Contemporary Handbag Line: Katherine Kwei Launches Autumn/Winter 2013 Collection

Her strength, her style, her beauty, her humor...all captured in a mischievous look from her darkly lined eyes and the tilt of her head. She draws you in with an unshakably entwined duality: the bohemian and the luxe, and promises of whimsical intelligence behind her roughened glamor. Walking across the cobbled streets towards the water, the clear Fall night air lifts the layered chiffon of her skirt as she pulls her mink pouf against the chill and quickens the steps of her heels towards her destination.
Inspired by iconic women of film and television, Katherine Kwei's AW13 collection is a bold step in a new direction for the distinctive designer. Known for her use of the Chinese Eternity knot in supple luxury skins like water snake and lambskin, Kwei takes inspiration from the scene stealing actresses and characters that have helped shape the styles of women for decades. In addition to her always covetable handbags and clutches, this season Kwei breaks into the small leather goods market with everything a tech savvy woman needs to keep her life stylishly organized. From iPad Mini cases to wallets and card cases, the Katherine Kwei devotee will now have a new reason to love her gadgets. Like the women who inspired this collection, Kwei breaks new ground this season with the introduction of suede, fur, and custom hardware.

Just like the strong yet sophisticated woman this group was named after, the Meryl bridges functionality and unique style effortlessly across several new silhouettes. The Julia is the perfect hold all tote for everything a woman needs from day to night. Kwei's answer to the working woman’s briefcase is the Sophie, while the Johanna is a sleek day clutch that promises to hold all the essentials while keeping a streamlined effect. Crafted in color-blocked suede or pearlized leather, these bags are topped off with custom turnlocks to complete a stylishly powerful look.

Meryl: 6 styles in 5 colors: ube, saffron, cocoa, black, gray
· New materials include suede and pearlized calfskin
· Custom KK hardware turnlock hardware
· Julia style includes removable matching pearlized leather iPad carry pouch
· Johanna style holds iPad
· Zip Wallet has two front zippered pockets

Straight from the lunch table and streets of the city girls' favorite TV show, Sex and the City, the Samantha group truly has a bag for every woman. Whether in embossed lizard printed leather or watercolor printed water snake, thesebags are sure to catch the attention of fashionistas everywhere. The Miranda begs to be slung over your shoulder as the perfect blend of accessory and “can't live without it” practicality. The Charlotte is the epitome of elegance with a twist in a shoulder bag with a bold KK toggle bar. Not to be forgotten, the petite Carrie is meant for the essentials for a night on the town so you're never without your evening necessities.

Samantha: 6 styles in 8 colors: fern, cobalt, ivory, black, sienna (lizard print), coffee, black (calfskin), multi (water snakeskin)
· New materials include embossed lizard print on leather and custom watercolor print on water snakeskin
· Custom KK toggle bar
· All styles come with an adjustable shoulder strap and can be worn cross-body
· All styles made to fit iPhone 5 phones

For the first time Kwei uses real and faux fur to give these next two groups a distinctive new look that begs to be touched. The Monarch is regal sophistication re-imagined in a slouchy new way. In either real hair calf or sleek black or zebra faux fur, both the Isabella and Josephine are the ultimate in unconventional glamor.

Monarch: 5 styles in 13 colors: sienna, cobalt, cocoa, black (long hair), blue, red, grey, tan (zebra print), black (short hair), red, grey, tan and black (leopard print hair calf)
· New materials include manmade fur as well as hair calf in mini leopard print
· Bucket bag styles Isabella and Josephine feature removable shoulder straps
iPad Mini and iPhone 5 cases

Lucille brings humor and sparkle to the collection in real and faux fur as well in three silhouettes inspired by the inimitable ladies of I Love Lucy. Lucy is a messenger bag with a whole new look in a mix of fur and leather. Ethel is a functional bucket bag dressed up with Kwei's signature Eternity knots and glints of metallic leather, and the Minnie is just plain adorable as the sassy clutch of the group.

Lucille: 6 styles in 13 colors: sienna, cobalt, cocoa, black (long hair), blue, red, grey, tan (zebra print), black (short hair), red, grey, tan and black (leopard print hair calf)
· New materials include manmade fur as well as hair calf in mini leopard print
· Signature Eternity knot-inspired weave and fringe in black lambskin
· Minnie style holds an iPad and comes with a wristlet
· iPad Mini and iPhone 5 case

No Katherine Kwei collection could be complete without the Donna group. A KK fan favorite, the Donna takes on a whole new vibe in a new smaller size Medium Hobo as well as the Mini with a convertible strap for easy outfit transitions. Capping off the collection is the elegant Donna Box Clutch with a box type hard frame. These styles go with everything in either black or metallic snake or metallic lambskin.

Donna: 3 styles in 5 colors: black/gold, metallic ombre, black (snakeskin), metallic and black (lambskin)
· New Medium Hobo styles is slimmer while the Mini Bag comes with long shoulder strap that can be doubled or singled when worn as a cross-body
· Box Clutch with flap magnetic closure, custom KK toggle bar hardware and long snake chain shoulder strap

Sure to delight both new and devoted Katherine Kwei fans, the AW13 collection is asexciting and invigorating as the women of film and television who brought it to life.



Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.