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January 11, 2023

FION’s Avatar-Inspired Leather Handbags Feature Whimsical Designs That Are Uniquely Stitched

BAZAAR X FION

These stunning statement bags are made using nearly-extinct methods of horsetail embroidery

BYANNABEL MIDDLETON / JANUARY 5, 2023

Photo: FION

For a stylish bag with a story, this is it. The latest handbag collaboration between leatherwear brand FION and the film franchise Avatar has taken fashion accessories to new heights – by transforming movie magic into high fashion.

Based on director James Cameron’s latest masterpiece, Avatar: The Way of Water, which was released in December 2022, the exquisite leather handbags from the FION Avatar series not only reflect the colours and themes of the film, but also the time-tested traditions of horsetail embroidery.

Photo: FION

From silver screen to sizzling style

Translating the movie into real life, FION’s designers worked closely with the Avatar team to develop their new line. Featuring fluid artwork befitting the film’s water themes, the striking designs adorning each bewitching bag showcase marine organisms cruising in the ocean, resulting in a magical waterscape.

According to Cameron, who also wrote Avatar: An Activist Survival Guide, animals and plants on Pandora are huge and glow in the dark because they have developed gigantism and luminescence due to air pollution. The FION Avatar series not only features artistic scenes of exotic marine life swimming in the sea, but it also serves another purpose – to evoke profound thinking on environmental sustainability.

Bag an adventure with fashion

This is not the first big-name collaboration for FION, which was founded in 1979 in Hong Kong. Having worked with Universal Pictures, Nintendo and Disney (United States), FION already has several first-class IP (Intellectual Property) collaborations under its belt, including Minions, Jurassic World, Donald Duck – and now, Avatar as well.

Specialising in stylish, eye-catching handbags which are made of high-quality leather, FION’s artistic designs not only reflect modern trends, but also add chic diversity to your wardrobe. The brand believes in complementing fashion with “advanced fun” and helping women to become more confident by incorporating art into their daily lives, while inspiring their fashion sensibilities at the same time.

Originally established 40 years ago by the first generation of cobblers in Hong Kong, FION Art Studio – the independent leather factory of FION – has inherited the craftsmanship of that first generation as well as a group of exceptional craftsmen from China with 20 years of experience and superior craftsmanship. Utilising traditional artistry, FION is committed to delivering premium leatherware goods to fashion connoisseurs around the world.

Photo: FION

Showcasing an ethnic art form

What makes the FION Avatar handbags so extraordinary is that they are constructed using horsetail embroidery, a special craft that has been honed for thousands of years. Passed down through the generations of the women of the Shui ethnic group in China, the process of this intricate art form is complex and complicated, involving multiple stages of work. A skilled embroiderer with 20 years of experience still requires 10 hours to finish a piece as small as a child’s palm.

Before the real work can commence, individual silk threads have to be intertwined with three or four stands of horsetail hair. In addition to the complex embroidery, colourful silk threads and cross-stitching are also required to complete the tapestry. Thanks to the toughness of the horsetail hairs, their robust strength and durability help to keep the embroidered patterns in place while maintaining the shape of each design. Horsetail hairs also contain oil constituents, ensuring the surrounding silk threads retain their vibrancy.

Making each bag also requires patience and dexterity. Painstakingly threaded and stitched together by skilled craftsmen, each piece takes at least 24 hours to complete. Considered a “living fossil”, horsetail embroidery was classified as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2006 by the Ministry of Culture in China, in an ode to ethnic minorities’ traditions.

Photo: FION

Fashionably sustainable

Marrying nature, fashion and sustainability, the FION Avatar range of handbags builds on the Sustainable Project –- JIN series introduced by FION in 2021. Armed with a mission to conserve nature, their bags are made with eco-friendly leathers and yarn as well as non-water washed denim and eco-friendly jacquard denim. Concurrently, FION ensures their suppliers share the same sustainable goals to minimise any impact on the environment while reducing waste-water emissions.

As is evidenced through both the FION Avatar series and FION Sustainable Project – JIN series, the brand is committed to conserving the environment while exploring creative avenues for sustainable fashion.

Take the movie magic with you

Endowed with cinematic significance and cultural heritage, these stunning handbags from FION’s Avatar range not only let you own a piece of movie magic but also allow you to take home a unique product of craftsmanship in the form of horsetail embroidery. Take your pick from these three styles.

New Minions Summer Collections Feat. Cute Bears & Minions as Warriors

It seems like the Minions are taking over the world. From the upcoming Minions Land in Universal Studios Singapore to their latest movie, it seems like these yellow creatures will be conquering the world soon.

As a way of showing your support for the Minions why not get a cute Minions bag from FION’s latest Minions Summer Collection.

FION

Founded in 1979, FION specialised in fashionable lady handbags which are made of high-quality leatherwear. Their handbag designs are inspired by fashion and the arts. This, in turn, brings a diversity and inspiration to one’s bag collection and fashion sensibility.

Utilising traditional artistry, FION is developing to be one of the most highly regarded premium leatherware brands in the world.

