Fashion

Alas, a Miniguide life isn’t a golden paved walkway to Custo dresses, Manolo Blahnik shoes or even Desigual denim. Nevertheless, this didn’t stop us from appreciating the sights and sounds of what is surely the trendiest place on earth – at least for a couple of days every six months. Bread & Butter Barcelona is truly a place in which to marvel at the excesses of an industry built on image, schooled in good looks, and unafraid of offering the odd freebie or two just to keep the hacks happy until copy time.

This season’s collections were the usual assortment of urban cool-meets glitzy glamour, but what really stole the show was the seemingly unending stream of funky bags from some little-known yet hugely cool designers.

The first bag shout-out must go to Eucalyptus, a women’s clothing group from London who focus mainly on doingup pretty patterned dresses. However, they also carry a quaint selection of bags and even gave team Miniguide very lovely beach sacs embroidered with aqua eucalyptus leaves – a well-received and fashionable treat indeed.

Only a mini-strut away from the Eucalyptus stand, and feeling 100% more suitably attired, the female contingent in our party was in awe of the beautiful bags made by London wholesaler Disaster. Fashioned from Kimono silk, there were big bags, teeny bags, clutches and even wallets in bold greens, pinks and blues, as well as traditional Kimono floral designs. Sadly, no freebies were proffered this time.

Bags that are not only attractive but boast a planet-saving purpose came in the form of recycled ‘over the shoulder holders’ made by Re-Bag. Made from bamboo, jute and plastic bottles, and in-keeping with the trend of banishing plastic bags that has trickled down from celebrities to normal folk, these recycled dos are done through quirky designs and brightly coloured materials.

The last group of bag makers that literally made our jaded jaws drop was Oplà. Made out of balls of all sporting kinds – basket, foot, American foot – and even US license plates, the ‘Born in the USA’ collection was instantly eye-catching. And if it’s functionality as well as decoration you look for in your accessories, the skateboard bag would be right up your alley.