Thank you to all of you who entered our competition. We loved getting the entries through, but there were two stand out story tellers amongst you.
Drum roll please....
The winners are Minnie Eve who wins the Grover Tote and Alex Davies, who wins the Kampuchea Coin Purse.
Minnie Eve
My mum has a walk-in larder,
a compulsive eater’s heaven and hell.
Among many, many, many other things
it contains 22 jars of pesto.
22 JARS OF PESTO!
She says she’s preparing for an epidemic.
The larder, a steadfast panacea in more than one world.
In what can only be, inherited neuroticism,
(I like to think of it as the height of organisation)
I entertain a Mary Poppins-esque handbag.
The steely stalwart in my life,
that renders me ready for any situation, on pandemic scale.
a compulsive eater’s heaven and hell.
Among many, many, many other things
it contains 22 jars of pesto.
22 JARS OF PESTO!
She says she’s preparing for an epidemic.
The larder, a steadfast panacea in more than one world.
In what can only be, inherited neuroticism,
(I like to think of it as the height of organisation)
I entertain a Mary Poppins-esque handbag.
The steely stalwart in my life,
that renders me ready for any situation, on pandemic scale.
I don’t like to be anywhere without water
lest I might expire in the UK’s desert climate,
or randomly choke on air.
Mints – everyone needs mints,
they are better than prescription drugs,
when it comes to calming an anxious mind.
My favourite part is the bag within a bag (of which there is more than one).
The make-up bag, mine has ducks on, and the zip broke long ago.
It contains all the things that might make me look better
(when dealing with desert / arctic conditions or the aftermath of choking).
Elizabeth Arden eight hour cream, the solution to many a quandary,
hand gel - because who knows who had your shopping trolley before you?!
Borrower-sized hair product – important for that dragged backwards through hedge look.
Spare hairbands, plasters, and Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclait pen.
The second bag within a bag, is just an empty bag, for green shopping moments.
Get an umbrella in there too – go on!
lest I might expire in the UK’s desert climate,
or randomly choke on air.
Mints – everyone needs mints,
they are better than prescription drugs,
when it comes to calming an anxious mind.
My favourite part is the bag within a bag (of which there is more than one).
The make-up bag, mine has ducks on, and the zip broke long ago.
It contains all the things that might make me look better
(when dealing with desert / arctic conditions or the aftermath of choking).
Elizabeth Arden eight hour cream, the solution to many a quandary,
hand gel - because who knows who had your shopping trolley before you?!
Borrower-sized hair product – important for that dragged backwards through hedge look.
Spare hairbands, plasters, and Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclait pen.
The second bag within a bag, is just an empty bag, for green shopping moments.
Get an umbrella in there too – go on!
Of course there are instances where a bag,
nearly as heavy as its owner, is just not practical.
When ‘stepping out’ and by this I mean
all-night, crazy, having it out with yourself, disco-dancing.
I can survive on a hand-held purse, on
lip balm, plastic money and a door key.
Liberating occasions, where the aforementioned contents
and more, are left with gay abandon,
On the kitchen table.
I go about, willy-nilly, without a care in the world.
It’s like that feeling when you go on holiday and think
“Well, all I really need is my passport.”
Everything else, you can buy, (as long as you have your wallet!)
so why bother…Well I’ll tell you.
Sometimes, it’s not just about what’s inside,
sometimes, it’s just about the bag.
nearly as heavy as its owner, is just not practical.
When ‘stepping out’ and by this I mean
all-night, crazy, having it out with yourself, disco-dancing.
I can survive on a hand-held purse, on
lip balm, plastic money and a door key.
Liberating occasions, where the aforementioned contents
and more, are left with gay abandon,
On the kitchen table.
I go about, willy-nilly, without a care in the world.
It’s like that feeling when you go on holiday and think
“Well, all I really need is my passport.”
Everything else, you can buy, (as long as you have your wallet!)
so why bother…Well I’ll tell you.
