Leather briefcases and holdalls have timeless appeal, but when they also incorporate design elements from the latest fashion trends, they become even more of a must-have. The business bag for 2012 is a study in contrasts; you'll find sleek city stitching on rustic silhouettes, weathered looks on smart framed shapes and brilliant colours with businesslike designs. This gleeful mixing and matching gives today's totes a higher style profile than the subdued leather accessories tradition dictates.

You'll find this exuberant blend of whimsy and practicality in messenger bags from Prime Hide. The company's messenger bags feature classic, almost staid silhouettes with single or double buckles, but in unexpectedly luxurious leather. What looks like a rough-and-ready satchel worthy of Indiana Jones feels as exquisitely rich as a fine handbag. Prime Hide also features a range of accessories for your electronics that match their business bags in style, but come in a range of high-impact colours.

 

One trend that shows no signs of slowing is the passion for all things retro. The sleek lines and tailored shapes of mid-century modern styling get a 21st-century update from brushed metal findings. The hard-sided cases that were de rigueur in Don Draper's day no longer fit the assortment of essentials the modern business bag must hold. Designers like Chiarugi craft their leather into soft cases that look just as crisp, yet hold so much more. Chiarugi's selection of bags feature plenty of pockets for gadgetry in a pulled-together style. The rich sheen of Italian leather puts extra polish on these bags' professional style.

 

 

In a trend away from ornate stitching and an overload of design details, styles for 2012 embrace a more minimalist aesthetic. It's a clean-lined look that lets vivid colour or rich texture speak for itself. This simplicity turns a slouchy bag into a high-style accessory, and you'll find no better example of simple chic than Hidesign's line of business bags. Hidesign even does away with most of the bag's visible metal fittings, instead relying on leather fasteners that cast the spotlight on function over ornamentation. Choose from styles with matching leather tabs or designs with contrasting fittings. A black Hidesign business bag with mahogany brown leather trim is a smart investment that pairs well with anything in your wardrobe.

Colour is especially hot this season. Keep a vibrant orange or rich red business-appropriate with impeccably traditional silhouettes. The more colourful your business bag, the more classic its shape should be. A satchel with striking contemporary hardware looks best in conservative black or mahogany, for example, while a thoroughly traditional portfolio briefcase gets a lift from its rich russet hue.

Today's business climate is increasingly mobile, and that means your business bag has a higher profile. Get with the trends for 2012 and upgrade to a briefcase that does more than simply hold your belongings. Show your style and get noticed for all the right reasons.

CcHA London aim to create classic leather accessories that ooze luxury and with the Tang Tang Alexa bag (£159), they appear to have achieved just that. This stylish bag made from soft orange and tan leather would certainly not look out of place in the latest Burberry autumn/winter 2011 collection where these two colours dominate.

Due to the similarities, why not then take inspiration from the latest Burberry catwalk looks when styling your new CcHA Tang Tang Alexa bag?



[Images: Vogue.com]

The Burberry Prorsum autumn/winter 2011 presentation was filled with bright colours, plaid, houndstooth and cow prints, military features, 60s skirts, not to mention the various buckle and tassel features. One of the most prominent colours on the catwalk was orange. This was either seen as a block colour on the various coats or as a highlight colour on the handbags.

You too can get the look by wearing an orange coat with any button or strap detailing on the front and paring it with a heritage-print skirt, black opaque tights and a pair of chunky black tassel loafers. This look will compliment your new Tang Tang Alexa perfectly.

(anticlockwise from top left) Duffle coat, Miss Selfridge (£57); Jersey Dogtooth mini skirt, Asos (£15); Black tassel loafers, New Look (£54.99); Tang Tang Alexa bag, CcHA (£159)

To view more CcHA London bags, please click here.

Pairing black with white is a classic look that never grows old. For autumn/winter 2011 the monochrome trend is back with designers from Burberry, DKNY and Jil Sander leading the way.



[Images: vogue.com]

This is a very easy trend to work as most of us have a wardrobe full of black and white basics that could be paired together to create this simple but striking look. However, why not finish off your monochrome outfit with this statement shopper from CcHA London?


The CcHA Louise shopper (£135) is made from soft leather in black and white and features a magnetic fastening and several internal pockets. This chic bag is a timeless monochrome classic that is spacious enough to hold all your day-to-day essentials and so is excellent for shopping or for a weekend city break.

For more stylish bags from CcHa London, please click here.