Turning Tradition Into Magic Modern Wonders
Last night’s Thai supper was interrupted by the most welcome of sights… a finely proportioned black leather Hermes Kelly entered for dinner to sit on her own padded chair at the table!
In our current world of obsession for all things modern – the Kelly (and her bigger sister the Birkin), are traditions I am only too happy to see alive and well (though what she ate I couldn’t say)!
Such a close encounter brought to mind a question about what other long standing traditions still hold relevance today for woman and our love of handbags?
Then I found my answer! The magic of the Far East with Jim Thompson’s handbags for the holidaying masses and Judith Leiber’s Asian equivalent – for those bank rolling back packers in Bangkok – a jeweler called Lotus Arts de Vivre.
This fine jeweler uses ancient methods and traditions to now make handbags, featuring this stunning parrot bag. It took twelve inlay workers, goldsmiths, and stone setters nine months to craft, taking 20 minutes to attach each of 676 scarab wings to a frame. Now that’s a labour of love, but why would a woman need a Parrot for a handbag? Here’s why:-
- For hundreds of years the parrot has held a place of honor in ancient China. Often kept in the living quarters of women, parrots were considered (just like our handbags are today) – the keeper of their secrets.
- In ancient cultures parrots signaled a warning of rain! Today it is our handbags we reach for to save us from an unexpected downpour: bags held high above our heads.
- Traditionally parrots symbolized freedom and long life, representing life experience and wisdom that comes with old age. If you own a Kelly, Birkin, Baguette or 2.55, you already know you are holding the keys to longevity and a wise investment!
- A pair of parrots symbolizes affection and deep, enduring love. Try telling me that a brace of Birkins wont bring out the love in any half sentient modern day girl!
- In the ancient art of feng shui the parrot is a symbol of opportunity and the bearer of good news. Every handbag I’ve ever bought was good news to me, and, now I think about it, it showered plenty of good cheer on those around me!
- The parrot draws positive energy while keeping away the negative. Now that is good to know! This is exactly why we NEED to have so many handbags and to keep bringing new ones home! It’s a big ask to continually stay positive and cheerful, without the aid of a new bag by our sides – parrot shaped or otherwise!
- Finally, the Parrot is excellent at mimicking people’s voices. Now here must lie our greatest opportunity yet! If a designer can create a bag which at the flick of a tassel makes a sound like me – then I can be elsewhere, enjoying myself leaving my bag to do the honors in my place,at home: “pick up your clothes”, “dinners ready”, “dirty dishes please”.
So we owe it to our friends and family, to generations old and new, to society and the world at large to continue to keep these craftsmen and women in fair employ. We must continue to pander to their exotic animal designs safe in the knowledge we are doing so in the name of karma, world peace, and the voice of our future!
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