p.38-39 Accessory focus 8:FOOTWEAR NEW TEMPLAT 10 08 04/09/2009 09:02 Page 38
Accessory Focus
Patrick Cox
Handbags
VICKY KEMBER GETS STUCK INTO A PATRICK COX
HANDBAG… SO MUCH MORE THAN A BAG
F
or some women it’s shoes, for others jewellery. But, for me, it has
always been bags. Even as a small child fascinated by my mother’s
top wardrobe shelf full of fantastic 50’s and 60’s totes and clutches,
I just thought handbags were the business. Capable of transform-
ing the simplest of outfits into something special, a treasure you can
wear, hold or just sling next to you. Functional yet most importantly,
utterly unrelated to how fat, thin, pretty or ugly you look or feel.
Handbags fit all women and to me, have an independent gorgeous-
ness. They make me happy even in repose, just sitting on a chair, or
tucked up in their sleeper bags waiting for their turn as my next accessory
best friend. It seems I am not alone in my obsession. The growth in
handbag sales, both in volume and price points, over the past decade has
been phenomenal. Research from MINTEL found that sales in women’s
accessories grew by 146% between 2000 and 2005 to reach £350 million,
predicting an estimated value of £942 million by 2010, of which at least
64% is handbags.
The constant release of latest ‘it’ bags, the unashamed product book publicity (Bridget Jones without the film, or sadly, either Colin
placement with high profile celebrities - and the sheer investment behind Firth or Hugh Grant), the stomp of the Patrick Cox Wannabe chunky
designers’ accessory ranges - has produced a bag loving culture through- heeled loafer was to be heard on every floor. They were just the
out the market. Virtually all major campaigns for high-end designers now perfect shoes for everyday cool.
focus upon the bags as much as the clothes (half the time so big they So, when I saw the new Patrick Cox range of bags at Pure, I quickly
obscure said clothes!), quickly filtering down to connected with a brand I knew, but instead of a funky young range,
the excellent high street ranges they inspire. was instantly struck by the sheer quality of the collection: understated
Like the phenomenal success of Jimmy luxe in sumptuous nappa leathers, chocolates and tans in croc prints,
Choo, whose gorgeous bags are now artfully folded ‘bark’ leathers, suedes and nubucks…my accessory
arguably as coveted as their iconic buttons were well and truly pushed. Footwear Today’s great leader and
shoes, Patrick Cox is an editor, Cheryl Taylor, was then subjected to pressure bordering on
established footwear brand a terror campaign. If any bags were to be road tested, then I was to be
turning its attention to the driver: The Stig of handbags was born.
handbags with a luxurious The arrival of the test candidate brought much excitement and the
new range. Patrick Cox ‘Embassy’ in chocolate butter nappa was undeniably beautiful. For some
Wannabe shoes were years I have been in a pretty committed handbag relationship with
synonymous with cool Mulberry. I have amassed quite collection of bags which I love to a
twenty-somethings in frankly disproportionate degree. So, I was careful to recognise that
the 90’s; back during Patrick Cox bags are much more accessible price wise, pitched at the
my heady days in quality mid ranges in department stores, less expensive than Mulberry,
with bags retailing between £95 and £395.
In reality however, the bag stood its ground very well indeed. It
had much of Mulberry’s Araline squashiness and simplicity with the on
trend tassel and lightweight smooth nappa leather, but it also had tons
of details and design touches, which made it a proper handbag rather
than just a hobo slouch.
The all important ‘hardware’ is gold, not overly blingy, but quite
definitely high shine yellow gold in tone, with smart riveted ‘Patrick Cox’
and signature fleur de lys name plates both on the front and on the
inside zipped pocket. I particularly liked the oversize rings that hold the
38
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FOOTWEAR TODAY
•
SEPTEMBER 2009
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