Betty at Goldsmiths continues

The exhibition continues through April. If you'd like to see my sketchbooks, design development and research they are an 'archive' item in Special Collections, just ask at the gallery!

Private View at Goldsmiths College

Contrasting Betty's Revenge contemporary bags and purses with beautiful purses from the Goldsmiths Textile Collection archive, the ensemble is exhibiting at the Special Collections Gallery at Goldsmiths College until Easter. Curated by myself and Lizzie Cannon.

Hula Hoop bag

Commissioned for the Skip Theatre girls, professional hula hoopers and skippers who perform in clubs - so they need their hands free to have a dance too!

Bags inspiring poetry

The exhibition 'Bags: The Craft of the Carrying Companion' has now ended but the display was superb. Some local writers were inspired to write a couple of poems, the first one refers to my large purse and the second one is solely about the large purse which asks questions that several passers by ask me on the street!

Bags 

Big bags and small bags.

Short bags and tall bags.

Bags of every size and shape.

Made of fabric softly draped.

Some of leather, new and old.

Shiny, polished, good to hold.

Bags to carry on bus or train.

Bags built to carry extra strains.

Cases for clothes and underwear.

Cases for picnics we love to share.

Some open out flat as a sheet.

Some fold down, nice and neat.

A giant purse takes centre stage

Try your hand at decoupage,

Or leather strips for you to weave

Items here you won’t believe

Giant purse

What do you put in a giant purse?

Some pennies to pay for a journey home,

Or a lovely dinner for when you get back?

Make up to enhance a lovely face?

A lacy hanky to stop a sneeze?

A comb and brush to tidy hair?

There’s lots and lots of room in there.

These beautiful suitcases at the same exhibition really stood out for me.

Bilston Craft Gallery

BAGS: THE CRAFT OF THE CARRYING COMPANION

BILSTON CRAFT GALLERY

15 DECEMBER 2012 - 9 MARCH 2013
This exhibition is free and up and running in Bilston, just outside Wolverhampton. The curation is very impressive and I love this picture they took of a selection of printed and recycled Betty's Revenge bags.

Betty's Revenge bags at Bilston Craft Gallery

Betty's Revenge Bag

'Betty's Revenge' bag modelled by Sarah Longman

I love this picture of Sarah modelling the 'Betty's Revenge' bag, she looks stunning (for sizing the bag fits an A4 folder).

Betty's Revenge bags for sale from today at New Ashgate Gallery

The Winter Contemporary Textiles exhibition starts today!  A selection from the Izniks Abroad collection of oversize purses will be exhibited at the New Ashgate Gallery in Farnham today until 22nd January 2011.  

Betty's Purse is going to the New Designers Exhibition

My new purse (and accompanying Iznik bag collection) will be exhibited at the New Designers exhibition in Islington this week, 1st - 4th July.  I'll also be showing some flamenco screen prints, 50s digital prints and some Islamic/50s screen printed wooden flooring!  For those who are keen my sketchbooks will also be available along with my portfolio.


If you're interested in coming to visit do book in advance as it's much cheaper. I will be in the London College of Communication section on the mezzanine level.

Iznik bag collection

Betty - 1m high x 1 m wide

Betty on a shopper

Sketchy (digital print on canvas)

Iznik pattern (digital print on cotton satin)

Iznik Boat (digital print on cotton satin)

Rhodos (digital print on canvas)

Above are pictures of my recently exhibited new bag collection, including a giant size purse (top two images) that also functions as a suitcase!!  The purse is approximately 1m high.  The metal frame was made by Wendy Welder.

Pina bag

Tomorrow this bag will be strutting its stuff on the catwalk. The end of year show for Surface Design at the London College of Communication takes place where graduates will be exhibiting their beautiful and wide ranging works. The catwalk will include streetwear T-shirts and will be accompanied by some performers. My bag was inspired by SKIPTheatre and has been designed to attach a hula hoop (this is OPTIONAL :o). It's easily detached and the bag is made out of a soft grey jersey material and covered in beautiful floral images and a sketch of Pina Baush (a German performance artist) which has been flocked in black. More of this bag design will be produced very shortly. I do have a small waiting list but do let me know if you’re interested.

Betty's Revenge

Thanks for visiting. I'm intending this blog to observe what's going on in the world of print and textiles, with reviews of designers, magazines and exhibitions, and of course draw your attention to my label too! I made a bag for my Foundation in Art and Design at Wimbledon College of Art in 2008 which proved very popular. It was themed on Billie Holiday's life and music. The bag was hand painted, screen printed and embellished and I called the label 'Kinda Blue'. Like many people I love bags and this was the first I made myself. Now studying a Foundation Degree at the London College of Communication in Surface Design I have been working with some inspiring people. A recent project involved working in a team as 'Betty's Revenge' where we created a range of clothing, accessories and jewellery for the artists of SKIPTheatre. SKIPTheatre are three Goldsmiths arts graduates who perform in clubs in Shoreditch and elsewhere plus festivals including Glastonbury. Their performances are very theatrical and interactive and have a brilliant party atmosphere. I nearly called the bag above Mabel! Ismat Jaffer came up with the name Betty's Revenge and has kindly let me keep it for my own label. I love all the traditional 50s names such as Betty, Agnes, Rita and especially love Betty as it's my nan's name (my nan was also a fashion/illustration fanatic). Betty's Revenge adds a more modern edgy twist :o). Izzy already has her own website, you can check out her brilliant designs and illustrations at www.ismatjaffer.co.uk. Ruweyda Dool was also in the team and I'll be giving you more details as soon as she has a website, she already designs beautiful dresses and very funky ties. My bags will be pictured here, I'll be making more...they're all designed, hand printed and made by me. I may well do some digital designs too. Other ranges include hand painted purses and RECYCLED fabrics plus a combination of recycled with new prints. I never throw fabrics away and have been donated several bags of beautiful prints and vintage along with quality plain textiles. I am particularly inspired by music, poetry and theatre, I love the 50s and 20s but like to mix it up a bit and add a modern twist. The designs are for casual dailywear but are a bit special too with a touch of glamour for a fun style. Betty and I will also be keeping an eye on any open studios, workshops etc going on and keep you informed.