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 PhotographyThank you Tyler Bel, Aiko, Tom

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.

Fossati inspiration for Capri handbag Capri italy terrace

Fossati inspiration for Capri handbag Capri italy winding roads

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 Handbags is Upfront