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| Grey Double-hinged Leather Bag |
Here is what little I know about them:
1. The have been producing high quality handbags in Australia for decades, possibly since 1927, but I have not been able to verify this date.
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| Black Suede Calf Skin Bag |
2. The company was recently featured in a Jewish Fashion exhibition in Sydney.
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| Caramel Tortoise Shell Clutch |
3. The company still exists, and after a long time not having produced any (or many) bags, they are planning a revival.
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| Grey clutch |
4. They are highly collectible.
Four are listed for sale in my Etsy store, and I will be listing the other one soon.
Please, if you know anything about this company, comment or email me because I would love to know.
Thanks for this article, Joanne. I picked up a Faigen handbag at an op shop and it is beautiful - so beautifully made and lovely leather. It won't be the last one I buy.
ReplyDeleteHi Joanne. My mother used to work for them when they were located at Central close to the station. In fact I used to work there during the school holidays. That was back in the late 70s and into the 80s. I was just looking them up because I wondered what had become of them. I thought they had been bought out by one of the designer brands. I heard it was Oroton but maybe not if they are still around. If I remember correctly, the business was passed down from father to his two sons but the father, who was quiet old, was still involved back then. I still have a couple of their bags. They are works of art. Good luck with your search...
ReplyDeleteMy mother Ana also worked there in the 80s and i also worked thru school holidays
DeleteThanks for the info, Cynthia. Great to know.
ReplyDeleteHi Joanne
ReplyDeleteI recently purchased a bag from Lifeline, it's brown leather and looks like a doctor's medicine bag. Would you like a picture?
Susan
Hi Susan, I would be happy to add it to this post
DeleteHi there, I have just also bought an amazing faigen bag from lifeline. I found a website online regarding their line called Latinas
ReplyDeletehttp://www.latinas.com.au/about
I wonder if this is where most of the business focus is now. The one I have stated made in Australia so I’m guessing it’s part of the original line.
Thanks, I will check it out.
ReplyDeleteI am the niece of Max Faigen and my father George Dillon worked at Faigens most of his working life. I remember the smell when you walked into the factory- great memories
ReplyDeletewhen did they stop making purses?
DeleteThe latest purses I have seen are 1980s clutches.
DeleteHi, I worked in the Retail division in 70,s and 80,s and visited George weekly to organise repairs. I have fond memories of a very nice man. Talented and proud craftsman. I have lots of great memories from then, but hardly anything is online.
DeleteHi, I worked in the Retail division in 70,s and 80,s and visited George weekly to organise repairs. I have fond memories of a very nice man. Talented and proud craftsman. I have lots of great memories from then, but hardly anything is online. Daryl
DeleteGreat! It's wonderful to find someone with personal recollections.
ReplyDeleteI just paid $8 at an ok shop for this beautiful emerald green handbag. The label has faigen and sons pty ltd nsw genuine leather. I have a good given eye for style, so it's no surprise to me to find I have a find.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a bargain, enjoy your bag.
DeleteI have just purchased a beautiful white leather Faigen in an op shop for $8 but instead of the usual sticker label it has a gold badge which says “faigen, made in Australia, genuine leather”. Wondering If this may be a newer bag.
ReplyDeleteI have just uncovered a purple bag in a drawer at my dads. It has a cardboard tag. Inside says man made fabric. Not sure what do do with it. Ideas?
ReplyDeleteJust for something different... I have unearthed a small handbag with a label "made by Faigen & sons(from) IMPORTED PLASTIC"! Was this once considered a luxury item?
ReplyDeleteI doubt whether plastic was a luxury item, but maybe a novelty, something new to be explored. No doubt it was much cheaper than leather so maybe people sought it out, like nylon was the popular novelty in the 50s because it didn’t need ironing.
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ReplyDeleteI have a white clutch. I’m not sure If I got it from my grandmother or if I found at an op shop. I absolutely love it. Definitely stood the rest of time.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info.
Lucky you. I hope you use it and enjoy it.
DeleteSo happy with the most beautiful , seems quite old leather Faigen bag I purchased from an Op shop. I just love her. I haven't been able to find any images on line that look like her.
ReplyDeleteI come across those bags quite frequently in the op shops, they are good quality with lots of vintage style but they are not collectable and are pretty cheap on places like gumtree etc
ReplyDeleteI think anything you like can be collectable, even though maybe not particularly valuable in the current marketplace.
ReplyDeleteI have a beige one and the leather quality is impresive. Love to wear.
ReplyDeleteI recently pick up a beautiful navy blue little bag from an op shop - it’s in wonderful condition .. 😊
ReplyDeleteAddress of the faigan handbag store in Sydney I have bag which needs restoring … lady-franklin@bigpond.com Cheers Judy
ReplyDeleteHi Judy, they don't exist anymore. Perhaps ask the shoe repair man.
DeleteI’ve been collecting Faigen bags for a few years. I would have about 100 leather Faigen bags. They are so undervalued, and so beautiful! The stitching, and the quality of the leather is exceptional. Most of these bags were probably rarely used. Such good condition, I can’t bear to let them go to landfill.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure they're beautiful, and considering what you'd pay for a new leather bag today, great value. Definitely to be kept and treasured.
DeleteHi, My dad was head handbag designer for Faigen Handbags for about 20 years. As far as I recalled the company was started by Samuel, who had 3 sons Max and David who were involved with the business and a third son who was not.My dad retired in the late 70's anx the company ceased not long after yhat, as far as I am aware. My Dad's favourite customer was Maggie Taberer who would give him a kiss whenever she came to the Cleveland St factory.🤣🤣
ReplyDeleteI of course still have quite a few genuine Faigen handbags. I would love to find out more.