Ann Opstrup

‘Feminine and flamboyant’ characterise Danish designer Ann Opstrup’s colourful individually crafted handbags. The handbags are packed full of sun, fun, texture and a touch of humour. 

Woven into these handbags are all the colours and experiences gathered from her travels across Europe, Africa, Americas and The Far East.  Each one is unique and never to be reproduced. ‘I start with a simple shape and approach the creation like a painting where upon I build layers of colours, textures, shapes and images.’

Words, sayings, tales and poetry are also great sources of inspiration for Ann’s work. For example one of her handbags is titled and inspired by the saying: ‘every cloud has a silver lining’ and another is titled…’the grass is not always greener on the other side.’ Global issues also inspire Ann as one of her latest bags illustrates.  The recent decline in the bee population grew into a handbag titled “To Bee or not to Bee”

‘I make my handbags to feel as special as they look. Simply, I want them to make their owners feel extraordinarily happy’.

Ann works from her home in rural Somerset.  Brought up in the city she gets enormous inspiration from living in the countryside. ‘Everything piles on top of everything else here, things grow in haphazard but beautiful ways. It’s that element of natural surprise that I whisk into a practical and wearable piece of art’.

Each handbag is richly textured with layers of tulle, embroidery, beadwork, appliqué and leather. To finish off the handbags uniqueness every single handbag has a title as individual as its design.