Yet another designer has managed to surprise me with its creative way of crafting a handbag from an unexpected recycled material. Plastic bottles and “upcycled” seatbelts might be old news by now, but I had to give kudos for originality when I heard about those making stylish totes out of billboards, deck chairs, and bottle ringpulls.
Now I’m once again obliged to marvel at someone’s creativity and way of imagine something beautiful out of something used and a little trashed. Designer Beck Hickey was inspired to create the Beck(y) collection in 2003 to offer women handbags and other accessories using re-purposed skateboards.
The line of “Sk8bags” combines the recycled boards with luxurious fabrics, such as silk or satin, to produce a completely unique product. As Hickey describes on her company’s website:
The grittiness of used, beat up boards combined with something really posh like silk speaks well to my overall aesthetic, and the beautiful contradiction that fuels my creativity.
The collection includes a rounded or square tote bag, clutch, and leather gym bag ranging in price from $100 to $256. Other accessories available are buckles, money clips, iPod covers, and even jewelry. Bags and accessories from the Beck(y) collection can be purchased online, at various retailers, or through a custom order.
[Source: beckycity.com]
