Decorating with accessories is a terrific way to give your home a little lift - without breaking the bank!

Any designer will tell you that art, throw pillows and blankets can have a considerable influence. The trick is knowing how to use them.

First and foremost, choose quality items. While mass-produced items are plentiful and inexpensive, they aren't really what you want to surround yourself with. One or two quality pieces are far better than a vast array of run-of-the-mill pieces easily found in your local discount décor store.

Quality home décor accessories will also stand the test of time far better than mass-produced items of inferior manufacture....Look for unique pieces. You're unique - reflect that in your personal environment! 

Consider the size of the space very carefully. Your décor accessories need to be proportionate to the room. A tiny rug in a huge room will look ridiculous. Or, for that matter, a huge painting in a tiny room will overpower the space. Scale and proportion of objects to the space they occupy is a basic tenet of good décor.

Don't get too "matchy matchy". Seek balance but remember asymetrical placements are very attractive as well. Rather than flanking something with the same number of pieces on each side, try a less "equal" approach to arrangement. A good rule of thumb is to group smaller items in threes or fives.

Consider a small asymetrical grouping of soapstone wildlife carvings. This introduces the natural world in a fun, funky and inexpensive way. This group of will give you an idea.

Place larger décor items into your space first. Then live with them for a few days to just get the feel of the room. Then layer in some medium size pieces and a few small accents (depending on the size of the room). Be careful not to over-decorate. Stuffing things into every corner will make your room look cluttered and busy. Certainly not restful!

To get those pops of colour, restrain yourself to smaller décor pieces. Bright, strong colours can be overwhelming if too large. When selecting larger pieces (like furniture, lighting, etc.) try to stick to more neutral (peaceful) colours and use pillows, candlesticks, ceramics, pictures, etc. to provide the colour in the room.

The nice thing about introducing bright, strong colours with smaller pieces is that smaller pieces tend to be less of an investment, therefore you can "change them up", either seasonally or, heck, just when the mood takes you.

Don't forget the kitchen and dining room!

We often don't stop to consider the use of décor accessories in our kitchens and dining areas as much as in living rooms, family rooms, bedrooms, etc. 

Open up your mind to items you might not consider to be "décor. Books and magazines, baskets and bins. Natural things like grasses, pine cones, seashells or beach stones. All these items, when combines with a few quality pieces can boost your room's ambience. For example, a few can make a relatively inexpensive (yet lovely) display. 

Remember that your outdoor spaces need a change-up from time to time as well. The same tips apply. A nicely placed item for a very reasonable price,  goes a long way to sprucing up an outdoor (or indoor) space. 

Fuel your imagination!

Shop all our Home & Life departments for terrific home décor ideas. And here's your biggest and most valuable tip if you're a retailer!

Help your customers make the most of their décor budget by offering them fun, delightful, unique décor items that will lift their spirits. At prices that will lift your spirits!

Take 5% off your first order
with discount code

Enter FIRSTFIVE at checkout to get 5% off your entire order.

 

You can swap it for product of equal value at any time within six months.
Hassle-free help to find the right products for your retail environment.
That's how we make our wholesale business stand out from the crowd!

To get your own (full blown!) wholesale catalog account with order capability, You can peruse our terrific products and wholesale prices at your leisure!

 

Whether you call them slippers or house shoes, there is just no denying we have an attachment to the warmth and comfort they deliver.

Especially when the days get shorter and the evenings get colder! In fact, I have "seasonal" slippers to suit the temperature all year round.

The word "slippers" comes, of course, from the verb "to slip". As in - slip on your feet. Most think slippers originated in the East but it turns out that almost every culture has had a form of comfy foot gear to wear around the house.

The earliest recorded reference to a slipper was in the 12th Century - in Vietnam a Song Dynasty Officer described two different types of slippers with thongs between the toes. The earliest reference to slippers in the West was about 1478.

Slippers were an important feature of harems. Slippers were worn indoors to protect the expensive Persian rugs. As well, a concubine would not get far outside if she chose to escape as her slippers would have been insufficient for outdoor use on slippery rocks and hard roads.

The Japanese consider slippers to be a social obligation when entering a home. One must shed one's outdoor shoes and don a pair of slippers for indoors as a sign of respect for the home and for tradition. To assist Westerners, who weren't used to this tradition, slipper covers that could be pulled over shoes were invented.

Our Zooties for Cuties are a fun and funky collection of slippers crafted by hand from felt, using locally sourced sheep's wool.

Zooties Footwear guarantees lots of laughter and fun for everyone. Delight your children or grandchildren with their choice of "foot friendly" animal or indulge your "young heart" with a pair of adult-sized comfy slippers.

These are just the most whimsical and delightful slippers we've ever seen. Which is why we call them "Zooties Cuties"!

Soft, yet sturdy, adorable animal footwear includes a wide range of "foot friends" to pick from. Whales and sharks, penguins and peacocks, ladybugs, raccoons, giraffes, bunnies and many more! There's a Zootie to suit every imagination.

Slippers have a long history and there are many tales associated with them. For example, Cinderella didn't actually lose a glass slipper. In fact, there are hundreds of variations of this popular story. In fact, the slipper was likely meant to be gold or silver, sometimes jeweled as well. The story of the "glass" slipper was an error in translation.

Until fairly recently, those who were granted an audience with the Pope were expected to kiss one of his red Papal Slippers. 

MEET THE ARTISANS

Silk Road Bazaar is a representative of marginalized artist groups located in Kyrgyzstan and throughout Central Asia. They connect with artists who are far from the capitals, who have limited market access, or who do not possess modern marketable skills but have carried on traditional craft culture.

 

 

Following the proverb, ‘the best way to know a man is to walk a thousand miles in his shoes,’ Silk Road believes that to know who we are working with and to understand their lives, we ourselves need to live like and with them. They live amongst their artist groups for an extended period of time, and during that time they help them become self-sustainable by developing their designs, management techniques, quality control and computer skills.

All designs and collaborations are original works of Central Asian artists and Silk Road Bazaar brought to you by Zawadee!

And here's your biggest and most valuable tip if you're a retailer!

Help your customers make the most of their holiday budget by offering them fun, delightful, unique slippers that will suit the entire family. At prices that will make you smile!

If you don't have the time to register for wholesale access, just call us at ...

1.844.677.7780

We'll make an appointment to come out to see you to show you some of our high quality products and terrific wholesale prices.

Fall is nature's second "rejuvenating period". Just like Spring, in the fall our thoughts naturally turn to refreshing, cleaning, sprucing things up.

And there's a psychological history behind this instinct! In our prehistory, it was natural to make sure that everything was safe and in order before cold weather set in. Our intimate connection with nature dictates our behaviour!

We use the design of spaces and objects we place in our environment to communicate who we are and how we feel.

We "read" someone's environment as a quick assessment of who they are. This contributes to the urge to clean and refresh that comes over us in the autumn months.

Here are some tips to think of when the "fall bug" grabs you!

• When making decisions about what to use to freshen up your environment, keep in mind what gives you joy. Look for accents and artwork that lift your spirits and make you smile.
• Fall is a great time for reflection - meditation. So think about creating spaces that stimulate thought and create a sense of peace - or whimsy - or joy - or all of those things!
• Many of us experience a sense of renewal accompanied by a boost of energy in the autumn season. This means your heightened sense of alertness should help you to connect to your preferences, desires, etc. A good time to make choices about your surroundings!
• You don't need to make a slew of additions or changes. Just one item that delights you is enough to stimulate positive thoughts!

Help your customers make the most of the fall season by offering them fun, delightful, unique outdoor décor items that will lift their spirits. At prices that will lift your spirits! 

If you don't have the time to register for wholesale access, just call us at ...

1.844.677.7780

 

Take 20% off your End of Season Sale order
with discount code

ENDSEASON20

Enter ENDSEASON20 at checkout to get 20% off your entire order.

  

Natural fibres are a great advantage when selecting fashion accessories. Add to that the beauty of hand weaving or knitting and you get gorgeous, long-lasting fashion pieces that are uniquely different.

When production of fashion accessories also achieves minimal impact on the environment, productive employment and skills training, it is a Win/Win for everyone involved!

Tsandza Handweaving produces some of the most beautiful, gorgeously hued, bespoke quality fashion accessories we've ever seen.

Natural fibres are more comfortable, are less allergic to skin and production processes are less harmful to our environment. All wins as far as we are concerned.

We avoid synthetic fibres as they do not absorb perspiration and, for the most part, have a rough texture and feel we just don't like.

First established in 1979, Tsandza Weaving, formerly known as Rosecraft Weaving, is a social enterprise that produces high quality products, handwoven in pure natural fibres by talented artisans in rural Swaziland.

Consumers seeking ethically produced items that make an impact to a bigger purpose when making their purchase will find "forever presents" that not only represent beauty and skill, but also contribute to a more sustainable future for us all

MADE BY HAND

Every step of Tsandza’s production process is done by hand. From the dying, spinning & weaving to the knotting & tasseling. Even our sewing machines for labelling are manual! This means every item we make is unique and exclusive to you. Our impact on our environment is greatly reduced, and it also means we need many hands, ensuring we continue to be a vital source of training and income generation for many rural women.

It is quite a complex process requiring patience, skill and a lot of work!

VIEW THE LOOKBOOK

Now, let's learn some more about Tsandza Handweaving (and Swaziland).

Currently working with around 60 Artisans, Tsandza’s mission is to provide the opportunity for a constantly expanding population of rural women to develop and learn new skills that allow them to generate income to care for their families, and our consumers, another option and a means to buy more ethically.

View the Tsandza Handweaving video to learn more about how they produce remarkable fashion accessories while respecting the environment.

To order Tsandza Handweaving products, please view the collection online or contact us at Zawadee for more information.

If you are a retailer, it couldn't be easier to get access to our online Wholesale Catalog (and pricing).  and we'll send you access credentials. We're not pushy, so take your time to peruse our products at your leisure. We will reach out at some point in case you need anything but don't worry, we aren't pests! It's just not the way we do business.

Find a product isn’t selling in your retail environment? You can swap it for product of equal value at any time within six months of order date. Hassle-free help to find the right products for your retail environment.

That's how we make our wholesale business stand out from the crowd!

Area rugs offer many practical benefits, from providing cushion underfoot to warmth to protecting floors from scuffs and scratches to separating cold, hard surfaces from tender bare feet. Area rugs also offer aesthetic value by framing a space and adding color and interest. Of the considerations when purchasing an area rug, two in particular stand out: criteria for selection and caring for the carpet! 

Select The Right Rug

According to HGTV, designers suggest building your décor from the floor up, beginning with the rug. Most people already have a color palette and style into which they must fit the new rug.

When it comes to area rugs, size matters. Begin with accurate measurement. Color and texture automatically draw the eye, so the rug will frame the area in which it sits. Experts disagree on whether furniture should sit on the rug. Because it serves as a focal point, a rug large enough for furniture to straddle ties the pieces together visually as a cohesive unit. In rooms dominated by a single large piece of furniture, such as a bedroom, rugs add coziness when placed alongside furniture or partially under furniture to tie the room together.

When matching rugs to existing décor, Lowe’s further suggests following “the 60-30-10 rule. About 60% of the room is your dominant color, such as the walls or the largest piece of furniture. 30% is a secondary color — this is where your rug color choice comes in. And 10% is an accent color, like vases and lamps.”

Also, consider patterns. Just as one normally wouldn’t mix plaids, paisleys, and stripes together in the same outfit, the dictates of good taste also apply to a room’s décor. Boldly patterned wallpaper and/or upholstery and drapes in a room call for solid or subtle designs in the carpet, with the opposite also being true.

Finally, evaluate the foot traffic in the area where the rug will be placed and the materials from which the rug is made. High-traffic areas demand rugs that will withstand heavy use, resist stains, and hide dirt. Rugs exposed to lots of natural light should resist fading. Different fibers vary with regard to fade resistance, stain resistance, durability, and ease of care.

Care For Your Carpet

Dirt and grime accelerate deterioration of rugs. Proper maintenance of area rugs involves weekly vacuuming and occasional deep cleaning. Do not run the vacuum cleaner over a rug’s fringe; the rollers will damage it. Brush the pile in the direction of the rug’s nap to loosen and remove pet hair. Rotate area rugs every four to six months for even wear and exposure to sunlight. Vigorously shake small rugs outside to remove dirt and grime.

Fur, sheepskin, leather, hair-on hide, handmade, antique, woven, and braided area rugs often require special attention to keep them clean and looking their best. 

Many small woven and braided rugs are washable. If so, deep cleaning is easy. Place the rug in a zippered pillowcase or mesh laundry bag, wash in cool water, rinse thoroughly, and tumble dry on low heat. Large rugs can be sponged clean with a commercial carpet cleaning solution, followed by rinsing and then vacuuming when dry. Delicate wool and oriental rugs, sheepskin, and hair-on hide rugs should be professionally cleaned. Traditional home cleaning methods for fur and hide rugs involves talcum powder which has been labeled a carcinogen.

The Kaya Collection

Zawadee invites you to shop the rugs that combine style, color, texture, and ease of care with the beauty and quality of natural fabrics. Handmade and sturdy, the rugs can be washed—smaller rugs are machine washable. Made from recycled textiles and handwoven in Johannesburg, South Africa, each unique rug adds designer quality at affordable prices.

Although archeologists date the world’s earliest pottery to 14,000 B.C. in China and Japan; Africans have been making pottery since about the 7th century B.C., testifying to the enduring utility of clay from which pottery is made with the skill spreading to the western coast by 400 B.C.

No good idea stays home!

A Brief History Of African Pottery

In the early ages of pottery, survival reigned and form followed function. Gradually, potters introduced aesthetics to their craft, adding colored glazes and etched designs and finally creative shapes. Pottery might be considered one of the very oldest examples of decorative art applied to utilitarian objects. North African factories could not compete with inexpensive imports of pottery from China and the Middle East; but, below the Sahara Desert, the craft continued to flourish.

In sub-Saharan Africa, pottery was generally considered women’s work, although that varied by tribe. The segregation of pottery-making by gender imbued the craft with the superstitions and cultural biases attendant upon the assigned gender. Symbolism and meaning imbued the shapes and designs of these ceramics.

Overall, with no use of a potter's wheel, clay pots were molded into the desired shape, and used mostly for cooking food or storing water.

According to All-About-African-Art.com, the central region of Africa produced pottery with a deep and lustrous finish and the Congolese people used plant-based dyes for color. The Mangbetu people mixed human and animal designs, incorporating clay shaped into beaks as spouts and handles. Potters added other materials for both functionality and beauty, including basketwork covers.

African pottery reflects the diversity of the continent’s many cultures.

The lack of a potter’s wheel affects the pottery. Traditional African pottery is fashioned through coiling and molding techniques passed down through the generations, which yields a certain consistency in design and aesthetics. According to Ceramics and Pottery Arts and Resources, “Terracotta clay is most commonly used, fired in the open, to produce pots of remarkable durability. Their pottery wares embody a refined understanding of material, process, and embellishment that conjures a deceptive simplicity.”

Although terracotta remains the most commonly used material, other clays abound on the vast continent. Clay might be mined from termite hills in Namibia, the banks and beds of streams in the western rainforests, and pits in bare earth in the more arid regions.

A Link Between Art And Earth

Both fragile and durable, African pottery comes in an amazing variety of sizes and shapes and epitomize both art and craft through the merging of aesthetics and utility. The artisans expressing imagination and utility in clay and colored glazes demonstrate the full range of sub-Saharan pottery talent.

Pots, jars, platters, candlesticks, vases, bowls, and more synthesize traditional craftsmanship and regional design influences with sublime creativity. A bird’s beak or a monkey’s tail serves as a handle or spout. Birds, sables, millipedes, and leopards perch, leap, and crawl to combine symbolic meaning with prosaic function and native beauty. The malleability of hand-formed clay allows for more fantastic shapes than a potter’s wheel without the contrived elegance.

African pottery such as featured in the offered by offers connoisseurs of ceramics a vibrant link between artistic beauty and Mother Earth.

Cultures assign meaning to colors. Although silver is a specific metallic element with popular use in jewelry, its very color carries meaning to those who wear it and those who see it. A precious metal, its cool gleam imbues properties of gray and white, softer and brighter than polished steel. Don’t believe that? Put a silver spoon next to a steel spoon. You really can distinguished between them.

According to Bourne Creative, “Silver is believed to be a mirror to the soul, helping us to see ourselves as others see us. As a gemstone silver represents hope, unconditional love, meditation, mystic visions, tenderness, kindness, sensitivities, and psychic abilities.” Its reflective quality, used in mirrors, inspire meanings intuition, clairvoyance, and the occult—and contributed to the historically high cost of mirrors.

Color-Meanings.com builds upon that succinct identification of meaning for silver. Rather than focus solely on an unspecific geography or culture, it distinguishes between ancient and modern, Eastern and Western. In Hinduism, silver is believed to invite widowhood as well as a “deep significance in spirituality or connection with the higher self.” The Urdu term for silver (chandi) also means “soft spoken, eloquent, fluent and argent.”'

Not surprisingly, we mostly associate the color silver often with advanced age if only due to the natural loss of hair color that affects most people. Silver or gray hair and wrinkles confer an assumption of wisdom, insight, perspective, and knowledge acquired over decades of life experience. Color psychology’s perspective attributes traits of respect, courtesy, patience, and dignity—all characteristics often assigned to the elderly—to silver

Western cultures, especially in North America, associate the color silver with the modern. Silver is used to market things that are sleek and sophisticated and masculine. The Japanese also associate silver with masculinity and all things high-tech. Automotive manufacturers know that silver-colored vehicles imbue the desirable trait of high visibility. To the obverse, silver’s frequent and popular pairing with the moon confers a sense of femininity with the historical relation of lunar cycles and female biology. That connotation leads to a sense of fluidity, sensitivity, and mystery, traits often attributed to writers and artists.

Those traits and the association with the moon lead to a sense of the occult and mystical. A witch’s ceremonial knife—an athame—traditionally boasts a blade made of silver. Practitioners of magic use silver bowls and silver candlesticks. The fairies and elves of legend preferred silver, which is said not to tarnish in their mystical realms. Legend has it that paranormal creatures such as werewolves and vampires fear silver, which burns their flesh. Vampire hunters wear heavy silver necklaces and cuffs to deter those killing bites at commonly exposed pulse points.

“Sleek and sophisticated” often extend to “slick and persuasive” when referring to the stereotypical “silver-tongued devil” who deceives with quick talk and flattery. A valuable metal, silver confers a sense of wealth less blatant than gold. Wealthy people may be said to have been born with a silver spoon in their mouths, reminiscent of a time when only the very rich could afford silver eating utensils. Wealth often connotes the perception of glamor.

Whether you like silver for its soft gleam, bright reflection, quiet energy, mystic allusions, or shiny reflection, Zawadee’s offers something that will appeal to both men and women...! 

Crate and Barrel. Ikea. Brylane Home. Wayfair. These familiar names bring to mind just a few of the large outlets for home decor. They offer a dizzying range of products, many of superior quality, to outfit your home. We watch This Old House, Fixer Upper, Property Brothers, Love It or List It, Rehab Addict, and other shows dedicated to home remodeling and home decorating. But none of them offer what really makes a home your home: those truly unique items that express your unique style and personality!

Furniture showrooms and displays serve well for generating ideas, showing how styles, fabrics, patterns, and colors can be mixed such that they complement rather than clash. The cost of well made home furnishings prohibits seasonal swapping. Unless you have money to burn, you likely don’t change out the living room furniture from walnut to wicker when the cold weather turns to summer heat. Therefore, the most popular choices in furniture tend to center upon neutral color and patterns and styles.

Budget and storage limitations make for practical choices when it comes to customizing your home to reflect your personality and taste: drapes, knicknacks, wall art, and rugs. Savvy homeowners haunt thrift stores, garage and moving sales, flea markets, and antique stores to add unusual pieces that fit in with their style. Those may include heirloom pieces of furniture, vintage glassware, and original paintings, and other items. The lucky may even find clean floor cloths and hand-woven rugs still in good shape. The socially and environmentally conscious among us may gravitate toward “reuse, recycle, and repurpose” options and support cottage industry craftsmen rather than international conglomerates.

While kitschy or trendy items may wear thin after a short while, truly stylish objects complement your home regardless of fashion and even add value. What’s even better is finding durable items made from natural materials crafted by a company with a mission of social responsibility. This is offered by Zawadee and hits all right notes for the frugal homeowner in search of one-of-a-kind pieces that express his or her distinct personality: environmental sustainability through recycled materials, ease of care, and affordability.

Because artisans craft each rug in the from 100 percent recycled material, each is unique. Craftsmen combine available colors and materials into woven artwork distinctive enough to hang on the wall in lieu of tapestries or paintings. They’re sized to fit under coffee tables, line a hallway, and frame a special living area whether it’s your in-home office desk and chair or a cozy conversational seating group. They add interest to a neutral environment of off-white, beige, or gray walls while protecting bare feet from cold floors and fragile finishes from scuffs and scrapes. Imagine adding depth and sophistication to a bedroom with. The presence of wall-to-wall carpet does not exclude additional floor coverings that frame space and add color.

In addition to the durability of the materials, the rugs from Zawadee’s  are washable. Being recycled, they won’t shrink either. Choose your preferred color and price to find affordable, handcrafted art that will complement your home decor with the ease and versatility of seasonal updates to take your house from winter to summer.

Can You Believe Christmas Is Almost Here Again?

This time of the year, people around the world are preparing for the holiday, and depending where you live, you may be preparing for a very different celebration than we are used to here in Canada. Christmas, Santa Claus, and holiday celebrations take on many different forms. This is no different in Africa...

How Is Christmas Observed In Africa?

Christmas is celebrated across Africa by the large Christian community (more than 350 million people) that is dispersed throughout the continent. How it is celebrated depends on the country, but there are many similarities to the Christmas we are accustomed to.

Gifts are exchanged, family dinners occur (goat rather than turkey), and it is celebrated on December 25th in most regions, while some celebrate on January 7th. While decorations are also common, you will be hard pressed to find any snow!

How To Say Merry Christmas In Africa

Here is how to say Merry Christmas in a number of regions in Africa:

• In Akan (Ghana) Afishapa
• In Zimbabwe Merry Kisimusi
• In Afrikaans (South Africa) Geseënde Kersfees
• In Zulu (South Africa) Sinifisela Ukhisimusi Omuhle
• In Swazi (Swaziland) Sinifisela Khisimusi Lomuhle
• In Sotho (Lesthoto) Matswalo a Morena a Mabotse
• In Swahili (Tanzania, Kenya) Kuwa na Krismasi njema
• In Amharic (Ethiopia) Melkam Yelidet Beaal
• In Egyptian (Egypt) Colo sana wintom tiebeen
• In Yoruba (Nigeria) E ku odun, e hu iye' dun!

Annual Christmas Pageant In Congo

In Congo, people hold an annual Christmas pageant. Christmas Day begins with carolers walking through the village before Christmas worship that celebrates the birth of Jesus. Everyone who attends services offers up a gift. After the service, people enjoy Christmas dinner, which is held indoors or outdoors with friends and family.

Christmas In South Africa Is A Summer Holiday

Christmas falls in the summer season in South Africa, and most families spend the day at the beach and enjoying a barbecue with their family.

Even without the winter weather, carolers hit the streets on Christmas Eve, services are held Christmas morning, and homes are decorated with pine branches with Christmas fir in the corner, complete with gifts for the kids.

Dinner is often held outside during the day with a more traditional meal, including turkey, mince pies and even plum pudding.

Ghana Celebrates The Cocoa Harvest During Christmas

Christmas falls in line with the cocoa harvest in the region, and homes and churches are decorated to coincide with the first week of Advent. People return home from the farms and fields once harvest is complete to enjoy the fruits of their labor.

In Liberia – Homes Have Oil Palm For A Christmas Tree

Liberian families use oil palm tree for a Christmas tree, however, they are decorated with bells. Caroler’s awake residents on Christmas morning and practical presents are exchanged, such as cotton, soap, and sweets. Dinner is commonly served outdoors with beef, rice, and biscuits. The day is capped off with fireworks at night!

Ganna – Ethiopian Christmas

Known as Ganna, Ethiopian Christmas is celebrated on January 7^th. The celebration occurs in ancient churches, with men sitting separately from women. People receive candles as they enter the church, and worshipers walk around the church three times, a ceremony that often lasts about three hours.

Injera, sourdough pancake bread, is a staple, as is okra soup, rice, beef and biscuits for Christmas dinner.

Free Shipping Until December 31st

Still looking for gift ideas? Just a quick reminder that we are extending free shipping* from now until December 31st. Bring a piece of Africa home this holiday season, and give a friend or family member a unique and memorable

Reticule. Purse. Handbag. The terms basically mean the same thing and each serves the same basic purpose: to hold stuff. However, these practical accessories also fulfill other purposes as accompaniments to fashion, status symbols, and organizational aids. Zawadee offers the of fine leather handbags that hits the multiple purposes today’s women expect from their practical accessories!

Handbag History

Before the Middle Ages, men and women carried bags and purses because clothing didn’t come with integrated pockets. In the 16th century, tailors introduced pockets to men’s clothing. Women attached pockets separately underneath their skirts, but access proved a bit inconvenient. Thus, purses evolved into a feminine accessory in which ladies carried small utensils, keys, money, and sewing tools.

Early purses basically took the form of a bag dangling from a strap or cord. Usually made of fabric or leather, handbag materials, shapes, and designs changed with the introduction of papier-mâché, iron and polished steel in the 19th century.

The 20th century brought new mobilization to the population, which necessitated the practical need to tote a variety of items between work and home and special events. Purses changed to meet those needs, from beaded clutches just large enough to carry a comb, keys, lipstick, and a little bit of money to portfolios that held notebooks, folders, books, and other business-oriented materials. The need to organize contents took high priority. The 20th century also applied the status symbol of branding with fashion houses from Chanel to Vera Wang, and others jumping on the bandwagon to take advantage of this niche market and commanding top prices for their fashionable accessories. 

A Bag to Match Your Need

Because handbags need to meet a variety of needs, they come in a variety of sizes, styles, and materials. Best combining durability and style, Zawadee offers bags made from Egyptian leather. Soft and tough, luxurious to the touch, sized and shaped to suit the need, these bags take you from the office to the shopping mall. The Ladysmith handbag features a classic shape with a roomy zippered pocket—zippered for security. The zipper keeps everything inside the bag and deters sneaky pickpockets from slipping their sticky fingers where they can reach your valuables.

Features a “flap-over” style which protects the bag’s contents from both sticky fingers and the elements. A handsome brass clasp secures the flap to keep contents in place. The messenger bag includes divided compartments, a large exterior pocket, and a zippered interior pocket for efficient organization of contents—no more digging in the bottom of your purse to find your keys or wallet. The wide leather strap slides over the shoulder for easy carrying.

When a purse just isn't large enough, this bag allows storage for your e-reader, a small laptop, folders, notebooks, and more. Like the messenger bag, but larger, it has a place for everything for efficient access and organization. This briefcase, designed for busy business travelers in particular, features a luggage suspension strap to secure the bag to other pieces of luggage and a wide, adjustable-length carrying strap for comfort.

Women’s clothing seldom includes functional pockets, so women, especially, continue to carry handbags. Zawadee has you covered with practical, fashionable options that enable you to carry what you need with style.