>> Tyler Ellis wants to make pieces that are timeless, timely, and sophisticated — or as she puts it, "based on classical elegance with a modern edge." If that credo sounds familiar, it should: Ellis is the daughter of Perry Ellis, a designer revered the world over for his clean-lined, understated approach to modern sportswear.
Inspired by her late father, Ellis created the Tyler Alexandra handbag line in 2010, and, with its architectural silhouettes and refined materials, the collection manages to strike a balance between luxurious and wearable. "It is all about distinctive shapes and, most importantly, touch. I chose leathers and skins that differed from the norm," Tyler Ellis explains. Slim box bags and chain-strap pouches come in a super-tactile assortment; there is suede baby-blue crocodile, pearly fuschia satin, and even a metallic "tweed" calfskin.
Handmade in Paris and Italy, the bags are also rife with the kind of smart details and personal touches one would expect from the daughter of an American design icon: Interior pockets are roomy, hardware is feminine, and each bag is adorned with a signature pinecone fastener. "[Pinecones hold] the spiritual significance of eternity, dating all the way back to ancient Egypt. When I was developing my brand in Paris, I began to notice the city is full of pinecones — door handles, tops of poles, the garden at the Ritz — so I decided to make the pinecone the Tyler Alexandra symbol, and hope to be around for eternity."
Click through to see the full Tyler Alexandra Spring 2012 collection, available via the brand's website and at Louis Boston starting in mid-December.
Photos Courtesy of Tyler Alexandra
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