Maxwell Designs featured on Handbag Designer 101

Posted on | February 18, 2012 | No Comments

Direct link to Maxwell Designs spotlight on Handbag Designer 101 here:

	Login | Create Account | Weekly Roundup | Designer Registry    HANDBAG AWARDS
TODAY’S DESIGNER SPOTTED ON BAG TRENDS CELEBRITY BAG WATCH JOBS & SERVICES HANDBAG AWARDS 2012 TIPS VIDEOS

MAXWELL DESIGNS Grey Hobo Bag/Purse with Black Leather Accents in Grey Impressions, $200 Hobo Bag/Purse with Cream Leather Accents in Aqua Lark, $200 Black Hobo Bag/Purse with Black Leather Accents in Black Chains, $200

It’s been an amazing 5 years since I started designing purses and I have enjoyed every single second of it. I am so excited about my latest Hobo and Tote designs. They are fresh, sophisticated and they have been so fun to design. I am now at the stage of contacting potential retailers to stock Maxwell Designs products, so if any retailers out there love my designs I would love to hear from you. I started off using hemp as my main material as I loved the feel, durability and eco-friendliness of the fabric. I added in cotton for a splash of color but tried to get as many unique patterns as possible. I have recently moved into leather and I am loving it! Why have I not used this medium before?? Its soft, beautiful and adds a touch of decadence that takes my designs to the next level. All my bags are still made by hand in Vancouver, B.C, Canada. This is a conscious decision on a number of levels. I wanted to keep design control so that the quality control aspect stopped with me and me alone, I wanted to reduce our carbon footprint and not have items shipped around the globe multiple times and I love the idea of employee moms who work from home, allowing them to spend time doing what they love, where they love doing it. Maxwell Designs was created just before my first son, Maxwell was born. I was looking for a diaper bag and couldn’t find anything that wasn’t made of vinyl or plastic. I decided to design my own purse and it went from there. I had no idea at the time how incredibly popular my designs would be. I keep challenging myself to come up with new designs and incorporate new mediums which keeps my designs fresh and modern. I have had the opportunity to put my designs into the hands of many celebrities over the past few years which is always exciting and a thrill, you never know where your designs might show up!

What is your name? Maggie Chilton Where are you from? Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada originally but grew up in the U.K Where do you live now? Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada How old are you? 42 Do you have a design background? No Do you still have a day job? No What year were your bags born? 2007 Bag brand name: Maxwell Designs Hobo Bag What is their retail price range? $148 – $264 Where can a shopper buy your bags? http://maxwelldesigns.ca For more information, contact info@maxwelldesigns.ca   Post a comment VIEW ARTICLE ARCHIVE

---

Copyright (2006-2012) Handbagdesigner101.com All Rights Reserved

Weekly Roundup Designer Registry Handbag Awards 2012

New York Fashion Week 2012

Posted on | February 8, 2012 | No Comments

If you are an avid fashion junkie, follow the latest trends and can’t wait to see what next seasons colors are going to be, then New York Fashion Week is probably your Mecca. This years show has Mercedes-Benz, Maybelline and YouTube colaborating for what must be decribed as an incredible show.

Starting tomorrow (Thursday Feb 9th) here is the schedule of events so your sure not to miss your favourite designer.

Here are some interesting facts about Fashion week – Fact:

“Citywide, attracts approximately 232,000 attendees annually (116,000 each Fashion Week), including fashion designers, media/press, senior executives,buyers, and others. Source: NYCEDC, 2007″

“Originally launched in 1943, then called “Press Week,” to call attention to the innovative fashion designs originating from the US.”

Source: nycfashioninfo.com

And, when your done with New York here are a few others to attend – International Fashion Weeks begin with London, Milan, and finally Paris.

In case you are not one of the fortunate ones to actually be at the shows, here are some must follow peeps, according to International Business Times, so you can get instant updates:

@alexa_chung – style maven extraordinaire

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week - after all it is their event!

Women’s Wear Daily - noted as a fashion bible

and many more here, courtesy of www.ibitimes.com

Maxwell Designs and our Designer Diaper Bags

Posted on | February 1, 2012 | No Comments

We all love a great looking designer purse, but when it comes to a designer diaper bag do you need to compromise on style, functionality or beliefs? At Maxwell Designs we think not.

There are some fabulous designer diaper bags on the market (Maxwell Designs included of course) ranging from $200 all the way up to $800+, here is one I personally love www.sugarjack.com/us/. Any designer diaper bag worth its salt will use the top of the line fabrics, leather and hardware to create unique designs that you are sure to fall in love with.

