The REMEMBER Bag
The Remember Bag REMEMBER
Each life is a miracle that
changes the world and leaves it a
better place
than it
was before
By Phillip D. Johnson Jen Mascali, a talented handbag designer known for imprinting her bags with a luxurious, rich hippie vibe, comes from a long line of fine Italian craftsmen. Her grandfather, as a leather artisan, handcrafted custom-made shoes for the legendary actresses and prominent women of his time included the pair he made for Grace Kelly to wear on the day of her wedding to Prince Rainier of Monaco. (They are now presently on exhibition and in the permanent collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.)
Determined to follow in her grandfather’s footsteps in creating genuinely “Made in Italy” products, she moved to Italy and worked with several luxury handbag designers as an apprentice before establishing her own line of handbags in 2008. Her bags are produced by the finest factories in Tuscany and are the perfect combination of casual elegance and handcrafted classic luxury. She also follows her grandfather’s footsteps in that her bags are coveted by the Hollywood establishment (including Halle Berry) and other stylish women who appreciate the beauty of a bag that is designed to work with their lives.
Ms. Mascali is the first to acknowledge the influence her father, NYC Firefighter Joseph Mascali, has had on her life. On September 11, 2001, Firefighter Mascali was one of the several hundred firefighters who lost their lives helping others downtown New York City when the planes hit the World Trade Center towers. In memory of his life and the legacy he left behind, Ms. Mascali has designed the “Remember” Bag in tribute and honor of her father and the nearly 3,000 lives that were lost on that day. Crafted from fine Italian patent leather, in Italy, the “Remember” bag has brown leather handles with red contrast stitching and a flame-shaped hand tag with the
phrase: “REMEMBER. Each life is a miracle that changes the world and leaves it a better place than it was before.” The flame for Ms. Mascali is a reminder of eternal remembrance. “It’s my hope that this bag will become a vibrant symbol of strength and love; and raise awareness to never forget,” says Ms. Mascali. “Those who carry this bag can be proud to know that they made a contribution to honoring those we lost and are showing the world that we remember.” On September 7th, Ms. Mascali hosted a cocktail party at Nexus Showroom & Townhouse to com-
memorate the bag. The event was an intimate affair where friends, family and fashion industry insiders gathered to remember this tragic day. The room was filled with red roses and candles to inspire this heartfelt tribute. During the party, Ms Mascali graciously answered questions describing her inspiration for the bag, as it hangs on her arm. The proceeds made by Jen Mascali from the sale of the Special Edition “Remember” bag will be donated to 9/11 charities. “ Ms. Mascali continues by saying, “The efforts of these charities allow us to build a permanent way to remember the victims of the terrorist attacks and honor those who went to their rescue.” The “Remember” Bag can be puchased online at www.opensky.com and at Treasure and Bond, 359 West Broadway, (between Grand Street and Leonard Street in SoHo), New York, New York 10013. 646-669-9049. P.D. Johnson
The cocktail party photographs are courtesy of Nexus Showroom and Townhouse. All others are by the author.