LIFESTYLE

Need something new to put things in and carry them around? Anna Britten rates local bags with attitude.

TWINKLE TWINKLE Show-stopping spangled satchel from Montpelier’s very own Angel Jackson, loved by discerning slebs and recently shortlisted for the British Fashion Council/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund, chaired by Alexandra Shulman. Mother of pearl and sequin discs, a butter-soft leather back and a chunky detachable gold chain. ‘Pearly Queen Shimmie’ bag, £230, Angel Jackson

EELY NICE What’s red and green at the same time? This luxe handbag made of eel skin leather – a by-product of the food industry in Asia, thought by the Greeks to bring luck and love, and three times stronger than cow leather. BoBelle ‘Hemera’ handbag, £160, Elsie Riley

USE THE CLUTCH Silk-lined clutch bags using original textile prints, all made from scratch by Bristol lass Rowena Dugdale in her little studio. Thirty stunning designs in total, each gift-wrapped and posted straight into your open palm. ‘Peacock Palace’, ‘Red Ruby Rose’ and ‘Scots Pine’ clutches, £48 each, Ruby Red Rose 

SHOP, SHOP A trip to the corner shop for toothpaste and copy of Venue need never be drab again with this shopping bag from Love Moschino and its elegant-but-funny ‘fashion sketch’-style print, vintage-style gold chain and ribbon handles with detachable charm. Just enough room for a chihuahua, too. Love Moschino ‘Fashion Girls’ printed shopper, £135, Harvey Nichols

A GOOD LEATHERING The new collection from ace Stokes Croft designer and former Givenchy protégée Rebecca Jane Eaton is hot off the machine! We love these on-trend caramel-toned fellas made from deconstructed leather jackets. Edward and mini Bob bags, various prices, Rebecca Jane

EARN YOUR STRIPES Bath’s handbag queen Liz Cox teams zebra-patterned jacquard with leather trim and a brushed metallic lock. Grosgrain lined with two internal pockets including mobile phone sleeve. Venue readers can claim cash-back of the VAT on each bag they buy between now and Christmas at the Bath shop. Bennet Small Classic in Safari Zebra, £195, Liz Cox 

CONTACTS

ANGEL JACKSON WEB: WWW.ANGELJACKSON.CO.UK

ELSIE RILEY 59 BROAD ST, BRISTOL, BS1 2EJ. TEL: 0117 934 9139, WEB: WWW.ELSIERILEY.COM

HARVEY NICHOLS 27 PHILADELPHIA ST, CABOT CIRCUS, BRISTOL, BS1 3BZ. TEL: 0117 916 8888, WEB: WWW.HARVEYNICHOLS.COM

LIZ COX 17 MARGARET’S BUILDINGS, BROCK ST, BATH, BA1 2LP.TEL: 01225 404245, WEB: WWW.LIZCOX.COM

REBECCA JANE EATON WEB: WWW.REBECCA-JANE.COM

RUBYREDROSE WEB: WWW.REDRUBYROSE.COM OR WWW.REDRUBYROSE.ETSY.COM
 

Copyright Anna Britten 2010 

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