Vintage style is in the bag:
Earlier-era purses banish boredom from accessory
"It" bags have certainly had their moment in recent years, but backlash was inevitable. How long could any true trendsetter stand to see 30 other women carrying the same pricey purse (or a knockoff version, for that matter)? I recently hauled out a 10-year-old (borrowed) Prada, certain that it would stand out in the sea of Chloe Ediths, Hermes Birkins and YSL Muses. True, I spied only one other person with the same bag, but it only intensified my desire for something different.
Christina Butler, owner of PerSé, is providing Atlanta women with the anecdote to "It" bag ennui.
In her space at the 14th Street Antiques Market, Butler offers a selection of handbags from the 1930s through the 1970s. Bags in exotic skins such as alligator, turtle and snake are accented with everything from Bakelite to brass and are elegantly displayed in stacked cubes. Also on display are clutches of all shapes and sizes, and some of the finest- looking structured handbags from Italy, France and the United States.
On any given day, about 240 handbags are on display at PerSé, with another 600 in inventory. "I've always loved bags," Butler said. "They're like chocolate without the calories."
Two years ago Butler had hundreds of bags photographed with the intent of launching an e-commerce site. When the plan fell through, she decided to go brick and mortar instead. She believed her product, which she finds in cities from Pittsburgh to Podunk, would generate substantial interest. Women she connected with along the way even started contacting her to offer bags of their own.
"I'm drawn to really clean lines, really interesting hardware and interesting details," Butler said. While she is most attracted to styles from the 1940s and 1970s Italian-made bags, she likes some simply because they are quirky and reflective of a designer's playfulness. Unlike the purses you may find in resale stores, Butler chooses bags that are trouble-free.
And most important, she keeps her prices reasonable. The most expensive handbag in the store on a recent visit was an alligator bag from Argentina for $570. The lowest prices hover in the $80 range.
Recently, a 1940s navy Holzman clutch with glass scarab embellishments cost $305. A 1970s structured red leather handbag from Italy with a secret pocket inside went for $178. And a patent leather clutch in playful bright yellow was $88.
Butler is quick to share her knowledge of handbags with her customers, whether it be an impromptu lesson in identifying skins (turtle is more of a circular pattern than crocodile, alligator has pin-prick- size dots) or doling out tips on caring for the bags (wipe them down with a conditioner once a season).
To add to the specialness of her wares, Butler has been known to leave some personal items inside; a matchbook with a phone number from the 1950s, a jewel-topped atomizer or a ticket from Asheville to Atlanta.
"For the people who like that history, it is kind of neat to think about where the bag went," Butler said.
Women of a certain age have walked through Butler's space recounting fond memories of their childhoods. Those are the nostalgic shoppers, she said, "but the majority are fashion-conscious Atlantans who want something different."
PerSé
- 530 14th St., Atlanta (in the Case Gallery of 14th Street Antiques Market)
- Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays; noon-6 p.m. Sundays.
- 404-325-4600
BYLINE: NEDRA RHONE