Sometimes, it’s not just about what’s inside,
sometimes, it’s just about the bag.
In any marriage there are certain Givens. It's a Given that, no matter what time we arrange to go out, my husband will wish to leave ten minutes earlier. It's a Given that, when we go on holiday it will fall to me to pack and, no matter what I put in the suitcase I will leave out the one thing he really wanted to wear. And it's a Given that, if I carry a bag, my husband does not need to. For my bag - a cavernous, practical and hard-wearing tote - is sufficient for all his needs. "What's mine is yours," he says cheerfully, dumping book, phone and camera in its rich depths, "and what's mine fits so well in your bag!"
The size of the bag doesn't appear to matter. A wedding-sized clutch is appropriate for his phone and Golden Virginia (the tiny brown tendrils remaining stuck in the seams for weeks afterwards like obstinate pubic hairs around a plughole); a coin purse is sufficient for a packet of Rennies and his keys. He marvels at the practicality of the numerous pockets in my various bags, noting that the designer must have had his particular make of phone in mind when they added a side pocket, and understood his precise need for a handy repository for the bottle of wine we're taking to a friend's for dinner when he needs his hands freed up to roll a fag (all accessories for which are stored in the top zipped pocket).
My husband likes to affectionately tease me for the size and quantity of the bags I own, but has yet to fully realise the reason behind both - that if he himself carried a bag I would need only a pocket. I travel light, doubling up a phone as a diary, watch and mirror; stuffing debit and oyster card in the back pocket of my jeans.
So, whilst it's a Given that my bag will, at any time, be stretched to near breaking point under the weight of wallet, keys, medicines, fags, additional clothing, reading material, Satnav and camera, it’s also a fact that the only possession of mine competing for space will be a solitary lipstick or occasional tampon. And whilst we're sat waiting, ahead of schedule at the airport, and I'm pondering which favourite shirt I didn't pack in the last few seconds before I was hurried out of the door, I also know that it’s a Given that, if I see a nice roomy handbag in the duty free shop, my husband will retrieve his wallet from a handy tobacco-infested pocket, and with a wry but indulgent smile, buy me another receptacle within which he can store his belongings. After all, a girl can never have enough handbags - even if she has nothing to put in them.
M.Hulot has been featured in German magazine Brigitte, not once but twice! The classic Garrard Clutch and new season Nova Flap Shopper are loved for their green credentials- Made in England using veg tanned leathers you can be both stylish and ethical!
You didn't disappoint! We put the word out and in came the entries for 'What do you carry?
Above are just a few that we like so far.
Now that you have cast your eye over the handbags of others let us know all about yours here!
It's competition time here at M.Hulot and we are giving away one Kampuchia Coin purse and one Grover Tote in the two winner's choice of colourway.
To be in with a chance of winning, we want to hear your stories!
We are asking: What do you Carry (and why?)
Do you like to travel light? What more does a person need than their most treasured and essential possessions. A little pouch and you're away and ready to go! Small is beautiful.
... or do you need a large bag: the ever-present protector and carrier of your world?
Maybe you are both of these people. You love to be hands free and feel liberated without baggage, but there are still times when you need everything but the kitchen sink!
Please send us your accounts of both...
Be funny, be poetic, be short and sweet or long and languorous, but whatever you do, let us know! We'd love to hear from you. We will share the entries on the blog and then pick our favourites.
Email entries to info@mhulot.co.uk titled 'What do you carry?'
Deadline for entries is Weds 12th December.
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| The Sheltering Sky- Bernardo Bertolucci |
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| Pans Labyrinth- Guillermo Del Toro |
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| Moonrise Kingdom- Wes Anderson |
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| The Darjeeling Limited- Wes Anderson. |
Costume plays such an important part in films, a character can be given meaning by their attire, but what of a character's bag? It is something I have been thinking about, as I love the subtleties of what a person may (or may not) carry and how bags are used in film to enrich and embellish the the story.
