The distinctive artwork used on the exterior of the bags shows off Jerry’s adept hand. Imperfect flowers, angular rays and sweeping brush­strokes are showcased on rich fabric in both neutral and vivid colours. The designs retain that soulful man­made feel, putting self-expression and personality through fashion on a higher plane

TOP LEFT: The J. Garcia Black Iceberg handbags on display. ABOVE, FROM TOP: The Grey–Green stitch bag. Two Black–White Hibiscus bags. The black leather handbag, with the J. Garcia hibiscus motif. INSET IN TEXT: Anna Johnson’s Handbags: the Power of the Purse.

   The Fendi Bauquette also débuted in 1992. Made in an array of colors and luxurious materials, and further highlighed by a bold interlocking logo, two silver buckles and an abbreviated shoulder strap, the Bauquette gave Tom Ford a run for his money. Designed by Silvia Venturini Fendi and her team, it gave the House of Fendi an added patina of hipness it didn’t have before, as well as enriched their company’s treasury many times over. Not willing to rest on her laurels, Ms Fendi managed to sustain her success by offering limited editions of certain styles of the handbag as well as changing the color and other aspect each season. The company later out with the Croissant, the Ostrik and the Spoon. To learn more about handbags, and the many legends in the field (Bonnie Cashin, Judith Leiber, Carlos Falchi), you can read Ms Johnson’s book—but all this serves as a segway into introducing the latest line of handbags, handbag accessories and matching scarves. And it is coming from the most unlikely of places.
   Vetrina Arte is a division of the respected GFX International retail graphic management company, whose LPGI division has long had success with the merchandising of rock-and-roll textile products made in Italy. This past February, LPGI Director and Designer Mary Sansone launched the Vetrina Arte Jerry Garcia Accessory Collection, a full range handbag collection with matching scarves and handbag accessories in partnership with the officers of the Estate of Jerry Garcia. Expressive and well-appointed, these bags features fabric patterns inspired by the art of the late legendary musician and artist, Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead.
   ‘The philosophy applied to the design of the J. Garcia handbags is to connect the free spirit with sophistication,’ says Ms Sansone. ‘Jerry was an artist before he was a musician, having attended the San Francisco School of Fine Art. He continued to create fascinating art throughout his life. Pieces range from beautiful landscapes to disturbing nightmare images. The handbags ultimately show our respect for his art.’
   The very distinctive artwork used on the exterior of the bags shows off Jerry’s adept hand. Imperfect flowers, angular rays and sweeping brushstrokes are showcased on rich fabric in both neutral and vivid colours. The designs retain that soulful manmade feel, putting self-expression and personality through fashion on a higher plane. Leather is used to accent the fabric and for interior compartments. ‘We didn’t skimp,’ boasts Sansone. Matching silk scarves, including cashmere, complement the collection.
   The process of putting the collection is a collaborative process. The Estate chooses art from the library that they would like see used in the designs for the accessories. Vetrina Arte can then take parts from one piece and parts from another piece to come up with designs. They are also allowed to use exact reproductions of the artwork, if they choose.
   The collection itself is has several major components. Ms Sansone and her team of talented Italian collaborators used seven patterns from the nearly 500 pieces in Jerry Garcia’s art collection. The lively and youthful patterns paired with the classic silhouettes serves to make the bags cross-generational and versatile enough to be used for everything from extravagant nightlife to going to the beach and for everyday living. The collection itself runs the gamut from the large Carrier and Gladstone bags to totes in small, medium and large sizes. She rounds out the collection by also adding a doctor’s bag (the satchel), an adjustable messenger pouch and a drawstring Hobo to the mix. If you are so inclined, you can go all the way, and add the cosmetic pouch, the key chain and the large or small wallet to your list of purchases.
   If you are looking for something understated, then the all-black leather hobo with the violet signature flower set will suit your purposed just fine. The Black Iceberg, Black–White Hibiscus and Blue Iceberg patterns are essentially daytime handbags, while the Grey–Green Stitch, the Orange–Rose Hibiscus and Sunburnt Twitter can easily translate into late evening companion pieces to a woman’s evening wardrobe. The bags will retail between $200 to over $500, depending on the piece you are buying, but truly, you are buying a piece of history and an item destined to become a collectible much like the others discussed earlier in this article. You cannot go wrong with this collection.
   The Estate and Ms Sansone have reason to believe that this venture will become a success. They have to look no further than the Jerry Garcia ties which have been on the market for 11 years. Licensed to Mulberry Neckwear, the ties have been near, if not at the top, of the list of best-selling items in the men’s furnishing departments of the stores that carry them. According to the Estate, the ties generated over $35 million in retail revenue in 2001 (the latest year for which figures are available); and at $35 a pop, that’s a lot of ties going out the door.
   Concurrently, Vetrina Arte also entered into an agreement with Museum Masters International to launch a Picasso fashion accessory line featuring silk scarves, umbrellas, totes and apparel to be distributed worldwide. •

For information on where to find the Vetrina Jerry Garcia Accessories Collection, please contact Mary Sansone at msansone@gfxi.com or visit Vetrina Arte at www.vetrinaarte.com. Special thanks also to Ms Sansone for assistance and to Ms Anna Johnson for providing such valuable source material through her book.

Handbags: the Power of the Purse by Anna Johnson is now available in all major bookstores, independent bookstores and online at www.amazon.com.

Phillip D. Johnson is features’ editor of Lucire.