New Olympia Le Tan 2012

After much waiting, humming and haring and since the busy Christmas season, I've been clamouring to get my hands on the latest collection from Olympia Le-Tan- unfortunately that would require the saving of some hundreds of dollars all to get my hands on smart clutches with French seams, made by hand in the image of books. While I haven't been able to do that, that doesn't mean I can enjoy all the new colours and fonts Olympia has created with the help of sister Cleo from their small studio in downtown Paris. With the end of another season of work on my hands and little money saved for the maturing of my term deposit, I could certainly do with a drink myself; were it not for the fact that that too would incur a monetary fee.

For a single title within this new collection there may be one or two different covers but the unifying factor amongst all the minaudière is the sweet contrasting fabric linings from Liberty, a London label, on the inside. While I do like the triangle and circle motif of the second design, my favourite amongst the Alcoholics Anonymous title is the first with it's large scrolling pink font and the use of a beer bottle overshadowing a person's escape. There's really strong metaphoric implications to the Le-Tan designs that I treasure and the shade of hot pink used in the first image featured heavily in this Pre-Fall 2012 collection.

It's curious that a designer recycle titles and designs in such a way but it really does show how clever Olympia Le-Tan is to incorporate the titles of great books and classic novels long since past and make people enjoy and think about literature again without the presence of some sort of technological app or Kindle e-reader. Some designs can have such detail and are like tapestry work or tableaus reworked in embroidered needle and others can be so simple such as this copy of 'The Bell Jar' by Sylvia Plath. The only work I am familiar with of Plath's is the bee box- something written before her suicide; I loved the poem for its strength and emotive language and some of the dark metaphors used for the simple insects.

From the host of images on the Olympia Le-Tan website there seems to be a heavy use of felt in blue and yellow all of the same shades- while previous designs in all their glory had also been added for collectors to pour their eyes over I feel a little let down with the lack of colour amongst this particular colour. Of course I have been in an eclectic mood as of late and going through a range of emotions and experiences; perhaps it's just my inner reflection that feels the need to have variety in colours and designs in collections too. However, the simple font and felt work of 'Despair' really does emphasise the use of brass fixtures and fittings to the side of each and everyone of the book clutches produced. They may cost a pretty penny but there really is no expense spared in the materials and design of these lovely clutches.

While this  reworked book cover in minaudière form of 'The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson' seems plain at a first glance, Olympia Le-Tan never fails to satisfy when it comes to pairing wonderful and intricate designs and front covers with gorgeous patterned linings in a variety of rich colours. It must be my associations with the yellow leaves, which seem to resemble wheat to me, bringing back stories of farmer George and common folk. I'm sure that poetry of any notoriety is far from common and I hope I find a little more time to myself to read some of these books during my semester break from university. The wonderful thing about the Le-Tan sisters using old novels as inspiration for their line of accessories is that they have a wealth of designs and ideas at their fingertips and are also increasing the general public awareness of books and stealing the spotlight from e-readers such as the Amazon Kindle. There's something so good and wholesome about feeling worn and yellow pages in one's hand and feeling words some alive- not that there's anything wrong with online publications and websites...

Pallets within the cyan, yellow and magenta scheme seem quite prominent within this new lot of minaudières and I can't really say that I feel as inspired by them compared to other designs that Olympia and her sister Cleo have put out. The shades have this sickly sweet appeal and remind me a little too much of painting nurseries- I'm more happy to see the dark and brooding nature of substance abuse and feel the need and urge to become darker myself rather than a book titled 'Doctor Happy'. I can only hope that the true copy has a little more texture behind it and there are dark secrets contained in the original. To coordinate such an oddly coloured thing would be a steady challenge I'm sure a true fashion blogger could only be more than happy to rise to.

