new year = new bag (Anna Kreeger’s M. Hulot)

Last week I was early for a meeting. So I decided I was fully entitled to a mooch.  Now, before those (particularly Lady Y) who have previously swallowed the Oxford English Dictionary raise their brows, I have just looked up the verb – to mooch – and it absolutely exists.  A certainly curly-haired university friend first introduced me to the concept of MOOCHING.  She’d call me and ask me if I fancied a mooch.  I was, understandably, a little concerned at first but soon realised that she simply meant to wander aimlessly up and down a busy high street.  Anyway, last week I mooched along Marylebone Lane.

KJ’s Laundry on Marylebone Lane

And while in KJ’s Laundry, one of my favourite little boutiques, I mooched right into a classic, urban-cool bag designed by Anna Kreeger, founder of M. Hulot.  Cross-body, snappy-zips with fine, soft, natural leather – it quite literally stopped me in my tracks (do you like the drama?).  Always on the hunt for up-and-coming labels, I quickly took a pic of the bag and, with Miss Marple detective skillks, managed to contact the designer herself.

a selection of bags at KJ’s Laundry

Having worked for all the big brands and retailers (from Browns and M&S to Jigaw and Clarks), Anna launched M. Hulot last Autumn in direct response to the throw away culture of high street fashion. Her designs are minimalistic yet feminine and are made out of the most scrumptious leather.

Here is my interview with my newest bag lady:

Do you come from an entrepreneurial family?  No. My dad’s a vicar and My mum’s a teacher! They don’t know the industry and business AT ALL, but are very supportive!

Are you a leather snob?  Yes, I am now! I have always been obsessed by materials and texture, and working with leather goods has made me even more so.

What’s in your handbag?  I try to travel light as much as possible, so not much on an everyday basis: wallet, diary, minimal make up, business cards and a book!

a classic Jas MB

Which handbag designers do you admire?  I gravitate to designers such as Jas MB and Ally Capellino for their beautiful simplicity, practicality and quality.  For super luxury I adore Celine, Reed Krakoff and Jil Sander.

Where do you shop (for clothes)? I shop at Cos and Uniqlo on the high street, but if I’m looking for something different I head to Hub in Stoke Newington, YMC or my friend Tash’s vintage store on Broadway market, Hackney.

Where would you love to see M. Hulot stocked? Darkroom, one of my dream stockists, have just bought my Strapped Howe clutches for next season so that’s one ticked off already!  I would also love to be stocked at Liberty, Barneys, New York and Merci Paris.

Anna and I met back at KJ’s Laundry to discuss bags

Best book ever written? Don’t know about ‘best ever’ but love so many of Murakami’s books and have particular affection for The Glass Palace by Amitav Ghosh – the only book I’ve ever read twice.

Social media or local pub? Definitely local pub – one of life’s small pleasures!

Fav winter boots? I treated myself to a pair of Chloe boots a few years ago now, when I first reaped the rewards of a freelance wage.

the Wheeler bag I fell for modelled by the designer herself

Where would we find you taking some time out? Having a walk around Alexandra Palace park (just behind my flat) and enjoying the views over London or meeting friends in Hackney.

Who would you love to wear your bags? The ultimate compliment would be to see the fashion editors wearing them.

What does M. Hulot have in store for us for next season? A large and grown-up bowling bag, a fresh take on a bucket shape, a small cross body bag that can also be worn as a clutch and lots and lots of colour!

Garrard clutch

COMPETITION:  M Hulot is generously giving away a Garrard clutch in tortora/avocado (£150) as a perfect new year/new bag prize. To enter this competition all you have to do is sign up to my blog (top right of homepage) and leave a Facebook or blog comment telling me what, in your opinion, makes a perfect bag.  The lucky winner will be selected randomly on 1st Jan 2013.