Handbags

1,949 items

Explore NOVICA's Handbags Collection. Discover artisan designs, from handmade leather totes to beautifully embellished evening clutches. You will find unique styles in an array of traditional leathers, handwoven fabrics and contemporary recycled materials to bring a touch of global style to any outfit. There's a style for every season and reason.

The Village Council

Your answers straight from the village experts

+ - Hello Colombia! Were welcoming new artisans into the family.

While the Zen artisans may be new to NOVICA, they are hardly new to the world. An indigenous people from Colombia, the Zen have been planting, cultivating, preparing and braiding caa flecha (cane fiber) for hundreds of years. Now, it is our

Featured Artist

Chirada

(86)

"I am a person who always likes to do everything, better and better. If I feel something isn't good enough, I don't give up. I will always try my best until I achieve what I want."

"Hello! My name is Chirada Loetparisanyu. I was born on April 7, 1973. My hometown is in Chonburi province, but I moved to Chiang Mai because my... read more

More useful facts

Handbags Through History

Prehistoric people used medicine bags, and Egyptian hieroglyphs show pouches carried around the waist. Drawstring coin bags were used by European men from the 12th to the 16th centuries, and the first written mention of handbags dates to the 1300s. In the 1500s, women began carrying bags of sachet. But pockets worn beneath the skirt remained more popular than purses until dresses began to hug the body in the late 18th century. During the Victorian period, a wide variety of purse styles came into vogue and the term "handbag" was coined in the early 1900s. By the first part of the 20th century, almost every woman carried a purse. Authentic handbags came into their own during the 1920s with all kinds of styles, colors and materials. From the 1930s to the 1960s, clutches were a favorite. Practical shoulder bags were introduced during World War II. Today hobos, totes and slings compete with classic leather handbags, mini briefcases and backpack bags. Among Novica's amazing array of styles and materials are sterling silver evening bags by Ploy Intha. Sending an ecological statement, totes of recycled materials make up Neide Ambrosio's soda pop-top collection and Evani Ribeiro's bags of distressed canvas.

The Holiday Catalog

Discover our unique collection of beautiful, handmade objects from around the world, inspired by more than a century of exploration.

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