In August 2012, Fashionoffice received invitations to experience the world of 'bags' from two different angles: the first is from the angle of a photographer who captures solar bags, the second invitation is addressed to designers who want to find out more about the creation and the challenges of future bag designs.

From 7 August until 31 October 2012, the Swiss solar bag sakku (founded 2004) invites users to post photos of solar bags on Facebook. The name sakku is derived from the German words 'Sack' (in English 'sac') and 'Akku' ('battery'). The bag collects energy from the sun and provides it for phones and other small electric devices. (Not for notebooks as they need too much energy for being fully reloaded with the bag's equipment, such as sakku explains in its FAQ). The sakku developers use the fabrics of sails from sailing boats from Swiss lakes like Lake Zürich or Lake Geneva and from oceans worldwide. Each bag is stamped with the name of the place where the material originates from.

From 3 to 7 September 2012, designers (professionals, students) are invited by the The Fashion & Textile Museum in London to attend the workshop 'An Introduction to Handbag Design Course' to find out which role handbags play in fashion industry, learn the basics of bag design (from the research stage over sketching, the selection of materials to the planning of a collection), and to create an own bag.

Ann Saunders heads the course. She was design coordinator for Laura Ashley, specialized in accessories and also responsible for styling, arranging shoots, staging fashion shows and the mail order catalogue. She runs now her own accessories business. Ann Saunders will be supported by Newham College and the French/Chinese handbag and accessories company Shanghai Trio which works with artisans in Asia and Europe since 1998. Melissa Nobile, Business Development Manager (Europe) for Shanghai Trio says: "...whilst expensive 'It' bags remain in-demand, high quality, attention to detail and sustainability remain high on customers' agendas."

fig.: Sakku solar bag 'in action'. Find details about the photo competition on facebook.com/pages/sakku-Solartasche-sakku-solarbag.

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