FION Minions Summer Collection

FION has teamed up with Minions to release their new Minions Summer Collection. This time, the new collection is themed around the adorable “warrior” Minions and warm-feeling and extremely huggable bears. These cute designs are guaranteed to enliven your life and soul.

Previously, FION released the Minions collection as a way to cheer up their long-time customers during the pandemic. However, the response was so overwhelming that FION decided to continue releasing more designs of this series. We now you can expect new releases four times a year, according to the seasons.

FION Minions bags were lauded by many Minions fans of all ages. Some even used these bags as decorations for their living spaces. This helps brighten the space and illuminates the surroundings with much cheer, joy and happiness.

Warrior Minions Nano Crossbody & Shoulder Handbag

The Warrior Minions series is part of FION’s new Minions Summer Collection. In this series, there are six nano bags of different designs. All of them featuring different Minions performing an act that is deemed, “warrior-like”.

Donned in brown garments, these minions could be seen holding spears, bananas or even sticking out their tongues. One of the minions even has a peeled banana stuck to the end of the spear. This series features a primitive theme to it, bringing a sense of adventure and excitement.

The nano-size bags are made of jacquard with cow’s leather and they have a strap length of 600mm. Although all the bags are of different shapes and sizes, the general measurements of FION’s nano-size bags are 55 x 70 x 40mm, 55 x 80 x 40mm, 55 x 95 x 40mm, 85 x 85 x 40mm. They also have an opening at the top.

You can use FION’s nano-size bags as crossbody bags, earphone cases or as an accessory for your regular-sized bags.

Minions Warm-Feeling Bears Nano Crossbody & Shoulder Handbag

The Warm-Feeling Bears Minions collection consists of five nano bags. These bags are designed to make one feel cosy and cheerful. This collection focuses on Bob, the Minion with heterochromia.

In one of the designs, Bob is seen slurping noodles. On one hand, Bob is holding a soup bowl while on the other, he is holding a pair of wooden chopsticks with noodles intertwined around them. In another design, Bob is wearing a Panda hat whilst taking a stick of bamboo.

The third design features Bob wearing a Panda hat and carrying two tiny bears; a brown bear and a Panda.

The last two designs in the Warm-Feeling Bears Minion collection are the nano-sized warm-feeling bears bags which Bob held. One of which is a happy brown bear which looks as huggable as a teddy bear while the other depicts a seated Panda.

These bags come with a 600mm strap and they have a measurement of about 55 x 70 x 40mm. The nano bags have one main compartment and an opening at the top. These nano bags are stylish enough to be used as a cross body or shoulder handbag, an accessory or even as an earphone case.

Minions Headphone Crossbody & Shoulder Handbag

One of their upcoming designs is the Minions Headphone Crossbody Shoulder Handbag. This handbag has one open pocket at the top and it comes with a leather strap. The strap is suitable for one to carry the handbag as a shoulder handbag or as a cross body accessory. The versatile design makes this bag an easy-to-style accessory for any outfit.

This handbag comes in both regular and nano sizes. The handbags of both sizes are made of jacquard with cow’s leather. Similar to the regular-sized Minions Headphone Crossbody Shoulder Handbag, the nano-sized bag also has one main compartment that opens at the top.

The nano-sized bag has a strap length of 600mm and it measures up to 55 x 70 x 40mm. It can also be used as an earphone case if you do not want to use it as a crossbody bag. At the back of the bag, there’s a keyring for those who want to hang the nano bag on your regular bags.

Where to Purchase FION Minions Summer Collection

You can purchase the collection in all leading departmental stores.

FION Minions Summer Collection Giveaway

Are you a fan of FION’s latest Minions Summer Collection? We have good news for you!

We will be giving away 5 gift sets of FION’s Minions Summer Collection on our social media channels soon! Like and follow our Instagram and Facebook pages for more updates.

New Seasonal Minion Bags’ Collection From FION

Have a warmth-filled Christmas with the arrival of Fion’s new seasonal collections of Minions bags, wallets and accessories! These new designs bring cheer and love with their reflection of the spirit of companionship – featuring Tim, the stuffed bear that Bob carries around him.

The character Bob is actually a short minion and he carries around a teddy bear. Fion has cleverly constructed a bag which resembles Bob and he is actually carrying a cute teddy bear! The bag is definitely an overload of cuteness. It comes with 4 different leather straps so that you can create different styles and new looks with the bag. It can be a backpack, sling bag or a cross-body bag.

For this Christmas season, Fion has also launched a series of 5 Minions leather nano cross-body bags with its own unique designs! The nano bag features one top zipper and it also comes with an adjustable leather strap. With the adjustable leather strap, the nano Minion bag can function as a sling bag or a cross-body bag or it can simply be a bag charm which can be hung on a handbag.

To add further to the Christmas cheer, Fion has also launched a patchwork Minion PVC short wallet and a patchwork PVC key and coin holder. These are excellent gifts for family and friends and will definitely bring them more delight, glee and joy for this holiday season.