ACCESSORISE ALL AREAS
Image: Maison Peaux Neuves grape leather Haut les Coeurs shoulder bag. Taken from Fashion Bags & Accessories: Creative Design & Production. 2023. © Quercus
On 7 February 2023, a new book by Darla-Jane Gilroy will hit the shelves. Published by Quercus, Fashion Bags & Accessories: Creative Design & Production takes a detailed look at how bags and other accessories, such as shoes and gloves, drive innovation, creative branding, and sales across the fashion industry.
Image: Marc Jacobs perforated leather gloves and matching bag. S/S 2019. Taken from Fashion Bags & Accessories: Creative Design & Production. 2023. © Quercus
Gilroy herself has played an influential role in British fashion since the 1980s; a key figure on the Blitz scene, and former fashion designer with work exhibited at the V&A, she runs a professional trends consultancy practice, The Future Perfect.
Image: Loewe canvas and leather Balloon bag. Taken from Fashion Bags & Accessories: Creative Design & Production. 2023. © Quercus
With detailed illustrations, the chapters of this book cover the creative design process, digital and manual design drawing, materials, product development, technology and design, other accessories, and professional development. This is no glossy paean to styles past.
Image: Fringed suede/ hippie style shoulder bag. Taken from Fashion Bags & Accessories: Creative Design & Production. 2023. © Quercus
Rather, it seeks to provide a useful resource for those learning the steps of the design process, those expanding their practice into accessories, those embarking on crafting and branding their wares, and those seeking an insightful analysis of the role accessories play in the industry.
Image: Black Opyum boots with metal YSL heel paired with gold Chanel handbag. Taken from Fashion Bags & Accessories: Creative Design & Production. 2023. © Quercus
So, whilst there is discussion of the importance of the It bag, and of gender-free fashion, the coverage is not superficial; a case study of a Stella McCartney design walks us through brand values and sustainability, for example.
Image: Model wears Dior signature Saddle bag. Taken from Fashion Bags & Accessories: Creative Design & Production. 2023. © Quercus
With the design and branding covered, Gilroy leads us into a thorough inventory of styles; all the key constructions are here— T base, Turned, Bucket, Baguette —and more. She applies the same methodical approach to materials, then fittings. There is plenty of trend forecasting too, with explorations of new categories of accessories, such as wearable technology and virtual reality gear, as well as future materials— flexible stone, and kombucha, mushroom, and cactus leathers are just some examples.
Image: Dolce & Gabbana tree bark bag, A/W 2013–14. Taken from Fashion Bags & Accessories: Creative Design & Production. 2023. © Quercus
One suspects this little, well organised, and functional offering will soon come to feel just like your favourite fashion accessory.
Image: Long leather Champagne bag by Maxim Winckers. Taken from Fashion Bags & Accessories: Creative Design & Production. 2023. © Quercus
Fashion Bags & Accessories: Creative Design & Production is available to pre-order at all good booksellers.