Halaby celebrate Charlotte Bronte with new bag

There is no lack of inspiration from books. Designer Gilbert Halaby certainly doesn't think so, as his brand has found inspiration for their latest bag in the works of author Charlotte Bronte, the woman famous for writing Jane Eyre - An Autobiography. The new Charlotte bag from Halaby celebrates the bicentenary of the author's birth, giving us a bold and elegant design with a distinctive handle.

Details on the bag include embroidery meant to evoke the Victorian era with select pieces in the collection having details that contrast with the modern design.

Bronte was famous for being a controversial figure in Victorian England for writing from a woman's perspective when feminism was relatively unknown. The characters she wrote went against the patriarchal structure of society and took on issues such as sexuality, religion, and the role of women in society.

The contrast of the traditional embroidery on a modern design is out of respect for Bronte's work.

The hand embroidered designs feature classical Roman "Grotteschi."

“I wanted to bring the classical world into the collection as the Grand Tour was a must for all budding romantic authors and poets of the time - and although as Charlotte Brontë had not been able to experience this, it is evident from many of her works that she had studied and appreciated the classicism," Halaby explained.

The process for the embroidery is very elaborate. Each piece can take up to 15 hours because the beads have to hand stitched one-by-one on the finest tuscan silky-smooth nappa leather. Luxurious leathers such as the 'nabucato' crocodile skin are used to add a touch of decadence and signify Bronte's rebellious streak.

The Charlotte intrecciato is meant to be a look that combines both the classic and distinctly refined bringing netting and tartan together.

“I loved the idea of replicating the fingerless net gloves which were so fashionable during that time and the tartan is of course a homage to Brontës Irish origins by her father," Halaby said.

The Charlotte bag is available at Italian retailers including Luisa Via Roma Firenze, Blu Capri, Gisa 1965 Ancona, and Zita Fabiani Roma. Worldwide, the bags are available at Barney's New York, Tokyo, and Japan, Saks Fifth Avenue in Dubai and Bahrain, Ikram in Chicago, 515 Urban Heritage in Taiwan, L'appartment in Tokyo, and Double One Double Five in Seoul.

photo:courtesy of Negri Firman