FASHION NOTES
he busiest week in the Australian fashion calendar sits somewhere between a glamorous marathon and a full-contact sport for those working it. Editors are generally on the move from dawn to well past dusk, with shows starting in the early
morning, parties and events filling the gaps, and deadlines running underneath it all. Outfits are often planned weeks (or at least days) in advance, and while many attendees like to use the opportunity to break out a new look or a teetering heel, the fashion week bag has serious work to do: carry everything you need, look good with whatever you’re wearing and never slow you down.
This year, the ELLE Australia team put STRAND's Evity collection to the test. You'll know STRAND as Strandbags — the Australian luggage stalwart that has been a long-haul travel fixture since 1927. Evity is STRAND's private-label leather line, focusing on well-crafted, timelessly designed pieces that range from suede hobos and capacious totes to sleek, on-trend shoulder bags, all at price points that don’t require a second (or first!) mortgage.
Here's what three ELLE editors carried through fashion week, and why.
As ELLE Australia's fashion editor, Jordan is the mind behind ELLE Australia’s glossy fashion shoots and her time at fashion week is spent front row, assessing collections, identifying trends and coordinating coverage. She’s constantly on the move and needs a bag that can keep up.
The Noemie Leather Suede Tote — one of Evity's best-sellers, and it’s easy to see why — delivered on both counts. "I dress for comfort and style during fashion week, as the days are long, and I like a bag that's roomy. I can keep an extra layer in the Noemie if needed, and it goes with everything," Jordan says. For Jordan, the taupe suede finish on the Naomie was the clincher. "Suede finishes — particularly in charcoal, brown and taupe — have been trending for a few seasons now, and this one is a beautiful option for winter. The shade adds texture to an outfit without trying too hard."
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THE MOST HARDWORKING PIECE IN OUR AUSTRALIAN FASHION WEEK WARDROBES.
The Bags That Got 3 ELLE Editors Through Fashion Week
JORDAN WEARS:
Elka Collective Scarlett Pant, SHOP NOW
Vintage Leather Jacket, SHOP SIMILAR Prada Cotton Shirt, SHOP NOW
Prada Shoes, SHOP NOW
STRAND Evity Noemie Leather Suede Tote Bag, SHOP NOW
STRAND Evity Naomie Leather Suede Tote in Taupe, SHOP NOW
JORDAN, FASHION EDITOR
EVITY NAOMIE LEATHER SUEDE TOTE IN TAUPE
Content never stops and for ELLE’s social media editor Kiera, fashion week is a week of near-constant motion: shooting the runway, chasing street style and editing content for ELLE's social channels in whatever five-minute window presents itself. The sleek Iris shoulder bag — soft, lightweight, just structured enough — was built for exactly this kind of day.
"I'm running around all of fashion week capturing street style, jostling with models, makeup artists and photographers backstage, and attending shows," she says. "The softness of the bag means I can fit a few extra bits if needed — my phone, portable charger, microphone, a few touch-up products — without feeling like I'm carrying a small country. And it's the perfect size to pop on my lap during shows."
STRAND Evity Iris Suede Leather Shoulder Bag, SHOP NOW
KIERA, SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR
EVITY IRIS SUEDE LEATHER SHOULDER BAG
For Ruby, who spends most of her time writing for ELLE’s digital site, fashion week is a cycle of shows, deadlines, shows and more deadlines. So, constant access to a laptop is non-negotiable. "I'm usually writing in Ubers between shows, trying to keep on top of things," she says. “So, a bag that doesn't fit my laptop, however chic, is a no-deal."
The Evity Willow Leather Tote answered the brief. The magnetic snap closure means quick access when you're running between venues; the generous interior means the laptop, a spare layer for the inevitably freezing media room, and all the usual detritus of a working fashion week — including too many lip products, tax receipts, planners, notebooks, and snacks — can coexist without drama. Plus, it's an aesthetic win. "Pony-hair textures are really on-trend this season, and given I'm almost always wearing black or grey, incorporating some colour and texture into an outfit with an accessory is a bit of an easy (lazy) hack.”
Three editors, three completely different jobs and three bags that worked as hard as they did.
STRAND Evity Willow Leather Tote, SHOP NOW
RUBY, SENIOR FASHION AND BEAUTY EDITOR
EVITY WILLOW LEATHER TOTE
KIERA WEARS:
Maison Essentiele Scoop Neck Maxi, SHOP NOW
Billini Boots, SHOP NOW
STRAND Evity Iris Suede Leather Shoulder Bag, SHOP NOW
RUBY WEARS:
Misha Tencel Twist Long Sleeve Dress (Launches July), SHOP SIMILAR
Vintage Shoes, SHOP SIMILAR
STRAND Evity Willow Leather Tote Bag, SHOP NOW
PHOTOGRAPHY BY OLIVIA REPACI