Handbag Design

This design has been created using card which was cut out into a template to make the 3D structure of the handbag. To make a holder for the oasis, a cardboard ‘shelf’ was inserted before securing the bag together. Then a paper machè technique was used to cover the card board with antique silver paper. After this cellophane was inserted into the hollow area at the top of the bag to ensure the wet oasis did not cause the card to become soggy and collapse.  

The handle of the bag is made from silver aluminium wire to compliment the silver on the handbag. All the flowers used in this design are white they include: Roses, Bouvardia, Hypericum, Santini Chrysanthemum. Also used were Aspidistra leaves and tillandsia moss. 

Using all the same coloured flowers gives a classy look, the white in this design also suits the silver handle and colour of the bag.  

Inspiration 

Designer Moniek Vanden Berghe has produced many floral handbag creations, her books ‘Flowers in Love’ have some great inspiration for this type of design.  

Moniek Vanden Berghe (2005). Flowers in Love: Stichting Kunstboek BVBA
Moniek Vanden Berghe (2014). Flowers in Love 4: Stitching Kunstboek BVBA

 Planning The Design 

Here are the dimensions of the design, two panels were cut out of the card measuring 8 inches in length, 6 inches wide at the top and 2 inches wide at the bottom. A third piece of card cut to the length of 47cm long, this is what gives the handbag its depth.  

Sketch of final design

The only problem with the structure of the design was that it was top heavy, caused by the weight of the oasis and the flower material. This made it difficult for the design to balance. To amend this, weight could have been added to the bottom of the bag, perhaps by using sand or stones.  

Final Handbag design

Personally I find this design really feminine and felt that it's more likely to appeal to women than men. I can see it placed in a boutique or perhaps a beauty salon, somewhere mostly visited by women. If this design were to be recreated I would change the shape of the bag so that the structure was more balanced, this would in turn give the design more strength.