A global field guide to design, (life)style and secret finds est. 2007
New Zealand finds: Paris House
I first heard of New Zealand designer Sharon Paris over two years ago when an email from her landed in my inbox. Sharon was on her way over to London and wanted to meet for a coffee - she had followed Wee Birdy and wanted to discuss breaking into the UK market. At this point her leather accessories brand, Paris House, was sold in over 60 shops throughout New Zealand and internationally including Colette and Le Bon Marche in Paris. Sadly, I was heading back to Australia so we never had that coffee. Not that Sharon needed any of my advice - Paris House is now sold in the likes of Liberty, Harvey Nichols and Urban Outfitters.
So this is a long overdue post about some excellent and rather unconventional leather wallets and bags - the kind of bags you stroke longingly because the leather is so soft and the colours are so pretty, all the while chuckling because the gold-embossed bunny is saying 'Bite Me'.
Paris House wallets and handbags are for those who have an aversion to bags that take themselves just that little bit too seriously. You know the ones I mean. After all, how many luxury leather bags can get away with a googly eye or two as embellishment? The bags themselves are beautifully crafted, with sumptuous printed fabric lining, double-stitched leather and metal zips, and the leather colourways offer a delicious spectrum of macaron-inspired hues.
Paris House's signature gold-embossed one-liners channel David Shrigley's sardonic witticisms and add a playful edge to the sweetness of the lilacs and corals and emerald greens, and the extensive collections include iPad covers, envelopes, weekend bags, card holders, shoulder bags and travel wallets, with prices starting at US$78. There is also an incredible collection of Swarovski evening bags, bearing 'Regrets, I've had a few' and 'Hey good looking' slogans.
Available online at www.parishouse.co.nz.
I first heard of New Zealand designer Sharon Paris over two years ago when an email from her landed in my inbox. Sharon was on her way over to London and wanted to meet for a coffee - she had followed Wee Birdy and wanted to discuss breaking into the UK market. At this point her leather accessories brand, Paris House, was sold in over 60 shops throughout New Zealand and internationally including Colette and Le Bon Marche in Paris. Sadly, I was heading back to Australia so we never had that coffee. Not that Sharon needed any of my advice - Paris House is now sold in the likes of Liberty, Harvey Nichols and Urban Outfitters.
So this is a long overdue post about some excellent and rather unconventional leather wallets and bags - the kind of bags you stroke longingly because the leather is so soft and the colours are so pretty, all the while chuckling because the gold-embossed bunny is saying 'Bite Me'.
Paris House wallets and handbags are for those who have an aversion to bags that take themselves just that little bit too seriously. You know the ones I mean. After all, how many luxury leather bags can get away with a googly eye or two as embellishment? The bags themselves are beautifully crafted, with sumptuous printed fabric lining, double-stitched leather and metal zips, and the leather colourways offer a delicious spectrum of macaron-inspired hues.
Paris House's signature gold-embossed one-liners channel David Shrigley's sardonic witticisms and add a playful edge to the sweetness of the lilacs and corals and emerald greens, and the extensive collections include iPad covers, envelopes, weekend bags, card holders, shoulder bags and travel wallets, with prices starting at US$78. There is also an incredible collection of Swarovski evening bags, bearing 'Regrets, I've had a few' and 'Hey good looking' slogans.
Available online at www.parishouse.co.nz.
