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.
Comments (10)
Wow, I'm so glad we have someone from Canada repping us in the handbag industry. All Hail the Handbag Queen!
I think Jessica Jensen is very talented, her lovely bags caught my eye last year in a shop on College Street. However, I'm not sure about "sensible fashionista". This unknown designer's prices seem to start at $700. There were several left over when I re-visited the shop a few months later. The bags are nice, but the price tag is a bit too steep.
It's a moot point, but Canada has more than a few renowned bag designers: Toronto's own Jeanne Lottie and Montreal's Matt & Nat instantly come to mind.
That said, Jensen's work is beautiful (I totally covet the bags in the first and second pic!) and I look forward to seeing more of her stuff.
Yo, Dogs! I've got $700 worth of crap on my arm. Let's all go get bohemian on each others' *ss in Kensington!
Yeah, we do have more than one handbag star in Canada. And while I'd never pay that much for a purse -- my $100 on sale Matt & Nat was a huge splurge -- in designer-handbag world, $700 is nothing. So if people are willing to pay, and it looks like they are, let's not begrudge our local girl her success.
re: $700+ price tag
Guess no one remembers the days before EVERYTHING was made in the sweatshops of China & India - when you had to actually pay good money towards a product made well locally. Go to NYC & purchase knock-offs you so adore.
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