One thousand and one handbags

A Dutch handbag designer I greatly admire is Hester van Eeghen whose innovative designer bags have been sold all over the world. Still too young at the age of 61, she passed away in 2021. Fortunately her live is chronicled in a unique way in her book One Thousand and One Handbags. 

Like her bags, this book is colourful, craftily made and full of surprises. It was published on the occassion of Hester's 30th anniversary as a bag designer, celebrated with the book and an exhibition in the Amsterdam bags and purses museum Hendrikje, now permanently closed. Another victim of the pandemic, no doubt. 

Rather than a straightforward story, the book contains colourful pops-ups created by the American artist David A. Carter and few words. It is up to the reader add words and pass on Hester's story. It is a magical book that will be a lot of fun to 'read' to children who will delight in the pop-ups. As a child I couldn't get enough of these books.

It is that I am now designing and making bags, hoping to one day be as masterful at it as Hester, but otherwise I would certainly try my hand at it using the tips and tricks shared by David in The Elements of Pop-Up. Who knows, just like my pandemic bag designing hobby, it may soon become another hobby gone rogue.

Note: this page contains affliate links. The picture of the book in my personal collection was taken by me.