In the 20th century, handbags reoriented their purpose from being a practical necessity to a fashion symbol of their wearer. Many women have an inexplicable love and desire to collect handbags, such as Queen Elizabeth II, who never stepped out without her signature Launer handbag.
Actor and singer, Jane Birkin’s name, has become synonymous with the iconic Hermés bag, which was also a favourite of our infamous former First Lady. For such women, The Private Collection of Vintage Bags by StrangebutCool in Penang is undoubtedly a glimpse into the Garden of Eden.
Image Credit: Provided to Rojak DailyOver 300 vintage 20th-century handbags are displayed in a heritage shophouse in Georgetown alongside StrangebutCool’s fashion atelier. Over 83 labels from Europe and the US allow a glimpse into fashion from the days when design was more emphasised over functionality. The handbags span two floors of the shophouse, with representative brands such as Chanel, Dior, and Gucci, along with vanished brands such as Majestic, Dorset Rex, and Evans. Rojak Daily visited StrangebutCool for an exclusive look at the collection and to interview its founder, Tina Lim.
A fashionista from young
Left: Tina’s mother, Right: StrangebutCool in Bali. Image Credit: StrangebutCoolTina, a Singaporean, grew up in a household where her grandmother and mother, who hailed from Shanghai, were always elegantly attired in mink coats, long dresses, and silk. Tina’s mother fostered her love for collecting fashion items from the age of 12, starting with jewellery and watches and her greatest love: handbags. Her first luxury bag was from Chanel.
Despite not having a fashion education background, the 62-year-old naturally went to work in fashion with brands such as Chanel, Donna Karan, and Giorgio Armani. She also formerly held the position of Division Director of Regional Training and Development at Dior. This led Tina to start her own fashion brand in 1999, StrangebutCool, which has its roots in Singapore and Bali and is finally planting itself in Penang.
Women don’t want flowers, they want a handbag
Image Credit: Provided to Rojak DailyAs Tina says, a strange metaphorical umbilical cord exists between women and handbags. Initially displayed in Bali, the collection proved hugely popular with local and foreign women. It has now been relocated to Penang, where Tina resides.
The collection claims to be ‘The Largest Showing of Vintage Bags in the World’, but one may wonder, “Is it truly the largest? A place in Penang?”. However, Tina says that after conducting research and enquiring through experts in the vintage world, it is the only one on display (someone else might have their own secret private collection that hasn’t been publicised, so who knows). There used to be two competitors, including one in Amsterdam, but these shuttered during Covid-19.
The handbags, knapsacks, clutches, totes, and more in various shapes and forms hailing from multiple decades are beyond what one expects from typical handbags. Here, you’ll find bags in the form of creatures such as a dog, a frog, and even a pickle. These are also created from materials such as acacia wood, wicker, wool felt, burlap canvas, basket reeds, satin, gold, brass, lucite, and mother of pearl. The bags are also the result of various techniques, such as brass wearing and chain-link mesh.
Image Credit: Provided to Rojak DailyYou’ll even encounter a handbag that doubles as a fully functional telephone (Lady Gaga carried a similar one), one with a built-in watch, and one that is an antique iPod that emanates music.
The space has also been painstakingly decorated with items like a bona fide Bohemian chandelier and quotes from fashion Maisons. In fact, although I only expected to spend half an hour looking at the space, I found myself getting lost in the history and detail behind each piece. One of the most fascinating clutches for me was one with a built-in mirror, lipstick and coin holder, comb, and even a powder puff!
Getting her hands on handbags
Image Credit: Provided to Rojak DailyAs Tina emphasises, it is not a museum but a collection. These were purchased through live auctions back in the day when the internet wasn’t widely used. Substantial efforts were needed to procure the bags, including appointing dealers, visiting liquidation sales, and attending trade shows, which you need a specified business to enter.
Tina has gone to great lengths to collect the exclusive bags, including taking flights to London, Paris, Berlin, and New York, which were key places to obtain the bags. However, one needs a trained eye to recognise the bags' actual value, especially when dealing with unconventional brands.
These bags are valued at five figures in USD, including Chanel bags dating before 2008, which are 24K gold plated. Although Tina could not reveal the total value of her collection, she said that they probably equated to the price of a heritage house *gasps*.
High maintenance bags
Image Credit: Provided to Rojak Daily
To keep the bags pristine, these are cleaned multiple times with various techniques, placed in the morning sun, photographed, and given SKU numbers. These treasures are then stored in a 100% cotton dust bag (it can’t be synthetic) in a dehumidified room at a specific temperature of 23°C.
As Tina explains, the bags must be regularly maintained throughout the year, which is a never-ending job. Besides the over 300 bags on display, Tina has another 100 or so bags in her private archives.
Everything is a little strange but always cool here
Image Credit: StrangebutCool, Provided to Rojak Daily
Besides the handbag collection, which requires a ticket, the fashion atelier StrangebutCool is open to anyone. They pride themselves on creating unexpected beauty out of unique designs and materials, all manufactured and designed in a studio in Bali. One such textile is created using traditional techniques such as batik dyeing and combined with shibori, a Japanese manual tie-dyeing technique.
This includes batik coats handcrafted in Bali, art jewellery, and luxury soaps. They also have a label called Conscious Change, which uses items such as Johnnie Walker bottles cut into glasses and 3-in-1 packets woven into bags. As Tina explains, the idea of StrangebutCool is that you don’t need a long time to get ready; you just put everything together, and it works.
I left with a heightened appreciation for the bags, which were surely gorgeous. Some were strange, but all cool!
More details
The collection and store will open on May 24. Tickets are RM100 for Malaysian citizens and PRs and RM130 for foreigners. Children must be 16 years old and above to enter. Get tickets to the collection here.
Visit StrangebutCool’s website or follow them on Instagram.
Address: 3 Lebuh Klang, 10200 Georgetown, Penang
Opening Hours: 11:00 am – 7:00 pm (Last entry at 6:00 pm, Closed on Mondays)
Featured Image Credit: Provided to Rojak Daily