Buying a diaper bag is something most new moms do not take lightly. After all it will go everywhere they go for the next few years. It has to be practical, look great and do what you want it to do. Diaper Bags have certainly come a long way since our moms used them. Diaper bag companies are now thinking about the modern women and what she wants to be carrying around. Not everyone wants a huge bag made of canvas or vinyl that screams “I AM NOW A MOM”.

Over the past 5 years here at Maxwell Designs we have made changes along the way to better suit our customers. We added an adjustable strap, zippered pockets and higher quality fabrics. But the best is yet to come….

In just a few short weeks we will be rolling out our best design yet! We have taken the time to listen to you, our customers and supporters and have incorporated some key elements to take our designs to the next level. Here are just a few of the new additions you will find on our latest design:

Leather purse handles

A detachable, adjustable strap

More zippered pockets

Leather accents and metal feet to keep your favourite bag from touching the floor….

and a few more we want to keep under wraps for now. We are staying true to our belief that hemp is still the best fabric to have as part of our design. After all it is antimicrobial and it will biodegrade when you are done toting it around, which is great for our environment.

So stay tuned as we update our blog with our latest designs very soon. Thank you for your continued support, we are so glad you are part of our growing family.

Maggie & Team

Maxwell Designs

(This is our current Designer Diaper Bag which you can find here )

Purse & handbag blogs to follow

Posted on | January 26, 2012 | No Comments

If your like me you love to read great purse/handbag blogs that are interesting, fun, have great photos, are full of useful tips and sometimes a little bit of celebrity gossip. Here are some of my favorite blogs that I love to read. If you have one that you would love to share please post a comment as I love finding new interesting blogs.

http://pursenickety.com/

http://www.bagsnob.com/

http://u-handbag.typepad.com/

Handbag Designer 101

Oh! And one more ; )  http://maxwelldesigns.ca/main/blog/

Once upon a belly April 28th 2012

Posted on | January 22, 2012 | No Comments

Mark your calendars for APRIL 28th at 11am-4pm.

If there is one baby show you should go to this year, Once Upon A Belly is the one! The show is located conveniently in Yaletown at The Roundhouse. It’s a beautiful spot close to public transport, parking and fabulous scenery!

Directions:

Roundhouse Community Centre
181 Roundhouse Mews
Vancouver, B.C
V6Z 2W3

One of the many amazing parts of this show is that admission is by donation! Once Upon A Belly supports Canuck Place Children’s Hospice which as many of you know is an amazing charity. Click here to be taken directly to the registration page

The first 150 in attendance on the day of the event receive a gift bag full of samples and goodies

It’s “an informative and exciting festival for new and expectant parents. Once Upon A Belly provides an amazing environment that brings together everything your growing family will need. It is our desire to present you with a selection of the best products and services to be had – all under one roof”

Aman, the face and creator behind the show is an amazing women. This is the second year the show has run and Aman made such a great impression last year that the 2012 show has attracted even more amazing vendors such as:

Kippo Kids
True Cuddles
Vancouver Mom
Wee Piggies & Paws
My favourite Blanket
Baby Bahoonie
Bloom Community Midwives
Kael & Kaed and so many more…

Maxwell Designs will be there too chatting to you about “What to pack in your diaper bag” – an essential part of any outing with your new little bundle.

If you would like to follow Once Upon A Belly and stay in touch with whats going on here is how you can:
Facebook
Twitter

We hope to see you there.

pantone fashion colour report 2012

Posted on | January 19, 2012 | No Comments

“For over 18 years, Pantone, the global authority on color, has surveyed the designers
of New York Fashion Week and beyond to bring you the season’s most important
color trends. This report previews the most prominent hues for spring 2012″

Here is the Spring line up for 2012 according to Pantone:

“For spring 2012 designers are inspired by diverse influences, showcasing a range of
styles and lifestyles, from free and playful and light and breezy, to contemporary classics. Colors likewise reflect these differing moods, encapsulating vivid brights, soft muted tones and fun-loving pastels.

“Consumers look to spring for renewed energy, optimism and the promise of a brighter day,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “They
have learned how color can help them alter a mood and provide the vitality and enthusiasm that enables them to experiment with new looks and color combinations.”

Provocative Tangerine Tango, an enticing juicy orange, is a vivacious and appealing refresher to enliven anyone’s outlook this spring. Providing a jolt of energy, Solar Power radiates warmth and cheer.

