There weren’t a lot of things my mother openly expressed glee over. Most women of her generation rarely did. But one undeniably joyful thing for my mother was a good handbag. Whether it was my dad bringing home a bright red Hidesign bag as an anniversary gift or her showing off the almost 30-year-old bag that she took to every hospital visit when she was pregnant with me – she had stories attached to them all. She is someone who understands the fact that a good handbag that practically carries your entire world, is a worthy investment. Even cultural journalist Elizabeth Fisher wrote of an alternate perspective that rather than hunting tools, ‘the carrier bag’ for gathering might have been the first cultural device to be crafted. Evidently, my mother’s discerning eye for investment-worthy attire has been passed on to me, as I am constantly on the lookout for such brands.
Thankfully in recent times, there has been a steady growth in the number of Indian designers and artisans creating direct-to-consumer fashion labels instead of solely focusing export-intented manufacturing. Fine Lines is a luxury brand from Kanpur that was founded in 2016, and initially focused on crafting premium bridles and riding gear for European equestrian brands and enthusiasts. But in seeking to move beyond the limits of riding gear, the brand expanded into the currently available range of bags, accessories and stationery products. They are serving just what the likes of many like me are looking for – homegrown, luxurious accessories that have timeless design and can stand the test of time.
