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Amberg clutches men, women with leather bags

April 10, 2000
Web posted at: 4:04 p.m. EDT (2004 GMT)

LONDON (CNN) -- Hoping to leave a permanent mark on the handbag craze, British designer Bill Amberg has reached into his bag this year and pulled out leather.

He's used leather to make glamorous clutches for women and functional bags for men -- accessories, he says, that will last for years.

"We run a classic line ... that's built around the idea of something that really will last a lifetime," he says. "I think the classic leather bag will always be there."

Amberg gives women four choices, beginning with "Monaco." It's made with soft calf leather or quilted patent leather in a metallic sheen for a polished look.

"Savannah Snug" and "Landscape" also come in calf leather or quilted patent; they're available with twinkling rhinestones. For evening, "Love" bags are crafted with panels of painted python skin and patent leather.

Small accessories include wallets, waistbands and pouches.

Amberg blends function and style for men. His headliner, "Bus," is done in bridle leather. The classic briefcase now comes with shoulder straps to transform from workbags to weekend bags.

"I think that's crucial," he says. "The way they function -- the way they handle -- should be very easy. They should work nicely."

They also should be big, Amberg says.

"I think bags are going to get bigger on the whole," he says. "I think people will want things that are bigger and more easy to use."

CNN Style Correspondent Elsa Klensch contributed to this report.

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