Bagged in a Mini Style

We may carry them around both day and night, and we may also desire the latest ‘it’ version but besides that, how much thought do we give to our handbags? It’s not so well known that they actually started out as a man’s accessory. Popularised in 1900 as a term for a man’s briefcase, and as far back as Ancient Egypt, hieroglyphics depict men carrying pouches around their waists. Should we consider that the term ‘holding the purse strings’ may well have come from such an early era? As time has moved on the uses for bags have changed and gotten both bigger and smaller. Find out more In Bagged In A Mini Style Here.

The earliest handbag ever discovered was in Germany. It was thought to be from around 2500 B.C. and was strangely decorated with dog teeth. Thankfully it seemed fashion changed quite quickly as the next find was in Mosul, a 700-year-old clutch decorated in golf and silver of court scenes from the time.

Interestingly, handbags were not always functional but had signifiers of power, status, and beauty as well. In medieval times, for example, they had great symbolic weight representing marriage and betrothal and were often embroidered depicting the lovers’ story.

Purses increased in size during eras when women’s fashions were puffy, wide, and full of fabric. Bags needed to be bigger so as not to be lost in folds and folds of fabric.

But the first big change to effect bags came when in the 1670s when pockets were added for the first time to men’s clothing. The bag finally became synonymous with women.

With the introduction of pockets to men’s clothing in 1670, men discarded bags, and they began to be known purely as the domain of women’s fashion. But this had benefits because as women drew towards emancipation bags meant the ability to carry their own money with them, whereas previously a man was responsible for carrying anything and everything of worth for a woman.

The advent of public transport also changed the way we carry items. As more and more people travelled across countries or seas, the bag carried by someone in their hand as opposed to trunks with their clothing and personal items became known as the ‘handbag’ we talk of today. This may well be why so of the most desirable bags today come from luxury luggage makers.

The roaring twenties, the Second World War, to the swinging sixties all imprinted on the world of bags. Because of socio and economic factors as well as materials available, alongside trends in fashion, by the 1980’s men were back to actively carrying bags again. Now it was not just for practical use, but as a statement of fashion and an indicator of one’s taste.

Bags got smaller as what we carried around also got smaller, from mini phones that contain a whole computer and travel-sized perfumes

If you are a fan of a good mini bag, then what about the latest from Alexander McQueen The Jewelled Hobo Mini featuring the iconic McQueen Knuckle closure and skull motif (there is also a regular size) from the Spring/Summer 2023 women’s pre-collection).

The body of the bag is inspired by the large facetted stone that sits on the Knuckle. The bag may be hand-held, worn on the shoulder, or cross-body via the chain shoulder strap.

Available in four colours in the regular size and five in the mini size that includes: tan, black, white, lilac, and pink.

Interestingly, something that women often carry in their bags is scent. Another item that has a long history dates back to before the pyramids were formed. However, the Romans had a big effect on how perfumes became more known, as they were big on discoveries and travelling across their own empires via the silk routes, always on the hunt for creativity and quality products to bring home.

Although we may think of mini perfumes as something that are relativity new and in many ways travel sets are, but think back to times before professional crystal bottles and imagine small quantities of scented oils would have been carried from place to place. Expensive and rare only a small amount would be sent around.

Electimuss London creates fragrances for lovers of fragrance and those who seek and appreciate the best in quality, creativity, and individuality. They have one of the best offerings in way of travel sets.

With over 35 different combinations available, the brand brings utter luxury small enough to sit in a mini bag of the most fashionable choice.

British brand Electimuss whose name means “to choose the best” in Latin uses this ethos at the heart of its brand. Exquisite oils and resins in with rare and precious notes blended with meticulous attention paid to every note and detail.

The brand inspiration came from Ancient Rome and the Romans’ obsession with perfume. Scent was part of every facet of their lives. Fountains were scented with rose water and perfume and were part of cleansing rituals, celebrations, feasts, seduction, and worship.

The tall tales and epic stories echo through their empire and mythology; colourful tales and rituals provide inspiration for Electimuss fragrance stories.

Made in partnership with some of the great noses working in perfumery, now including the likes of Julien Rasquinet, Christian Provenzano, John Stephens, Marco Genovese and Sofia Bardelli, each perfume starts at an impressive 25% or 30% Pure Parfum and Extrait

Meaning these are not light floaty ‘gone in five‘ minute’s types of elixir style scents but rich, deep, personal, intense, and indulgent fragrances.

After all, scent is a form of expression- an act of self-love, and of course individualism- a bottle of juice to raise our spirits.

The regular bottles of 100 ml are beautifully crafted bottles with heavy carved glass and metal carved caps and capes which echo Roman architecture and symbolism. There are 29 different scents to choose from including such luminaries as:-

AMBER AQUILARIA 100ml By Julien Rasquinet

The best Agarwood resin, as cited throughout ancient religious scriptures, is extracted from the Aquilaria tree. Its rich cognac notes form the base of this exquisite fragrance.

