Jessica Jensen is Toronto's Handbag Queen

Canada doesn't have many of its own high-end handbag-makers, but Toronto is lucky to claim Jessica Jensen as one of our own. (I'm particularly fond of my bright-white hobo from last year's spring collection, even if the handles tend to get frighteningly filthy.)

The designer took over Thrush Holmes Empire to show her new wares last week. The collection was filled with the pastel hues and sorbet shades that signal that spring is around the corner (well, after winter, anyway). And, for sensible fashionistas, there were some seasonless black and gray purses aussi.

Jensen also turned to a Bottega Veneta-like hatched pattern for several of the pieces, and a pared-down leather strips for others.

Bonus: visitors got to check out Jensen's own sketches of the pieces, which were displayed alongside the bags, along with the ad campaign shot by Jensen's renowned artist husband, Joshua Jensen-Nagle.

Photos by Fara Winestock.