Leica’s “Limited Edition” Wicker Basket

Editor’s Note: This is an actual Press Release, dated July 8, 2019, for an actual “long-awaited” Leica product:

Express yourself and capture life with Leica’s brand new accessories for women Wetzlar, 8 July 2019.

This summer Leica launches its long-awaited accessory collection dedicated to women who care about their image and the ones they create. The leather accessory collection consists of a limited-edition wicker basket and shopping tote, and two chic protectors for the new Leica Q2. The accessories are designed and handcrafted in Europe, and made from the finest Italian and Spanish leather.

The collection is designed not just to keep the camera at hand but to bring Leica’s signature style to the discerning photographer on the move. Synonymous with the best design, Leica looked for inspiration from the archives which include accessories for female photographers throughout the pioneering ages of photography. The design hints for the limited edition baby blue leather shopping tote bag and pale lilac wicker basket came from a vintage ladies’ leather case made by Leica in the 1930s. For the style conscious photographer, Leica has designed a wicker with an inside pocket perfectly-sized for a Leica compact camera, limited to only 150 pieces. The body of the basket is hand-crafted from woven osier wicker. The top handle and edging are made from the finest cowhide leather in a pale lilac shade with a Leica logo embossed on the front. A further touch of style is added with the ‘I love Leica’ charm.

The elegant yet practical shopping tote was designed in collaboration with the designer atelier SAGAN Vienna and is limited to 250 pieces worldwide. This emerging Viennese brand is renowned for its Bauhaus inspired designs and carefully crafted leather hand bags.

Leica is renowned for recognising emerging photographic talent through its annual Leica Oskar Barnack Newcomer Award and the collaboration with SAGAN is another example of supporting creative talents. The baby blue Leica shopping tote is handmade in Spain from Italian soft calf leather. The bag comes with a stylish hand braided leather handle, that also doubles up as a fastener. The outside pocket has been perfectly designed to give easy access to a Leica D-Lux or Q2. With already so many reasons to own the iconic Leica Q2, this collection adds two more. The light blue and bubblegum pink protectors are made of the finest quality cow hide leather with an elegant diamond patterned embossing. This embossing mirrors the Q2 leather and gives easy access to all controls. The protectors come with matching shoulder straps.

The accessories will be sold exclusively in Leica Stores around the world. SRP, incl. VAT, for the accessories are as follows: • Wicker basket – EUR 180 • Shopping Tote – EUR 385 • Light blue and bubblegum pink protector – EUR 175 • Light blue and bubblegum pink carrying strap EUR 85

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13 thoughts on “Leica’s “Limited Edition” Wicker Basket

  1. Wayne

    I cannot adequately express my thanks for your having provided this context for the Erwin Puts announcement.

    Best,

    Wayne

  2. Rob Campbell

    She’s got a nice backside, though; pretty in pink?

    I had an experience on Wednesday at noon; a “lady” stopped me, enquiring whether I might direct her to the bus stop. This at the fringes of town, and on a peaceful, almost empty road about a click from home. I felt it odd from the very beginning, and after some seconds of one-sided conversation, she stepped in quickly to give me a thank you hug. Fearing I was being set up for a fraudulent sex attack case, my only thought was escape, which without resorting to violence was impossible as she had her hands all over my arms and shoulder as I pushed her off. I made my rapid exit and within about ten seconds it dawned: my fucking Rolex had gone. And so had she. She was probably between twenty-five and thirty years of age. I wonder how many of those years were spent learning her trade.

    It kinda convinced me that outdoor photography for this old guy is now over. I was lucky with the watch: no physical damage. A camera around my neck would necessitate something far less subtle. Age cometh not alone, and steals so much.

    Putting a woman into such a dumb mugging magnet as Leica is proposing seems kinda crazy. I remember reading about your experience with an Edinburgh street rat (an expression new to me); unfortunately, we have ’em in Mallorca too.

    C’est la vie.

    1. Leicaphila Post author

      That sucks, Rob. Sorry to hear. I had a really nice Tag Hauer watch while I lived in Paris. One day I got on the Metro with it on, and got off with it no longer there. I have no idea how someone got it, but they did. The interesting thing about the whole experience is the night before I had had a dream that I lost my watch. Funny how those premonitions often happen.

      1. Rob Campbell

        Sorry about your Tag, too, Tim.

