Positano baguette clutch in vanilla ostrich debuts on bagObsession today

(via Also debuting on @bagobsession Monday. @bagsnob @purseblog @… on Twitpic)

Classic baguette style clutch in red ostrich with a vanilla kidskin lining.  Deliciously luxurious.  Perfect for any bold or bright color for a color blocked look.

The Positano is a classic baguette clutch.  Made of ostrich, the Positano will enhance evening, business or casual chic occasions. Not recommended for picnics or the farmer’s market, but almost any other time.

1.      Material: Ostrich imported from South Africa. Ostrich is a natural material; each handbag is as unique as the woman who purchases it. No two are alike.

2.      Color: Red or Vanilla white.

3.      Strap Drop: NA 

4.      Lining and Pockets: Kid skin in a luxurious bone white. No internal pockets

5.      Type of Closures: Two magnetic snap ensures your contents are safe.

6.      Origin of the Product: Made in the USA in Fossati’s small atelier in California with meticulous care.

(via I love red. debuts on bagObsession.com Oct 16. on Twitpic)

Classic baguette style clutch in red ostrich with a vanilla kidskin lining.  Deliciously luxurious.  Reminds me of Raspberries and vanilla ice cream.  Or that red crossfire roadster I used to drive.

The Positano is a classic baguette clutch.  Made of ostrich, the Positano will enhance evening, business or casual chic occasions. Not recommended for picnics or the farmer’s market, but almost any other time.

1.      Material: Ostrich imported from South Africa. Ostrich is a natural material; each handbag is as unique as the woman who purchases it. No two are alike.

2.      Color: Red or Vanilla white.

3.      Strap Drop: NA

4.      Lining and Pockets: Kid skin in a luxurious bone white. No internal pockets

5.      Type of Closures: Two magnetic snap ensures your contents are safe.

6.      Origin of the Product: Made in the USA in Fossati’s small atelier in California with meticulous care.

(via Fossati | Exquisite Limited Edition Handbags | Handbago)

(via Fossati | Our Generation’s Luxury Handbag Brand by Catherine Healey — Kickstarter

)

Kickstarter is the world’s largest funding platform for creative projects.

Kickstarter let’s you decide what gets made.

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About this project

Please visit my Kickstarter page.

About Fossati

Named after my family, Fossati is a luxury handbag brand specializing in exquisite limited edition handbags. I’m Catherine founder and chief designer for Fossati. After a long career in the auto industry I decided to follow my childhood passions.

I’ve had a long love affair with art, design and textiles. I used to spend hours learning the feel and drape of fine materials. Cashmere, wool, cotton, silk and leather. I grew up immersed in classic style and quality in a culture where everything bought was an investment meant to be passed to the next generation. My love for timeless style and lasting quality is rooted deep in meand forms the foundation for the classic design and quality of Fossati handbags.

I love the look and durability of exotic leather. The rich texture and patterns of exotic leather ensure every bag is unique. Lizard, alligator and ostrich are very durable leathers and will last a life time if cared for. The python is more delicate but the variety of colors and texture is irresistible. Then there is the rarity. Alligator is practically a controlled commodity. It takes an atelier who really knows how to work with exotics.

I work with a small atelier in California who specializes in luxury handbags. Her work is meticulous. . It’s the care we take in the details of the bag like the timber, the sound (like a luxury car door) when the bag closes, the soft leather linings in bright fun colors  that make owning a Fossati bag an experience greater than pictures can convey.

The exotic leathers, meticulous craftsmanship and exclusivity make Fossati stand out as a luxury brand. I chose luxury because it’s more fun to share rare treasures with friends. Luxury is so much more personal than mass market.

Why Kickstarter

We’ve had opportunities that would launch a brand … in the era of conspicuous consumption… but this is a different era. Fossati has been featured on the Golden Globe red carpet and USA Network’s White Collar. We’ve shown at Henri Bendel’s, in London and been featured as Luxist’s handbag of the day.  Fossati bags are available in prestigious locations like Aspen CO, and Milan Italy.  Fossati is  still a bootstrapped startup in need of funding.

I’m asking for your help to take Fossati to the next level. I have a number of opportunities coming up to get into bigger distribution channels and to show in places like Shanghai. I need more silhouettes and material choices.  Profits from your contribution will go towards completing three new designs and making samples in new luxurious exotic materials. For your help I’m offering some exclusive rewards

Fossati’s home town is north of Detroit in Birmingham and Grosse Pointe.  

I currently live in Birmingham and grew up in Grosse Pointe. Located on Lake St Clair, Grosse Pointe is known as the ‘Hamptons of the Midwest’ and home to the automotive families. It’s quiet,  laid back, and very exclusive. 

Edsel Ford Estate in Grosse Pointe Shores. One of many Ford estates in the area and open to the public.

