1. Tell us about the story and inspiration behind Play Purse.
When I was little I only ever wanted to go to the gift shop, never the actual museum. And when I was six I stole a Troll Doll from someone at school and told my mum that I had found it at the bottom of my bed when I woke up in the morning. She seemed to believe me. I was totally drawn to novelties and souvenirs, vending machine toys and cracker prizes. That aesthetic has stayed with me and has been the inspiration behind Play Purse.
Play Purse started off as No. 5 in an ongoing design collection called Item No (itemno.co.uk) but broke off as its own project. Item No. 4 is a watch-strap style leather cuff printed with the picture of a toy watch and was the precursor to Play Purse. The watch was among my collection of toy novelties underneath a pile of beaded toy purses.
2. What made you decide to reinvent the Play Purse for grown ups?
Probably because I wanted to have one myself!
3. What’s your most treasured possession?
4. You’ve kept the quality and production process of Play Purse true to the originals. Tell us more about what that entails.
I spent a lot of time buying all the beaded toy purses I could find on Etsy and Ebay etc, I have a quite a large collection now which I use as reference for patterns, colours, fabrics and design inspiration. Maybe I should open a museum! Play Purse took about 18 months of development angst, to-ing and fro-ing samples from the manufacturer. The oval shape beads didn’t exist so a mould had to be made, the fabric was not in fashion and was really hard to find. Although some toy purses can still be found in a handful of sweetshops I think it has been at least 10 years since they were actually manufactured.
5. What’s the strangest thing you have in your Play Purse?
A 1960’s Christmas cracker toy.
6. Tell us something about yourself that might surprise people.
I’ve got a book coming out!
I co-wrote and designed a children’s book to be published in September 2015 by Thames and Hudson, called I Can Make Dolls Clothes. It’s a book of easy to follow designs and patterns to make fashionably cool dolls clothes and accessories.
7. Why do you think people are so drawn to kitsch? Are we all ‘big kids’ these days?
The description of something as kitsch is sometimes dismissive, or considered as bad taste so I don’t really like that word. I am interested in design with a story or twist, something that can be emotive rather. One of my favourite quotes is from Miuccia Prada: “Nostalgia is a very complicated subject for me. I’m attracted by nostalgia but I refuse it intellectually”.
8. What 5 things can’t you live without?
1. Instagram – it is totally addictive and has been really instrumental in growing interest in Play Purse
2. PG Tips
3. Avocados
4. Cool socks. Especially with heels or sandals.
5. Pantone 805c – it’s in between orange and red and is a little bit fluoro.
9. Which style icon would you most like to see carrying a Play Purse?
Solange Knowles, I love her quirky style.
10. What’s next for Play Purse, are there any areas you’re hoping to explore further?
Play Purse is growing up even more. The next collection includes an even bigger size and one with a strap. Funnily enough, a lot of people have asked if I’m going to make the small toy size, so they are going to come back to life too. Then I will have provided myself with my own childhood fantasy of having a never ending supply of novelty knick-knacks…
Georgia Vaux
Chloë Owens & Badger
Phoebe
July 13, 2015
I adored these as a child along with the plastic pretend high heel shoes I always remember the little beads falling off though! Would love to have one as an adult, can’t beat a little bit of fun popped into your bag!
Belinda
July 13, 2015
This is such a flashback to my childhood!! I’d love to win a play purse — just seeing these pics brings back memories of playing with my dolls, corduroy pants, socks with sandals, reading my little golden books and watching the magic roundabout on tv. Trips to the shops and buying gumball machine trinkets. Thats my 70s and 80s childhood right there in a colourful zippered purse!