The defining film for me, in relation to bags, is Wes Anderson's The Darjeeling Limited. Not only are the Monogrammed Louis Vuitton pieces OFF THE SCALE in terms of desirability, but they perfectly illustrate the wonderfully self involved nature of the brothers and their detachment from reality. Whilst the hand painted animals reflect the adventure they also allude to the childlike nature of the characters, something ever present in Andersons's films.
Moonrise Kingdom, Wes Anderson's latest, continues the obsession with luggage and all things retro. Could there really be a better satchel than the wicker basket carried by Suzy, with the prized contents ...her cat!
One of my favourite films is Del Toro's Pans Labyrinth. The bag used by the main character, Ofelia, is not of any great note compared to Wes Anderson's carefully sourced and styled pieces, but the fact that the bag in question is a satchel, tells us so much about the character. The bag is robust and hardwaring, suited to Ofelia's imminent and dangerous adventure. With the thick, leather cross body strap the bag is fit for purpose; Ofelia can be hands free, ready for anything thrown at her on her journey.
This post focuses on bags that enable journeys. I guess this is true of all bags. Our bags contain possessions and tools that we need, or want, on our meetings with the outside world!
In Bertolucci's The Sheltering the Sky, a married couple from New York travel to Morroco. The main protaganist, Kit has a wardrobe to die for, of cool and minimal cotton. In the above images she travels through the desert and I love the contrast of the her neat Western outfits with the North African berber clothing. The leather panniers, slung across the camel, are beautiful in their dishevilled and sun bleached layers and the obvious handiwork and fringing are unmistakable of that part of the world. In contrast to Kit's loosely tailored garments I love that they are slouchy, bulbous and without structure. Unprecious in their appearance they still carry objects of importance.
I would love to make this a repeat feature on the blog. If anyone would like to share any beautiful, or significant bags from film please do so....
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We are participating in a very exciting Christmas market on Dec 8th, with a great mix of new and varied designers. So get yourself down to Dalston for a good old browse and some unique Christmas shopping.
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| by Will McBride |
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| Sofia Coppola |
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| Los Angeles, 1949 by Ida Wyman |
In a world with increasingly complex approaches to design, Freud remains true to her own vision.
www.bellafreud.com
Bella's manish style is more routed in 70s glam rock than mine, but it got me thinking about the boyish style that I am consistently drawn to.
Although not a total vintage freak, I guess my style hints at more innocent times. I am always inspired by the land girls and their necessary adoption of men's style.
I am a lover of rich corduroy, brogues and plimsols, dungarees and jumpsuits, all of which provide me with a happiness I rarely get from a dress!
Above are a few images from my pinterest board. Although not style shots, each person has a very definite 'look'; the clothing is so simple, but tells us something of the wearer's personality. To me, boyish clothes speak of quiet confidence and elegance, make you stand out in the crowd and often allow you to have more fun!... and I personally feel my best when dressed in this way.
Lovers of masculine style should take a look at:
http://tomboystyle.blogspot.co.uk
http://thrillsandfrills.blogspot.co.uk
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Founded in 2006 by Jane Ellis and Kate Allden, the store is perfectly curated with hard to find labels, but also wardrobe basics with a lux edge. As if in responses to the cold weather, the shop's atmosphere is cosy and inviting, and their inclusion of homewares and candles all add to the ease you feel when browsing their unique selection.
I was delighted to see our tan Wheeler bag in their Autumnal window. Merchandised as a jumbo clutch it illustrates perfectly how to wear it for the party season ahead. The Wheeler was a late addition to the AW12 collection but with the versatility of clutch or cross body, black or tan... and all those pockets, it's going down a treat!
Also available at KJ's Laundry, Kings Road.
www.kjslaundry.com
We like to reward our loyal followers so for all of you on the mailing list, a special discount code is coming your way...
