As you may have noticed by the revealing contents of my bag, I carry shoes with me. Every day. Naturally I have to have a big bag to carry shoes, but I would love to break out my old Balenciaga Classique again which never gets out to play since it's too small. But where would I put my shoes? A separate bag of course! Yes, the fashion victim in me wanted the Anya Hindmarsh tote - I loved the typography on the front. I considered Marni and Marc Jacobs totes too, but didn't buy them in the end, reverting instead to carrying my big bags.
But my Prince has pretty much put a ban on plastic bags in the house, so I really do need an alternative, and as admirable as the Marie Curie Cancer Care tote my Prince bought is, the bright green isn't really doing it for me. Then, as if by magic, Shinzi Katoh tell me to look at their UK based online shop. So I did.
Shinzi Katoh is a famed Japanese designer of zakka, meaning 'many things'. It's very difficult to describe since zakka is about anything that enhances your home or life - the art of seeing beauty in the boring and the everyday.
Shinzi Katoh certainly enhances the humble tote. In the UK it might get lumped in with kitsch or cute, but I think this goes way beyond something like Hello Kitty, which is what most UK peeps consider to be quintessential kitsch, since zakka is full with subtexts and narrative.
But back to the business of bags! Basically the totes are just lovely. I smile when I look at them. I think that is the purpose of zakka and the desired outcome.
The dog on the apple tote is quite simply amazing. I think I have just found a happy home for my shoes...
Queen Michelle
As ever inspiration! Looking for something not too "yummy mummy" to lug my work shoes in on nursery run, that can double as a swim bag on Sat morning. Urban yet fun etc. Problem solved - cheers for the tip!
Posted by: jules | Friday, 18 January 2008 at 12:10
"A Gibbon's friend is a banana."
Get that one.
Posted by: General Ape | Friday, 18 January 2008 at 13:38
GApe you would say that - you're an ape afterall!!!
Posted by: Queen Michelle | Friday, 18 January 2008 at 13:41
Hey Michelle, I was just blogging about these awesome shoes that I think you would adore. Check 'em out! Just what you need, another pair of shoes for you to lug around.
Posted by: Dee | Friday, 18 January 2008 at 14:33
Dee I fondled those very shoes in black whilst in Kurt Geiger only last night!!! Ah, you guys know me so well...
Posted by: Queen Michelle | Friday, 18 January 2008 at 15:05
Is that little dog getting a bit too familiar with the giant apple?
Posted by: WendyB | Friday, 18 January 2008 at 15:30
Well ya know dogs, they will hump anything!
Posted by: Queen Michelle | Friday, 18 January 2008 at 15:47
What awesome totes! I was just thinking to myself the other day that I need a new tote, as my old one is rather worn these days. I'm gonna have a look at the site now!
Posted by: buttonsandstars | Friday, 18 January 2008 at 16:31
They look like school bags for little kids, they're so cute.
Posted by: Eli | Friday, 18 January 2008 at 18:05
I agree with the General above; the bag to get is the gibbon bag. The gibbon bag has made my day. If I hadn't just purchased four pairs of shoes I'd would be so on that one.
Second choice: Avoir faim, even if dogs prefer peaches.
Posted by: Suzanna | Friday, 18 January 2008 at 18:54
They are great! I like the canary one!It pop in to our minds you might like the 'Varmints' book by helen ward and marc creste (studio aka)!
Posted by: Viva | Friday, 18 January 2008 at 19:13
Good one, Shinzi Katoh! I checked out their site earlier today after seeing a comment they'd left elsewhere..I love the green apple doggy tote!
Posted by: Drusilla | Friday, 18 January 2008 at 19:31
I haul my shoes around each day too because I always get black marks on them from the car pedals. I love the bag with the doggie becuase it looks like my pup!
Maybe I'll grab one for me too. Then I'll have three bags to carry into work (purse, shoes, laptop/files)
I'm a pack mule!
Luv
Poochie
Posted by: Poochie | Friday, 18 January 2008 at 19:55
these bags are adorable! i've been looking for a super cute tote since i am a victim of carrying my old shopping bags (not plastic but the kind from cute stores)...but still. these are way cuter! thanks for the tip.
Posted by: Deanna | Friday, 18 January 2008 at 23:32
I posted about Shinzi Katoh (http://fashion-by-student.blogspot.com/2008/01/shinzi-katoh.html ) after my trip to Japan - I am sooo shocked about the price difference (I didn't research the online website, didn't realise there was one). My small tote bag was 1400 yen - just under £7 - in Kiddieland in Harajuku, but on the website it's £22!!!!
http://fashion-by-student.blogspot.com/2008/01/ummm-how-much.html
Posted by: Bouncing Evil Ginner | Saturday, 19 January 2008 at 16:58
We are thrilled that so many of you like our bags, wish we could do better on the price but it is VERY expensive to import our lovely bags into this country: export costs payable in Japan, freight, import duty, customs inspection, VAT, road transport charges here and in Japan, documentation costs, airline handling charges, website running costs, payment processing costs (credit cards etc). The list goes on!!
Posted by: Shinzi Katoh UK | Saturday, 19 January 2008 at 18:17
I don't know how you'd limit yourself to just one of those bags. They're absolutely adorable!
Posted by: enc | Saturday, 19 January 2008 at 20:57
I think these bags are fantastic, so cute, so practical, my trouble is also choosing just one to buy when I love the lot!
Posted by: Elsa BB | Sunday, 20 January 2008 at 12:21
Got one of the large totes for my wife a few weeks ago and she's carried around with her almost everyday since then. Great bags and great service from www.shinzikatoh.co.uk
Posted by: Artzone | Sunday, 20 January 2008 at 15:22
Check out our bags! we import them from France and love them so much, so beautifully illustrated and made from jute which makes them eco-friendly too. Comments please?
Posted by: debra hutchings | Wednesday, 30 January 2008 at 09:29