While I did feel quite content throughout high school to learn an Asian language, I do wish I was able to speak French now since the Le-Tans frequently model some of their clutches on French novels. Their studio is located in a Parisian lane way, so it's only fitting they bring some multi-cultural splendour to the rest of us. If only I could be bothered to read any books at all and further my vocabulary- alas, I've been busy reading biology peer-reviewed articles for my latest essay venture. Somehow, institutions such as school and universities suck all the fun out of books and find extraordinary means of making them boring again. It's a good thing clever French designers are more than happy to breath new life into the pages of books through the use of felt, embroidered thread and amazing techniques.

Of course it seems common place for any medical book or that of First Aid to include a red Swedish cross- and for the simplicity I think this little clutch in felt really hits the spot. This intermediate shade of red/pink felt featured quite heavily in this new collection, something that immediately captured my imagination. On another note, First Aid Kit are a sweet Swedish band that I fell in love with yesterday, discovering I had a podcast of on of their songs and realising that Urban Outfitters are currently selling the LP vinyl release of theirs'. The punchline is that I now know of two first aid kits that make me feel better in times of trouble and when I'm feeling blue.

Of all the wonderful traits of the Le-Tan minaudière range and small little bags is the precision  of which she uses felt and stitched detail to create such images in a fine illustrative manner. I myself find attention to detail very promising and intriguing and am vaguely familiar with the techniques that would be involved in creating such pieces. As a perfectionist there's also the strong identification with the perfection and high quality of this pieces. Olympia and Cleo have really given birth to a fantastic label and live the life I never had the capacity to imagine.

For the minimalist in all of us I recommend the simple titles in a bold colour with neutral background and sweet embroidered motifs- it makes the whole design and extraordinary box shaped nature of the clutch scream out for attention. Although I am much more keen to get my filthy mitts on the most extraordinary and unique designs the Olympia Le-Tan range has to offer, I still enjoy the simple pleasures of admiring these titled covers. 

It's the fine details of a blackened outline to create shadow on the title that captures my imagination, as if the motifs of stethoscope and ancient glass bottles weren't enough to make you swoon. If only I had managed to live by the title and ethics of this book, I could practice Medicine and exploit the Masses in order to earn buckets full of money and therefore afford such wonderful book clutches. I was approached just yesterday by someone hoping to sell my home-made clutches in the mode of books but I am a fashion label snob if there ever was one. I wouldn't feel content buying fake Yves Saint Laurent Arty rings so I bought two real ones, Cambridge Satchels in vibrant and bright colours are next in my sights and I'm keen to get my hands on a wristlet failing a minaudière from Olympia Le-Tan. It takes a lot of money for someone to have such brilliant taste in fashion...

For someone who got their start in their early twenties at Chanel, I have to say, Olympia must be into some very wordy books. There's many old collections featuring heavily in the field of medicine and biological advancement from past centuries and the kitsch colour combinations, as seen here on 'The Doors of Perception' has such a strong 1960s atmosphere to it. The sharp elipsal shapes make an interesting contrast to the shades of pink, mustard yellow and pea green.

The 'Sense and Nonsense in Psychology' clutch may just be my ticket into tricking the world into thinking I'm Greek- that bold and confrontational eye which seems to peer into the very depths of your soul... The thought to buy some evil eye jewellery has been playing on my absent mind for a number of yeas but I don't imagine I'd wear it as often as I would intend to. Perhaps carrying some medial and scientific material with me in the form of a slick evening bag would also elevate my social climbing standard and make me just that more of a pretentious socialite (something I am oddly aspiring to at the moment).

The most fantastic Italian spiderweb earrings in gold would feature so well with this clutch- since my neck of the woods is in for three Friday 13ths and Halloween I suppose I should put together an outfit in advance. Given an ideal sum of money to create the fanciful outfit I'd splash out on this minaudière from Olympia Le-Tan, get the earrings and a large and matted fur coat to attach fake spiders to. I strongly believe in working to a theme when my mind is up to the challenge and I'm sure for a wonderful outfit post I'd be willing to temporarily overcome my arachnophobia. If not, I can muster some fake spiders from pipe cleaners for the purpose.

