When asked to describe my personal
style, more often than naught I roll out the old “awkward teenage
goth” line. This pretty much reads as I’ll wear anything as long as
it’s black. That said I always look for something that reads as a
classic piece – some longevity where I know it’s going to become a
total wardrobe staple, which is why I am all up in Catherine Aitken’s
new Riot collection.
With a background in film and tv,
Edinburgh based Catherine Aitken wanted to develop her love of luxury
handbags and created her own line of tweed and silk bags often using
reclaimed tweeds and silks in her creations. I’m oft partial to
anything that works with heritage fabrics and love love love her
tweed messenger bags, so was super excited to see she was launching
a collection inspired by her favourite ladies of punk.
Tweed, leather, hardwear and a good
dollop of tartan for good measure define the “Riot” collection –
a new limited line of handbags and accessorize. Aitken has launched a
small collection of women and men’s bags as part of the Riot
collection which pretty much ticks all the boxes for me. Leather,
hardwear, tweed and tartan. Check,check,check,check!
Obviously the stand out pieces for me are her slightly larger collection of handbags. For me they are the obvious centre piece of the collection – 5 gorgeous bags featuring Scottish deerskin black leather, studs, kilt pins, various tartans and harris tweeds. Each bag is named after an influential dame of punk rock history including Patti Smith, Poly Styrene, Siouxie Sioux, Debbie Harry and Joan Jett. The more muted tones of the Patti is a total winner for me though I love love love the flash of orange in the Poly Styrene bag. Full on swoon over here.
The collection launched today with prices starting off to £70 to £215. Get in all about it!
Catherine Aitken – Twitter
Catherine Aitken – Facebook