# Structural Wood Clutches Designers Vera Zaishi and Christian Melz Make Naturalistic Accessories By Malika Renee Butss | Published 2015-05-10 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wood-clutches References: [coolhunting](http://www.coolhunting.com/style/vega-zaishi-wang-melz-design-wooden-clutches) & [vegawang](http://www.vegawang.com/shop.html) Designer Vega Zaishi Wang has teamed up with Christian Melz for a collection of wood clutches. Titled Phlo, this collection exhibits handmade clutches constructed with several kinds of wood. With Wang's background at [Central Saint Martins](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/woojun-jang-fw26) and Christian Melz a skilled [cabinet-marker](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/formwork-collection), Wang was responsible for the design while Melz mastered the woodworking. With a geometric and structured appeal these wood clutches convey a very contemporary style, a look Vega Zaishi is no stranger to. Both designers have stated that the collection title refers to 'phloem' which is the living tissue inside tree bark. Available in streaked ebony wood, golden maple wood and warm ziricote wood, the Phlo collection can be purchased at the Xidan Galerie Lafayette Department Store in Beijing or at Vega Zaishi Wang's boutique in Yanyue Hutong. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.9/10 - Popularity: 86% | Activity: 82% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 10% men, 90% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Hip Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/hipfashion) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Handmade Wood Accessories:** The collection of wood clutches showcases the trend of handmade accessories using natural materials. - **Structural Geometric Design:** The wood clutches feature a geometric and structured design, aligning with the trend of contemporary fashion. - **Naturalistic Fashion:** The collection embraces the trend of naturalistic fashion with its use of wood and reference to tree bark. ### Where This Applies - **Fashion Retail:** The wood clutch collection presents an opportunity for fashion retailers to offer unique and eco-friendly accessories to their customers. - **Handcrafted Goods:** The trend of handmade wood accessories creates opportunities for artisans and craftsmen to showcase their skills and creativity. - **Luxury Retail:** The collection of wood clutches, available at high-end department stores, caters to the luxury retail market looking for unique and sustainable fashion accessories. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Chic Celery-Shaped Clutches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/moschino-clutch.md) - [Nature Material-Made Luxe Accessories](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kengo-kuma-3.md) - [Sculptural Homeware Collection](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solidnature-x-wandler.md) - [Hedgehog-replicating Hand Clutches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hedgehog-clutch.md) - [Wooden Pendant Lamp Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wood-collection-1.md) - [Ancestral Pattern Woodcraft](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lost-cloth-project.md) - [Wood-Centric Simple Furniture Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/collective-collection.md) - [Wood-Created Progressive Jackets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wooden-jacket.md) - [Nature-Inspired 3D-Printed Handbags](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/julia-koerner.md)