Discover the story of our luxury handbag collection, where they're made and what inspires London designer Lalage Beaumont to create the elegant handbag designs.
Having worked for some of the UK’s top designer brands, Lalage Beaumont launched her eponymous clothing label and opened her second boutique on Beauchamp Place, Knightsbridge in 2012. When planning the concept of the brand, Lalage was weighing up whether to launch a clothing label or a create luxury handbag collection. Despite having worked at Mulberry in the past, it was the clothes that won, or at least, at first. With a successful launch of the clothing under her belt, Lalage was offered the opportunity to sell another brand’s bags in her shop and when they flew off the shelves it seemed like the right time to start designing her own.
Lalage’s design and manufacturing journey took her to Italy for the leather where she sourced the finest from top, boutique tanneries and commissioned colours dyed specifically for Lalage Beaumont bags. The quality of the leather is the most important element of creating these luxury handbags; if it’s not up to scratch then the bags won’t be. Lalage and her team also work very carefully to find the best artisan makers, visiting them regularly. By trial and error and many trips to Italy and Spain she has now found some of the best in the industry. Mostly small, independent factories, the workers pride themselves on producing exquisite quality and as the bags are made by hand, this results in each bag having its own individual character.
The handbag collections that Lalage Beaumont produces combine classical elegance with distinctive detailing for a look that embodies sophistication and style. The designs were originally inspired by Lalage’s collection of vintage bags, from the fifties and sixties. And while the effortlessly chic and understated look is timeless, we are seeing a resurgence of these neat shapes on the runways from New York to Paris and London.
This Autumn sees the arrival of new handbag styles and colours. With each new design taking its name from ballet, the new ‘Odette’, ‘Sylphide’, ‘Carmen’ and ‘Isadora’ are the epitome of timeless elegance.
The Odette, which is available in two sizes, has been created in the style of a mini briefcase with its envelope flap, central divider, strong lines and structure. The small size (pictured above) is slightly bigger than the cherished Manon and Fonteyn Mignon and so the new Odette is the perfect miniature bag but remaining practical for day-to-day use. The larger Odette is ideal as a work bag with its trapeze shape and structured compartments. Both sizes are available in taupe, dark green and wine croc-print calf leather, to add a seasonal pop of colour but still work with everything in your wardrobe.
Sylphide (pictured above) is a graceful and ultra-elegant framed bag with open pockets on either side creating a practical, refined, luxury accessory. Easy to use, this covetable new handbag is perfect for chic, smart occasions but equally good for everyday. The Sylphide is available in stone, green and wine croc-print calf leather.
The final new bags in the collection are Carmen and Isadora, both good for tote lovers who need to keep their office with them when on the move! Still retaining the structured look that is synonymous with Lalage Beaumont, these two styles are more capacious, with longer handles that can go over your shoulder or still look stylish on your arm.
The Carmen has magnetic fold over corners and closure giving it a distinctive new silhouette, easily big enough to accommodate a lap top, it also has long internal zipped pockets to take A4 files. The Isadora has a top flap and similarly good internal pockets to make it a perfect business bag. Both bags are available in black and wine croc-print calf leather and in taupe and black palmellato print leather. (Carmen and Isadora will be available in store from October.)