India Hicks Launches Handbag Collaboration with Her Brother, Designer Ashley Hicks
Born into design royalty (her father was legendary decorator David Hicks) not to mention royalty of the British kind, India Hicks is known for her sophisticated island style. It's an aesthetic she's bringing to a new handbag collaboration with her brother, interior designer Ashley Hicks.
Launching today exclusively on her website, the collection features just 50 bags, each of them hand-painted by Ashley with a blue-hued geometric design.
The partnership came about after India gifted one of her clutches to her new sister-in-law, Katalina. As the story goes, Katalina then asked Ashley to personalize the bag. "Once Katalina and I saw how successful this was and how the paint gave the leather a beautiful shagreen feel we knew Ashley should paint more, more, more," says India. "Each one of the 50 being very much a one of a kind, just like Katalina."
For his part, Ashley couldn't say no to the women in his life. "I was persuaded to paint these in part by the charms and wiles of my darling wife and sister, not an easy team to ignore, and in part by the alarming prospect of an idle two weeks in Harbour Island-I'd always rather be busy than idle," he said. "It was also nice to be able to paint (which I love) on something new-who knew acrylic on leather would make a trompe l'oeil shagreen?"
The bag, which retails for $440, is meant to be go-to statement piece, the kind of bag you bring on a trip because it goes with every outfit. "I can see this bag being carried with jeans, a white tee shirt, a cream blazer, and a pair of converse. I can also see this being held on the red carpet beside a beautiful full length evening dress," said India of the design. "But I can promise you Ashley and Katalina would style it with much more drama than me."
Will their be future family collaborations? "We only just survived this one," says India. Ashley is more optimistic: "I'm booked in for another stay in Harbour Island next Easter, and I do hate to be idle."
All joking aside, I think it's fair to hope for more from the pair. "How lucky am I to have a brother who is an artist and not an accountant," India said.
The Ashley Hicks Carmen bags are currently for sale on indiahicks.com.
