Leigh Anne Barnes Design at the Accessories Council at WWDMAGIC.

Despite having to be in NYC during the same week, I was still determined to make it to MAGIC for at least a couple of days this season – I’ve only missed one in 14 seasons and that was to attend tradeshows in the UK back in 2012. For me it’s a place of discovery (work of course) but discovery is a priority and MAGIC is quite the resource.

Naturally a little under two days makes the discovery process somewhat daunting when we’re talking about two huge convention centers, but navigating the show is second nature now. When looking for what’s new out there the Accessories Council and the Emerging Designers Showcase at WWDMAGIC are always two must stops for me and this season the Accessories Council killed it.

Dagne Dover

Dagne Dover CEO demonstrates the detachable card case.

Dagne Dover, a handbag line out of NYC, is both simple in aesthetic and designed to simplify your life. The coated canvas collection is multi-use, multi-purpose and probably the most practical purses you’ll see.

Have a look at the what goes into (literally) these bags:

 

MaryLAI

 

I was instantly obsessed with this New Yorker, newly transplanted to Los Angeles. The structured satchels crafted from custom embossed leather were a standout, especially in cherry red.

Learn more here.

Leigh Anne Barnes/ VIP Bands

 

There’s a lot to stay about Leigh Anne Barnes, for starters she designs an exquisite handbag line right out of Los Angeles. The bags, pictured at the very top of the post and immediately above, are gorgeous and, see that front pocket? It pops out and turns into a clutch. Magical.

So magical handbags aside, the story gets better. Leigh Anne realized in her manufacturing that she personally had a lot of excess materials, super high quality leather scraps that were going to waste. Instead of throwing these away Leigh Anne has partnered with women’s shelters and is training these domestic abuse survivors to make hair ties and headbands from the leather scraps, under the company VIP Unlimited Bands. The women are paid per piece upfront. They’re not only learning a trade but earning an income.

It still get’s better, the hair ties and hair bands are really attractive (and easily double as a cute leather cuff) and the adjustable elastic prevents the dreaded headband headache.

A really remarkable find and a fantastic story. Shop VIP Unlimited Bands here, and see Leigh Anne’s full collection here.

Till next time :)

Kelsi x