Fanciful Bellflower, a distinct ornamental purple, exudes uniqueness and creativity. Scintillating and sexy, Cabaret is a sensual and intense rosy-red — an excellent
choice for summer clothing and cosmetics.

Sodalite Blue, a classic maritime hue, brings order and calmness to mind. Like an
anchor to a ship, this dependable shade works with every color in the palette.
Cockatoo, a tactile blue-green, is sure to make your spirits soar. This unusual hue
adds a whimsical touch to the palette and will surely make a statement this spring.

Margarita, a piquant yellow-green, lifts spirits with its refreshing and stimulating glow. Reminiscent of a blossoming garden on an early spring morning, fragrant Sweet Lilac evokes the fresh scents of summer. This delicate pinkish lilac adds a touch of romance
to any wardrobe.

Natural versatile neutrals add practicality to this season’s brights. Driftwood, an
adaptable blend of beige and gray with a slightly weathered feel, and Starfish, a
perfect warm summer neutral, complement all colors featured in this season’s top 10

For an ultra-bold vibrant look this spring, try mixing Bellflower with Tangerine Tango
and Cabaret. Combine Margarita with Sweet Lilac and Cockatoo for a subtle
alternative, or combine Margarita with Sweet Lilac and Driftwood for a more
practical variation. Solar Power is best juxtaposed with Sodalite Blue. For a safer
bet, add a natural neutral like Starfish to the mix”

Courtesy of: www.pantone.com

Designer Purses and The year of the dragon

Posted on | January 17, 2012 | No Comments

If your looking for some good luck in 2012 (The Year Of The Dragon) then gold and red (purses) are a must for your wardrobe according to Chinese tradition. These colors are meant to be worn when bringing in the New Year (January 23rd) to promote health and properity. Add these colors to your outfit with a clutch, hobo or tote and get ready to be a dragon and show your fierce side!

So think Salvatore Ferragamo, Christian Dior or Edie Parker for some fabulous gold and red purses.

Golden Globe Purses and Fashions 2012

Posted on | January 15, 2012 | No Comments

The Golden Globe fashions/purses are something I look forward to every year. I love to see who everyone is wearing, and what purses they are carrying - to live vicerioulsy through the television for just one night a year.

I think this years Globes were truly fabulous. With the predicted muted colors of pastels for 2012, gowns were inspired with cool soft shades and flowing fabrics. I loved that Charlize Theron wore Dior Couture and the elegant sparkle she added with a fabulous matching clutch made for a soft and elegant look.

Elle McPherson looked stunning in a Zac Posen layered fish tail gown, its hard believe she is 47! She accessorized with a stunning gold clutch purse and chunky metallic bracelets.

One of my favourite gowns, and purses of the night, was worn by Stacy Keibler. Stacy looked sophisticated and elegent in a red Valentino gown with a bow detail on the back of this otherwise simple yet chic dress. Stacy co-ordinated her gown with a stunning black clutch purse.

I would love to know exactly what these tiny clutch purses hold on award night, perhaps a lipstick, compact, a tisse and an iPhone to take those all important photos next to your favourite celebrity (AKA friend)? Everyone looked stunning and I cant wait to see more details come out about the designers dresses over the next few days.

Did you have a favourite purse, dress, designer at the Globes?

Hot purses for 2012

Posted on | January 12, 2012 | No Comments

Its now the second week of January 2012. Have you decided what your hot Purse or Bag is going to be for this year? If not, there is still plenty of time to figure that out but here are a few suggestions to get you on the right track.

Purse Predictions are for fun, flirty, bright and cheerful prints/colors as well as choosing a medium or large handbag.

Avoid “fads” – designs or prints that might be trendy right now and opt for classic prints or solid colors that you can enjoy for years to come. Keeping in mind Tangerine Tango is a very hot colour for 2012 (this of course will change in 2013) as is Black & White, Aqua and Lime Green.

Here at Maxwell Designs we have hit the nail on the head in terms of bright, colourful prints and designs that will stand the test of time. Take our new Hobo Bag/Purse for example. Our purses are designed for the best use of space and we added some classic and fun, bright prints too. We went with splashes of color and a classic hobo style to best show off our new line. We will also be adding new designs throughout the year.

Accessories will be big this year also. If you can, match your purse, handbag or clutch with a makeup case for a fabulous co-ordinated look.

If you want to make a splash in 2012 with a fabulous Spring color palette make it big, make it bright, make it fun.

