Hippolyta the Hippo Bag | Wicker Darling

490.00

It is with great pleasure we introduce you all to Hippolyta the Hippo! A rubenesque and roly-poly wicker hippo bag, and your new bestfriend for summer picnics, walks in the park, and lounging by the water hole! 

This hippopotamus handbag is our latest bespoke design, designed by Jasmine in Melbourne, and handmade using traditional weaving techniques by our artisans in the Philippines - Hippolyta's primary materials are sustainably farmed and harvested rattan, leather, and linen for his lining. 

Our handbags are designed in Australia and lovingly hand crafted by our weavers in the Philippines from natural materials. As such, each and every hippo bag will have minor differences, whether it's in the weave of the wicker, leather work, or other finishings. These are a unique signature of expert craftsmanship. 

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Product Details

The hungry, hungry Hippolyta Hippo purse measures at 14 inches from rump to tooth, 11 inches from nose to toe, and 22 inches in circumference.

This hippo bag has leather handles long enough to drape from the elbow and they are attached to sturdy, gold hardware/d-rings. This hippo handbag comes with a detachable crossbody/shoulder strap that is adjustable in length up to 132cm long, which can be clipped to any of the four d-rings.

Hippolyta has a loose linen lining to take advantage of the internal shape of the bag. This hippo bag is large enough to fit your wallet, a clutch of keys, a very large phone, those three red lipsticks you've always got in your handbag, and that random packet of doodads you know will come in handy one day!

Now to introduce our favourite feature of this cute hippo handbag! The hippo's tongue is a very cleverly designed, hidden-in-plain-sight coin purse! The tongue attaches by a secure press stud, just pop it out to take advantage of the zipper hidden on the underside of the tongue!

Care Instructions

Keep me looking my best

Please treat your wicker handbag with care and common sense. 

You can increase its lifespan by:

  • Storing in a dry, shady location, in the supplied dustbag
  • Limiting exposure to grease and oils (such as moisturiser, perfume and sunscreen)
  • Avoiding crowded storage spaces, excessive moisture and excessive, prolonged sunlight (like near a window)
  • Lightly dusting it down with a feather duster or clean, dry paintbrush
  • For deeper cleaning, we recommend using a very lightly dampened cotton cloth to gently blot clean, followed by air drying in a shaded location. 

    Shipping Information

    Yes, we ship worldwide!

    Shipping on all orders is free and includes tracking and insurance in case of loss or damage during transit. 

    In stock items are collected from our warehouse once a week (usually Thursday or Friday) for shipping, pending Australia Post availability. As we're based in Australia, it can take anywhere from 1-4 weeks for your order to make its way to you.

    Your order is packaged up as safely as can be, and you can rest assured that even if the postage box shows up looking less than pristine, your bag should remain unscathed.

    Please be aware we have no say in whether Australia Post chooses to pay out insurance. If subsequent deliveries are required due to postage issues (including but not limited to: non-delivery, return to sender, or any other situation that is out of our control) the cost of postage will be the responsibility of the customer.

    Please note customs tariffs, taxes or duties are the responsibility of the recipient. We are unable to mark down the value of your purchase on custom declarations, please do not request we do so.

    Payment Plans

    Spread out the cost with Afterpay or PayPal Pay in 4.

    Still have Questions?

    Statement bags that speak volumes

    They’re pure joy in bag form, designed to spark delight and start conversations!

    Rarer than hen’s teeth

    Our menagerie of ridiculously whimsical wicker characters are created in limited-edition numbers, so they remain a rarity in the wild. Each one even comes with a hand-numbered collector card!

    Handcrafted with care

    Every bag is weaved by hand, using traditional techniques that help keep Filipino craft traditions alive, and create employment opportunities in their communities.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    For more detailed information, please view our detailed FAQs page.

    Where are your bags made, and what from?

    Our bags are handmade by our female-run, family-owned ateliers in the Philippines! 

    They’re made from sustainable rattan (wicker refers to the method of weaving, rattan is the material). Rattan is a naturally renewable palm which can be sustainably harvested, which makes it an environmentally friendly alternative to forest logging. 

    Our rattan is harvested by hand, from local farmers and co-ops - minimising carbon footprint while supporting local growers. 

    This cultivation, harvest and use of rattan provides livelihoods to people throughout Asia and helps keep traditional Filipino craftsmanship alive. 

    The bags are lined with either linen (sourced from flax), or cotton (sourced from ... cotton).

    Can you explain how your products are ethically produced?

    We aim to reduce our environmental footprint as much as possible, and to provide meaningful, fairly paid employment opportunities to our Filipino artisans. 

    That’s why our bags are crafted from sustainably, ethically harvested rattan sourced from local co-ops and farms. This supports their communities and minimises the distance the materials travel. 

    The rattan used is sustainably grown, harvested by hand, and any by-products are composted. 

    They’re then woven by talented people skilled in traditional techniques, keeping the craft alive and creating employment and micro-business opportunities in marginalised communities. 

    What are material substitutions?

    Due to unavoidable material shortages and supply delays, our ateliers may occasionally need to substitute materials during production, leading to differences between the sample and finished bags. 

    Usually these will be minor, such as substitutions to hardware on bags. 

    Where we feel a substitution is significant (such as different colour leather strap), we will contact you to confirm if you’re happy to go ahead or would prefer to cancel your order.

    Is the uneven dye or fraying on my bag a flaw?

    Because our items are handcrafted from natural materials, each and every bag will have minor differences — whether it's in the wicker, leather work, placement of finishings such as ears, eyes and tails, or in the dyeing of the raffia. 

    These are not faults, but rather a signature of hand craftsmanship from natural materials. These characteristics are part of what makes our small batch items a unique and limited edition piece of art.

    Can I request a customisation to my bag?

    No, we are unable to offer custom changes to our bags, no matter how large or small. It creates a logistical nightmare along the entire line, from us having to keep track of who has ordered which change, to the production manager, atelier, workers etc who have to track that one bag different from the rest. We respectfully ask that you don't request customisations to your individual bag, as the answer will always be a hard no. 

    Why do you retire older designs?

    One of the best things about a Wicker Darling bag is knowing it’s a (delightful) rarity to see them in the wild. 

    Unlike a mass produced piece you’ll see everywhere, they’re designed to be limited edition and exclusive. Each one even comes with a hand-numbered collectors card!

    That’s why we typically retire our older designs once they've been released a couple of times (or if the first release was particularly huge).

    We’ve also been known to release retired designs, with a fresh look, so if you have your heart set on a past bag, keep your eyes peeled.

    See what other Darlings had to say:

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    Brice

    Amazing !

    Like a flamingo on a unicycle, you balance life's absurdities with a graceful flamboyance.