A pretty summer purse that stands out from the crowd

This velvet purse ($189) hits several trends on the head: handmade embellishment, rich colour and a casual bohemian vibe that works for summer. But perhaps more importantly, it won’t be carried by every woman in the city; that’s because it’s made not in a Chinese warehouse, but in Lima, Peru. Designed by Susan Wagner, the embroidery is the work of artisans who use pre-Columbian techniques passed down for generations. Thread is wrapped tightly around sticks and cardboard, then arranged into striking floral patterns. In Toronto, the bag is sold exclusively at the Purple Thumb, a unique gift boutique (designers rent space to showcase their goods) of ethically and sustainably produced and largely locally made wares.

The Purple Thumb, 1887 Queen St. E., 647-349-1009, thepurplethumb.net.