Barcelona bags by Braccialini

The TUA line for summer 2010 of handbags by Braccialini –a very creative Italian company- is inspired in the Mediterranean. Models are colorful and are named after cities and countries. Under the name Barcelona they offer 5 versions of bags made of striped canvas, embellished with multiple patterned appliqués, flowers, hearts, colorful buttons and finishes in contrasting colors.

Braccialini handbags are available in Barcelona at
Fashion Cheap, C/ Muntaner 226
Due, C/ Sicilia, 226
http://shop.braccialini.com/tua/it/barcellona_tua.html
http://shop.braccialini.com/es/

Jofre: luxury multibrand boutiques

Jofre is a family owned company with several multibrand boutiques. They sell some of the best known international fashion brands: Prada, Miu Miu, Christian Dior, Chloe, Fendi, Gucci, Vera Wang, Aspesi and many more. Next to the Turó Park, an elegant residential area, at Bori i Fontestà with F. Pérez Cabrero, there is a cluster of shops: men, top brands for ladies, casual fashion for ladies, shoes & bags and children  

The web is very poor but you will find the list of shops in Barcelona and other locations http://www.jofre.es/

Several shops by the Turo Park, near the Diagonal with Francesc Macià
Bori i Fontestà 2, 4 and 6
F. Pérez Cabrero 7, 9 and 13
No metro nearby

The newest shop is at
Passeig de Gràcia 104
Metro: Passeig de Gràcia (Green line)

The tiles of Barcelona´s sidewalks on leather purses & wallets

The purses, wallets and keyrings decorated with the design of the tiles paving the sidewalks of Barcelona, which are  the symbol of the Modernism Route, are a good "souvenir" from our city. You can find them at Calpa, a shop selling handbags and luggage which was the first to have this idea and has registered its designs. They also sell purses and keyrings reproducing the hexagonal tiles designed by Gaudí for the Pedrera that you can also see on the sidewalks of the Passeig de Gràcia.  

Calpa
c/ Ferràn 53. There is also an entrance on the Carrer del Call.
Nearby the Plaça Sant Jaume, Metro: Liceo (Green Line) or Jaume I (Yellow line)
For more information about the Modernism Route www.rutadelmodernisme.com

Pinzat: recycled hand painted bags

Today, in Barcelona, we enjoyed a beautiful spring weather and I took a long walk through the city center. I discovered the work of a group of young artists from different countries who collaborate to make bags from recycled materials (PVC from banners and belt buckles from cars). Most bags are painted but they also produce bags with pieces cut and sewn as a collage. Each piece is unique but most of them have a strap that can be used around the waist or around a bike´s handle as well as a detachable purse. They are fun and made to last. Prices: €50-80.  

http://www.pinzat.org/

c/ Grunyi, 7, a small lane with c/Argenteria, not far from the Plaça Sant Jaume and Santa Maria del Mar. I also recommend the restaurant Senyor Parellada situated at c/Argenteria, where they serve traditional dishes at decent prices considering the setting and level of service.
Metro: Jaume I (Yellow line)

Vaho Gallery: giving trash a second chance

Vaho is a company based in Barcelona and their products are made out of recycled materials. The colorful handbags made out of advertising PVC canvases are fun and practical, and they come in several designs conceived for different uses (large, small, shopping, travel, work,...). Although they repeat models and shapes, no two bags are exactly the same as Vaho reuses banners which have been hanging from the streetlamps advertising theatre, fairs, exhibits and other events. Bags are made by hand and most of the work is developed at the social rehabilitation workshops in the prison Model of Barcelona and a foundation which works with mentally handicapped people.

Plaça Sant Josep Oriol, 3 (Metro Liceu, Green Line)

Across the church of Santa Maria del Pi. one of the beautiful gothic churches of Barcelona.
Bonsuccés, 13 (Metro Catalunya, Green Line)
www.vaho.ws (online shop, English version)
www.vahogallery.com