Maya Ellison
Hard plastic handbags are a versatile accessory, suitable for a range of occasions and available in various colours and designs. They are often embellished with metallic hardware, intricate patterns, or even decorated with pearls, glitter, or stickers. Plastic handbags can be tote-style, structured satchels, or slim clutches, and are ideal for shopping, casual outings, formal events, and business occasions. They are durable, easy to clean, and can be carried with handles or long straps. Plastic handbags have been around since the 1930s, when they were advertised as washable and durable, appealing to consumers who couldn't afford multiple bags. Today, they continue to be a fashionable choice, with their structural designs, vibrant colours, and creative embellishments.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Material | Cellulose Acetate, Vinyl, Bakelite, Lucite, Rodolac |
| Appearance | Mimics the look and feel of genuine leather |
| Style | Square, Bucket, Baguette, Tote, Messenger |
| Use | Carrying small essential items |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic handbags with square shapes were invented by Florence Kuhlman in the 1940s
- Cellulose Acetate is a bio-plastic used in fabrics and handbag manufacture
- Bakelite, a resin, was rarely used in handbags but was advertised in the 1930s
- Vinyl plastic is used in handbag design to mimic the look and feel of genuine leather
- The Hermes Clemence Leather 2 Way Kelly Bag is a roughly square-shaped handbag
Plastic handbags with square shapes were invented by Florence Kuhlman in the 1940s
Florence Kuhlman was an inventor and designer who contracted with R. Appel for one percent of the sales of her Plasticflex handbag design. The R. Appel factory, also known as the Ithaca Pocketbook Factory, operated from 1935 to around 1960 and employed hundreds of local workers at its peak. While it started as a leather goods manufacturer, the Plasticflex handbag became its most popular product.
Kuhlman's Plasticflex handbag was constructed of plastic tiles that could be assembled into different colours and styles. The bag was easy to clean and highly durable, which contributed to its popularity in the 1940s and again in the 2000s among collectors. The design was also frameless, with the plastic tiles bound by a series of interlaced leather lacings.
The plastic handbag was a significant innovation in the 1940s, allowing for lighter and brighter colours such as white, red, green, and yellow. The plastic material also enabled the creation of new, stiff shapes such as the circular vanity bag or square box bag. The box bag, in particular, became mainstream in the mid-1940s, with some featuring square or rectangular boxes with short handles and folded tops. These box purses often included multiple compartments and matching makeup and beauty compacts, earning them the name "vanity cases".
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Cellulose Acetate is a bio-plastic used in fabrics and handbag manufacture
Cellulose acetate, a type of bio-plastic, has been used in fabrics and handbag manufacture since the 1930s. It was first prepared in 1865 by French chemist Paul Schützenberger, who discovered that cellulose reacts with acetic anhydride to form cellulose acetate. This bioplastic is derived from wood pulp or cotton and combined with chemicals like acetic acid (vinegar), acetic anhydride, and sulphuric acid. In the context of fabrics and handbags, cellulose acetate is often referred to as "cellulosic thermoplastic," which means it can be moulded using heat.
In the world of fabrics, cellulose acetate is used to create a range of items, including dresses, blouses, party attire, award ribbons, buttons, home furnishings, draperies, upholstery, and coat linings. It is particularly popular for its silk-like qualities, such as a good drape, a lustrous sheen, and a smooth, satiny texture, making it a good alternative to silk or rayon. However, it requires careful laundering, either through hand-washing or dry cleaning, as it is prone to melting.
In the handbag industry, cellulose acetate was advertised as early as 1936 by companies like the Celanese Corporation, which marketed its cellulose acetate handbags under the name "Lumarith." During the 1930s to 1950s, plastic handbags were heavily advertised as washable, a significant selling point for consumers who could not afford multiple handbags for different occasions. Monsanto, another company, was also developing cellulose acetate for use in transparent handbags in the 1940s.
While cellulose acetate has been replaced by cheaper petro-based fibres in some applications, it remains a versatile material with a range of uses. It is known for its thermoplastic properties, allowing it to be moulded into various shapes and used in accessories like jewellery, glasses, and sunglasses. Additionally, it has been used in eyeglass frames, absorbent products, and even as a film base in photography.
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Bakelite, a resin, was rarely used in handbags but was advertised in the 1930s
Bakelite is a thermosetting phenol formaldehyde resin invented in 1907 in New York by Belgian chemist Leo Baekeland. While Bakelite was rarely used in handbags or handbag hardware, there is some evidence of its use in handbag accessories and advertising in the 1930s. For example, there are a few 1930s newspaper advertisements for Bakelite handbags and bag frames, although the description suggests that these purses looked like "glazed patent leather", which is at odds with the fact that Bakelite is a resin rather than a pliable fabric. Additionally, some handbags from the 1930s feature Bakelite clasps and handles that interlock to close, such as a brown leather quilted handbag by Chanel. In the 1950s, a Gilli Bakelite evening purse was made, and in the 1990s, Chanel created a mustard lambkin quilted handbag with a Bakelite chain.
