maurices Project Handbag Finalist : Phil Hatchet

Project Handbag finalist Phil Hatchet gives us the scoop on his unique creation, designing for men, and the art of fashion. Read on…

How would you describe your handbag?

Clean lines, intriguing surfaces, and attention to detail were all key for me during the designing process of my bag. A woman’s bag should always tell a story of sort and I wanted to create a bag that said something strong about it’s owner.

Where did you draw inspiration?

I am an admirer of the classical and somewhat a nostalgic aesthetic. In old film noir movies, the men’s shiny black patent leather shoes have always drawn my attention. The way light plays off the surface and the small punched holes along the scalloped edges speak volumes to me and I knew I wanted to translate that feeling into a bag. I placed small gathers in the center front of my design to give the piece a modern feel while drawing from the classic stylings of fine Italian leather shoes for the rest of the piece. The bag is both empowering and distinctly feminine.

So have you always wanted to be a handbag designer?

Though I enjoyed this small challenge immensely, I am not typically a bag designer. In fact, I rarely design pieces for women. Menswear is a notoriously overlooked and underdeveloped facet of the fashion world and I love creating edgy and fresh looks for our male population. Controversial at times, my designs consistently push the envelope and I would have it no other way.

Describe your love for fashion?

Fashion is art. And as art, the purpose of fashion is to communicate. Whether an idea, a feeling, a statement or whatnot, if the clothes speak strongly, they are successful. Sometimes political, other times more intimate thoughts, I want my clothes to speak beyond “looking good”.

Vote for Phil Hatchet’s creation at maurices.com.