​On a late morning walk, one of the boutiques along the way caught my eye. The window was full of colorful floral purses, something I would not normally ever notice but most probably loved seeing in anticipation of spring. In fact, the store has been there for a year. And yet I just noticed it this past week despite almost daily walks and runs. My bad.

But this time, I did notice and felt inclined to go in to check it out. I was happy to be greeted by the owner herself and was then given her story in full. Agnes Toth has been an artist all her life and today brings her art to life via bags, purses, accessories, pillows, and even furniture. She started out in textile design in secondary school, studied painting at university, and then continued her art studies at Falmouth University in Cornwall.

For her handbags, she first embroiders a floral design by hand before having it reproduced onto faux leather and then creating various items. Each item comes with a certificate of authenticity and is one of a limited run. Sales thus far have been relatively stable, with customers who are both local Hungarians and tourists passing through. Furniture is sold only by special order.

One series of bags is in stark contrast to the flower prints, as these pieces are instead made from materials imprinted with designs replicating Agnes’ paintings that adorn the boutique’s walls. This style is highly fragmented. And, yet, Agnes notes that embroidery is itself a fragmented art, so the two compliment each other nicely. None of the paintings themselves are for sale, but you can custom order prints.

Agnes says that going forward, she may choose to paint more floral works and embroider templates for purses more in line with her present paintings. “It’s nice to keep the balance,” she tells me.

Additionally, all items sold are made locally, and only the faux leather is sourced from Italy. She plans on using recycled leather in the future as well. The entire boutique itself, save one glass cabinet, was constructed from recycled materials, Agnes is proud to say.
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And… for some convenient eats, the adorable Marvelosa café directly next door is owned and run by Agnes’ mother. :)
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Marvelosa by Agnes Toth Studio. 
Lanchid utca 13., Budapest 1013