Imagine the attraction of American muscle cars from the 70s and 80s stitched into a handbag. Fashion designer Kim White takes vintage automotive fabric and upcycles it into stunning handbags.
We caught up with the designer to ask a few questions about her vintage accessory line.
Please describe your vintage accessory line.
I discovered an entire warehouse of dead-stock, vintage automotive fabrics intended for use in American cars specifically for the decades of the 70s and 80s. I used these textiles to start a handbag line. Each handbag comes tagged with the year and maker of the car!
The textiles are very durable, and incredibly colorful - stripes, diamonds, and chevrons. Really incredible. In the past six years I've also branched out into other vintage textiles, as well as a belt line. Textiles are all eco-friendly. Vintage and/or dead stock. They had other uses before I got my hands on them.
Where do you get the fabrics?
It's a secret. But I get them from many different places.
What are your favorite types of vintage materials to work with?
High quality fabrics. They feel nice and heavy, not cheap. And they must be pretty or interesting.
Why use vintage?
It's a niche market I started in, where my line began. When I do design leather, it's always the pretty vintage fabrics that sell better anyway, so I'm keeping with that.
Does the fabric dictate the design?
Sometimes. If there's a big flower placement or something.
Did you set out to design a low impact accessory line?
No. I set out to design something unique and different. Six years ago...this vintage "thing" was unique. Now, with the eco craze...it's more popular.
How much do the accessories sell for?
Bags: Retail $100-$400. Average $200
Belts: Retail $90-$140. Average $110
Visit: http://www.kimwhitehandbags.com/
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