As a vegetarian, in an act of compassion I did not want animals to suffer, so I embraced the vegan lifestyle. I enjoyed feeling light after a meal and honestly never took to meat. Despite all the legumes and beans I ingested I didn't get enough protein and consequently there were adverse effects.
Had I delved a little deeper I would not have bought leather goods. But somehow that didn't register as cruelty, yet it is.
As a former vegetarian, and now, I have never owned a vinyl handbag (with the exception of one or two that my mother bought me as a very young child), and I refuse to buy anything but genuine leather for my feet. I love the smell of leather and I insist on quality, preferring it over quantity.
My first adolescent handbag was not leather, it was made from wood, in the shape of a box given to me by my father as a Christmas present. Whimsical, it had colorful flowers made from bright jewels, hand painted stems and a handle. I was surprised by its uniqueness and knew I owned something that I would not see elsewhere. A true piece of Art, he purchased it at Neiman Marcus, he had fabulous taste and only bought the best. Returning to school after winter break, I knew I had to create an ensemble that would showcase “my purse” so I choose to wear light colors– my beige culottes with a baby blue angora sweater accessorized by my new pendant watch. The girls (even those who didn't talk to me), marveled at my purse, fascinated by the beauty and glitz of my treasure. As I swung it around, I'd say, “But wait, there's more”, I'd open it and give a peek inside; a built-in-mirror!
Last night while perusing Ebay trying to find a replacement of the Guernica tile –my only purchase from Barcelona that Steven broke, I came across Enid Collins. Originally from Texas, she was the creator of the wooden purse. Astonished by her exquisite designs, that were so eclectic back then but would also work with today's fashions, especially in summer, which indicates that good things never go out of style.
No comments:
Post a Comment