Mad Rabbit Kicking Tiger Pops Up In Los Angeles

When I was invited to the Mad Rabbit Kicking Tiger (MRKT) pop-up store opening in Los Angeles, I wasreally excited. I love handbags, especially unique ones (don’t all accessories start to look alike after a while?) that aren’t just different, but also thoughtfully designed and a little bit (dare I say it), practical.

MRKT bags are designed by Tom Pen, who is a Harvard-trained architect. Yes, I know, because if you went to Harvard, being great at one thing isn’t quite enough… As you can imagine, these bags are kind of like houses, they’re nice to look at, but also structured in a way that makes them super functional. Don’t we wish every aspect of our lives were more like that? Most of the bags and accessories are chock full of interior pockets, so you can organize your wallet, keys, phone and the eight lip glosses you absolutely must keep on you at all times (okay, maybe that is just me).

Most of the bags for Fall are made of felt and vegan leather. (Every bag is actually vegan). I love felt! It’s lighter than leather, but also durable, which is good if you have a lot to tote around or tend to be hard on your accessories. It’s also a dream fabric for Fall. Living in Los Angeles, it’s always kind of summer whether it’s fall, February or the fourth of July. I’m not complaining about that of course, but dressing for warmer seasons can be a little bit of a challenge. Creating a summer ensemble can be almost effortless, whereas dressing for fall (and especially winter) takes some thought and planning, at least for me. So, accessorizing is an easy way to dress very internationally for the season without worrying about what temperature it is outside. And obviously, if you live in a place with real seasons, MRKT’s bags look great with cashmere sweaters and wool peacoats, for example.

Another thing that sets MRKT apart is that many of the accessories are designed in a way that, at least in my opinion, can fall into the category of gender-neutral, with a little added dash of whimsy. While this style isn’t something I specifically seek out in my own wardrobe, I know this can be really important to other people.

Here are some of my favorite pieces from the event.