Forte

The Forte is a box of a bag, 23 cm deep, woven black leather that stands on its own and swallows a day's worth of things by the handle. The Veluna is the reverse: a hobo that folds against the ribs, one zipped compartment, a strap over the shoulder and nothing rigid anywhere. The Forte does the days that need carrying capacity and a formal edge. The Veluna does the walk, the cinema, the late supper. Both are black, the lattice against the pebble, so the change is in the shape and not the colour. Saturday evening the Forte stays on the shelf and the Veluna goes out on one shoulder.

The Forte carries a lot and carries it upright, a deep woven top handle for the days that need everything to hand. The Alessa carries the short list, on a single strap, at the hip: phone, cards, keys, and it sits there for hours without being noticed. One is the bag for the office and the flight, the other for the errand and the dinner where a top handle would take up the seat beside you. Black beside black, weave beside pebble, so the wardrobe does not change. Wednesday evening you leave the Forte at the door and take the Alessa for the walk to the restaurant.