'Florist's Basket' handbag thumbnail 1
Not on display

'Florist's Basket' handbag

Handbag
1993 (designed), 1996 (made)
Artist/Maker
Guinness, Lulu (designer)
Place of origin
Great Britain (made)

Black silk satin handbag of vase-shaped with red velvet roses on top.

Object details

Categories
Accessories
Fashion
Evening Wear
Bags
Object type
Handbag
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Evening Bag
  • Evening Bag Lid
Title'Florist's Basket' handbag (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Silk satin and velvet
Silk (Textile)
Satin Weave
Velvet Weave
Brief description
Bag, satin, velvet, Lulu Guinness, Great Britain, 1996
Physical description
Black silk satin handbag of vase-shaped with red velvet roses on top.
Gallery label
(12/2020)
FASCINATION WITH THE NATURAL WORLD

Bag designs have long been inspired by the vibrant colours and shapes of the natural world. Pineapples, for example, became a symbol of opulence and exoticism across the arts after their introduction into Europe in the 17th century. 'Pineapple Mania' reached a pinnacle in 19th century England when pineapple-shaped bags and accessories were the height of fashion [T.531&2-1996]. Contemporary designers have continued this trend by using realistic materials and shapes, such as Emily Jo Gibbs’ spiky horse chestnut bag that opens to reveal a conker-shaped purse.

V&A, Room 40, Bags: Inside Out.
(1997)
Bouquets, pots and hanging baskets laden with garden flowers have prompted Lulu Guinness's highly acclaimed miniature bucket bags. Created in fashionable colourways, they have captivated a clientele in search of individual and whimsical special-occasion bags.
Credit line
Given by the designer
Object history
Registered File number 1996/207.
Subject depicted
Roses (Flowers)
Bibliographic reference
de la Haye, Amy, ed. The Cutting Edge: 50 Years of British Fashion 1947-1997. V&A Publications, London, England, 1997, pp. 160 and 161.
Collection
Textiles and Fashion Collection
Accession number
T.128:1 & 2-1996

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Record createdSeptember 15, 2003
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O84226/florists-basket-handbag-handbag-guinness-lulu/
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