Speak Softly and Carry a Vlieger & Vandam Bag. The 2012 Guardian Angel Collection.

I stumbled upon the amazing weapon embossed Guardian Angel bags from Vlieger and Vandam back in 2005 when they were made of felted wool (below). The brand and their collection has grown and become more sophisticated in the past few years.


above: The 2005 V&V Guardian Angel Bags were made with embossed wool

Now made with fine aniline leathers from the greenest tannery in the world (Hulshof Royal Dutch Tanneries) and handmade embossing in the Netherlands, the Guardian Angel line includes structured and soft bags for both men and women, clutches, attache cases, wallets and iPad cases.



above: the metal embossing is done by hand using tools like the stamping gun shown above in the Netherlands



above: their newest collection is now lined with a silkscreen printed fabric of guns and knives

For their Autumn Winter 2012 Collection they have introduced three two-toned Classic (structured) Guardian Angel Handbags with detachable straps in Brown/Pink, Brown/Grey and Black/White leather:




New for 2012 are large and small soft versions of their Guardian Angel bags in black, brown or grey leather with detachable leather straps:



Unisex Guardian Angel attachés and shoulder bags in black, brown and grey leather for 2012:



The 2012 Guardian Angel clutches come in three styles (handcuffs, gun and knife) and black, brown or grey leather online. The gold, silver and blackened detachable chains are sold separately.

Other clutches in colored suede are new for 2012 but not available in their online store (yet):



iPad cases in Guardian Angel (black leather) or cracked screen (black leather):


Gun stamped zippered wallets and billfolds for 2012:



The Guardian Angel bags are popular among celebs like Fergie Rhianna and Rumor Willis (shown below carrying her large soft black Guardian Angel bag):


In addition to their Guardian Angel line, they make other stunning totes and handbags, small leather goods and scarves.




Vlieger and Vandam

Fabulous Graphic Art Flasks & Wallets Made With Duct Tape From JDuct

I know you've seen products made from duct tape, but chances are they are not as well crafted or as cute as the fabulous flasks [and wallets] made by Portland based jduct. Using colored duct tape as graphic art, jduct decorates 4" x 4" stainless steel flasks with iconic imagery of everything from toys and trends to skulls and witty sayings.









They make duct tape wallets too in many of the same designs plus more!



shop for the flasks and wallets here

Goodbye Fanny Pack, Hello Koffski! The Hip New Man Bag

Call it the Man Bag for the New Millenium, or the long overdue replacement for that famous fashion faux pas; the fannypack.



But finally there's something for men to wear on their belt that isn't an eyesore and will hold everything from their keys and wallet to their cellphone:


The Koffski is available in both full size as well as a junior version. Also available are shoulder straps or belts with it.



It offers customized design in a thoroughly practical form and is extremely comfortable to wear. This bag for men (we know, an odd thought) is reminiscent of a gun holster and has room for a wallet, your mobile, a bunch of keys, your Montblanc pen, enough documents to have you travel once around the globe and plenty of credit cards to pay for your Martinis (shaken, obviously...).



The junior version of the Koffski is assembled in a traditional leather manufacture in Solingen (famous for the knives usually...) using leather from the heart of Tuscany, a little village called Santa Croce sull'Arno, in between Florence and Pisa. The leather is left in a much less refined state and has a less dense surface, prone to aging in a different way than yesterdays version, more like traditional saddle bags. The metal parts are exposed to a spezial galvanization process, resulting in a matt appearance, resembling old silver...

This version isn't numbered, but has a branded logotype, that reminds you of the manufacturing process. It's available for purchase here.