Elaine Arsenault
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Neighborhood: East Village Type of Place: Handbags Description: It isn't easy to sum up Elaine Arsenault's handbag designs. They're stylish for sure, but they're never over the top. They're chic, but you wouldn't call them trendy. They're classic but not at all commonplace, and they're practical, but they aren't dull. They've got subtle but eye-catching fabrics and elegant lines, in colors that are interesting without being overpowering. We know "intelligent" might sound like an odd description for handbags, but in the case of Arsenault's work, it's an apt one. Arsenault has been a handbag designer for almost 13 years; this summer will mark her fourth anniversary in her East Village shop. She makes the bags by hand, in carefully chosen materials—"I have to like it in order to work with it," she explains. "A certain pattern or color can be very popular, but if it's not right for me, I won't use it." Her prices range from $35 for a fabric clutch to $210 for a large bag in two materials. For spring, we especially loved her designs in an olive-toned gold metallic; a uncluttered burnt-orange-and-pale-gold pattern; and a robin's egg blue fabric with flowers delicately outlined in light purple embroidery. In an age when too many women—and, increasingly, men also—seem to hope that the designer logos blaring from their accessories will say something about them to the world, it's beyond refreshing to discover Arsenault's thoughtful and well-made creations—handbags for women who are more than comfortable defining, and speaking for, themselves. - Pamela Grossman; March 8, 2005
Elaine Arsenault 305 East 9th St. New York, NY (212) 228-3251 http://www.elainearsenault.com Map Subway
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