Jaki Buscall
July 13, 2015
Hi… Am absolutely loving these purses!! I still have my original ones from when I was little.. And I have found a sunglasses case to!! Would live to win one to go with all my retro outfits!! : ) Jaki x
Kirsty
July 13, 2015
I have been lusting after a Play Purse since I first spotted them online. I dropped B’day pressie buying hints and kept my fingers crossed but it passed without a play purse in sight. Maybe I’ll get lucky with this comp – Kirsty Hillyer
Michaela
July 13, 2015
I’d love a Play Purse ! To replace the mint green original that my fox terrier Spot chewed and chewed on – back in the early 90s
Maddie Clark
July 13, 2015
I love everything about this purse; as soon as I saw it, it took my right back to being a little girl with my dolls and teddies, role playing going to the shops or going out for lunch! I used to keep all sorts of random paraphernalia in my purses – beads, polly pockets, jewellery, hair clips! I’m going to go off to my parents house now and see if I can find any of my old play purses to give to my baby girl when she’s a bit older! Xxx
Michelle Grady
July 13, 2015
These are so fun! It would be so exciting to win one – I think I may even have my childhood play purse in a draw somewhere!
Louise Tyler
July 13, 2015
At school in the 70’s (yes I am that old!) I always wanted a play purse , I coveted the cute colours and sweet like beads that decorated the surface .Sadly for me, while my friends were busily colour coordinating their play purses with their platform sandals and hotpants I was stomping around in handknitted jumpers, kilts and plaits in a look reminiscent of circa 1940, grumpily clutching the sensible satchel that my mum made me use. I am so happy that these little bags of play purse goodness are now getting the full appreciation they deserve and I would love to win one of them please.
(By the way I no longer wear kilts, plaits and lumpy knitwear and even though I love a bit of nostalgia my hotpant years are long gone though I do occasionally rock a platform sandal !)
Pamela Gossage
July 13, 2015
My granddaughter would love this
Rich Tyler
July 13, 2015
Would make someone I know very happy & out big smile on their face 🙂
leanne weir
July 13, 2015
i would love to win this
Pippa Akram
July 13, 2015
Because I’m essentially a big kid at heart and I loved my little play purses as a child and now I’m an adult I want a big one!!!!
Jodie Moss
July 13, 2015
These are just wonderful! Used to have loads of these when I was little! A brilliant idea!
Jodie Moss
Lisa Evans
July 13, 2015
I love these purses, I’m a big fan of bright colours and my daughter would adore it!!
Greg
July 13, 2015
Because this would be a brilliant surprise for my lovely girlfriend!
Claire
July 13, 2015
I would love to win a Play Purse. I love wearing things that are a little different and this would be the perfect addition to my wardrobe x
Frances Hewitt
July 13, 2015
I just love the way they remind you of being a child, owning your own play purse; even if it was tempting to pick off all the beads! 🙂 Frances
Jo J
July 14, 2015
Like almost everyone here I’d like to win a play purse because of the childhood nostalgia. I owned a few of the little beaded purses as a kid in the late 70s and early 80s. The beads always fell off! But I loved them so much and this up-scaled adult version is fantastic!
Clare H
July 14, 2015
I absolutely love the colours and it reminds me of my childhood!
Charles Moore
July 14, 2015
I’d love to win as my girlfriend would absolutely love this!
Bianca prince
July 15, 2015
I would love to win one of these because they are totally amazing and they would complete my Bestival Summer of love outfit
It’s a fantastic product- so intrigued by the new range!
Xxx
Susan
July 15, 2015
I still have a little yellow purse with rainbow-shiny beads from when I was a kid in the early 80s. Not quite the same as these beaded purses of days past, but the closest thing I ever had. I love it! I’d absolutely love a ‘grown-up’ version, because I’m really just a big kid.
Marina Stefic
July 15, 2015
Hi:)
I would like to win the play purse because I have been drooling over the cutest photos of these purses on their instagram account (@playpurse) for months. Unfortunately, I can’t afford it because I’m just a medical student with no income. Also, recently I got for my birthday a beautiful sunjellies tote bag and I think the play purse would go perfectly with my tote, something like a retro romance (I love the 60s, 70s and a bit of 80s style since I was a kid).
Thank you for the chance of winning it, even the possibility and the idea of having it makes me happy and excited.
Ella Marie
July 15, 2015
I would love to win one of these purses. I had so many of these when I was little. A Play Purse full of nick-nacks would be my actual literal dream!
Love,
Ella
x.x.
Danielle Royer
July 15, 2015
THEY ARE AMAZING! The prints, the patterns, the design. Love love love.
Please can I win!
I will sell my first born child or grant you three wishes!
