Nicole Miller has made her latest handbag designs a bit edgier by using bicycle chains for handles!
The New York based designer was inspired to use the metal chains after watching locals in her TriBeCa neighborhood riding bikes around the city streets. She set about researching bicycle chains to ensure her unique handle idea would stack up to everyday use.
I can’t imagine that bike chains would feel very good against the skin, so I’m glad that Nicole Miller has protected our shoulders with a leather insert. I’m just a bit disappointed that the designer has missed an eco-friendly opportunity. The chains aren’t recycled, when they so easily could have been. The bags are also made from real leather, which while lovely and luxurious isn’t green. Using recycled chains and a high-quality eco-friendly material would have helped Nicole Miller’s new designs appeal to green fashionistas.
If you care more about a bag’s looks than its green credentials though, I imagine you’ll be impressed with Nicole Miller’s ingenuity. The bicycle chain straps are available on her new Addison Ameldi, Caino, and Canvas cross-body bags, and her Zoe Ameldi satchels. They’re available at Nicole Miller’s website now ahead of their store release in fall.
