Catherine Loiret; French Individualism & Luxury Leather on the Left Bank

On the left bank of Paris not far along the bustling Parisian fashion street Rue Saint-Dominique you come to a narrow side street, the charming Rue Amélie where I was recently staying. And it's here under the omnipresent Tour Eiffel, along with with restaurants and small hotels, a theatre and a gift shop; that one morning I came across the French boutique leather goods maker Catherine Loiret. How had I missed this shop before? I know; I was always walking the other way; but not on this morning. Here was a shop that I could easily tell had quality, hand made - just a little quirky - fashion handbags, and while it was not open just yet I was determined to drop back in when it was and check it out properly for myself.

Rue Saint-Dominique

So here I am with next to no French beyond "Bonjour Madame" and "parlez vous Anglais?" conducting an impromptu interview of sorts with artist and designer Catherine Loiret her very self. And here is some of what I learnt. Catherine created the kind of bag she wanted for herself, something more personal than what was already available in the luxury leather goods market. She draws on her experience from working with the likes of HERMES and creates bags that are very flexible; and when I say flexible I mean reconfigurable, in look and use, her "Bagasutra" says it all really, and all made in France. Anyway that's over on her website  and you can take a look for yourself. It was lovely meeting a knowledgeable and creative designer, and to just stand in a shop full of beautiful colourful pieces, breathing in the leather and looking at her personal work space and bits and pieces of her craft. You can always tell a real artist when you meet them, they know what they do intimately and although it is an overused term, Catherine clearly has a real passion for her designs. So if you are in Paris looking for some unique luxury you won't see in every international airport; taking a trip to Rue Amélie should certainly be on your list. And thank you Catherine for taking time out of your day and chatting with me; a most enjoyable Paris experience indeed.

http://catherine-loiret.com/

Telling Stories in Pictures all over..

Kent Johnson, Sydney, Australia.

0433 796 863

kent@artcommunication.com.au

www.kentjohnsonphotography.com.au

www.fashionphotographysydney.blogspot.com/

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Connect Italy 2017, Sydney, Australia - Trade Show and Reception.

Connect Italy 2017 - Australia showcased the artisan skills and stylish design from Made in Italy, Italian manufacturers of shoes and leather goods, presenting their latest collections of high quality products. The informative speakers detailing the market share of Italian goods and their quality.We also enjoyed a presentation on the renowned international exhibition trade shows theMICAM and MIPEL which I have to say I would love to attend at some point in my life. One of the highlights was previewing the first stage of the three year campaign, "The pleasure and the beauty of Italian shoes: lust taking centre stage for theMICAM based on the themes of Divina Commedia aka The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri, with  Purgatory, and Paradise to follow. You know the Italians are all about creativity and quality when you are told they chose Spanish Fine Art & Fashion photographer Javier Vallhonrat to shoot the campaign - in Australia this would most likely be given to the latest 'hot' photographer.. Take note Aussies! theMICAM and MIPEL showing will coincide with Italian Fashion Week for the first time, Fiera Milano, Rho, Italy 17-20 Sep 2017 with Fashion Week S/S 20 Sep. In the evening there was a Reception held at the MCA with stunning views of Sydney Harbour (and once the ship sailed on) the beautiful Sydney Opera House. Thank you to the Italian Trade Agency for an informative day and wonderful evening at Connect Italy 2017.

http://connectitaly2017.com.au/
http://www.themicam.com/
http://mipel.com/en/
#ConnectItaly2017

Telling Stories in Pictures all over Sydney..

Kent Johnson, Sydney, Australia.

0433 796 863

kent@artcommunication.com.au

www.kentjohnsonphotography.com.au

www.fashionphotographysydney.blogspot.com/

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Is it Art? Or is it an Art Handbag Abstraction?

Friday night I popped into Sarah Cottier Gallery in Paddington for the current double header show, John Spiteri in gallery 1 and Huseyin Sami showing in gallery 2. As much as I enjoyed the abstract canvases in gallery 1; it was the thick and colourful slumped-vinyl-paint 'canvases' of Huseyin's works that really caught my eye. Why? Well initially I liked the idea that there were these handbag-like artworks on the wall in rather nice colour schemes (or colorways as they now say in the design/fashion trade (I have so have never liked that term))... And, after I had been introduced to Husyin I asked him if he would mind if I referred to the works as 'Art Handbags', he sort of laughed and smiled. Thank you Husyin for humouring me and thank you for your show 'The art of ending a conversation'. Well I wonder what that's about!  Anyway, I loved the show and our man was charming and there's my portrait below too; it's on now until the 2nd of August.

www.huseyinsami.com/
www.sarahcottiergallery.com/Huseyin_Sami/The_art_of_ending_a_conversation.htm

Kent Johnson

0433 796 863

kent@artcommunication.com.au

www.kentjohnsonphotography.com.au

www.fashionphotographysydney.blogspot.com/

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Street Fashion Sydney - shot with the Fujifilm X-Pro1  

Backpacks back in style for Hands Free Happiness.

Love them or loath them backpacks, knapsack, or haversacks, whatever you like to call them are a pretty handy way to carry things around and if like me you tend to lug a LOT around with you; a backpack is both convenient and reasonably comfortable. But as these three pictures show a backpack can also be a very stylish fashion bag too; you don't want it bulging and groaning like a doubled-over high-school-students bag, what's that about anyway.. but you can have style and room to get some bits and bobs stowed away all the while keeping your arms available to deliver free hugs or just keep your hands free for other important tasks. These three very different and stylish backpacks spotted at Roslyn Oxley Gallery last Thursday night.

www.roslynoxley9.com.au/ 

Kent Johnson
0433 796 863
kent@artcommunication.com.au

www.kentjohnsonphotography.com.au

www.fashionphotographysydney.blogspot.com/

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Street Fashion Sydney - shot with the Fujifilm X-Pro1