The global men's bag and small leather goods

larger image

$676.00 $368.00    from    

Brand:Prada
Ref:BR4590 ZU0 F0N98
Series:
Type:Shoulder Bags
Color:Nero / Rosso
Material:Patent Leather
Season:Spring/Summer 2011 Collection
Size:29 x 14 x 10 (cm)

larger image

$468.00 $229.00    from   

Brand:Prada
Ref:1M0506 LOI F0D17
Series:
Type:Large Zip Around Wallets
Color:Lacca
Material:Calfskin
Season:Fall/Winter 2010 Collection
Size:19 x 10.5 x 2 (cm)

A handbag, or purse in American English, is a handled medium-to-large bag that is often fashionably designed, typically used by women, to hold personal items such as wallet/coins, keys, cosmetics, a hairbrush, pepper spray, cigarettes, contraceptives, mobile phone etc.The term "purse" originally referred to a small bag for holding coins. In British English, it is still used to refer to a small coin bag. A "handbag" / handbags is a larger accessory,

that holds items beyond currency, such as a woman's personal items. American English typically uses the terms "purse" and "handbag" interchangeably. The term "handbag" began appearing in the early 1900s. Initially, it was most often used to refer to men's hand-luggage. Women's accessory bags grew larger and more complex during that period, and the term was attached to the women's accessory.Modern origin Women's fashion from 1830, including a reticule handbag from France.Early modern Europeans wore purses for one purpose, to carry coins. Purses were made of soft fabric or leather, and were worn by men as often as ladies; the Scottish sporran is a survival of this custom. By the late 18th century, fashions in Europe were moving towards

a slender shape, nspired by the silhouettes of Ancient Greece and Rome. Women wanted purses that would not be bulky or untidy in appearance, so reticules were designed. Reticules were made of fine brics like silk and velvet, with wrist straps. Originally popular in France, they crossed over into Britain, where they became known as "indispensables". Men, however, did not adopt the trend. They used purses and pockets, which became popular in men's trousers.The modern purse or handbag came about in England during the Industrial Revoluion and the ncrease in travel by railway. In 1841 the industrialist and confectionery entrepreneur Samuel Parkinson of butterscotch fame ordered a set of travelling cases and trunks and insisted on a travelling case or bag for his wife's particulars. Parkinson had noticed his wife's purse was too small and made from material that would not withstand the journey. He pulated that he wanted various hand bags for his wife,

varying in size for occasions and for them to be made from the same leather as being used for his cases and trunks; this would distinguish them from the then-familiar carpetbag and other travelers' cloth bags used by members of other social classes. H. J. Cave (London) obliged and produced the first modern set of handbags, as we would recognise them including a clutch and a tote (named as 'ladies travelling case'). These are now on display in the handbag museum in msterdam. H. J. Cave did continue to sell and advertise the handbags but many critics said that women did not need them and a bags of such size and heavy material would 'break the backs of ladies'. H. J. Cave ceased to advertise the bags from 1865 and concentrated on trunks, though they still make the odd handbag for Royalty. However, his design lives on and the use of leather has not been found to break many ladies backs.[citation needed]20th century This section requires expansion. During the 1940s,

the rationing of textiles for World War II led to the manufacturing of handbags made of materials like raffia, or crocheted from yarn. Some women crocheted their own small handbags from commercial patterns during the 1940s.Men's bags A man with a recent Brooks designer messenger bag. A casual men's messenger bag.Men once carried coin purses, and the oldest known purse dates back more than 5000 years, and was worn by a man, ?tzi the Iceman. In early Modern Europe, when women's fashions moved in the direction of using small ornamental purses -- which evolved into handbags -- men's fashions were moving in another direction. Men's trousers replaced men's breeches during the course of the 18th and 19th centuries, and pockets were incorporated in the loose, heavy material. This enabled men to continue carrying coins, and then paper currency, in small leather wallets. Men's pockets were plentiful in 19th century and 20th century trousers and coats,

to carry an ever-increasing number of possessions, such as pipes, matches, pocketknives, and so on, and they were an item frequently mended by their wives. Women, on the other hand, have shown a strong demand for larger handbags that carry more items for everyday use.Men's purse was revived by designers in the 1970s in Europe. Since the 1990s, designers have marketed a more diverse range of accessory bags for men. The designs are typically variations on backpacks or messenger bags, and have either a masculine or a more uni*** appearance, although they are often more streamlined than a backpack, and less bulky than a briefcase. These bags are often called messenger bags or organizer bags. Demand is strong after several years of popularity, possibly supported by the growing range of modern electronic devices men carry with them. Men's designer bags are produced by well-known companies such as Prada and Bottega Veneta in a variety of shapes and sizes.

The global men's bag and small leather goods trade is a $4 Billion a year industry.Luxury handbagsA number of European manufacturers have long histories of producing leather goods. For some companies, such as Gucci and Louis Vuitton, handbags were introduced to their product range relatively recently in their history but for others like H.J. Cave & Sons, they have been around almost as long as the company. Nonetheless, handbags are among their best-known products, and their logos are recognized in many countries today. The most expensive of the luxury handbags are made by Hermès. Prices start at; handbags are made to order, and the waiting lists are years long. Hermès handbag designs carry the names of actresses, lites, and other celebrities who were frequently photographed with a particular handbag, most notably the "Birkin" bag named after Jane Birkin, and the "Kelly" bag named after Grace Kelly.Other designers have adopted the practise of naming their handbag designs after celebrities, for example Marc Jacobs, who created the "Stam" purse, named after model Jessica Stam.Types of handbags An 1875 Chatelaine bag, with a buckram frame and velvet body.