Built from leather and raffia in an assortment of cheerful hues, Payton James’ breakthrough handbag collection brings a lighthearted touch to outfits.
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The totes, crossbody purses, and basket bags nod to retro style and act as instant pick-me-ups in shades of lavender, lemon, and summer white.
Vintage is a lifelong passion for James. For this collection, she drew inspiration from Jane Birkin, a British actress and singer, who was a muse to French singer-songwriter Serge Gainsbourg.
“It really started with her,” James says. “She always carried around a basket bag, and so I found a vendor, a family-owned business in Madagascar, that hand weaves bags from raffia.”
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James graduated from O’More College of Design. An extra credit Photoshop class that focused on shoe design, as well as shoe-making classes in New York City, piqued her interest in designing beyond the garment realm.
“That really just sparked my creativity with accessories,” James says. “I love it way more than designing clothes.”
James furthered her education with two internships before starting her own line.
“It was mostly just getting the energy of the city and, you know, learning what it takes to actually make it in the fashion industry.”
James prides herself on sourcing ethical suppliers, a practice she read up on before diving in to her career.Her design process includes creating inspiration boards, then determining size and scale or making a pattern. She then builds a tech pack containing all the necessary information a vendor needs to construct a product. Carryall prices range from $80 to $245.
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The Payton James’ spring product launch features handbags that have the power to transform outfits. The structured bucket tote, designed with handmade wooden handles that fit around the wrist, adds instant polish to T-shirts and jeans. Available in three hues, the versatile purse also converts into a crossbody.
The circle basket bag is available in two lively colorways: lemon, avocado, and teal; or lavender, pink, and lemon.
“So far, the feedback has been really good on the colors,” she says. “I think it just gets people excited about this new season.”
Available at Goodbuy Girls, White’s Mercantile, Posh Boutique, and Franklin Road Apparel, or online atpaytonjamesusa.com.