Bagging it up in style

Looking for a bag that will look great with a casual outfit and also make a statement about who you are? Then make a beeline for Hamblepie, the funky little boutique that belongs to graphic designer Orapan Jitasatich and her boyfriend Park Nagadatta. 

 

They offer a limited number of colourful handmade fabric bags in different shapes and forms – meaning you’re unlikely to bump into anyone with its twin – as well as an assortment of decorative items. 

 

The name is a derivation of the British term “humble pie”, in medieval times, a meat pie for the poor through more recently the name of a popular rock band. The pair started their business by creating screened T-shirts with fun graphics to sell at the annual Fat Fest fair. They were one of the pioneers of the night Train Market, where they came up with a selection of funky matchboxes, covered with vintage-style stickers.

 

Then Orapan decided to quit her day job and turn her full attention to satisfying her creative flair. Last year, they opened a shop in Chatuchak Weekend Market and starting offering limited edition handmade backpacks, shoulder bags, handbags and multi-purpose bags. Prices range from Bt250 to Bt890. They’ve also 

 started selling through Facebook.

 

“Thanks to my mother pitching in, all the bags are handmade. We will be launching new designs every week and we produce just four or five items in each pattern,” Orapan says. 

 

Oraphan spends weekends hunting for textiles around Sampeng and Pahurat markets and returns home with swatches of cotton, denim, hand-woven fabric, suede, canvas and lace fabric, some of imported from Japan. All the bags are padded with canvas and come with many pockets.

 

“Our bags are entirely made from fabric. We don’t use any metal in our designs. All bags come with fabric straps so you can adjust the length to suit your style,” Oraphan says.

 

A collection of hand-painted slippers and dolls is also available. There are also plans to expand the line to include fashion accessories. 

 

 

CARRY ON

Hamblepie is located at Chutachak Weekend Market, Section 23, Soi 2. It’s open on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5.30pm. Call (085) 110 7005, (086) 558 8737, or visit www.Facebook.com/Hamblepie