A very warm welcome awaits if you are new to the world of M.Hulot. Sign up to the mailing list here
Next Saturday we will selling M.Hulot AW12 at the Selvedge Winter fair, in the beautiful setting of Chelsea Town Hall on the Kings Road. To warm your heart in this cold weather we will be offering some rather exclusive discounts, plus hard to find samples and end of line pieces.
We're situated at stand D103, just off the main hall and near to the cafe, for you to contemplate your purchases over a good ol' cuppa.
It's always a joy to meet our customers, so don't be shy and come and say hello!
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| M.Hulot SS13- Strapped Howe and Cona Bowling bag |
It has occurred to me that despite my love of all colours tonal, earthy and subtle, I have a huge obssession with the most bold and subversive of them all- RED! Collecting inspiration I cannot help being drawn to this hue; whether it's tomato, coral, pillar box or burgundy it is just so joyful and life affirming.
Whatever the shade it becomes all the more special when it's just a flash or a stripe, that shot of colour to lift a neutral and sobering base. Look out for tomato brights in our SS13 range.
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| Red Umbrella- 1951 Saul Leiter. |
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| Red Umbrella- 1958 Saul Leiter. |
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| Red Umbrella- 1960 Saul Leiter. |
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| M.Hulot AW12- Two tone Prussia satchel and Howe clutch. |
A few weeks ago as I was pondering my red obsession, I went to a screening of a new documentary 'In No Great Hurry' about the photographer Saul Leiter. Directed by Tomas Leach the film is a personal portrait of the photographer acclaimed for the way in which he captures street life in New York. It's beautifully shot and Tom has done a wonderful job portraying a man for whom life and work are deeply entwined.
Unbeknownst to me, I had already bookmarked one of Leiter's images 'Red Umbrella' in my quest for colour. Seeing the documentary opened me up to more of his work and it seems he too went through a red phase, photographing red umbrellas seen from dark cafes, taxi windows and against graffitied walls. Just beautiful!
For all you red lovers out there, check out the two tone Prussia and two tone Howe available now from M.Hulot AW12.
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| M.Hulot Prussia Satchel on Minna May blog. |
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| Minna May's hand drawn type. |
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| Minna So Tumbr |
I just discovered the M.Hulot Prussia satchel was featured on illustrator Minna May's blog at the end of September. Not only is it great seeing our product as part of a selection, and how an individual perceives and curates the style, but it also opens us up to whole new world of beautiful and unique content!
I love the way Minna May blog is so minimal, but still retains a playful and relaxed edge. Her hand drawn types remind me of M.Hulot's loopy scrawl and the whole site has that 'feel good' factor that makes me want to scroll through and devour past posts.
Minna also has a personal tumblr of black and white images and words of wisdom.
Thanks Minna!
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| The Red Balloon (Film Still) |
Research for AW13 is well under way, and loosing myself in all the wonderful images available at my finger tips, I came across this striking picture and fell in love!
The stark contrast of the balloons alongside the ageing cityscape encapsulates two sides of M.Hulot: earthy, natural, antiqued versus bright, clean and modern.
Further researching the image I found that it comes from the 1954 film 'The Red Balloon' which tells the story of a boy floating over the streets of Paris to escape his bullies. Enchanted by this heart warming tale, I like the image even more so, and know what I'll be watching this Autumnal weekend.
Here at M.Hulot, we're about to start one of our favourite parts of the design and development process; sourcing and selecting the leathers.
The romantic side of me would love to travel to the international leather fairs or even better, direct to the tannery, but as a small brand we tend to work closely with UK agents for our Italian and Turkish skins.
I was browsing through some old holiday pictures and came across these images of tanneries in Marrakech, nearly 10 years ago now. Seeing the vats of veg dyes and the chalky, bleached out colours makes me feel inspired to begin the new season.
For previous collections at M.Hulot we have used veg tanned hides, with very matt, clean surfaces, as well as hides where the colour is hand layered to the top side. As lovers of natural leathers we will continue to use vegetal tanning, but I feel it's time to to look at some new finishes- maybe even add a bit of sheen! Existing styles and shapes could take on a whole new guise.
