The Urban Elegance Collection | Summer 2011

With summer just around the corner, Kiki has found inspiration in all things urban and, well, all things elegant.

One of the most wonderful things about the Urban Elegance totes is their versatility.  When it’s not carrying your baby, it serves beautifully as a tote for you.  My laptop and many other things easily fit inside these sturdy totes.

When it is carrying your baby, she will be comfortable on the mattress, all cozy and secure.  Should something spill on the soft lining, it pulls out for convenient spot-cleaning.  Kiki has thought of everything!

I have created The Tote for all the dogs that understand their royalty status. Yes, they like to be carried around (never ever left behind), don’t really do well in leashes and demand comfort. I have also created it for the humans like me with a fondness for practical products that remain functional while being haute. This handbag is all of the above and then some. It is hop-in, hop-out practical and always ready to go.

I spent a long time designing this tote. It had to be perfect all the way. The perfect size, the perfect shape. I chose to give it an oval shape so doggie is as comfortable lying down as standing up. The bag sits right under your arm, so your baby feels secure and safe at all times and you have her / him right under your vigilant eye. It is light and feels very comfortable when you wear it over your shoulder.

The bag is engineered in four layers, which means a lot of sewing time, no short cuts and hours of hand stitching. On the other hand, this hard work translates into perfect shaping and durability.

My goal for my new Totes is to bring the same couture treatment I have devoted to my garments into a practical, easy-to-handle carrier that loves going places and getting attention!

Take, for example, The Kiki Tote and Matching Harness (and don’t miss the slideshow of close-ups just below the description). It’s an extension of Kiki herself:

The Kiki Tote

This Tote is inspired by Me.  Yes, it is so Kiki Hamann and for my Urban Elegance collection! I simply love silver, it is glamorous, yet basic, and so easy to wear. I just had to do a silver one for Kiki’s sake!

The fabric. It is embroidered with silver thread, like silver dew drops.

The combination of beautiful mauves and dusty roses make this composition so Uptown Manhattan. It is classy and current!

The tote features a Chihuahua Head done in dark silver brocade. The pewter eyes are round buttons that stand out for texture.

The Chihuahua is framed in rose colored silky brocade. There are bird chains on each side just to remind me how much little dogs like to run after the birds.

Two big pockets on the sides guarantee plenty of space for your trinkets.

A safety chain comes with the tote and can be clipped onto a harness. When not in use, the chain can be removed and the d ring on the side can be used to clip a key ring.

This tote is so artistic. A lot of manual labour goes into putting it together. Four-layered construction gives the piece body and form. A cushion guarantees the comfort of your puppy.

There are trims, brocades, pewter buttons, chenille, shantung, ribbons… all that is missing is your baby!

The Tote measures: 15″ L x 9″ W x 10″ H

Please note:  some photographs in the slideshow below have been edited in a manner that allows fabric patterns and textures to be showcased.

The Phantom Tote

Don’t be fooled by this black tote. It’s made of three completely different fabrics: a heavy matte brocade, a satiny thin stripe and a larger satiny stripe. The fabrics are put together to best accentuate each one’s properties.

Listen to the love Kiki has put into the design and structure of this tote:

To this medley in black I have added two beautiful Lacey trims for yet more texture, they frame the fabric composition, accentuating the differences.

It is from my new line Urban Elegance and it is all about the buzz of the city. Please notice how I play with the negative spaces in this brocade composition. Chains add pizazz to the modern lines of the tote. It is black, it goes with every color. It is super!

The handles of the tote were planned so you can either carry it over your shoulder and have puppy next to you, or to carry it on your arm and stroll around showing it off.

Looking for something a bit more feminine?  Don’t miss the Victoria Tote, also part of the Urban Elegance Collection.  So gorgeous I felt it deserved an article of its own.

Please note: some photographs in the slideshow below have been edited in a manner that allows fabric patterns and textures to be showcased.