Plastic Woven Tote Bag

I’ve always enjoyed collecting bags, and some of my favorites include a black North Face backpack, a simple black leather tote, a canvas tote, and a multicolored sequin purse. Bags are not only stylish accessories but also highly functional for everyday use. Ever since I started my collection, I’ve had my eye on Bottega Veneta bags. What stands out to me about their designs is the way they seamlessly blend contemporary art with minimalist aesthetics, creating elegant pieces that elevate any outfit. Whether paired with a simple white shirt and jeans or a full blazer suit, these bags add a refined touch to any look.

Figure 1: Bottega Venetta Bag Inspiration

For my upcycling project, I decided to create a tote bag using the same weaving technique Bottega Veneta employs, known as Intrecciato.

Figure 2: Intrecciato Pattern

This method is where strips of leather (or other materials) are intricately interwoven to create a durable, flexible, and visually distinct texture. This technique not only enhances the bag’s strength but also gives it a luxurious, handcrafted look. However, instead of leather, I will be using coffee bags and hard-copy book covers as my primary materials. These materials were inspired by the plastic wrapper bags I used to make back in elementary school. I also chose these because they are more accessible than leather and made of sturdy plastic, which will simplify the weaving process and create a cleaner, more structured design. Additionally, both materials have smooth surface finishes, which will help minimize wrinkles and give the bag a more polished appearance. I’m still thinking about what material to use to secure the bottom of the bag, and I’m open to any suggestions.

For the design, I aim to merge contemporary aesthetics with maximalism. Since plastic wrappers often have highly pigmented hues, I believe they are the perfect material to achieve a bold, expressive look with minimal resources.

Figure 3: Plastic Wrapper Bags

My clothing palette typically consists of black, white, navy blue, and deep green, so I plan to create contrast by incorporating accents of yellow, beige, brown, khaki, or possibly plum. My goal is to design a functional everyday tote that can hold all my essentials while also refining my weaving skills. Additionally, I want to explore color theory to better understand how different shades interact and the emotions they evoke. I’m more of a minimalist when it comes to fashion, so I’m really excited to work on this and add a little bit of color to my outfits.

Links:

Go, G. (2019, August 1). Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Bags Honest Review. I Make Leather Handbags. https://theleathercrafter.wordpress.com/2019/08/01/bottega-veneta-intrecciato-bags-honest-review/

2 Comments. Leave new

  • Claire Markus
    February 2, 2025 7:14 pm

    Great idea Franini! I’m really interested in what you said about colors evoking emotions, I’m curious what emotions you’d like the bag to evoke? Based on the color pallet you described (yellow, beige, brown, khaki, plum) I imagine the bag will evoke feelings of calm and possibly nostalgia? The color pallet reminds me of a school uniform.

  • DawnMonique Cantu
    February 1, 2025 7:34 pm

    Hi Francine! What a cool concept for this project! I like your aim to create something functional while also experimenting with an aesthetic that differs from your typical style! Do you typically carry a lot in your bag? I was trying to think of any suggestions for reinforcing the bottom of your bag, but could only think of additional layers of the woven pattern (going in alternating directions)… don’t know if that’s really helpful or not… I know you’re trying to preserve the Bodega inspiration, so I was trying to think of ways to maintain the bag’s shape. You mentioned using coffee bags, are those bright colors as well? Or more neutral tones?

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