New Designer Alert: To Bea or Not To Bea?

The other night one of my mom's friends told me about M Z Wallace, a handbag, luggage, and accessories company that has flagship stores in NYC and Tokyo. Said friend is a huge fan of the collection and told me to check out the "simple bags with great linings that won't cost you as much as other bags these days." Somehow in my post-party haze I was able to actually remember the name of the company and went to go check it out online. Apparently they've been around since 2000, but I'd never heard of them and suspect that many of you haven't either.

From the website:

M Z WALLACE was founded in January 2000 by Monica Zwirner and Lucy Wallace Eustice.

The line includes bags, luggage and accessories for women and men. Innovative yet classic, M Z WALLACE appeals to a multitude of personal styles. Its goal is to create a quality product whose style endures.

Women's Wear Daily hailed M Z WALLACE's debut, calling the collection "fashionable and refined." Harper's Bazaar wrote, "Lucy Wallace Eustice and Monica Zwirner design handbags with a studied simplicity." Wallpaper proclaimed of the collection, "they're the sort of pieces that say, I have arrived," rather than "I am running to catch up."

In short, the line is classic with a twist.

The collection uses contemporary materials to create clean, modern shapes. There is always an element of surprise that distinguishes M Z WALLACE's pieces, and the line is constantly evolving each season. Seen are the unexpected pairing of bright green and fuchsia on a sleek, modern shape; a traditional tote with leather handles in a camouflage print; quilted nylon canvas with silver trim; Italian tapestry fabric with solid brass accents.

In May 2000, M Z WALLACE opened its flagship store in SoHo. Designed by celebrated architect, Annabelle Selldorf of Selldorf Architects, the space was created to showcase the bags in an inviting and relaxed atmosphere. The store, raved WWD, "perfectly reflects the simple sophistication of the designers and their handbags."

I must say that I agree whole-heartedly with my mom's friend. The bags on this site are great, can be used forever, and have fabulous linings. The company designs several different bag shapes and then reproduces the shapes in multiple colors and materials.

My favorite by far was the "Bea" bag, which is available in orange, white, dark grey, light grey, and black. Take a look at the dark grey, or "gunmetal" version, complete with detachable purse and sassy hot pink lining. As an added bonus, the bag is stain and water resistant! $365.