Petty Things creates luxury bags of limited edition that are born from experiences or fortuitous encounters with small and precious things that deserve to be praised. The collections base of the unique accesories is always exclusive vintage fabrics. Each clutch, purse, handbag or wallet is a sample of a new type of luxury, accessible and with conscience.
“We have been collecting vintage treasures for many years
to praise them in our unique luxury bags”
It all started years ago in Tokyo. For years I worked for Jocomomola, a Sybila firm, with which I frequently traveled to Japan. There came to me by chance an old kimono that was the first vintage treasure that I recycled into an exclusive luxury clutch of the Doris model.
On Saturdays, we also went to the offices a couple of hours therefore we used the afternoons to make plans around the city. Harajuku (原宿) it was one of my favorite neighborhoods, I was always going to see what I could find. It’s a neighborhood of Shibuya. After crossing the fun Takeshita Street and its madness of urban tribes, you arrive at Harajuku. It is a small neighborhood, with its narrow and short houses, preventing earthquakes, with small delicate and wonderful gardens. Between the houses you can find small shops “of everything”, literally. You could find a coffe shop for cats or a pastry shop where all the products are PINK! And, of course, small clothing and objects shops from Japanese designers brimming with creativity. If you are a good seeker you can stumble upon dreamy vintage stores and garages that hide beauties of any past era, with such a personal selection, which for me is a must.
My favorite place in Tokyo was the Kawanaka fea market (かながわ骨董市). At that time the flea markets were not yet so fashionable, and tourism in Japan was concentrated in the same places.
Kokeshi colection from Petty Things
Throughout my repeated trips to Japan, I have been rescuing each of these old wooden dolls, vintage treasures, whose printed dresses and delicacy inspire me to create.
I was out of the way of visitors, to the point that the pedestrians of the flea market laughed at the atypical of the situation pointing and covering their mouths, it was hilarious!
Kanagawa arises around a beautiful park, on its asphalted roads appear hundreds of stalls that are placed on the ground. The majority of stands are individuals that sell antiques or objects that they have at home, apparently without value. I loved looking at each place with attention trying to look at all those treasures, antiques with soul. It was difficult for me to fix my gaze on a point without being attracted by all the precious things that surrounded me. Uff!!, how hard to select what to buy, I wanted it all!
You could find unique objects such as antique toys, porcelain figures or even wonderful kokeshi – (こけし, 小芥子) are traditional Japanese dolls crafted in wood and believed to be souvenirs of the Edo Period (1603-1867) of Japan.
“Our unique luxury bags are contemporary and born of a passion for antique objects, with history”
One day, at the end of one of my srolls, there was a vintage kimono stand. For me it could not be more exciting to lose myself among all those ancient and exclusive fabrics. I could imagine the luxury of other times and the stories that would have behind them. I could not decide, they were all beautiful! But one caught my attention.
That first kimono would become the first limited luxury clutch with vintage fabric recovered for my brand Petty Things. It was silk, from the 50s, and totally unique. The geometric pattern of lines formed concentric squares, in black tones on white, and in the exact center of each box a vibrant orange square emerged.
Of course, it was not the only vintage fabric that I brought from that trip, but it is the one I remember buying with more emotion, perhaps because among so many wonderful things it was the most special.
This journey has a special place in my memories. It was the first of many others in seek of vintage treasures: antique fabrics, delicate and precious things, ornaments for my creations … Objects that exude history and that would inspire me to create my first collection of limited edition bags. The Doris model would be born with exciting stories behind each clutch -unique and numbered- highlighting the artistic value of its printed fabrics, mostly from the 50s.
From that thrilling kimono was born “Kinono”, an exclusive Doris clutch – we made not even five pieces of silk. They sold out right away, although I still keep one that reminds me of the origins of Petty Things. I hope that the rest continue to vibrate while traveling in the subway, resting at a table in a restaurant or accompanying on a night of partying! It is exciting to think what they will be doing. I remember that one was bought by a boy very interested in its origin for his Japanese girlfriend. Maybe there is one Kinono clutch on vacation in Kanagawa and it has returned to its origin!. Wouldn´t it be incredible, right?
