DAILY CANDY SEATTLE    view article    

The Expatriate Act - Xpat Handbags
Welcome aboard flight 509 to Cincinnati by way of Marrakech. Please make sure your fraying seat belt is fastened and your seat is in the most uncomfortable position. All carry-ons must be stowed in the already-crowded overhead compartment or shoved beneath the miniscule seat in front of you — unless, of course, you’re carrying an Xpat bag. That pretty puppy can stay firmly on your lap. Xpat’s unique cloth satchels can be used for groceries, clasped like a clutch, even unfolded to make an impromptu blanket. It’s the only bag you’ll need on a journey, be it around the world or the block. Each design is constructed of repurposed vintage fabrics with striking prints from the exceptional textile collection of VintageloftNYC.Something tells us they’re about to really take off.

Available at Pulp Lab, 5402 22nd Avenue (206-706-7857 or (pulplab.com); online at xpathandbags.com.

Cottage & Gardens      view article

Composed from two layers of contrasting vintage, antique or reclaimed textiles, the lightweight Ami-bag comes together via two snaps and a simple tie at either end.  The slouchy shape is ideal for many uses such as transporting groceries or toting yoga mats.  For an extra bonus cinch the bag tightly and use as a cute clutch. 
From $350, available through Barneys New York,
www.barneys.com or www.xpathandbags.com -JS

New York Times      view article

"Mary Catalina, a Manhattan dealer of vintage textiles, whose loft on 37th street is a magnet for designers, forecast a strong year for fabrics produced on old looms, like the alternately flat and puffy brocades Prada showed for fall. "You can’t mass-produce these things," she said. "To compete next year, even cloth has to be interesting."

New York Magazine      view article

Mary Catalina, Vintage Dealer Designers like Oscar de la Renta and Anna Sui turn to Catalina’s vast, well-organized collection of vintage clothes and fabric swatches for inspiration (occasionally putting the piece itself on the runway), which means that right now, somewhere in her studio is what you’ll be wearing next spring.