Amber Aquilaria opens with a bright, sparking bergamot that melts into a heart of roses – rich, velvet petals that mesmerise before falling into an opulent pillow of warm amber, sandalwood, Bourbon, vanilla and Aquilaria Oud.

IMPERIUM 100ml By Sofia Bardelli

This sparkling aromatic citrus fragrance confidently opens with bergamot and coriander underpinned by a light woody base and is elegantly balanced by its light floral heart.

The blend is open bright and crisp with a slightly creamy floral heart and an intoxicating warm woody and slightly gourmand base.

PERSEPHONE’S PATCHOULI 100ml By Christian Provenzano

This delightful woody amber perfume enters with a fresh and elegant cardamom, lightly laced with plum and pomegranate before opening into a heart of Egyptian jasmine, a fresh, aromatic, clean patchouli and a tint of rose. The light woods of sandalwood and cedar combined with light musk and amber notes make this a light, sensuous and very versatile scent.

VICI LEATHER 100ml by Julien Rasquinet

VICI LEATHER is the latest perfume release from luxury niche fragrance house Electimuss London. Inspired by the victory cry of Julius Caesar, Vici Leather is the scent of success exuding luxury and easy confidence.

At the heart of this fragrance are two powerful notes of seduction: one feminine, one masculine combined perfectly to create a very unisex scent that is elegant and charismatic. Robust tuberose is entwined with addictive sweet leather to create a heart of masculine and feminine sensuality.

Vici Leather is made even more intoxicating by the wormwood which has the woozy quality of Absinthe and an ambery base that is both powerful and relaxed. It is a confident fragrance with effortless elegance exuding success and sensuality.

With so many offerings from woods to smoke via florals green and even gormund scents a great way to further enjoy is via their collection of travel sets.

For example, for favourites choose a set purely for the go…

Alkout

This is a rare and opulent statement perfume with an intoxicating blend of violet, oud, civet, leather and musk. With no heart or top notes, this fragrance is unashamedly animalistic and intense. It is dark, dangerous and sensual.

Contents
The set includes a Travel Atomiser and three 10ml spray refills so you can spritz wherever you roam.

or try one of the mixed sets like

AUTUMN Travel Set (Atomiser + 3 Travel Sprays)

This set includes three favourite seasonal scents.

Amber Aquilaria by Juilen Rasquinet

An opulent amber oud with fruity top notes of peach, mandarin and cinnamon, a heart of rose, neroli and cognac with a resinous amber base with vanilla Bourbon sandalwood and Aquilaria Oud.

Mercurial Cashmere by Sofia Bardelli

The sparkling bright top notes of bergamot, pink pepper and cardamom melt into the sensuous, velvety, buttery iris and ambergris heart. The warm woody base of caramel, tonka, vanilla and the slightly smoky oud and cedar reveals a dark, slightly gourmand base.

Capua by Christian Provenzano

This daring sultry smoky cedar is smooth and well-rounded. Elemi and cypress top blend seamlessly into a smoky heart of cedar and incense and a seductive earthy base of vetiver, amber and patchouli.

Contents
The set includes a Travel Atomiser and three 10ml sprays – one of each perfume – so you can spritz wherever you roam.

Or go for a set of five

OUD ADDICT Travel Set Refill (5 Travel Sprays)

This set of refills includes five favourite ouds – each feature oud but with very different expressions. A must-have for oud lovers.

Rhodanthe by Sofia Bardelli

Centred around a Bulgarian Rose absolute, this is a vibrant and sensual rich amber rose with spicy saffron and geranium and a resinous base of patchouli, vanilla and white musk.

Amber Aquilaria by Julien Rasquinet

An opulent amber oud with fruity top notes of peach, mandarin and cinnamon, a heart of rose, neroli and cognac with a resinous amber base with vanilla Bourbon sandalwood and Aquilaria Oud.

Mercurial Cashmere by Sofia Bardelli

Imperium by Sofia Bardelli

A floral musk with an aromatic citrus top & woody base. The blend is open bright and crisp with a slightly creamy floral heart and an intoxicating warm woody and slightly vanillic base.

Aurora by Marco Genovese

A bold sensuous spicy oud rose: daring and complex with strong spices, oud and rose at heart and a warm amber musk base.

Nowadays both men and women carry bags over their shoulders, under their arms or in their hands to store all the necessary accoutrements of modern life alongside a mysterious vial of delicious scent maybe alongside a much-read love letter. Each to their own.

To find out more about Electimus.com please vist Here

To find out more about the Jewelled Hobo by Alexander McQueen.com please visit Here

New for Pre Spring/Summer 2023 the bag is now available in stores and online here

If you enjoyed reading Bagged in a Mini Style why not read Storage Unbound Here