“Empereurs”  CO-166

A small handbag made of babywearing wrap scraps showing puffins in stylized waves in black, white and orange tones, and black faux leather.

"Intuitions" Range / Theme Nature Despite showcasing toddling puffins, there's nothing gauche about this small handbag, only cuteness, chic and practicality. Play peekaboo with the beasties and admire the matte black hardware subtly picking up the pattern and materials.

Its story

“Empereurs” (Puffins) are notoriously cute bumbling creatures, but they're also a rather highly-sought-after pattern from babywearing wrap makers Oscha Slings hailing from Scotland. So when I was lucky enough to score a small scrap I knew I'd have to find a special pattern to showcase it, the parts with animals being small and scarce.

The Lina Cross Body Purse pattern is one I grabbed after I discovered and tried my first Oro Rosa pattern, how good they look and how well they're designed. It's the little sister of the “Envolée” shoulder bag and share its overall shape and satisfying practicality. It reminded me of a treasure chest, keeping precious belongings safe.

With its peekaboo sides and smallish dimensions, it was perfect for that scrap and once paired with reclaimed black faux leather and matte black hardware, it revealed its full potential.
A chic, small yet serviceable bag with a secure closing, pockets galore, versatile with its dual carry (hand or crossbody).

Caracteristics

  • Type: Handbag ;
  • Model: Trésor ;
  • Dimensions: 23x24x9cm ;
  • very compact and structured ;
  • surprisingly spacious storage space ;
  • inside, a zippered pocket, 6 cards slots and 2 slip pockets ;
  • closure with a metal latch bar ;
  • can be hand-carried with its two handles, or crossbody with its metal chain.

Materials

  • Exterior: Oscha Slings babywearing wrap fabric “Puffins - Fair Isle” (100% organic combed cotton) and reclaimed faux leather (composition unknown) ;
  • Interior: 100% cotton poplin ;
  • Interfacing: 100% cotton interfacing, Decovil Light (42% polyester - 35% viscose - 23% polyamide), Decovil Heavy (42% polyester - 35% viscose - 23% polyamide) and Jeffitex (100% polyester).

This piece is based on the "Lina Cross Body Purse" pattern by Oro Rosa Patterns.

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.


Your testimonials are
my guiding thread

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 ❤️💙

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.

Michèle L.
  • Exalt
    your stories

    Bring your memories and
    original ideas to life
    through my exclusive and
    custom creations.

  • Become
    inimitable

    Break free from standardized
    and industrialized fashion,
    find accessories that
    reflect your personality.

  • Embody
    your values

    Celebrate French Artisanal Craftsmanship,
    encourage slow and virtuous fashion
    that gives a second chance
    to materials rich in stories.

Discover my values

Would you prefer a fashion or home decor item that reflects who you are?
Discover my custom service!

From the idea in your mind to the finished piece in your hands, a co-creation process designed to honor your memories and your identity.
Fashion and home decor items made from your sentimental fabrics, crafted according to your wishes, needs, budget, and timeline.

Charlotte’s baby wrap

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.

Discover their story

Before
After

Muriel's small birds and jacket

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...

Discover their story

Before
After

Browse the designs I have my idea

Common questions

Is it possible to order a custom piece?
In addition to the original creations offered on the website and created on inspiration, I offer an on-demand solution to create pieces that match your emotions, designs that reflect you. To achieve this, I've created the Bespoke Service.

Through this service, I offer to create a piece that reflects you, using your sentimental fabrics, fabrics from my stock, or even fabrics I find specifically for you. My creativity and expertise, combined with your imagination, have no limits.

  1. First Contact
  2. Defining Project
  3. Estimate & Order
  4. Crafting the Magic
  5. Delivery & Wonder
  1. Shoot me an e-mail or use the appointment request form to book a visio call, during which we will discuss all the parameters of your project.
  2. I will then work on a detailed personalized offer for the entire process. and send you a quote.
  3. Once the quote is accepted, I will send you a final invoice that you can pay in three installments via bank transfer: 40% non-refundable deposit ; 30% work-start installement ; 30% balance right before shipping.
  4. I'll then start working my magic to craft your very own custom creation. Depending on your wishes, I will update you with pics and videos through the whole process... or keep the secret until you open your package!
  5. Finally, it's time for me to ship your tracked and insured package, and for you to eagerly stalk it until you can at long last marvel at unboxing it :)
Can I change my delivery address?
It is sometimes possible to change a delivery address as long as the order has not been shipped. To do so, please contact me as soon as possible via hello@marie-alhomme.com or by phone at +33(0)661356222.

Once your order has been shipped, it is no longer possible to make changes. In that case, you will need to contact the selected carrier as soon as possible (but with no guarantee of results).

Where do the fabrics and leathers used in Studio Créatif pieces come from?

As a rule, these are never the fabrics you entrust to me for a bespoke piece: those remain yours alone. The only exception: sometimes a client explicitly gives me her offcuts and asks me to find them a new life elsewhere. In that specific case, and only with her agreement, they may end up in a Studio Créatif creation.

Outside of these particular cases, Studio Créatif pieces come from my own research: rescued leathers, fabrics found at flea markets or second-hand, dormant stocks from luxury houses, offcuts from high-end leather goods... I choose and combine them following my inspiration of the moment, with no specific order behind them.

Find out more about my materials on the Soulful Values page.

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 manual 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 "seconds" 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.

All your questions