found a factory to manufacture her jewelry. Trends in large costume jewelry declined in the 1990's and Mary Frances decided to design bags that incorporated her love of jewelry.
The Motif collection was introduced in 1999 and became a hit. She decided to price her bags reasonably and not to compete with Judith Leiber, who sells her high end bags for thousand's of dollars.
Mary Frances' bags are growing in popularity and retail for $150.00 to $200.00. the designs incorporate buttons, bows, stones, fringe, and other 3 dimensional concepts. About 150,000 bags are produced per year and Mary Frances designs 250 different styles each year. Her revenues were 13.6 million in 2005 and there is projected growth rate of 505% in 3 years.
These beautiful bags are especially popular with women in their 40's and in January of 2008 she will be introducing more casual street bags for everyday wear.
She visited a friend in the Philippines in 1989 and found a factory to manufacture her jewelry. Trends in large costume jewelry declined in the 1990's and Mary Frances decided to design bags that incorporated her love of jewelry.
The Motif collection was introduced in 1999 and became a hit. She decided to price her bags reasonably and not to compete with Judith Leiber, who sells her high end bags for thousand's of dollars.
Mary Frances' bags are growing in popularity and retail for $150.00 to $200.00. the designs incorporate buttons, bows, stones, fringe, and other 3 dimensional concepts. About 150,000 bags are produced per year and Mary Frances designs 250 different styles each year. Her revenues were 13.6 million in 2005 and there is projected growth rate of 505% in 3 years.
These beautiful bags are especially popular with women in their 40's and in January of 2008 she will be introducing more casual street bags for everyday wear.
Saturday, June 02, 2007
The Origins of the Evening Bag
Evening bags actually got their start as a coin purse hung from a girdle around the waist. The thing that differentiates the evening bag from a regular handbag is that evening bags have always had a certain status appeal and do not take into consideration practicality.
In the 13th and 14th century, evening bags were pieced together from beautiful and elaborate wall hangings, rich with embroidery, and also vestments from religious clothing. Another influence for the evening bag was a small pouch wore at the waist of a rich lady where she would keep alms for the poor. This bag marked her as a high status person who was "showing off" by carrying around money for those less fortunate than herself. The more elaborate the bag, the wealthier the lady.
During the time of Queen Elizabeth (1558-1603), evening bags were crocheted into the shapes of clusters of grapes and animals such as frogs.
During the 17th century, gaming bags became popular for both men and women. These bags had symbols involving thrift and sayings of the day. The gaming bags were used to carry winnings from games the well-to-do played with each other.
As women started to carry around more for the evening (fans, perfumes, and calling cards), bags needed to get bigger and silk knotted bags were used. This trend, however, did not last long and smaller (and more feminine) bag once again became de rigeur for the elegant lady.
The origins of the evening bag would not be complete with mentioning the reticule bag that was first carried by the empress Josephine and soon taken up by ladies of the court and then the countryside.
Today the best example of this long line of bags is the Mary Frances evening bag, a truly unique and beautiful handbag that captures the elegance of it's predecessors!
In the 13th and 14th century, evening bags were pieced together from beautiful and elaborate wall hangings, rich with embroidery, and also vestments from religious clothing. Another influence for the evening bag was a small pouch wore at the waist of a rich lady where she would keep alms for the poor. This bag marked her as a high status person who was "showing off" by carrying around money for those less fortunate than herself. The more elaborate the bag, the wealthier the lady.
During the time of Queen Elizabeth (1558-1603), evening bags were crocheted into the shapes of clusters of grapes and animals such as frogs.
During the 17th century, gaming bags became popular for both men and women. These bags had symbols involving thrift and sayings of the day. The gaming bags were used to carry winnings from games the well-to-do played with each other.
As women started to carry around more for the evening (fans, perfumes, and calling cards), bags needed to get bigger and silk knotted bags were used. This trend, however, did not last long and smaller (and more feminine) bag once again became de rigeur for the elegant lady.
The origins of the evening bag would not be complete with mentioning the reticule bag that was first carried by the empress Josephine and soon taken up by ladies of the court and then the countryside.
Today the best example of this long line of bags is the Mary Frances evening bag, a truly unique and beautiful handbag that captures the elegance of it's predecessors!
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