Olympia Le-Tan Pre-Fall 2012 Part 2

Just as I think the flow of previews of the new collection are coming to a stop, she just keeps the lovely little sneak previews coming. I had previously written a post collaborating the Pre-Fall pieces released on the Olympia Le-Tan Tumblr but since then there have been even more additions and I think it's only fair I admire and adore them as well. I've noticed the change within her online store and website so it's only a matter of time before her Pre-Fall 2012 will be released but then again for a born and bred Parisian maybe her Pre-Fall collection will probably come in the midst of my Southern Hemisphere Winter and closer to my birthday...

It's the purple/pink coloured book clutches with medieval embroidered detail and designs that I'm most eager to see, this being the second best of that specific genre I've created. They're all wonderful and I'm eager to get any of her collection at a good price but since her new collection holds such promise as well as mystery about it I'm willing to go with the flow at this point. With that said though, I've already let a few get away from me at 75% off and I will not let such an opportunity pass me by again.

There wonderful thing about viewing the minaudières created by Olympia Le-Tan with help from her sister Cleo made in their studio in Paris is that there's such a great variety of colours and techniques- the strength of their label is that they recreate designs from other artists and transport it into a different type of media. So sometimes the book covers are wordy as well as scrolled with embroidery thread and then there's the artistic and bold impressionist view of the human body show above. There's a great variety too of fonts and the way their blended in to the book cover design in order to attract readers, or in the case of this medium those eyeballing and ogling the Le-Tan collection.

This lovely cover has had the gracious honour of being my computer background for the last week or so and I think I was most appreciative of the fine speckled detail in black felt for the beast, as well as the large sewn title of Il Gattopardo. I find writing beautifully to be laborious enough but to be able to create felted letters or stitch the title of a book in another language must be extraordinarily difficult. Red was my favourite childhood colour and the shade used for this particular book cover and minaudière matches the detail of the eyes and mouth of the feline beast- beige and red is a favourite contrasting and classic pair for the Le-Tan range of clutches it seems.

Amongst all the finely threaded and embroidered details as well as meticulously cut pieces of felt ringlets for a leopard-like beast, it's nice to be able to also see a relatively plain book cover amongst the collection. 'La Storia' written by Elsa Morante and recreated by the skilled hands of Olympia Le-Tan and sister Cleo features well cut block letters in bright green felt on a bright blue background. One of my favourite things about watching the released of the book clutches is the variety of colour and also technique in creating each and every one of the minaudières by hand.

 

Admiring the finely stitched shapes as well as neat letters and multiple fonts makes me wish I had pursued my love of textiles and taken on further study in my final years of high school but I was already ambitious enough and juggling many projects. I remember carefully doing needlework in front of the television mindlessly toiling away but to create something of such fine detail shown above a cleanly kept studio space would be necessary. I'll never be crafty enough to produce something as elegant and seamless as the Olympia Le-Tan minaudières which are a thing of beauty but it's still fun to admire her handiwork and her collection releases.

Olympia Le-Tan at DN'A

All of the book clutches made by Olympia Le-Tan each with their brass edges as well as print lining by British label Liberty have already been sold, so I suppose I don't mind sharing the images with you as a means of cataloguing what may well be some of Olympia Le-Tan's earlier works but there's still the fine detail and crafty kitsch about them. If I had all the money I needed, I'd buy them all and have a little library of them where I can touch their covers and also collect a list of great classic books to read as well. I loved the contrast of shapes for the yellow hats and their little red ribbon brims as well as the white stitching to create lines and flows of crease along the red dresses for the above book clutch, 'CES DAMES AUX CHAPEAUX VERTS'.

There's more detail for some design than others and the simplistic silhouette shapes in felt of a hand here, a face there as well as hair and a chef's hat on a red background can be enough to keep some people happy. I've worked with felt before, on the most basic and simple of levels and at times I struggled to cut out the perfect shapes and also manipulate my dull scissors in such a way to manufacture the perfect shape and sharp edges of the material. I wonder how much practice Olympia and her sister Cleo have had with felt and how many pieces they throw out if they don't succeed at first attempt.

