Company News: LeSportsac
American fashion brand LeSportsac comes correct with a veritable smattering of design-led contributions LORNA STRICKLAND-COOK BY
eSportsac, the quintessential American lifestyle brand, specializes in casual, nylon bags with a difference. Founded in 1974, the company maintains a strong presence around the globe, offering a fashion-forward line of handbags, travel totes, messenger bags, backpacks and accessories. The brand’s lightweight fabric combined with high-performance hardware characterizes its iconic, functional styles available in a wide variety of colors and prints. A leader in the accessories market, LeSportsac continues to offer fresh, innovative new styles that remain consistent in terms of quality and character while partnering with trendsetters around the world. LeSportsac has teamed up with a whole host of designers over previous years including Gwen Stefani, Stella McCartney and Lilly Pulitzer and this year it has been working with Los Angeles design house Joyrich. This collaboration will provide an edgy 90s color contrast over 16 classic LeSportsac styles. Expect lots of gold and chain detail to hark after the 90s. As if teaming up with well-known personalities and design houses wasn’t edgy enough, the brand has also been pioneering an ‘artist in residence’ scheme. Its latest artist is Jeremyville, who is also a product designer and ‘Inspirations’ is his collection for LeSportsac. Based on three different landscapes in his life, Jeremyville’s wearable artwork for LeSportsac consists of Bondi Beach Sketchbook, Jeremyville NYC and Tomorrow Forest. Three highly different landscape prints will feature across a range of bags. Some of the more recent developments coming from LeSportsac include a heady kiss goodbye to the doom and gloom of winter with the creation of its spring/summer range. Drawstring Crossbody and Round Shoulder Duffle bags are the highlights of the new season. Stylish and compact, the range focuses on bright colors. Reds, purples and blues hark after vibrant sea colors to really spring us into summer. Elegant prints and watercolour styles celebrate the beauty of nature but sit crazily well alongside LeSportsac’s continuation of its spring/summer 2011 collection. Zap Pow Pop pays homage to the classic comic books with bright colors and explosive motifs. As if the collection wasn’t loud and proud enough, LeSportsac has been busy giving some of its back catalogue a makeover. The Zip Top Shopper has now been reimagined to showcase the brand’s newest fashion forward techniques. The classic shape has captured the latest trends in its Union Jack style. Ribbon appliqués and sequins embellish the tote bringing it right up to date in two colorways. Union Jack red hot is the classic British red, white and blue; while Union Jack blue is a more sedate pastel coloring with light blue, pink and white. With retro being a buzzword in fashion at the moment, the ribbon adornments also come in a range of color assortments; and sequin patterns get nautical with Anchor, Starboard and Beachcomber varieties. And finally, as if this all-American brand hadn’t created a heady smattering of styles and colors for the upcoming season, LeSportsac has now expanded its men’s collection. Ten different styles focus on functionality and long-lasting wearability. Briefcases and messenger bags have had their ante upped with the addition of four prints. Sk8 Park is a creative, new print that features graffiti artwork and is for the unashamedly fashion-savvy man about town. Truffle Stripe is a more basic, functionable navy with subtle khaki striping that is easily coordinated with many different looks. Slate Lightening is also very versatile, but its grey color has a touch of shine to bring the bag into modernity. Black Onyx also features to add a touch of class and usability to the range. As the brand jumps into summer, it is encouraging us all to do the same with zingy patterns and funky adornments to the most wearable of items. As winter sheds its skin, we could all do with a bit of a LeSportsac zing.
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THE AMERICAS DUTY FREE & TRAVEL RETAILING MARCH/APRIL 2011
LeSportsac has teamed up with Los Angeles design house Joyrich to provide an edgy 90s color contrast over 16 classic LeSportsac styles