My MANy Bags News #230

Below: My friend Jens Hildeståhl hails from Sweden... his passion and love for creating the perfect bag for a man truly shows in his understated designs and meticulous attention to details and craftsmanship. That's why his bags are made in Italy, where leather craft is of the highest standards. This is the 'Medium I' Duffel made from soft Norwegian leather with palladium hardware. Don't your heart just long to own one, especially in stunning Plum colour after looking at the pic? To give the bag it's unique character, a signature handle design (twirling impressions on the leather exterior) is incorporated to set the bag apart from others. I love that this detail is not in your face but yet distinctive enough to get noticed.

Below: Admire the bag from another view...

Below: Proudly crafted in Italy... lined with pig suede... I love the subtle branding. Small branding conveys sophistication and confidence in your brand:-)

Below: Multiple interior pockets...

Below: 'Medium I' is available in classic Black as well...

Below: Similar to Medium I, Medium II is made from Italian leather to give the bag a more structured look...

Below: The Mini... a smaller and handy version of the duffel design...but made more compact and suited for the ladies too!

Below: Laholm comes in a gorgeous Honey Gold Italian Calf Suede and is versatile for everyday use or weekend getaways...

Below: Discreetly branded on the side, where only the discerning will know...

Below: For the savvy traveller, Weekend in Italian leather will compliment your jet set style...

Below: Comes in a versatile and classic hue of dark brown as well...

Below: Hildeståhl also created Valfrid tote bags that is a handy companion in and out of the boardroom. The braided handles again adds interest to the clean lines of the tote. I especially love the camel coloured version, where the hue is bright but not loud. The huge exterior pocket is well thought out for quick access to frequently used belongings such documents, travel passes, phones etc. Believe me, exterior pockets are a must for daily use bags on the go, makes life easier! These bags do not scream for attention but appeals to you in their understated way...

Hildeståhl Leather Bags: Passionately designed In Sweden, Meticulously crafted In Italy

When I started this blog, it was with the simple purpose of documenting my bag collection and giving those many hours of shopping some good cause to help me feel less guilty of my retail obsession. 2 years later, this blog grew with many support from my readers and got me to London Fashion Week's biggest show last year... Burberry Spring Summer 2010 where I come face to face with the world's most prominent figures in the fashion industry, including Christopher Bailey and Anna Wintour. Was a real eye opener to attend such an 'A-list' event that mattered in the world fashion calendar. Then the blog took me to Hong Kong for an all expenses paid press Junket for LG's New Chocolate Phone, plus all the invites to events where I met David Gandy, Mihara Yasuhiro and many more famous fashion folks.

But one of the true highlights of having this blog is I gained friends in the most unexpected way. You guys know who you are. And out of this new pool of people that I have met in person, is my Swedish friend Jens Hildeståhl. Have you ever met a bag designer before?... Many will probably say no. But my answer would be a YES now!

Cos' Jens' pursuit of the ultimate bag for the 'Y-chromosomed' lead him to embrace that passion zealously and spur him to create his own line of mens bags. When a person has this much of enthusiasm, you can be assured the results of this 'labour of love'are highly noteworthy .

Hildeståhl was started in 2006. After travelling and researching around the world extensively, Jens felt it was time to fulfill his dream to create his ultimate 'man' bag. It was a challenge to determine what exactly do men want for their bags, since taste are varied and competition is fierce. Jen's strategy is to stick with classics, but play with new proportions (Which Hildeståhl bags have thoughtfully studied and deliberately made their bags more handy in size) and using the best quality materials and artisanal skills he could tap into. Luxury whispered with an endearing design without following fickle trends. It took 3 years to develop this first collection which resulted in 5 models. And the effort is truly commendable. These bags are a bag connoisseurs' dream. Understated, classic with a dose of masculine charm, but not forgetting the functional aspects of a bag.

Hildeståhl's belief in producing leathergoods of utmost craftsmanship led him to source and use chemical-free leathers and materials of highest quality. The bags are made outside Milano, and materials are mostly sourced from Scandinavia and Italy. What makes Hildeståhl's truly one of a kind is that production is limited. Jens tried to keep the operations at a more personal level so he can oversee every aspect of the production to ensure uncompromised standards for his brand. Currently, Jens is also working on a small collection of clothes which I am excited to see.

I hope to meet him again in Singapore or Sweden and perhaps one day get a deeper insight into his design and production process... since it is a bag fan's dream to discover how bags are truly created before it becomes a retail reality.

Hildeståhl is currently sold online at the brand's website (http://www.hildestahl.com/). Do check it out to see the entire selection. I am a fan already, the plum coloured 'Medium I' seem to call my name!:-P What a cool travel bag it would make!

Wishing my friend the best of luck, hopefully we will soon see Hildeståhl on a global platform as a recognised luxury brand for men's bags.

Source: Hildeståhl