I bought a Libaire® leather-based tote bag ca. 1995, shortly after beginning my first (and solely!) company job. I wanted a severe wardrobe improve that included heels, hose, skirts and sure, an expert bag.
So, I headed to Nordstrom on the Stanford Purchasing Heart in Palo Alto, CA.
The Nordstrom saleswoman talked me into shopping for an identical purse and tote bag from Libaire. The corporate, she mentioned, was woman-owned and situated in Berkeley, CA. Having spent the prior seven years working for a woman-owned contract stitching firm in Palo Alto, I used to be “all in” as they are saying now.
I paid and left Nordstrom with my coronary heart racing and my pocketbook reeling from the acquisition of two lovely luggage plus sundry profession wardrobe gadgets.
I don’t know what occurred to the purse, however I nonetheless have the tote bag, and that’s as a result of I’ve carried it in all places for the final 30 years: consumer conferences, street journeys, commerce reveals, and photoshoots — to call a couple of issues.
It’s additionally the proper carry-on for flights because it holds every thing, together with a laptop computer or iPad, books, meals, water, and so on. and so on. It simply squashes underneath seat in entrance, ha!
So after all, it went with me to New Zealand, once I visited our internet designer, Rachel Cunliffe.
I spent my days exploring Auckland and took the ferry to Rangitoto Island — an lively volcano situated off the coast of Auckland. When you arrive on the island, you’ll be able to observe a path to the highest of the volcano.
That was a critically good hike, however made harder as a result of I used to be carrying this tote bag with my lunch and different stuff wanted for a day of exploring.
A pleasant particular person took the picture to the left; you’ll be able to see my Libaire bag at my toes. I nonetheless can’t consider I did that hike with it.
As an apart, after I arrived again in Auckland, windblown and sweaty, I made my approach to the Ritz for afternoon tea. “Tea for one,” I mentioned to the maître d’.
“Does Madame have a reservation?” he requested.
“Does Madame require one?” I requested. “No Madame, proper this manner.” It was an beautiful tea — even in my shorts and sneakers.
Writing the Tom Bihn post made me keep in mind my Libaire bag had been made in Berkeley — and yep certain sufficient, the tag reads, “Made in USA.” This one pictured is from the classic purse I bought whereas doing analysis.
The corporate went out of enterprise in 2016 — a lot to the consternation of its clients / followers. Libaire luggage are actually collectors gadgets on Poshmark, eBay, and different websites. Girls proceed to rave about them!
As you’ll be able to see within the picture, my tote bag appears to be like fairly darn good contemplating the place it’s been and the way I’ve used all of it these years. The purse is in excellent situation, bought from Poshmark.
Based on a handbag discussion board I discovered, ladies love the pebbled texture of the leather-based. I agree — plus the texture of it and the development of the luggage themselves is excellent.
It additionally feels good to personal a small piece of forgotten American manufacturing — and that these great luggage had been made in Berkeley, a metropolis I visited steadily having grown up in Alameda.
I couldn’t decide why the corporate went out of enterprise, however I’m assuming it may not compete with luggage made in China. Between 2001 and 2015, textile firms went out of enterprise in droves; the business principally flatlined.
It’s because of this — to assist preserve manufacturing jobs right here in the USA — that I write this weblog.
Please purchase Made in USA each time you’ll be able to. Thanks!
Source link
