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.

The Sheltering Sky- Bernardo Bertolucci

Pans Labyrinth- Guillermo Del Toro

Moonrise Kingdom- Wes Anderson

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....

A

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.

by Will McBride

Sofia Coppola

Los Angeles, 1949  by Ida Wyman

Last Friday I went to the V'n'A Museum to see Bella Freud in conversation with Hadley Freeman. Such an engaging interviewee, Bella told the story of her love of men's clothing, but most specifically masculine clothing, as worn by women.

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

A

Late last week I found myself on Marylebone Lane and popped into one of M.Hulot's newest stockists- the awarding winning KJ's Laundry.

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...

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