Do you know your handbag says a lot about your personality? I’m not sure what mine says other than I carry too much stuff around!

When I was working my handbags were mostly black to fit in with the business/corporate image; now I’m footloose and fancy free I can go wild and choose a bag with a colour that fits my mood—cornflower blue for calm days, hot watermelon for days I want to be noticed, and bright sunny yellow to lift everyone’s mood. And now, you don’t have to be millionaire to have a bag to suit every outfit—or mood—you just need to get acquainted with Sash & Belle!

Sash & Belle is a local Canberra label selling bags, totes, backpacks, and wallets. Most of the bags are PU (quality faux leather) with a small signature collection in real leather. Owner Kristy McPhillips explains. “I made the decision to stock mostly PU bags as it’s hard to find stylish high quality non-leather handbags” she says. “Another reason for using faux leather has come from my concern for the welfare of animals. It is important that we make sustainable decisions about the products we use.”

Sash & Belle has big plans to grow the brand in the coming years with the aim of stocking the label in department stores around Australia, and Kristy is currently collaborating with some excellent local Gungahlin businesses and new talent to highlight the range of bags. They also showcase clothes and shoes from popular (and not hugely expensive) stores and factory outlets and team them with their handbags for some great ideas for a total look. “It has long been a dream of mine to go into business and what better way than combining two of my passions, fashion and business” says Kristy, “and I’m very excited that we can work together with local businesses to unite fashion and business rather than competing against each other.”

I bought my latest bag from Sash & Belle and those of you who follow me on FB will know the gorgeous blue bag has become a firm favourite. Sash & Belle handbags are handpicked by Kristy based on quality and style. What’s hot is what’s in at Sash & Belle! All bags have either a flap or zip top (to keep your stuff secure), internal zip pockets, phone pocket, key or lippy pocket, and a few extras so you’re not forever ferreting around trying to find stuff. Most of the larger bags also have a detachable shoulder strap.

Sash & Belle products range from $19.95 – $120 with two brand new collections each year; autumn/winter and spring/summer. You can find them online at http://www.sash-belle.com.au/ or at most markets around Canberra including Fash ‘N’ Treasure (EPIC), Gold Creek Markets, and EPIC Christmas Markets on 13 and 14 December. Their next stall will be at Fash ‘N’ Treasure at EPIC on Saturday 8 November.

Images courtesy Sash & Belle

Thanks to Kristy McPhillps at Sash & Belle