kick embossed leather handbag
back in july, i was reading the cut (the blog from ny magazine), and there was an article about sequoia, a french company for whom pierre hardy had served as creative director for the past 21 years. i know what you’re thinking and yes, that pierre hardy who has his own shoe and handbag line that is sold at barneys and who moonlights as the accessories designer for balenciaga and hermés. and yes, 21 years. up until recently, you could only acquire a sequoia handbag by going overseas, but now the french based line is expanding into the u.s. with an e-commerce website and space in boutiques across the country. i had the pleasure of attending a trunkshow at the presidio heights boutique luna last night for the fall/winter collection.
clockwise from top: handle gold large bucket bag, bohême large tote bag, overall large suede tote, s-files embossed laptop pouch
in an age when it’s hard to find a well made designer bag under $1000 (by comparison, the bags by celine start in the low $1000s and go up to over $2500), sequoia bags are all leather (or stamped leather) and many styles retail for under $500. the leather is super light and the workmanship is impeccable, making the bags appear to be twice the price. the silhouettes range from cross body styles to more stiffer handle hobos to totes, and most styles have the sequoia signature metal rings. the “handle” is a simple bucket style that works easily for day or night and comes with a removable zippered pouch, perfect for use as a clutch or makeup bag. the “kayan” has a stiffer, shorter handle (reminiscent of the mombasa handle) and also comes with a longer strap. if you are looking for something more sleek, the “overall” is a flat cross body bag with leather covered hardware. many styles come not only in different sizes, but different fabrications, from canvas and nylon to smooth leather, suede and croc or snakeskin embossed leathers.
boogie python embossed clutches
kayan black suede handbag
luna owner christina spaulding has a fantastic eye, and has pulled together lines including paul and joe sister, cynthia vincent, frank and eileen, and genetic denim in mini vignettes that make shopping easy. for fall, she’s bought eight different sequoia styles, with more coming in spring, including their ring detailed ballet flats. so if you’re in the market for a new bag to spruce up your fall wardrobe, definitely give sequoia bags a look…there is a style that complements every girl’s style.
sequoia paris bags available at sequoiaparis-usa.com and at luna boutique, 3615 sacramento street near locust, san francisco.
