In keeping with yesterday's post: I have a thing about made-in-Canada retro handbags.Most, like the one you see here, are architecturally beautiful. Now I'm sure design isn't endemic to Canada or anything, but when I found it at Goodwill yesterday for $4.99 I had to restrain myself:
It's a pebbled leather or faux croc bag in excellent condition. The inside, as you see below, is all suede and the interior tag reads, "Handbags by Paragon, Toronto Canada."
I'm thrilled.
Just look at the shape.Isn't it fab?
I feel like donning my muff and my retro 1950s coat.
But that would be overload. I think I'll have to bring it into this century and funk it up a wee bit.
Any suggestions?
I'm thinking tight jeans, booties and a sexy top.
A retro made in Canada purse label I love is John Hort, although again, I know little of the designer except for his being big in the 1950s and 60s and based in British Columbia, Canada.
Sad to know these histories are being lost, though I suppose we preserve them by admiring and sharing the goods when we find them.
Still, if any one knows anything about Paragon or John Hort, or has knowledge of any other retro handbag designers from their native country, please do share!
What a fabulous bag! Such a gorgeous little steal.
ReplyDeleteso so chic!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous bag!!! I would love to raid your wardrobe!! I really love finding objects made in countries like Canada, Australia etc, Made in England always brings such joy to me being a total anglophile!
ReplyDeleteI'm so thrilled with this little find, fellow grungers. Does it matter that I have a little collection of bags I rarely wear? Nah, they're just lovely to look at .....
ReplyDeleteLove the bag and like made in Canada handbags as well. I agree with you about being frustrated about the loss of the history of these companies that helped to create the manufacturing nature of our history(now back to a more resource economy like we started as). I have a few made in Canada bags including a John Hort which interestingly has a graphic of Toronto City Hall on the label.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful interior to the bag as well by the way! I love how older bandbags have beautiful interiors -it suggests what is inside is what matters.
ReplyDeleteJenifir,I want to see your John Hort bag!! I have just been to your blog (you live in my hometown!) and will add you to my blogroll for sure!! I totally agree with you about the handbag thing - and they are becoming so rare and hard to find.
ReplyDeleteI will try to do a handbag post in the nest few days. A little snowy (therefore dark) to get a decent photo of the bags. The mock patent crock bag in my last post is High Fashion Handbags (of Toronto) which I believe is still in existence but I could not get any info online except a business address. There was no website and no history. From the I.D. tag label inside it strikes me as an eighties reproduction of an earlier style but it is still fun!
ReplyDeleteI to have a bag with an interior label 'Handbags by Paragon, Toronto Canada' Did you ever find the maker or a retail outlet that carries this label? I came across this blog in hopes of find out such information
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, thanks for finding me and apologies it's taken me a few days to get back. You know, I never did find any information about this handbag maker, and I did another search after receiving your comment. I suspect the maker and store is long-gone as the purses are quite retro. The sad thing is that it is difficult to find information about old businesses and designers such as these. But I will keep looking! I-ll put a call out in Twitter land to some of my vintage pals and let you know if they turn anything up.
ReplyDeleteBest, Kelly
Haha I just found a purse by paragon at value village, and I was trying to place its year when I happened upon ur blog. The purse is gorgeous, great frame. That purse above that you got looks a lot like a 1960's Eros handbag I found at goodwill, made in England.
ReplyDeleteConfessions of a Purse-a-holic
Purse-a-holic, thanks for visiting! I'd love to see that bag! Are you selling it on your Etsy shop??
ReplyDelete