As you all know, the handbag is an essential part to any successful wardrobe. Beyond that, can you imagine picking an outfit without considering what purse or tote you might pair with it? In a lot of cases, you probably don’t even think about your handbag when you put on your clothes – it’s a given when it comes to a successful fashion choice. Although this may be true, handbags are still considered a mere accessory or addition to your style and not the focal point of your ensemble. However, this may be changing.
CNBC reports that a handbag designer / producer in Seoul – called Simone – is opening a museum to these oft-neglected pinnacles of fashion, giving the item its own showcase without other accoutrement. According to the story, fully-made handbags are not the only exhibit in the museum:
“It houses a shop selling bag materials; workshops where new Korean designers can work rent-free; a section where craftsmen will produce bags; and two shops, including a new multi-brand handbag store from Simone, which will also sell the company’s new bag line, 0914.”
Obviously, the museum will focus on Simone handbags, but doesn’t skimp on the history of handbags, taking a long look at the 500-year-old accessory. The article says this is not the only handbag museum in the world, with a few in Europe and one in Canada. The Simone Handbag Museum is the most expensive of these, with prized pieces including a $62,000 Hermes Birkin and a $40,000 change purse. The wide selection is considered the highlight of the ode to handbags:
“The earliest exhibit is a knitted purse from 1550, made of silk, metal and thread. There are also sweetmeat purses, which were used to carry sachets to mask body odours, as well as purses, pockets, bourses, pouches and aumonieres – small leather drawstring purses or alms purses – totes, clutches, and vanity cases. The collection ends with a Céline tote from spring/summer 2012.”
Leave a Reply