Ellen Truijen Bags Spring Summer Collection

We've carried Ellen Truijen bags since we launched and always look forward to her collections. We're going back to basics this season with her classic styles in beautiful new timeless colors like cashmere indigo and cashmere nude.

Hipster Bag

Ellen Truijen Little Bridle Bag

Ellen Truijen 4 Ways Bag

Fall Arrivals: Ellen Truijen Bags

I'm always super excited to share the gorgeous leather bags by shop favorite Dutch designer Ellen Truijen. Introducing her deluxe tote bags -the ultimate leather tote for work, play and everything in between. Plus we've restocked her classics along with small leather goods this fall season. Loving all the beautiful wallets! And check out our interview with Ellen as well as travel tips for her hometown of Maastricht, Netherlands.

Designer Interview Part 1: Ellen Truijen

 

It's been a long time coming! And I couldn't be more excited to present my next interview with shop favorite, Dutch bag designer Ellen Truijen. As one of the first stockists of her amazing leather goods line in the US, we've carried her hard-to-find bags since we launched.We covet her versatile beautifully crafted leather bags-a true fusion of form and function. Crafted in the Netherlands, simple unadorned aesthetic and quality leather varieties are at the forefront of her design bringing forth a true utilitarian appeal with understated elegance.  As a designer balancing family life and work, she's lovingly named some of her classic bags as "Mommy Dearest" and the "Toddler". And who can resist the playful pacman details?So here we go, enjoy this interview!

Ellen Truijen Spring/Summer 14 Collection

How would you describe your design approach and creative process: from design, inspiration and to the creation for each collection?

I think my design approach is more the approach of a sculpturist than of a product designer. Each bag is created behind the sewing machine, molding the leather into it's new form.

 

Simple things inspire me, the smell of leather, colors you can't really define, old magazine pictures, a lovely teapot found on a flea market, springtime, or fall, a hint of my favorite perfume...

Besides the simple silhouettes of your bags, the hallmark of your designs is the standout sumptuous leathers you use with each collection. What is the process like in choosing the leather varieties for the season?

I always let my intuition lead the way, never follow trends or forecast. My approach is very tactile, feel the leather and make sure the leathers all together give me a good feeling.

My Ellen Truijen bag is my everyday bag and faithful companion. Why do you think customers are drawn to your line once they discover it?

Besides the design, I often hear the combination of design and functionality is what makes the bags desirable. And not to forget they get even more beautiful by wearing. 

Your line is now 12 years old! Love how there are classic staples in your collection but some styles that change, what's new in your collection and how has the line evolved since you started?

The bags evolved through the years. At first, they where more rough and had no lining. Through the years I added details to increase their functionality. More refining, in design and look. I tried to upgrade the understated luxury feeling with little details. 

It's all in the details: the Shopper and 36 Hours Bag

Running a business requires a lot of time and passion for what you do on your down time? Interests, passions or activities that you enjoy?

Going to concerts or to the movies, drinking wine in the garden, making city-trips and strolling around discovering places. I also enjoy doing nothing much around my house.

Any irks and quirks you'd like to share?

When I have to drive far by car and I'm always feeling hungry, I like to stop by a gas station and buy this kind of knackerbrod sandwich filled with tomato cream (which I never eat and isn't even nice food), but somehow I have to have it! : )

 

How do you balance managing your line, MOS store (plus recently opened brand store) and of course life with your family?

Improvise! Most of the time everything flows naturally and it's important to be flexible, luckily our children are that as well.

Ellen Truijen Brand Store

So much a part of the creation of your designs involves working with local makers and craftsmen. What do you love most about this process especially with keeping production of your bags locally in the Netherlands?

What I love is the direct contact with the people who make my bags. We work only with small family businesses and know exactly who worked on which bag. Also providing local businesses with work and keeping in honour of what is left of a beautiful, once blooming Dutch craft, is something I stand for and gives me a good conscience. 

I know it’s so hard to choose, but what’s your go-to bag or style from your collection? And why the playful pacman detailing (which I love growin' up in the 80s!)?

I don't have a particular favourite. Every new bag is a favourite and they're all precious to me. And if a bag has sold very well, but my feeling with the bag is gone, then it must go out of the collection. Again, I trust my intuition. Regarding the pacman detailing, at one point I wanted to add something with a wink and the pacman kept popping up in my head. And it's also, just as you said, a thing of my generation. 

 

What is your personal style or aesthetic? What are some of favorite your pieces, items you collect for you or your home?

I love strolling around flea markets, collecting for example tea pots or nice styling objects.  And I have a weakness for pumps, preferably found in little shops, where the last pair in my size is waiting for me.

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It's been wonderful getting to know the personal side of the people who bring such inspiring design to life. Thank you so much Ellen for sharing your inspiration, creative process and your story! Stay tune for part 2 with travel tips to her hometown in southern Netherlands!Hope to visit next time I'm there in Europe!

 

Catch a glimpse of Ellen again just in case you haven't seen this beautiful video-featuring our favorite bag designer with art direction by her husband Rob Truijen. So much talent in one family!

I am Ellen:Truijen from Caramel on Vimeo.


Black and White and Lookbook Images from Ellen Truijen

A Bag + an Outfit

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There's nothing like classic staples that you can reach for season after season...like a pair of perfect fitting skinny jeans, classic white shirt and a versatile bag. Whether worn with flats, heels, boots, this ensemble always looks effortless whether you dress it up or down.  Aptly name the 24 Hours Bag, this Ellen Truijen hard-working everyday bag is the perfect accessory for this outfit: Imogene + Willie jeans and Everlane silk top. 