Ironically I had the chance to buy an Olympia Le-Tan book clutch for about $400 online of the title of 'Ex-Husband' but it sold before I was able to scrape together the funds and a means of paying for it online. 'Ex-Wife' seems to have more meticulous detail and shading, especially about the neckline and the expression captured in here eyes is simply wonderful, in an unhappy sort of way. I do hope that Olympia Le-Tan continues to make her book clutches in the time it will take to me to graduate from university as well as settle into a high-paying job. I couldn't die a happy woman if I didn't have a Olympia Le-Tan clutch as well as some Charlotte Olympia kitty flats in my possession.

I know in my heart of hearts that the visual design of this book is very simple and there's nothing extraordinary about it, but seeing those bright and wonderful squares contrasted on this black background set my heart a flame- as it were. I love seeing photographs of the Le-Tan studio space almost as much as her book clutches long since sold- there's bookcases full of the original classic novels that have inspired a book clutch of their own and an untold story about them a younger generation now has access to.

What's interesting about the Le-Tan book clutches is the variety in book covers they assimilate and recreate- there's boundless energy about them whether they focus on the title of a cover or an illustration of a woman, Her latest designs seem even bigger and better than before some featuring an entire tableau of a city and background and finely stitched cities and renaissance scenes about them. I can't wait till the whole lot is released in her online store, and there's also been rumours of a few pieces of clothing too!

Everything about any book clutch designed and produced in the Le-Tan workshop of dreams is perfect in every single way- I never think that certain elements can be done better or that the title isn't stitched quite right. Nope, nothing is wrong about any clutch and they are all reach their artistic limit and greatness at the hands of their skilled makers, Olympia and Cleo. There's so many elements of design for the above book clutch including the hand wrapped around the clock, the roman numerals as well as the author's name and in between clock hands and the title of the book. Although all these different things are very close to one another, there's nothing crammed in and everything seems relatively spaced out.

A 1920s drawn woman with black lipstick, black hair and eyes with a well placed white thread to create shadow as well as shine? Coupled with the fur coat created around her petite face and the combination of dark green and light pink in neatly stitched words? It seems an impossible task to pick a favourite cover and book clutch from the nineteen shown in this post, but this particular clutch would make the top nine easily.

There's no real preference for me when it comes to the colour of a Le-Tan clutch made be the wonderful sisters Olympia and Charlotte but it's how the cover looks as a whole and I wouldn't even bother to coordinate the minaudière with an outfit. You can be sure that if I had one in my possession I would use it at every opportunity and love the thing to pieces- which may end up being a dangerous pursuit really since they are quite expensive. I suppose I'm drawn to this clutch above for the looping and scrolling thread used to write in such a small font for French and the decorating loops around and in between the two borders.

I've always wanted to read George Orwell and when I finally finish my university enrollment and suss out all the buildings I will be making a trip to the library to borrow, one book at a time, a classic novel and pray that my studies don't swamp me with too much study. However I will be in the science faculty and there's a lot of lectures and tutorials to attend so we'll just see how my social and online life fair when scholastic pursuits once again threaten to take over my life.

 minaudière. Although there are mini-cases available in this colour combination of pink and light blue, there's something irresistible about the allure of the book clutches made with brass on the edges as well as Liberty material lining. Of course beggars can't really be choosers when it comes to the fabulous allure of Olympia Le-Tan and I'll take anything at a low price from this collection. I just hope that the new Pre-Fall 2012 collection is a kind price for my poor wallet... 

Another of my favourite book clutches from the selection that was available at DN'A is this book clutch of Daphne du Maurier's play, 'The Years Between'. It must be the contrast of the grey and beige as well as the red stitched roses and ribboning effect at the top and bottom of the border that seems quite feminine as well as minimalist. I wish that all these lovely clutches were still available for purchase on the online store... instead of having to see the images of purchases I could have made myself.