Saben’s new collections exclusive Air NZ cabin bag

Arrival of Saben’s new collections and an exclusive Air New Zealand cabin bag

Showing for the first time at Air New Zealand Fashion Week 2004 is Saben’s new range of travel luggage inspired by the glamour and mystique of old-fashioned air travel.

The Stellar collection by Saben is a tribute to the proud heritage of the event’s new naming rights sponsor Air New Zealand, which has also commissioned Saben to create a limited edition cabin bag.

Designer Roanne Jacobson says the Saben brand has always been based on a romantic, old-fashioned idea of bag design, with a 21st century twist.

“I make handbags like those I imagine my grandmother used to have, but updated with modern fabrics and construction techniques. So, when it came to doing a range of luggage, it seemed only natural to draw my inspiration from the past.”

It is called the Stellar collection, because the pieces are made out of fabric with a quirky airplane snowflake pattern that is just perfect for winter. There are six individual designs – a cabin handbag, two cabin bags, two kit bags and a rig bag – which will all be available to discerning travellers in early 2005.

Just 50 of the limited edition, individually monogrammed cabin bags have been made for the Air New Zealand – and will be gifted to a select group of local and international VIPs. The gorgeous personalised item with its clever Air New Zealand teal green aeroplane snowflake pattern is as fresh as they come and proves that aviation and fashion really do mix!

The limited edition Air New Zealand cabin bag follows the success of other limited edition bags by Saben including the hand-pokered wood veneer handbags launched at Air New Zealand Fashion Week in 2002 and the limited edition comic book bag which was a hit with international VIPs and media as the event last year.

Roanne’s focus on the adventure and allure of air travel in the first half of the 20th century seems particularly timely. Fashion sets the trends that are then picked up by other forms of popular culture. It is no coincidence that next year sees the release of the new Martin Scorsese movie “The Aviator”, starring Leonardo di Caprio as the unique film maker and aviation entrepreneur Howard Hughes. Those in the know are already picking the movie as a sure-thing at the Oscars.

Saben’s Winter 2005 collection also includes the Departures range – inspired by designer Roanne’s honeymoon in Bali earlier this year.

Roanne returned to Indonesia for a second time in July, and the new Departures reflects her time overseas – delivering an eclectic and international range that demonstrates a new level of creative maturity and business evolution.

“Putting together this handbag collection was an unrestrained creative experience, as I let my arts-and-crafts sensibilities run wild,” Roanne says.

With its rich earthy colours, generous pockets, hand-plaited leathers and oversized fittings this range has both a touch of country and a little bit of rock and roll. Yee hah!

Saben gratefully acknowledges the support of Air New Zealand, Deutz and Stella Artois.

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