The first meeting is next Monday. Meanwhile, I 'm gathering images and ideas in preparation for some serious leather letching!
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| At the SS13 M.Hulot stand Capsule, Paris |
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| The brand new Cona bowling bags |
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| Nova flap Shoppers and Strapped Howe bags |
Exhibiting at a trade show can be a daunting prospect; so much love and attention has gone into each range that exposing yourself to fashion buyers and press is as nerve racking as it is exciting. But emotions aside, one of the things us designers have to do is eat humble pie and listen and learn from the buyers.
One of the brand new M.Hulot styles is a very simple oversized shopper named the Sas Tote. It got a lot of attention, but one Japanese buyer mentioned something very interesting: the petite shape of the average Japanese woman could mean that this particular style is too large, making it unsuitable for the Japanese market. This kind of feedback is invaluable.
The Strapped Howe bags came about as last season buyers repeatedly asked for detachable cross body straps on their clutch bags. Et voila SS13 and the Strapped Howe is turning out to be one of our best sellers!
One of the most exciting parts of buyer feedback that really got me thinking creatively was 'they're unisex right?'. Now, M.Hulot is a ladieswear brand, but I've always personally admired casual and heritage menswear brands so I guess some of this has rubbed off, and worked some of it's magic. Maybe the time is now...
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Today
is the first day of our adventure at Paris Fashion week show, Capsule.
This New York run show is over in Paris, exhibiting clothes, jewelry and most importantly accessories. M.
Hulot has a pitch in the fantastically green Wanderlust venue on the Quai
D'Austerlitz, just over the river from the Marais- Rive Gauche!
The
sun is shining through the windows and there's lots of inspiring work
being shown from names we know and names we don't. We've been visited by
plenty of lovely people from around the world, all liking different parts of the collection, but united in their love of natural leather products.
Tonight
there's a cocktail party on the roof deck overlooking the Seine, and after a long day,
we're looking forward to socialising with fellow designers, soaking up the left bank ambiance and some fresh, Parisian air!
Here's to a successful first day and more to come...
One of my favourite blogs is www.ruthannacoss.com
It's a beautifully curated site featuring the stylists own photographic and styling work, as well as carefully selected posts, all in keeping with Ruth's entirely unique take on the world around her.
Ruth is based in Dublin, and even as a Londoner looking in, I cannot help but feel envious of her exploration of Ireland and its capital city. Often working with the concept store Envoy of Belfast as well as Irish fashion designers, the blog is a refreshing insight into a fashion and design scene that is new to me.
Often losing myself in the incredible imagery on offer, I was delighted to see M.Hulot featured on the sight today. Sitting alongside like-minded designers, with a focus on craftsmanship, simplicity and detail, M.Hulot feels right at home.
A big thank you to Ruth!
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Although far from London, when I found a factory in greater Manchester willing and able to make my bags and leather goods, I was over the moon. For part of my childhood I lived in Warrington, so just the idea of journeys up North was enough to fill me with excitable nostalgia.
Now manufacturing in England is no mean feat, but to find a factory that listens to the demands of a small scale label is very rare, and in our Northern factory we have found just that.
There are so many elements that go into making a bag: from cutting out the pieces (sometimes done by hand and sometimes with a cookie like cutter) to stitching, buffing the edges, painting the edges, drying and packing to name a few. All require a certain amount of skill and hand finishing. I love that you can see the workmanship of M.Hulot bags, even in their finished state.
This is what makes the bags unique and gives them an edge and artisan quality that is impossible to replicate when mass produced.
Although not without it's challenges, my last trip to oversee the AW12 production, was filled with delight at seeing the styles going through and completed. Wrapped up in all things technical, I just about managed to take a few snaps to share with you.
Look out for future manufacturing posts to gain an insight into the wonderful world of leather working...
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