Donna
July 15, 2015
I need this in my life
Alys Bryan
July 16, 2015
I love the idea that by designing items based on nostalgia and fond memories the new design will be even more cherished, increased product longevity, true stustainability. I would keep my Play Purse forever! X
Marie Illo
July 16, 2015
I love collecting Blythe Dolls, Kewpies and other vintage creations. This would go perfect with my carnival outfit. I want to design a matching catsuit to go with it #allthebeads! These are amazing can’t wait to see the new collection too!
Rachel
July 16, 2015
I loved these purses so much when I was little! I’d love a Playpurse so that I can feel like a kid again, the only problem would be choosing which colour!
Lucy H
July 16, 2015
You’ve brought back my childhood favourite except this time it’s HUGE and my mind is blown! I would love a Play Purse in my life!! x
Tilda Beeson
July 16, 2015
This is my dream! These are absolutely sublime! I would always be happy if i found one in a party bag. I would love to win one to show my daughter how amazing they were and make the purse a part of my daughters memories as much as it was a part of mine. I would use it every day & give it so much love & attention. Absolutely dream product and gives me butterflies. 🙂
ALICE
July 16, 2015
I was going to try and buy one anyway 🙂
Ann H
July 17, 2015
It reminds me of all the pretty purses my grandma used to have. Now those purses are lost or in tatters. So I’d love to win one of these cute purses.
Diana
July 17, 2015
Because my wardrobe really needs it! 🙂
Cathryn Bowen
July 18, 2015
Wow happy memories back to my childhood just brought back
Cheryl
July 18, 2015
i’d like to win for nostalgic reasons. My sister & I had these style of purses when we were kids.
I lost mine though.
I would give this to my sister, as although hers was treasured and she was not as careless as me, I will admit I used to pick off the little stones from hers. (I was only 4 and it was super naughty of me!!)
this would be a great trip down memory lane for the both of us.
Veronica Lopez-Smith
July 18, 2015
I think they are absolutely gorgeous. They remind me of a handbag my grandma had, she gave it to me to play when I went to visit! I absolutely loved it, I though I was so grown up ha ha.
susan.hoggett@yahoo.co.uk
July 18, 2015
love to win this
Fiona Foskett
July 18, 2015
So Nostalgic – Takes me back to my childhood – when I had a Play Purse all the time and would take it to the local newsagents to buy my ‘Disneytime’ and ‘Twinkle’ comics 🙂 xx
Cindy seaton
July 19, 2015
I should win one because I’m a child at heart:)
laura
July 19, 2015
Wish more than anything I kept my play purse, you don’t realise until it’s gone 🙁 so would be a dream to have one again, and this time I would have it forever and ever 🙂 Thankyou xxx
Melita
July 19, 2015
I would love a play purse! I’m going to ve a student soon so can’t afford to buy one for the next 4 years
Lily
July 19, 2015
Aaaah these are SO FABULOUS!!! I would love one of these but I think my mum would love it even more! I would love to win one for her!
Deborah
July 19, 2015
Because they are amazing and I have a wedding coming up and u really, really need this bag. In fact, I waiting on the purse and then I’ll choose my outfit around it. For real. Wedding 4th September, no outfit…..
Alisa Moore
July 19, 2015
I remember the feel of the beads so feeling them again would take me right back
Lori MacAlpine-Smith
July 19, 2015
When I was a little gal, i would keep my pocket money in the tinier version of this purse. Sadly I really liked chewing the little beads off it so it was mostly bald. As an adult because of that very reason I’ve always searched for these sweet purses to give as gifts to my friends kids. It’d be nice to finally have one I could tote my big girl stuff and hopefully not chew it bald!
Marissa Falcon
July 19, 2015
I’m absolutely obsessed with the play purse, I can’t believe something so intricate and beautiful was ever for children, this deserves to be in the hands of Someone would love it and that could be me! I would love to win and have it take me back to another time when I was young and beg my grandparents for these at flea markets in little sets with nails that slid on and fake rings!
Abi Davis
July 19, 2015
OMG!!! These are so totally gorgeous and filled me full of nostalgia.
When I saw them. I loved them as a kid. Amazing seeing them making a comeback…well done you.
Holly Boyd
July 19, 2015
I used to love these purses when I was little and think my daughter would love it just as much.