Gorgeous bags, handmade in Britain: it’s easy to see why we’re fans of VVA!

Update: Since we published this article, VVA has rebranded under the name of its founder, Sarah Haran; you can visit the Sarah Haran website here.

Much as we enjoy a regular high-street fix, one of the best bits about running the Fashion & Style Directory is discovering some of the brilliant, independent businesses that we have here in the UK – and if it’s an independent business that creates amazing handbags, that’s all the better. After all, you don’t have to look far in our blogs or tweets to realise what a bag obsession we have!

So, we were delighted to add premium handbag brand VVA to our Directory earlier this month – not just because VVA’s handbags are beautiful (though they are), but because it’s a business that is proudly British, that’s passionate about the craft and attention to detail that goes into its products, and that has an inspiring backstory.

In fact, VVA’s founder and designer, Sarah Haran, is the COO of a large IT services company, and her inspiration came from needing – but not being able to find – a stylish yet practical handbag that would look as good in the boardroom as it would at a posh evening do.

Style with durability

Drawing from her interest in fashion, and a background in designing clothes and interior accessories, Sarah set about creating a premium handbag brand that would combine timeless style, durability, and the best materials and craftsmanship – along with plenty of space to stow all those work belongings to and from the office, of course.

VVA was the result, and Sarah is rightly proud of what she calls the brand’s “functional versatility” ethos, with a collection that effortlessly combines practicality and elegance. We love that the bags are made in Britain, too, each one individually crafted by hand using the finest British and Italian leathers.

We’re excited about what VVA promises is on the way – including a shopper tote and messenger satchel – but in the meantime we think we can just about live with VVA’s current most popular style, the gorgeous and timeless Dahlia tote.

Tote-ally gorgeous

Combining the finest leathers with silver-nickel finishings and a distinctive tassel t-bar, you’re spoilt for choice in terms of colour and style options, whether your preference is for a classic black ‘moc-croc’ look, or – our personal favourite from that range – the vibrant purple version, with its lush pink suede interior.

One of the really fun and practical features of VVA’s Dahlia tote is that each bag includes a detachable front pocket – called an Ivy – which you can easily take off and use in its own right as a separate clutch, shoulder or cross-body bag.

You can even mix and match your Ivys and Dahlias; the website includes a section of suggested combinations, or you can buy Ivys separately in a wide range of bold colours and patterns. We particularly adore this eye-catching ‘moc snake’ Ivy, with its beautiful brown, blue and silver pattern. Again, you could buy this to restyle an existing Dahlia tote, or just use it independently as a gorgeous, shimmering shoulder bag or clutch.

In our clutches…

VVA’s current collection is completed with the Willow mini-clutch – a beautiful, pouch-style bag, available in a stunning selection of prints and leathers – and the Hazel, a smaller handbag with bold animal-print detail.

As you’d expect for a premium, handcrafted product, VVA’s top-of-the-range Dahlia totes don’t come cheap – the purple one that we like is £350 – but the smaller Ivy and Willow bags come in at under £100, making them a more affordable treat.

Just don’t blame us if you find the amazing summer stripes Ivy (£95) – which we’ve already gushed about on our Twitter – too fabulous to resist!

Just how gorgeous is this stripy pouch bag from our friends at @vvahandbags? So summery! https://t.co/XA5k8Ucfsy pic.twitter.com/N8UcZnDfXx

— Fashion & Style Directory (@FSDFashionTips) June 13, 2016