Grosse Pointe Yacht Club - established in 1914

Grosse Pointe War Memorial.  I took ballet lessons with Miss Mary Ellen Cooper at the War Memorial.  Miss Cooper is still teaching ballet to the GP girls.  Celebrating her 58th season.

My high school Grosse Pointe South. I remember every spring someone would burn rubber on GP Boulevard. The front lawn was like a scene in a movie at lunch time with students hanging out.

Grosse Pointe has its own ‘little’ country club.

And a ‘little’ hunt club

I now reside in Birmingham with my family.  Birmingham is an upscale community with lots of restaurants and small boutiques. The city caters to well heeled adults and their children, the boutiques and restaurants tend to be very upscale - Linda Dresner and Tender- or very casual.  Visiting celebrities and athletes always stay at the Townsend. Fossati handbags are available at Luydviga Haute Couture right across the street.

Birmingham Townsend hotel.  The Bentley is parked in front of Lyudviga’s Haute Couture.

Despite what you usually read, Detroit knows the finer things in life. Once called the ‘Paris of the midwest’ we still enjoy yachting and sail racing on the beautiful Great Lakes.

They’re called the ‘Great Lakes’ for a reason.

Fossati Capri Shoulder bag. Limited Edition

Materials: Python, lizard

Made in the USA

Design Inspiration:

“Capri - it’s a kind of luxury.  It’s the kind of luxury you should give yourself at least once in this life.”  Vian Andrews

It’s hard to articulate how a place translates into a handbag.  Capri has a feel to it. The isle of Capri is luxurious but laid back.  Imagine sitting in a low slung lounge chair on a stone terrace overlooking the Mediterranean sea.  The sky is a sapphire blue that melts into aqua waters. A warm gentle breeze kisses your cheek and the sound of waves below lull you to sleep.  Your mind wanders to the history of Capri.

Capri dates back to ancient mythology and everywhere you look you see classic shape and proportions. Why is a rectangle in a 1:2 proportion so appealing? Why are horizontal lines more relaxing than tall portrait shapes? What makes something classic?  Like a cliche it is worth repeating and holds to some basic truth.

Capri is ancient and beautiful but it has a rugged side too.

The path to the beach is steep and winds tightly back and forth like a serpent. The dizzying heights make you instinctively want something to hold onto.

The details of making this Capri bag.

This is a limited edition made of python and lizard with a lambskin lining.  It’s a limited edition because the the materials for the handle are hard to come by.The bag measures 13 inches wide. The handle (both the  the outside and facing) is made of one piece. It requires a rather large lizard. I only use flawless materials free of scars from scratches or mosquito bites. That limits the selection to about 10%. Lizards large enough for a 13 inch handle are only 10% or the 10%.

You can see the bottom of the bag in this shot. Notice the pattern flow. We use more python cutting the pattern to match the sides but it adds to the quality of the bag.  The feet you see on the bag are gold plated brass pyramid studs imported from Italy (Italian studs just for you).  The hardware for the strap is gold plated brass too. The shoulder strap is removable; the d rings fold down so the bag can be carried as a clutch as seen here. The shoulder strap makes the bag comfortable to wear and more functional.

The strap is also made of lizard.  We use three lengths for comfort. Lizards aren’t big enough to make the strap of one piece and we didn’t want a seam resting on your shoulder that might make the bag uncomfortable.  So we decided to use three pieces. I’ve heard complaints from my atelier on making this strap… but it makes a big difference in the comfort of carrying the bag.The strap attaches on the top and straddles the bag. If you open it while it hangs on your shoulder, it opens nicely but never falls open.  It has a nice balance and the 11 inch drop makes the bag rest just below your elbow.

I use leather for the linings because a really nice bag has a leather lining.  I think its a personal thing that goes back to my childhood.  To determine the real quality of a garment I was taught to look at the inside. To look at how a thing is finished in the places that don’t show.  I’ve always been disappointed at fabric linings that tore or wore through.   I’m not fond of the suede linings. They’re pig skin which isn’t durable either. Leather lasts.  The lambskin is soft as silk. It’s a little stretchy so some of my bags will have a kidskin lining.  A number of people suggest I use a cheaper lining to cut costs but really the cost in is the labor and in the exotic materials.  Not the lining.  After taking so much care with every other aspect of the bag it wouldn’t be right to use a cheap lining.

Credits:

Model: Aiko

Photographer: Tom Fredericks Photography
Thank you Tyler Bel, Aiko, Tom

Fossati Capri featured on USA network White Collar PowerPlay

“Glamor, that trans-human aura or power to attract imitation, is a kind of vessel into which dreams are poured, and some vessels are simply worthier than others… A beautiful woman can turn heads but real glamor has a deeper pull… Glamor [is] the power to rearrange people’s emotions, which, in effect, is the power to control one’s environment.” -Arthur Miller