Chicago - June 05, 2006

Marc Your Word

Marc Marmel Leather Goods

Vacations are supposed to be stress-free. You sleep in. You eat out. You bring enough to avoid the Laundromat.

But try squeezing a weekend’s worth of flip-flops, bikinis, and nighttime get-ups into your gym bag and the truth pops out the top: Packing is a bitch.

Unless you’re lucky enough to be hitting the road with a Marc Marmel. The L.A.-based collection of totes, weekend bags, and travel accessories debuted last year to rave reviews. Besides having that well-worn, “oh, this old thing?” look, the collection is quite practical.

Kudos for multiple pockets (inside and out), simple round handles, and detachable shoulder straps (perfect for the long hike to Gate H12). The Amanda bag solves the world’s most vexing travel problem (where will the shoes go?) by holding up to eight pairs of your most ferocious four-inchers.

Fine Italian leathers and silk Chinese brocade linings give each piece a luxurious one-of-a-kind feel.

Which sounds to us like it’s just your bag.

Available at Josephine, 1405 North Wells Street, at Schiller Street (312-274-0359). Trunk show and appearance, June 6, 4-9 p.m.  To see styles, go to marcmarmel.com.