        I had no premonitionary dreams about my watch, but I was made very conscious of it shortly before when I saw the Josef Koudelka image on your site! I have used mine as a prop in several model shots I’ve made during the career – looks good against oiled skin when encrusted with dried salt from the sea. The irony is, on Wednesdays there’s a local market, and I avoid it like the plague because I know folks who have lost their wallets there. Markets attract these predatory bums. However, the ‘phone company had rung me on Tuesday telling me they could offer a better Internet/cellphone/land-line deal than the one I had, so I told the girl I’d come see them the next day.

        I forgot about Wednesdays.

        I used to drive everywhere, but various cardiologists I’ve had have all told me to walk an hour a day, so I always walk the klick into town and leave the wheels at home.

        Frankly, I blame myself. A skinny old geezer should not walk around alone showing any signs of anything valuable. Hence my reluctance now to walk around with a Nikon.

        I am sure these thieves know what they steal. A red dot must be like a magnet!

        My granddaughter spent a year in Paris whilst doing her Scottish Law degree, studying some French law in a college there. She used to use the Metro a lot, and said it was very unpleasant, that people would eye her up and down, and squeeze up hard against her. She found it very threatening.

        Rob

    2. Wayne

      I had a shipmate from Chile. One day he related the following about the industriousness of watch thieves in his native country:…..”I had an uncle who owned a Rolex watch; being aware that it would be a target for Chilean thieves, he always wore it on the wrist on his right wrist, so that it was away from the open window of his automobile. One day, while stopped at a traffic light, a guy approached his car, used a cigarette to burn his uncle’s left hand. When the uncle reached across with his right hand to defend himself, the thief grabbed his Rolex and ran.”

      At least you got a hug. It could have been worse.

    3. Toby Madrigal

      I’m very sorry to hear about the loss of your Rolex watch. I know, I know, others reading your post will say “rich sod”. However, I don’t. I had a good year as a self employed freelance journalist and photographer in 2004. So in the summer of 2005 I treated myself to a Rolex Submariner Date. Just a steel one, no gold. Not long afterwards I began to notice stories about ‘Rolex robberies, man killed for Rolex, stabbing, shootings etc. I got worried. Now I only wear mine in the winter time covered by the sleeve cuff of a thick pullover.
      So I’m pretty sure that, like me, you worked for your watch and paid up the taxman too. Of course I’m really glad you’re unhurt. Being rather deaf (I’m nearly 70) I tend to ignore people. I have a small card, twice the size of a credit card that says: I AM DEAF. And I carry on walking.

  3. Christopher McCallum

    Leica has long lost the plot tapping into a demographic of “never get their hands dirty” spoiled brats with dirty lucre to burn and prissy tastes. You can be sure “von” Overgaard is no doubt salivating with delight. Both tragic and hilarious.

  4. Peter Wright

    I was in Florence a couple of years back, and when I visited one of the many churches my wallet was stolen. A woman was begging at the front door, so I took out my wallet and gave her something. She followed me inside and got much too close giving me hugs. I pushed her off, and only discovered my wallet was gone when I got back outside.

    When I reported the crime to the police, the officer asked if I could describe her. Then I remembered; I took a picture of the front of the church with my Leica M type 240! We did some zooming in and there she was! The officer was very pleased and took a copy of the file. I hope justice was done!

    1. Rob Campbell

      If you heard nothing more, it could be an even bet nobody did anything more the moment you left the precinct. It happens multiple times a day; they could spend their entire lives and resources chasing these scumbags, so I bet that mostly they don’t.

      Having a snap of a person begging is not a photograph of somebody picking your pockets. I think their tribal lawyer would get that thrown out of play. But hey, if the cop thinks it makes you feel good… entertain the tourist, who is most unlikely to come back and sit in court.

      Cynical? You betcha!

      🙂

  5. Lee Rust

    Made you look!

    Leica wants to keep their name in the news between their infrequent introductions of new models. Fashion accessories and fancy limited-edition cameras are a simple and time-tested method. Is this in keeping with Oskar Barnack’s original vision for Leica? No. Does it work? Yes.

  6. Slow Joe Crow

    Talk about jumping the shark. This is worse than Harley Davidson Barbie. I’m glad neither Nikon nor BMW Motorcycles have sunk so low

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