Victoria Saddle Handbag
Brooks of England
2009
Connecting accoutrements
The project was initiated through a personal interest in cycling alongside inspiration from a Hermes design brief. I was interested in the bicycle saddle and saddle bag as leather objects and began exploring how these two objects might become more integrated with each other and the potential benefits to be had.
From looking at traditional leather saddle bags and their placement behind the saddle I played with connecting them both to make something new. Through turning the traditional leather saddle into a cover that could be removed as part of the bag, a new kind of transformable saddle and combined bag was created.
Concept
Exploration sketches
Initial CAD model in Rhino3D
Prototype
Sketches of ideas for part split, components and stitching made last minute on a flight to Stockholm to work with Tarnsjo Garveri who helped craft the leather prototype with us for Hermes.
Water forming the leather parts over moulds made from 3D printed parts from our CAD.
Final prototype made for the Prix Emile Hermes exhibition.
Original prototype made in a natural tan leather.
Presentation renderings explaining the concept.
Brooks DNA
When Brooks acquired the design we worked with them on a version that could express more of a traditional Brooks design language. We delved into the Brooks history through historical product catalogues and proposed a series of alternative designs based on this research.
The original design was later selected for production.
A concept that looked at a modular system where parts could be swapped out for a personalized look.
Recognition
The design made for the Prix Emile Hermes was widely published in books, magazines and blogs as well as being exhibited in design museums across europe.
Exhibition dates
17 September to 11 November 2008
Les Arts Décoratifs in Paris
Les Arts Décoratifs in Paris
3 December 2008 to 8 February 200
MUDAC in Lausanne
MUDAC in Lausanne
15 February to 12 April 2009
Grand Hornu in Hornu
Grand Hornu in Hornu
April 2009
Triennale di Milano
Triennale di Milano
May 2009
DDC in Copenhague
DDC in Copenhague
September 2009
Benaki Museum in Athens
Benaki Museum in Athens
2nd semester 2009
Vitra Design Museum in Berlin
Vitra Design Museum in Berlin
2nd semester 2009
Barcelona Centre de Disseny in Barcelona
Barcelona Centre de Disseny in Barcelona
Victoria Saddle Handbag
Connected around the bicycle
Hermes & Brooks
The Brooks, Victoria Saddle Handbag project was originally designed for the Prix Emile Hermes competition and then later acquired from us by Brooks. It is produced by Brooks and functions now as a handbag only.
Connecting accoutrements
From looking at traditional leather saddle bags and their placement behind the saddle I played with connecting them both to make something new. Through turning the traditional leather saddle into a cover that could be removed as part of the bag, a new kind of transformable saddle and combined bag was created.
Creating character
I wanted the bag to express its integrated and transformable look while mounted on the bicycle. One key design detail that helped to achieve this is the continuous unbroken surface connecting bag lid and saddle. It is made from a single piece of leather in a mould. Further enhancing this I intentionally made a detail of the handle strap for the bag through not hiding or tucking it away, but exposing it and letting it hang behind the saddle. You can clearly recognise it as a handle from a handbag.
Away from the bicycle the clutch sized bag is created designed with the female cyclist in mind. The bicycle saddle silhouette creates a fun character, and communicates a cycling story away from the bicycle.
Quality and care
With the initial idea that the bag and saddle cover parts would be made from a high quality and hand stitched leather product from the Hermes brand I wanted it to be something that could be both protected from the natural elements and possible theft. By allowing the leather part to be fully removed leaving only a robust metal or polymer saddle base a protected solution was executed.