New Arrivals: Ellen Truijen Bags

We're always excited to open the box of lovelies from Ellen Truijen!And this season her bags featuring her classics with new leather varieties and colors are consistent with the well-crafted gorgeous utilitarian design she's known for. We're thrilled to bring back her classics like the Mommy Dearest bag,ideal for work and travel, as well as the 36 hours and 24 hours bags that make loyal companions for everyday.(My 36 hours bag is aging beautifully!) And her new style-Little Aztek bag,with its unexpected geometric side details, is even better in person. An instant favorite! These bags are showcased beautifully at home, but they're meant to be out of their dust bags and carried around no matter where the day takes you.

Perfect Pair: Tote + Clutch

Valentine's Day is around the corner and our perfect pair series continues! Ellen Truijen's iPAD case/clutch is a versatile piece that transitions from day to night and can easily be carried inside Margarete Hausler's tote bag. They're must-have essentials when you're out and about.

Perfect Pair: Scarf + Bag

With Valentine's Day about a month away, I'm inspired to start our perfect pairing features showcasing pieces that just seem to go together oh-so perfectly. For this first edition, we have Ellen Truijen's versatile and just-the-right size Shopper Bag paired with Osei-Duro's black Basket Print Scarf for that perfect winter getaway ensemble. These pieces are ideal companions whether you stay at a resort or opt to trek around a far-flung destination this winter...or may even for your daily trek at home.

Ellen Truijen Bags: Casual Chic and Work Ready

A spotlight on Ellen Truijen's new style for this season and a shop favorite: the little Briddle Bag. One style,two colors-this bag is ideal for a casual chic ensemble and perfect for your daily trek to work.And check out this great video from Ellen Truijen:

Ellen Truijen 'The dissection of Daddy Cool' from Caramel on Vimeo.

New Arrivals: Ellen Truijen Bags

I'm always thrilled to receive a package from  Maastricht, Netherlands. Opening the box that contains the new collection of Ellen Truijen bags is always a sensory experience-the smell of new leather, the feel of the leather varieties used for the season, and of course the visual delight of seeing her classics and new designs for the season. Her "cashmere" leather type is back which means buttery soft leather in the new collection. Her classic Shopper Bags, a go-to everyday bags, are back in stock. Ellen is intuitive in bringing new shapes for the season. She's read my mind, as she's designed new totes this fall collection. Love 'em! They're ideal multi-purpose carry-alls that only gets better with age.  Stay tune for new additions available soon.

Travel Essentials

Whether you're globe trottin' or you prefer a "staycation" close to home (roadtrip anyone?) this summer, here are some of our favorite key pieces for the wanderlust in you. A cross body bag and small pouches like Erin Templeton's designs are essentials to the trip. Ellen Truijen's Hipster bag, a chic alternative to a fanny pack, is a wonderful option for hands free mobility. Her small leather goods are also easy to pack and practical options when you want to carry something light like the gorgeous iPad case/Clutch or her adorable red wristlets that comes in different sizes that can be thrown right into Margarete Hausler's beautiful totes. They're ideal for trip to local markets or beach. Reach for the lightweight scarves by Lookout & Wonderland for those breezy summer nights.  And of course, there's nothing like some striking jewelry to top off your summer ensemble like Alchemy's necklaces and Victoria Bekerman's earrings. Happy Travels!Bon Voyage!Buon Viaggio!

Summer Sale is here!

 

Just in time for 4th of July, our Summer Sale has started!We've added some of our favorite bags and jewelry. So take your first picks as we add new items including Ellen Truijen bags, Erin Templeton, Alchemy jewelry and Kerrie Yeung's lovely signet rings.

Enjoy your holiday. Happy 4th of July!

A Bag and an Outfit: Ellen Truijen + Apiece Apart

The bag and outfit inspiration is back! We usually pick the bag that we use depending on the occasion whether it's for our daily trek, work or special event. Well, I'm always looking for ensembles to be worn and styled with some of our bags like Ellen Truijen's gorgeous bags. In this case,it's a whole collection!Ellen's designs seems to be perfectly in sync with Apiece Apart's beautiful Spring/Summer collection. I'm coveting every piece from their collection, and it's so hard to choose.  These labels complement each other, as they're stunning in their simplicity and understated design while versatile and easy to wear. Featuring simple silhouettes and quality materials, they're a perfect combination of classic and modern elegance.

All outfit images via A Piece Apart

Ellen Truijen Bags: New Spring/Summer Collection

We're completely enamored and excited (as always!) with Ellen Truijen's new Spring/Summer Collection. We have a great selection of her styles from her basics to her new small leather goods collection. And they come in neutral colors and brights, especially loving her new venture into vivid colors like the gorgeous poppy red. Featuring different sizes, gorgeous quality leather varieties and her signature functional details (dual interchangeable straps), these bags are meant to be out of their dust bags and onto your arms...trusted companions in your daily trek or while globe trotting. And finally, a chic alternative to a fanny pack, the Hipster Bag! Hands-free flexibility makes this an ideal choice for travel.

Toddler Bag / Hipster Bag/ Fox Glove Ipad Case/4 Ways Bag/ Little Bits