Jan
10
iPhone 5 Purses
If you can remember a while ago I designed those iPhone wallet necklaces…and now it was time for a purse that could fit the iPhone 5, plus a little wiggle room. Meaning you can fit more stuff in there, and wear it as a purse.
You can see the older iPhone 4 bags, and visually this could read like a timeline, basically I carried over elements and just reduced or expanded them. What I noticed in 2012 was that I need to have my phone attached to my hand most of the time. So for this year it made no sense to design a newer bag that had a zip closure for the phone. Instead I made a slip pocket. Requirement: Just snug enough so that it fits the iPhone 5, and tight enough that when turned upside down it doesn’t fall out. You can also see that originally I did a double zipper compartment for the first version, and for this I expanded it into compartments of three. What’s most important though is that you just have this open (but tight) pocket where you slip your phone in just for those short moments where you don’t need to hold it in your hand. Some of these bags don’t even have a mesh compartment, and you don’t even have to use it for an iPhone 5, but it was originally built around the new version. It can be thought of as a small purse as well. You can technically put an iPhone 4 in here (the mesh compartment) but it will slip out (if you turn it upside down) due to it’s smaller size. Just letting you know.
A stingray version for you, but with no mesh. This one still fits the iPhone 5, but you’ll have to slip it into one of the compartments.
Logo slightly pressed in, but I wanted it to be very light, almost like it’s disappearing. I know some people have an aversion to mesh. Kind of like how some feel about cilantro. I used to feel like mesh was just bad. It reminded me of those travel cases for shampoos and makeup…but now I just love the look. It’s got a strong utilitarian vibe and combined with a much more expensive material like leather creates a certain kind of friction.
My to do list notebook and sketchbook are one, and here I did a quick sketch on public transportation.
I talked a little before about how I like to mix more utilitarian materials with very luxurious ones like this snakeskin here. If you took this to it’s literal edge, it could even remind you of snakes being caught in mesh.
But still my favorite is just the plain black mesh one. It has a very stealth vibe to it. Or at least I think so.
The idea behind the iPhone 5 bag with hardware, well I wanted a smaller version of my travel bag. If you can remember that one…The triple zipper idea was used for the travel bag too, but I quite like it for a smaller purse too. The hardware elements that are carried over are obvious.
Each purse comes with a leather strap.
Magnetic detach.
Besides the sketch, my original and most genuine intent for this purse was to create something nondescript. Something that kind of felt invisible.
…I like this idea that this bag can be handled carelessly. It’s not intimidating. Only people with investigative eyes will look. And aren’t those the ones you want to attract? Again to add an important point, the phone will not fall out if you turn the bag upside down. I had a photo of holding it upside down but it’s mysteriously gone.
And wanted something that slung around the body teeny bit higher up than usual.
Now to get on to what you put inside. Besides the usual cash and credit card (which we should be using on our phones in the year 2013) you can also bring perfume, lipstick, and anything else you think is important. But if you do smoke, this purse does fit a box (it is quite snug but it zips up).
For days I struggled… struggling to find that one missing element on this purse. It was this metal tip. For a while the bag rested on these hoops, and yes the hoops on the zipper could open and close the zipper, but it was a pathetic excuse for a period to a sentence. Everything I saw in terms of zipper pulls felt wrong, until this missing piece came along and actually this hardware isn’t even a zipper pull, I just applied it as one.. I had to find something that was parallel…parallel to the feeling of this purse which is short and stubby. My favorite part of bags, is of course, the cherry on top..screwing in the final hardware. Get ‘em here.
i love how your stuff is always done with a lot of thought and care.
omg did you sell the travel bag? so bummed i missed out on that one …that post and the end result was amazing
You ace it. Every. Single. Time.
This is everything! Fantastic and well thought out design process!
Is designing your full time gig? If not, it should be because these are gorgeous! It’s quite fascinating learning about the thought process of your design. It definitely makes you appreciate the final product more. Just one thing – can you make a Samsung Galaxy version please??