Sewing Essentials – what you need to get started (part 1)

Posted on | January 3, 2012 | No Comments

Have you made one of your New Years Resolutions to take up sewing? If you are looking to start sewing there are some basic pieces of equipment you need to make your start a successful one. Here is my essentials list but this is in no way complete, your list will grow depending on what type of sewing you are doing. I mainly sew using a machine, so if you hand sew your requirements will be slightly different.

Basics:

1. A good, reliable sewing machine. I urge you not to go to places such as Walmart if you are looking to get a strong, sturdy, reliable machine. Although the machines they have to offer are ok they will not serve you well if you begin to love sewing and want to expand and do lots of projects. My advice is to visit your local sewing machine or fabric store. I got mine when I lived in Terrace as a reconditioned model, so someone had brought it in and upgraded. I have been using this model (a Pfaff) for 5 years now and it has never let me down. The great thing about buying from a local store is that they can give you excellent advice AND you usually get a free lesson on how to use the machine that you buy – which is invaluable.

2. Thread & Spools - and lots of it! I use polyester/nylon as I found that cotton tends to shrink and pull the fabric sometime. Depending on what you are sewing of course will depend on the thread, if using leather then you need a nylon based thread. It is a great idea to match your fabric and your thread so make sure you take a scrap of your fabric when you go to buy your thread, it will make it a lot easier. I would strongly suggest buying the biggest spool you can when places such as Fabricland/Fabricana have sales on, this way you will be the best bang for your buck. Make sure you get the correct spools for your machine and have at least 10-12 on hand if using different colours of tread.

3. Measuring Devices - tape measure, clear (see through) ruler and a metal ruler. Each of these measures can do different things. The tape measure is a good all round rule of thumb and very convenient. The clear ruler is great for measuring fabric when you need to be able to see what is underneath and accuratley meausure. A metal ruler is needed if you are going to be using a rotary cutter as you will need a strong line that cannot be cut.

4. Scissors & Seam Ripper – the type of scissors you get will depend on the products you are working on. I have 2 pairs of fabric scissors, 1 pair of leather cutting scissors and 2 small very sharp pointed scissors for cutting off loose ends to keep by your machine. PLEASE I must stress how important it is NOT to let your husband/partner/friend use your scissors for anything other than what they are intended. I have lost many pairs of scissors from my husband “borrowing” them to cut a piece of paper or string. A seam ripper will make your life a lot easier when taking out seams.

5. Pins - My preference is glass tipped pins. These pins won’t melt if you happen to iron over them and in my opinion tend to last longer than “regular” pins. You can also never have enough pins, they are such a resonably priced product that its always better to have too many than not enough. I would suggest not using a pin cushion but using a magnetic bowl or similar (I got mine from Canadian Tire) as it helps keep your pins in one place and is heavy enough not to get knocked over.

6. Needles – Plan your project carefully and make sure you have the right size and type of needle for your machine – for example using a “jean” needle for quilting cotton is going to leave big holes in your fabric as the needle will be too big for the delecate fabric. On the other hand using a small needle (70/10 ) for leather will probably damage your machine (if it gets through the leather), leather needs special needles which have slightly different shaped tips. I would suggest having a couple of packets of needles handy as you never know when one might break half way through a project if you happen to sew over a zipper for example.

7. Lighting – lighting – lighting!! If you are able to sew in a room with tons of natural light I am very jealous! If you are like me and there is some natural light but tend to have to sew at night then you will need a lot of light to make sure you can see your project. I would suggest buying energy efficient bulbs in the “daylight” variety as you need it to be bright!

8. Pattern – unless (like me) you plan to make your own. If this is your first project make sure you choose a pattern that is easy to understand and follow. Your local fabric store should be able to guide you here. Try not to get ambitious too soon when you see all of the pattern books on offer, there are some fabulous projects in them but you can get frustrated and never go back to sewing if you choose something a little over your experience level.

9. Patience – sounds strange I know but sewing is a presise skill and it takes practice and lots of it. Sewing, luckily though, is a skill that if you work at it and continue to learn and take classes it can be extremely rewarding and satisfying. It takes patience and the understanding that if it doesnt work out the first time, keep trying as every mistake you make leads to a greater understanding of what not to do next time.

HAPPY SEWING

Maggie
Maxwell Designs

*more to follow

(I have to say that I have never used a pattern for any of my designs and all of Maxwell Designs patterns are designed by me. This list is what I consider the essentials but it might differ from others, I am a self taught seamstress and so this is my opinion and may not be opinions of others. I hope you found it useful)

keep looking »