Belen Echandia

[mikeijames]

HOT PROPERTY

WITH a zillion handbag labels on the market at the moment, there has to be a certain something to catch a girl's eye and the Belen Echandia collection has plenty of It-factor. Intricately tailored to the very best quality, from the name-stamped metal zip tags to the last strip of soft leather, and in every colour you can think of from black and brown to aqua, fuchsia pink, metallic gold and red, they even have a chain inside for your house keys so you avoid the inevitable late-night scramble. Genius. "I like a handbag to be show-stopping, so that if you're wearing jeans and a black top then your accessories can tell the story," says the ultra stylish brains behind the label, Jackie Cawthra. Definitely a story well told. For more information visit www.belenechandia.com. (December 6 2004, AM)

from vogue.co.uk

is it just me or does this bag (everything from the font to the detailing) look just like a balenciaga knock off?

 

[softgrey]

i think it looks more like a rip off of this chloe...

 

[softgrey]

except of course...the chloe's much better...

 

[InStyleinNY]

i hate this bag company already. no originality.

 

[buggy]

Their bags look like every other bag out now.

 

[kiimihaana]

Un Apres Midi de Chien + Balenciaga = Belen Echandia

 

[vintage_princess]

I agree with Softgrey, I was about to say the same thing because of the style of the handles. very Chloe...

 

[brian]

total chloe knockoff, but the leather they're made out of looks nice and soft

i'd buy a bag from these people if they had something in a more "manly" style

 

[brian]

look at this one...

total prada

 

[softgrey]

brian...is you felt the cloe...you'd get the chloe...it's gorgeous...

the pic you posted isn't working for me...

 

[AlexN]

The name is just ridiculously obvious. Pretty funny...

 

[Ms. Diorella]

Originally posted by softgrey@Dec 9 2004, 04:34 PM
brian...is you felt the cloe...you'd get the chloe...it's gorgeous...

the pic you posted isn't working for me...

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Its a rip off of the Prada pushlock bags, a bad one at that.

I don't like these bags.

 

[softgrey]

oh...now it's worrking...
how can british vogue be promoting this brand?...

 

[mikeijames]

Originally posted by softgrey@Dec 9 2004, 03:56 PM
oh...now it's worrking...
how can british vogue be promoting this brand?...

[snapback]458605[/snapback]​

my personal theory is that whoever designed these bags must have worked either for balenciaga or chloe and called in a favor with some of their old friends.

 

[Jac]

Hello everyone,

My name is Jackie and I am the founder of Belen Echandia accessories. I just saw your messages on the forum and felt quite disappointed in your reactions- we haven't ripped off Chloe OR Prada for that matter- our bags are totally original, with a really wide range of original colours in gorgeous soft leathers and we make the insides very special too, although I understand that you won't be able to see that of course. The bag that you are talking about actually predates the chain Chloe bag by at least a year, it is our staple but it's our most popular model and a classic (and we are still a small, exclusive label), well, we have kept the style for quite a while now. It is anyway a very popular style in the UK, with many variations. Vogue.com saw a selection of the collection and loved them for what they are- soft, colourful handbags.

As for the name Belen Echandia, the bags are all handmade in Spain and Belen Echandia is a Spanish girl's name (a friend of mine)- I wanted something pretty and Spanish and 'Jackie Cawthra' didn't exactly fit the bill! I honestly hadn't even considered it might sound like 'Balenciaga' (pronounced totally differently) until now. I used to be a lawyer so there is no way I would get involved with copying another label's goodwill.

It is interesting to see your reaction- we have had nothing but good press in the UK and the US (see www.bagborroworsteal.com) although we are still only available in small London boutiques. Anyway, I promise you that the quality of the leather is amazingly soft.

Anyway, it is nice to meet you all. If you have any other comments you can send them to me at [email protected].

Best wishes for a merry Christmas

Jackie Cawthra .

 

[Yanka]

I just met the designer over asmallworld.com I'm suprised i've never heard of this label before. It might not be particularly original, but it's totally wearable and versatile and you can pick your own leather - the kind and colours - everything. And it seems to be of really good quality, I'm sure it's not any worse than balenciaga, just realitvely unknown.

thse are my personal favourties