Love watching you iterate and streamline. For your origami purses, I personally thought the logo implementation was too bulky and flashy to mesh with that design. With these, the subtle embossing and studs are perfect.
The design is very similar to an old purse i had in the 90′s but of course, your craftsmanship is exquisite.
I really wish I could afford this… Is’s a beautiful piece and the most versatile one you’ve done so far. Unfortunately, where I live, this worths my rent for more than 3 months
Still, wonderful work! Wish you all the best.
You’re brilliant, do you know that? Just take it in. This design is a god send for minimalist chic women. I am including myself in that group as well. I hate lugging a bag around, and sometimes a clutch is too “handsy”. This strap style is versatile and utilitarian.
Luxirare is back with a bannnngggggggg!
The gazilion things that makes this so out of our expectations:
THE TRIPLE PURSE!
THEY DETACH!
THEY FIT EVERYTHING!
and they look so fucking good.
I have to say, I wasn’t sold with the mesh in the earlier iterations – it looked a bit cheap with the coloured leathers and didn’t have the finished “Luxirare je ne sais quoi”.
This one however; so TASTY
So amazing. I love the fact that the parts are detachable. Such a simple idea but gives it a little something extra. This is just what I need; something chic and fuss-less to hold all my essentials.
Great design, i’d love to get one, but just a couple of concerns: how easily do the three compartments detach- is it a tight snap closure or just magnetic? since the leather strap is only attached to the middle one right? ie if the outer compartment gets caught on something while you’re wearing it, or someone gives it a sharp tug, will it come apart? and also, will an iphone 4 with a case fit into the compartment?
Impressive, as always. I’m still attached to the idea of the wallet necklace, to be honest, but I do really like these, too. Maybe it’s just because I have the iPhone 5, not 4S, haha. Your travel bag, oh… that was one of my favorite posts EVER. You didn’t ever make it available in your shop, did you?
Are those the Isabel Marant sneaker wedges?! Love…!
Really love in this post that you showed your sketches. Can’t wait to see more!
Love this. Great design, and very reminiscent of the Celine Trio. The engineer in my loves the utilitarian aspect of this purse, and you can always be counted on to make something so chic yet so minimalistic. Love! Can’t wait to own one
Love, love the magnetic attachments for the 3 compartments-brilliant. A follow up on Iris’ comment on the strap, is it possible to just wear the iPhone compartment with the strap or 2 compartments instead of all 3?
Have you considered creating a more price-conscious version of say… neoprene? I love the body and functionality, but $350 is just too expensive for me. I understand it’s probably excellent leather/skin, and obviously perfection in craftsmanship comes at a cost. Just being the voice of the working man! Thanks.
Going through this article was like finding the answer to the wallet-free lifestyle I’ve been trying to live. I’ve been on the search for the perfect nondescript carry-all and this is it; sadly even though I can picture it by my side well into the future, as a student I don’t have deep enough pockets to get one. It’s simple and beautiful and the price completely justified. I’ll just stay here feeling a little bit inspired.
incredible. how many of these do you make, & do you ever re-stock when something’s sold out? your stuff is always gorgeous, but normally i see the pricetag on a piece & immediately try my best to forget i ever saw it. this, however, is something i would consider saving up for. it’s perfect.
I supposed you’ve already considered it… but why not finer mesh?
Am a long-time reader, super happy you’ve come this far (:
oh my god, oh my god, oh my god. the stingray one is just…UGH SO GOOD. Sorry I am being less than articulate. But all I can think of is MINE MINE MINE!
I really love this – I can totally picture myself at the mall, at a party, or in school carrying this around. I just wish it were just a smidge cheaper. Poor student over here hahaha
the stingray version looks amazing, though I wouldnt mind buying this purse at a lower price made with a less luxurious type of material. Though that would probably be against the whole “Luxirare” ideology already, haha 
Keep up the great work! I love your blog!
Those look awesome! (I love how you can now cram more stuff into it!)
Do you by any chance remember where your notebook/sketchbook is from?
I absolutely want this…for an ipad mini!! Perfect for work, love the look!