January 8, 2007

Revisiting the Classics

Ko. Des Bags

Translated from the Greek.

Her first love:  a clutch. Then a purse. Then a pocketbook. But all ended in ruin.

Reeling over her losses (and the exorbitant price tags on designer bags), Kate O’Riley decided to craft her ideal.

After hours at the sewing machine, a monument to fashion and function emerged: a roomy, rounded, robust carryall.

The leather was durable yet soft. Straps fit over the shoulder or snapped underneath. Inside: engineer pin-stripe denim. Leather butterflies, skulls, and anchors dangled like charms.

All gazed in wonder; in their hearts rose a passion for this handcrafted Ko. Des bag. So she made more (in black, chocolate suede, navy, and burgundy) and sold them for much less than bags of similar quality.

Not surprisingly, things soon took on mythical proportions.

Available at Catbird, 219 Bedford Avenue, between North 4th and North 5th Streets (718-599-3457); Girlshop, 819 Washington Street, between Gansevoort and Little West 12th Streets (212-255-4985). To see styles, go to web.mac.com/ko.des.