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New Home at the Commune /  by Billy Potts

We had our opening party at the Zixag Commune on Saturday- it was great to see some of you there.  Favourite part of the day was the audience's sigh of relief when I switched from English back into Canto for the presentation :D  (Kent's idea to start off in English).  Other highlights include HK trail running legend KK Chan buying a Melanie Messenger bag- now Handsome will be all the rage on the mountains.  Also had a good conversation with Luisa Mok re what constitutes environmentally friendly design. Thanks to Jeff and Kit for helping to get everything together and to Jess, Athena, Yat, Davey, Eudora, Joey, Keting and Andey for coming to support.  Big thanks to Julian, TC and Kent for making this possible- we're really going to enjoy our time working here.

 

 

 

Kevin Messenger Bag /  by Billy Potts

So yes, I promised to post pictures of the new models about a week ago and I realise I've been a little tardy- here they are: Kevin Messenger Bag - A large bicycle messenger bag that can hold a large laptop and most other everyday things. The prototype for this bag is now in New York- but we're making more.

Making Chairs for Rooftop Cinema /  by Billy Potts

We've been at the Women Worker's Association helping Simon Roberts and James Fearnside to make these seat covers out of old rice sacks for Rooftop Cinema. The ladies at HKWWA did an amazing job sewing these together- averaging one seat cover every 4 minutes! AMAZING! The first screening is Zoolander on the 7th of April (Thursday) at the Fringe Club. See below for info or go to: http://rooftopcinema.hk/

Simon, James and Meilin from the HKWWA

Flying Colours /  by Billy Potts

SO, we've had a big couple weeks. What most people don't know is that we've been hard at work on THESE the whole time. Now Handsome Bags come in 3 colours: 1. HK and Kowloon Red; 2. New Territories Green; and 3. Lantau Island Blue

Believe it or not, there is EVEN more to come as we've been working flat out. Stay tuned!

Wokai Scramble V2 Urban Scavenger Hunt /  by Billy Potts

The Wokai Scramble happened last weekend and it was a great success. We raised over HKD8000 for Wokai, which is a microfinancing institution that aids entrepreneurs in rural China.

Handsome Bag Co. was one of several prize sponsors for the scramble - well done to Kathryn and Francis, the fastest pair, for winning those tote bags! We hope you make good use of them.

This beautiful video was made by Brian Fu, from flwrider, who also shot our craftslady interviews

http://vimeo.com/15841845

Better, Stronger, More Detailed /  by Billy Potts

After a long month of product development and working closely with our seamstress, Kwan Tse, we have come up with a version of the taxi bag which we are very VERY happy with. The new version has a canvas interior and not 1, not 2, not, 3 but 5 pockets (if you count the exterior pocket). The lining is in the familiar bright red and proudly displays our 'Made in Kowloon' tag that was designed by Linda Huang.

Home Sew for Handsome Bag Co. /  by Billy Potts

Hey everyone! Please head over to our 'IMPACT' page to see our newly edited interview video of our seamstress, sister Kwun.

As much as this project is about the finished product, the design and manufacture process is just as important to us at the Handsome Bag Co. So here is a glimpse of the people that work behind the scenes to deliver you a good, honest product.

http://vimeo.com/14494407

Big Cutting Weekend /  by Billy Potts

Got down to lots and lots of cutting over at the Handsome Bag Company (we like to call it 'the HSBC'). Design Mini Mart is coming!  Must get to work - also purchased the most expensive pair of scissors I have ever encountered.  These bad boys better last for the rest of my life!

Orders and Commissions, Mini Design Mart- Thanks for all your support! /  by Billy Potts

Dear Friends,

We never imagined that the Taxi Bags would be such a hit and we are very grateful and overwhelmed by the positive response and encouragement- thank you!

The Taxi Bags are now available to order, please contact us for information (prices / 'fares' available on request). We will also be at various stores and events- in particular we will be at the Mini Design Mart from the 13th to the 15th of August . It would be fantastic to see you there.

Cheers! Billy

Version Number #3 /  by Billy Potts

Just picked up bag #3 on Thursday- big improvement! #3 was a surprise, I wondered how the material was being used up so fast and then I discovered that the ladies at the Women's Worker's Association had been experimenting with using the piping for the front pocket- only thing was they'd given up half way for some reason!  I thought it looked great and asked them to finish the bag and this is the result:

Prototype #2 and the Carbon Reduction Campaign Fair /  by Billy Potts

We were kindly invited, by the Climate Group, to show our bag at the closing fair for their Carbon Reduction Campaign at Chater Gardens last week.  We finished prototype #2 just in time for the show.    This bag was fabricated at the Hong Kong Women Workers Association and they really did a great job on it.  I think we've made many improvements on the second try- the bag is larger and more useable, with better details and a much better lining.  Scrapped taxi seatbelts were used for the shoulder straps and we've tried to keep some of the original features.  I've saved buckles for clasps for future prototypes.  More coming soon!

Prototype #2 complete with original taxi seatbelt shoulder straps

Better lining- red to mimic a taxi, of course.

Subtle details leftover from days as part of car.

Temporary use for all the buckles

Showing off our prototype #2 to curious passersby