Libby Mitchell

My love of textiles, mid-century modern design schemes and architecture inspire my creation of contemporary handbags that are both distinctive and practical. My handbags are made from durable upholstery fabrics atop a sturdy interlining, which accounts for the structural, stand up nature of my designs. I cut and work supple cowhide leather hides of varying thicknesses and color, stitching them into both striking purse handle shapes and backdrops for a variety of accents, including acid-etched metal plates, cupped leather discs, and vintage findings. I enjoy allowing the pattern of a particular fabric to inspire design elements of that handbags handle or design motif. With regard to craftsmanship, I consider myself as much a builder, as a designer. My handbags feature high-end hardware that influences both their functional design and the process of their fabrication: internal purse frame closures, optional straps and purse feet are among the practical features my collectors tend to appreciate. Having grown up engaging in an array of crafty activities, from woodworking, to weaving and stained glass, I settled on fiber arts in 2007, particularly purses, as my life’s passion and I have never looked back.