While Bakelite itself was rarely used in handbags, other brands of hard plastic handbags were popular in the 1930s, such as Rodolac, which was advertised alongside celluloid bags for their durability and washability. These plastic handbags were marketed as washable, a good selling point for consumers who could not afford multiple handbags for different seasons or occasions. By the late 1950s, acrylic box-style bags began to go out of fashion, and manufacturers began making bags out of vinyl or clear vinyl-covered fabric. However, some continued to use acrylic in handbag hardware, including frames, handles, and closures.
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Vinyl plastic is used in handbag design to mimic the look and feel of genuine leather
Vinyl plastic is a popular material in handbag design due to its durability, versatility, aesthetic appeal, and ability to mimic the look and feel of genuine leather. It is a cost-effective alternative to leather, making stylish bags accessible without compromising visual appeal or quality. Vinyl, or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), is a flexible, plastic-like material that can be supple or rigid, depending on its processing.
In the past, handbag manufacturers used vinyl to mimic the look and feel of genuine leather when acrylic and similar box-style bags went out of fashion in the late 1950s. Today, vinyl is still revered for its ability to emulate the texture and appearance of leather, without the ethical concerns associated with animal products. Upholstery vinyl, for example, is thicker and provides a high-end finish, making it ideal for creating structured bags with a luxurious look and feel.
The versatility of vinyl also extends to its design possibilities. Printed vinyl allows designers to create limited-edition runs, custom designs, and incorporate branding directly into the bag's design. This makes it a popular choice for manufacturers and designers looking to create eye-catching bags with a wide range of colours, textures, and patterns.
Additionally, vinyl is known for its water-resistant properties, making it an excellent choice for outdoor bags, travel bags, or bags designed for rainy weather conditions. Its easy maintenance and durability further add to its appeal, as vinyl bags can be kept looking their best with minimal effort, simply by wiping off any stains or dirt with a damp cloth.
Overall, vinyl plastic is a versatile, durable, and cost-effective material that effectively mimics the look and feel of genuine leather in handbag design, offering consumers a stylish and ethical alternative to leather bags.
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The Hermes Clemence Leather 2 Way Kelly Bag is a roughly square-shaped handbag
Crafted from luxurious Clemence leather, the 2 Way Kelly Bag is available in a range of colours, including deep blue, toffee, white, and parchemin. The construction of each bag is a meticulous process, with a single craftsman working on one bag at a time, resulting in an investment-worthy, quality luxury item. The bag's hardware is equally exquisite, featuring gold or palladium plating that complements the leather's rich hue.
The Hermes Clemence Leather 2 Way Kelly Bag offers versatility with its removable shoulder strap, allowing it to be carried by hand or worn stylishly on the shoulder. This adaptability, along with its timeless design, makes it suitable for both daytime and evening wear. The bag's interior is just as refined, with a matching chevre lining in the case of the toffee-coloured bag, adding a touch of luxury to its functionality.
The Kelly Bag is known for its trapezoidal shape, which is softened in the Retourne style through a unique manufacturing process. This process involves turning the bag inside out, resulting in a more relaxed silhouette with rounded edges. The bag's design includes distinctive features such as tonal stitching, a front flap, two straps with a centre toggle closure, and a clochette with a lock and two keys.
Overall, the Hermes Clemence Leather 2 Way Kelly Bag is a testament to the brand's reputation for creating ultra-luxury handbags. With its rich history, meticulous craftsmanship, and timeless design, this roughly square-shaped handbag is a true classic that continues to captivate the fashion world.
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Frequently asked questions
In the 1940s, the plastic "plaque" handbag, also called "tiles", "squares", "discs", or "buttons", was invented by Florence Kuhlman and manufactured under the Plasticflex label by the Robert Appel company of Ithaca, New York, for over a decade.
Yes, another brand name for a specific type of hard plastic handbag during the 1930s was Rodolac, which was made by a company called Wilco.
Cellulose Acetate, a bio-plastic often used in fabrics to make them wrinkle-free, is often called "cellulosic thermoplastic" in handbag manufacturing. Vinyl is another type of plastic used in handbag manufacturing, which often mimics the look and feel of genuine leather.
The Hermes Clemence Leather 2 Way Kelly Bag is a handbag with a roughly square shape and is perfect for nights out or when you only need to carry a few small essential items.
Bucket bags, baguette bags, and totes that are slightly wider at the top than the bottom are some other non-plastic handbag styles that can have a square shape.
