Lisa Kornman Fine Leather Handbags

Recently I had the distinct pleasure of meeting with designer Lisa Kornman, a superbly talented young woman with a line of fine leather handbags that quicken the pulse. The Spring 2003 line I was presented with captivated me through its harmony between form and function. Full of coveted extra pockets, functional shapes that conform to the body and marvelous arrays of rich colors, these leather handbags are a celebration of the modern woman on the go.

I started by practically pulling the handbags inside-out. The peek-a-boo color of the inside of the bag adds additional excitement to that of the exterior color. The bags are not only extremely well made with specially designed zippers and clasps but they are functional while being madly chic! Each handbag practically molds to your body. Even the clutches do not feel awkward because the have bracelet-like straps in semi-precious stones to slide the hand through. These bags are the epitome of harmonizing form and function. Finally, I put my face close to a suede bag and breathed deeply. These handbags are as complete an experience as the savvy woman behind them.

The Color of Paradise

The colors absolutely blew me away. Yes, there were rich blacks and chocolate browns, but there were also caramels and rusts, Native American turquoise, hot pinks, golden yellows and sunset reds. These did not strike me as off the rack colors; these were inspired! This exciting, unusual, vibrant and rich selection of colors is not easily encountered. The juxtaposition of colors, for example chocolate brown with sand pink, makes this selection one of the most exciting of 2003.

Structurally Sound

Not only are the handbags aesthetically pleasing, but equally important, they are of high quality. Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton ... watch out! The high quality leathers, the obvious craftsmanship and the custom-designed, original hardware were put through the Samantha von Sperling Stress Test. All passed with flying colors (see above). The durable stitching is accompanied by unobtrusive hardware. The hardware has no plastic components, making it more resistible, or irresistible, if you will.

Size Does Matter

There are many sizes of handbags available in Lisa Kornman's 2003 Spring line. Functional and chic, seems to be the motto:

Big, soft handbags of supple and buttery leather for your everyday transportation needs. These mold to your body and contain lots of fun pockets. The handbags are strong enough to schlep a boulder, or, for the more practical woman, gym shoes, heated hairbrush, and a carton of milk, making it the perfect overnight bag. The lining of the bag is a peek-a-boo surprise in colors. Running my fingers over the buttery-soft leather and suede was far more than a skin deep experience.
Medium, tailored, but not stiff handbags make the perfect suit or blue jean accessory. Special details, like the multiple strands of roped leather bunched together to create the shoulder strap in the "Vega", bring a surprisingly fun element to the handbags.
Small evening clutches like the Del Rio, which, amazingly, are roomy enough to hold a mobile phone, a Palm Pilot, money and a lipstick. The slick stiffness maintains a perfectly tailored shape. The "Del Rio" also boasts rose-quartz beads to hold the bag onto your hand, finalizing this smashing combination of hot-red and soft-pink (matching rose-quartz necklace optional).

Timeless Luxury

I knew there had to be a story behind this designer's creations. I had to ask "How did you get into this, what was your inspiration, and why handbags?", because brilliance and originality is so hard to come by.

Lisa is from San Antonio, Texas. The generations of women around her, including her mother and grandmother, also served as inspiration. These women are pillars of strength and versatility: elegant, stylish, smart, and capable. They could change an automobile tire in a white-linen suit if need be and be on their Merry Way without a smudge or a hair out of place. This ideal resonates though all of Lisa's designs. She has always loved fashion, with a special affinity for handbags. Lisa told me that the colors are partly nostalgia, inspired by colors found throughout nature in her beloved Texas.

After our meeting, Lisa had even this die-hard New Yorker so captivated by her romantic tales of Texas, she was ready to ride off into the sunset (at least for the weekend). Even the design's names, like "Del Rio" or "Vega", reminded me of Texas. When asked how she names her designs she replied that "all the bags are named after familiar towns and ranches of dear friends."

Designer Lisa Kornman with selections from the Spring Collection.

Lisa Kornman with selections from Spring Handbag Collection.

Clockwise from top left: black Amarillo, chocolate Cee Vee, honey and pink Vega, honey Del Rio clutch. Sold at stores across the country. In Boston exclusively at Tess in Cambridge and Newton Centre. Prices range from $230 to $1000.

About Lisa Kornman

URL	http://www.lisakornman.com
More Reviews	Daily Candy LA
Electronic Mail	Lisa@lisakornman.com
Sold at stores across the country; Available Exclusively In Boston @ Tess	20 Brattle Street Harvard Square, MA 02138 1.617.864.Tess 1241 Centre Street Newton Center, MA 02459 1.617.965.Tess
Showroom	Fragments Showroom 110 Greene Street Suite 801 New York, NY, 10012 1.212.226.8878
Phone Number	1.917.539.7888
Press Contact	Lisa Kornman
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