Designed by Vanessa Tai.
Hold | Prototyped in Florence, Italy under leather artisan Walter Mortegan’s mentorship, Hold is a handbag that provides a safe space for objects and a curated identity. The bulbous curvature of its wooden handle, turned by woodworker Janine Wang, evokes a sensuous foil to the overall structure and an ergonomic place of welcome to the holder’s hand. The vegetable-tanned leather used to make Hold ages and darkens with time and use, similar to homes with signs of lived-in warmth. Analogous to the accidental mark on a pristine wall to intentional furniture rearrangements within a house, Hold retains a place of soundness while forming an identity on its own.
Held | Under Stefano Parrini’s mentorship, Held is a sculpture made by wet-forming leather onto a wooden mold. Formed from wood sculptures also turned by Janine Wang, Held exists in opposition to Hold as a vessel that challenges the conventional standards of a handbag. Held does not have a handle to hold, a strap to carry, a closure that locks, or even a cover that’s tethered. It lacks being four-sided with no gussets, front or back. Yet, Held assumes trust when picked up along its zig-zagged body, squeezed tightly between all five fingers. Held only allows for so much storage, only favoring those of particular forms. It entrusts whomever holds its possession to respect the space it provides within. Assuming its rightful place is within the security of the home, as that is where unconditional trust exists.
Details & Care: Artisanally handcrafted, minor imperfections are a part of its character. Additionally, vachetta (vegetable-tanned) leather darkens with sun and daily use like our own skin, and is susceptible to liquids and oils. Keep out of the sun and handle with clean hands or gloves.
— Materials: Vachetta Leather, Wood, Waxed Polyester Thread, Waxed Linen
Please allow ten weeks for production before the order is shipped.
Designed by Vanessa Tai.
Hold | Prototyped in Florence, Italy under leather artisan Walter Mortegan’s mentorship, Hold is a handbag that provides a safe space for objects and a curated identity. The bulbous curvature of its wooden handle, turned by woodworker Janine Wang, evokes a sensuous foil to the overall structure and an ergonomic place of welcome to the holder’s hand. The vegetable-tanned leather used to make Hold ages and darkens with time and use, similar to homes with signs of lived-in warmth. Analogous to the accidental mark on a pristine wall to intentional furniture rearrangements within a house, Hold retains a place of soundness while forming an identity on its own.
Held | Under Stefano Parrini’s mentorship, Held is a sculpture made by wet-forming leather onto a wooden mold. Formed from wood sculptures also turned by Janine Wang, Held exists in opposition to Hold as a vessel that challenges the conventional standards of a handbag. Held does not have a handle to hold, a strap to carry, a closure that locks, or even a cover that’s tethered. It lacks being four-sided with no gussets, front or back. Yet, Held assumes trust when picked up along its zig-zagged body, squeezed tightly between all five fingers. Held only allows for so much storage, only favoring those of particular forms. It entrusts whomever holds its possession to respect the space it provides within. Assuming its rightful place is within the security of the home, as that is where unconditional trust exists.
Details & Care: Artisanally handcrafted, minor imperfections are a part of its character. Additionally, vachetta (vegetable-tanned) leather darkens with sun and daily use like our own skin, and is susceptible to liquids and oils. Keep out of the sun and handle with clean hands or gloves.
— Materials: Vachetta Leather, Wood, Waxed Polyester Thread, Waxed Linen
Please allow ten weeks for production before the order is shipped.
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