October 30, 2008
post written by Bag Bliss blogger: Marissa
James Piatt, the creative handbag designer
When I first volunteered to write about James Piatt, I must admit I had no idea who he was or that he was a designer. While browsing the handbags on Mr. Piatt’s website I was appalled but also very intrigued. His handbags were very different and nothing that I have ever seen before. To make it short, James Piatt’s handbags are very unique all on their own.

James Piatt has been designing handbags for the past 4 years in Los Angeles, California and it’s no surprise that, in his own words, he is most recognized for “creating controversial work.” Mr. Piatt created and designed his first handbag in 2004 as a gift. The unique handbag was called the Peacekeeper and it is still being produced today. The latest version of the Peacekeeper is called the Peacekeeper 400, and it may just make your jaw drop. The Peacekeeper 400 does not have a strap for you carry on your shoulder or handles for you to carry it with your hand. The handle on the Peacekeeper 400 is brass knuckles. When I think of brass knuckles gangs, and someone very violent comes to mind, so to see brass knuckles on a handbag is very different but also very unique. When was the last time you can say you saw brass knuckles on a handbag, never I’m sure. Mr. Piatt told us his reasoning for putting brass knuckles on a handbag was because, “He felt it was unexpected” and indeed was he right.

The Peacekeeper 400 is not the only bag James Piatt has designed. Other names of Mr. Piatt’s handbag collection include: The Persuader; Chesterton; and lastly Tinkerbell. The most shocking of them all in the handbag named Tinkerbell, which was inspired by the way Paris Hilton treats her pets. To me the handbag looks like you are carrying a dead dog, but there is more of a message to this handbag. “This design capitalizes on the trend of carrying a small dog as a fashion accessory”, which was quoted straight from Mr. Piatt’s website. When you read the actual message for the handbag, you realize that it is actually quite humorous. The other handbags in Mr. Piatt’s collection are also very unique. The Persuader mimics a machine-gun, and the Chesterton is a roomy handbag that has no stitching and was constructed by interlocking laser cut leather. If you have an artistic and unique way of thinking you will definitely be craving one of James Piatt’s handbags.

Overall, James Piatt is a very creative and unique handbag designer. Mr. Piatt’s handbags are the kinds of bags that you will either love or loathe them. The Tinkerbell handbag may be a little overwhelming at first but, once you realize the real message of the handbag, it’s quite the hilarity. Mr. Piatt’s other handbags are just as unique. The Peacekeeper 400, Persuader, and Chesterton all have their own style and are very different from each other. Like them, or hate them there is no doubt that if you carry one of these handbags all eyes will be fixated on you.

Here is a look of the James Piatt handbags:
All photo’s courtesy of James Piatt
The Peacekeeper 400 (available in Black and Red)

The Pursuader (available in Pink and Silver)

The Chesterton (available in Black and Pink)

The Tinkerbell (available in Black)

Chat Now: James Piatt, the creative handbag designer