Handbag designer Elaine Arsenault of Brooklyn likes to make things herself. So when she needed a new bag, naturally, she simply made herself one.
Arsenault hand-stitched her first bag in 1992, while working as an assistant to an independent clothing designer in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood. That designer was so impressed with the bag that Arsenault was invited to create a line and sell them in the store.
“The original bag was based on a small shopping bag,” Arsenault said, noting that her leather prototype had a drawstring insert as a closure. They sold quite well, and soon she had a loyal Manhattan following.
Her reputation for impeccable workmanship and her simple design aesthetic helped grow that fan base quickly. Along the way she has experimented with various sizes and shapes; the materials she uses, such as vinyls, textured synthetics, and unique textiles, are the stars.
“The bags have evolved over time, and they’re a great way to carry around things and look fashionable,” Arsenault said, adding that she still designs, cuts, sews, and finishes each bag herself. They are remarkably lightweight and durable, with interesting interior fabrics and deep inner pockets.
The Museum Store introduced the Princeton community to these handcrafted bags several years ago, concentrating on the orange shopping bag made out of basketball leather. There is a true appreciation in this community for these timeless classics made out of this simple and durable material.
With a background in sculpture and an art degree from the University of California at Santa Cruz, Arsenault has successfully turned her creative bent toward making handbags that are both functional and fabulous.
She also has looked to combine her artistic talents with those of her partner, the painter Gail Garcia. “I decided to collaborate with Gail because I love her paintings,” Arsenault said. “She has a way of understanding form and knowing where to put her mark on an object. Her painting appears effortless and becomes a part of the object rather than a decoration.”
The modern designs are similar to the hand-painted designs on Garcia’s dinnerware collection, home furnishings, and interior design pieces. Arsenault suggested large linen totes become a canvas for Garcia. The one-of-a-kind bags have Garcia’s signature black swirls and are finished with leather straps and footings for durability. They plan to continue to make small collections of one-of-a-kind bags in the future.
The Museum Store presently carries Elaine Arsenault’s signature totes in basketball leather, textiles, and unique synthetics, as well as the hand-painted totes from her most recent collaboration with Gail Garcia.