July 7, 2008

The Handbag from Heaven: JT Italia

N'neka Hite is an intern at Variety. She's also an addict—a handbag addict (her Marc Jacobs purse is worth more than my monthly salary). To her, a bag isn't something you store keys, cell and gum in. It's something you store your identity, self-worth and happiness in. Here, she tells us about her latest obsession: JT Italia Handbags.

"I'm a handbag enthusiast and somewhat of a label whore, so if new bag comes on the scene and catches my eye, it's usually with good reason. When the JT Italia Handbags catalog hit my desk, I pored through the pages, taking stock of the satchels, clutches and totes, analyzing their folds and details. I had to see them in person to confirm my first impressions, which were good...very good.
A beautiful array of handbags lay on display across the white leather couches poolside at the Avalon in Beverly Hills. The vibrant reds, rich browns and natural nudes exuded taste and premiere quality. I had a feeling that among these luxuriously-put-together slabs of leather lay a new handbag from heaven.
The creators Jeff Parker and Tony Ta have a history collaborating as designers for Calvin Klein, Donna Karan and Giorgio Armani. They worked two years on the JT project, which they affectionately call "A Love Story". Each bag bears the initials of special women in their lives, on bejeweled hardware in the shape of a ring. You can have your own initials engraved on the ring, if you prefer. The straps are individually braided and hand-stitched with the finest skins from buffalo to eel.
Rihanna has been spied toting the Buffalo HB Satchel. Drew Barrymore grabbed the UL Tote. Sarah Jessica Parker and Katie Holmes have also laid claim to their very own JT three-dimensional masterpiece.
Fashion show producer and stylist Tod Hallman (who has worked with the cast of "Desperate Housewives" and Britney Spears for the Golden Globes, the Grammys and the Emmys) could not take his hands off of the JT UL Tote.
Choose from a butter-leather eel-skin clutch that holds more than a small carry-all, or a nylon hobo (available in the Fall collection). Open these babies up and you’ll find a soft, roomy, red Louboutin-like leather interior with magnetic closings.
What can I say; anyone with a bag fetish will be blown away by JT Handbags exclusive design and unique craftsmanship."
Get your own JT Handbag exclusively at Henri Bendel in New York on online at luxcouture.com. The bags retail at $1,200-$3,500.

-Story by N'Neka Hite

(Postscript: N'neka has recently begun attending Handbags Anonymous meetings and is working through her steps.)

July 7, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink