ā€œLa Hordeā€ N° CO-198

A handbag made of metallic leather with an iridescent red satin lining.

823€ 969€

  • 14h of careful labor
  • 80% repurposed materials

"Cogitations" Range / Collection Wearable Art A work of art you can wear – what a privilege. A bag that moves forward and takes you along.

Its story

It took me 46 years to fully embrace being an Artist. This came through deep reflection on the concept of Art itself, which in turn led me to launch the ā€œWearable Artā€ triptych to give it a fresh outlook.
This process resulted in a new vision: less academic, more accessible and personal—where artworks are worn, creased, and live alongside us.

To bring this to life, I chose to interpret three great classical disciplines: painting, sculpture, and music.
ā€œLa Hordeā€ is the second piece, representing sculpture as an homage to Giacometti’s ā€œL’Homme qui marche,ā€ a work that also recalls the novel ā€œLa Horde du Contreventā€ by Alain Damasio, which inspired its name – allowing me to honor yet another major art form!

I knew I wouldn’t find an existing pattern for this, so I sketched and built small paper models until satisfied. Then I scaled up my miniature pattern and tested it using premium faux-leather scraps destined to leave the studio. After a few adjustments, I was ready for the real thing.
Next came the leather. I wanted something textured, metallic, slightly raw—like the original sculpture. This remnant from a fellow artisan’s workshop sorting was exactly what I needed. Since it was a bit small, I complemented the base with leather salvaged from a damaged bag I had purchased and taken apart for its leather and hardware—perfect in both color and texture. I also reused the zipper and one of the handles.
For the lining, to keep the ā€œred threadā€ running through this collection, I chose an upcycled synthetic satin bought from a seamstress.

That’s how I’m pleased to present this very chic and original handbag. It may not be perfect, but it is bold and full of character.

Caracteristics

  • Type: Handbag ;
  • Model: Contrevent ;
  • Dimensions: 31x27-35x6cm ;
  • Original shape ;
  • Compact yet practical size ;
  • Metal zipper closure on the back ;
  • Carried by hand with its riveted handle.

Materials

  • Exterior: salvaged leather ;
  • Lining: upcycled synthetic satin (100% polyester?) ;
  • Interfacing: EasyFoam, Texon.

This piece is based on the "Contrevent" pattern by Marie Alhomme.

Care, Shipping & Warranty

Care

Take good care of your piece: keep it away from direct light and humidity to preserve its colours, and stuff it rather than flatten it so it keeps its shape.
Care instructions specific to its materials are included on the ID card shipped with it.

Shipping

Shipped within 24 hours (except weekends).
With tracking and insurance, worldwide.
Free in France.
Would you rather collect your piece from the workshop (Saint-Just-Saint-Rambert, France) than have it shipped? Contact me before placing your order.

Warranty

14 days money-back guarantee,
2-year legal conformity warranty.
Learn more about your rights.

Near Perfect?

This first version—almost a prototype—has a few beginner’s flaws on the top near the final closure. Nothing very visible or compromising in terms of strength, but the result isn’t quite up to my usual standards.


Your testimonials

This bag is a work of art 🤩
Marie is an artist; she waits for the fabrics to speak to her, searches for the perfect color harmony, has an eye for extreme detail, and transforms luxury industry waste into unique pieces!
Thank you for your work, Marie ā¤ļøšŸ’™

Brindille D.-J.

THE BAG, WHAT TO SAY. Mind blown.
Finishes carefully considered at every stitch.
Lightweight, sturdy, very good quality materials, colors chosen with care and taste, everything is crafted with applied expertise, I love it.
It’s my first bag and surely not the last!

Irina R.

My bag is amazing, it’s a marvel of craftsmanship and inspiration. I never leave it, and it’s very practical and holds a lot of things. I love it.

MichĆØle L.

Common questions

My package is lost/I haven't received my order… what should I do?

Contact me as soon as possible via hello@marie-alhomme.com or by phone at +33(0)661356222.

What are the payment methods and conditions?

Payment can be made in several ways:

  • Right away on the website, by credit card or PayPal: your order will be shipped immediately ;
  • In 4 installments with PayPal (on the website, subject to acceptance by PayPal): at no additional cost to you, and your order will be shipped immediately ;
  • Deferred payment by bank transfer (with direct contact according to your preferences): your order will only be shipped upon receipt of the full payment.
Where/How are they made?

I make all my products in my workshop in the city of St Just St Rambert in the Loire department (42). I use several machines depending on needs: a professional sewing machine, an industrial sewing machine, a serger, a press (for eyelets, rivets, etc.), an iron press, and a motorized skiver.

I carefully choose my technical supplies (interfacings, hardware, etc.) and some innovative materials (such as cotton-backed cork or silicon faux leather) from trusted suppliers.

My other fabrics and materials are mostly upcycled and come from renowned babywearing brands, dormant stocks from Haute-Couture/High-End houses (clothing and furnishings), scraps from High-End leather goods houses, as well as ā€œsecondsā€ from specialized boutiques (especially for faux leather) or from personal collections found at flea markets or on specialized second-hand websites.

Find out more about this on the Soulful Values page.

Do I need to register to make purchases on the online store?

It's not necessary to have an account to place an order on this website.

I have more questions

This is all lovely,
but do you want something that's just yours?

Discover the bespoke service: from the idea in your head to the piece in your hands, made from your sentimental fabrics, shaped around your wishes, needs, budget, and timeline.

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After ordering a bag from stock, Charlotte realized it would be too small. I offered to make her a custom, larger version, and she sent me her baby wrap to transform.

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When Muriel discovered my custom sentimental-making service after walking into the studio during my 'Studio Clear-Out' sale, she asked me to help her enjoy her favorite bag of the last 30 years all over again...

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