Niko

I spent a glorious day locked in my CLEAN sewing studio yesterday! I got a lot done and felt very inspired for some reason. I began making a new Geisha bag on some golden silk. I was going to make my standard wristlet but half way into the process I changed a few things and....10 hours later...(ugh) Geisha Niko was born! It is a roomier bag that slips over the shoulder (for all you shoulder bag gals). My inspiration for this bag was the design of a kimono. I have incorporated details that I feel represent the details on a kimono, from the "wrapped" front panels, the beautiful silk fabrics and more! Niko has a machine embroidery on her front side of a Geisha holding a fan. After machine embroidering, I hand beaded detailing on the fan and hair ornaments. There is a hidden front pocket behind the Geisha. It is accented with custom black silk piping and lined with a very expensive ($30/yd) obi fabric with black, red and gold colors woven into the design. For the sides, bottom and back of the bag I used black dupioni silk and made matching piping to outline the whole bag. The pocket on Niko's backside is of the same obi fabric and is made to represent the striking obi that would be on a beautiful kimono. The lining is actually the silk lining I took out of a kimono I purchased from Kanazawa, Japan. It is black with red wavy stripes and occasional bundles of flowers and leaves tossed upon it. The fabric is very textural as well. There is a 7" zipped pocket on the interior. The pocket is lined with black silk fabric from another kimono. It has a tone on tone print of fans which adds an unexpected touch. As a closure, I made a small flap of the obi fabric and lined it with the dupioni. A gold-toned magnetic snap is added for security. The handle is made from combining two black tassled silk cords and attaching them to gold-toned rings at the top of the side panels.

This bag is very elegant. I am trying to decide if I will keep it myself!

Niko was born on April 10 making her an Aries. She loves to shop but prefers boutiques over malls any day. She may be spotted having lunch at a sidewalk cafe and nibbling on finger sandwiches with a glass of iced tea (ocha)nearby.