Saben’s latest handbag collection is a work of art
12 August 2022
Fashion Quarterly
From the artist's studio to your wardrobe, indulge in these contemporary creations.
Produced in partnership with Saben.
Saben ‘Tilly’s Big Sis’ in tan embroidery, $359.
The humble handbag is as much a fashion statement as it is a functional accessory. The right design or limited-edition run can garner significant momentum, and the latest curation of bags to command our attention is the spring-summer collection by Saben, titled ‘Soul Sisters’.
The collection heroes select styles produced in collaboration with Aotearoa artist Fleur Woods, each piece intended as a wearable work of art.
Woods specialises in hand-stitched embroidery that takes cues from the botanic world — her spiritually-minded and feminine work has been long admired by Saben’s founder Roanne Jacobson.
Commissioning Woods to construct a stitched design displayed on a limited run of Saben’s enduring ‘Tilly’s Big Sis’ and ‘Claudette’ styles (produced in numbers of 80 and 50 respectively with numbered tags), the striking result symbolises a ‘talisman’, said to give the wearer strength to take on the day.
Left to right: Saben x Fleur Woods ‘Claudette’, $439, ‘Fleur’ keyring charm, $89, and ‘Tilly’s Big Sis’, $359.
Complementing the collaboration with Woods are pieces incorporating artful silhouettes and textures in hues of classic black, tan, terracotta, green ivy, and creamy parchment. The iconic Saben ‘Coco’ and ‘Claudette’ have been re-imagined in a hand-knotted weave, adding a luxurious yet leisurely touch to the bags suitable for various occasions, including the boardroom and beach.
The crafty ethos behind the spring-summer collection is carried through with the ‘Bea’, the newly introduced style showcasing a blanket-stitch border that adds detail and intrigue. There’s also the ‘Cassia’ in sleek half-moon form (a favourite of Australian fashion journalist Kate Waterhouse) and the soon-to-be-released ‘Niko’ that will undoubtedly become this summer’s must-have festival bag.
Left to right: Saben ‘Cassia’, $389, ‘Bea’, $449, and Coco Braid, $399.
We should note that Saben’s bags are beautiful as they are functional — each silhouette has been meticulously designed and optimised for the modern individual. From carefully placed internal pockets to the aforementioned interchangeable straps, no detail has gone amiss, allowing the wearer to adjust their carrier or organise their paraphernalia as they please, not to mention the life-changing Saben ‘Kondo’ insert for all your storage (or baby bag) needs.
Further elevating the collection is the introduction of sleek gold and silver snake chain straps that double as sophisticated adornments or functional carry chains. Those preferring a chunky chain or fabric version are in luck — Saben’s existing offering includes an array of adjustable handles and straps to transform your bag in a jiffy.
Saben ‘Fifi’ in parchment, $399.
The creative-minded collection is a milestone for Saben in many ways, the label marking its 20th anniversary in business this year. A testament to Jacobson’s long-standing quest to produce stylish, quality, and highly functional bags, it’s no wonder that Saben’s recognisable designs are spotted hanging off the shoulders, waists and hips of ‘Sabenettes’ everywhere you go.
Step into your nearest Saben store to experience the limited-edition edit of the ‘Soul Sisters’ collection for yourself, or visit Saben.co.nz to shop the new season styles from the comfort of your home.
