Many thanks to Filofax and SlamPR for sending me this Filofax on temporary loan to review. I know there has been a lot of buzz about the Temperley range so I hope this review will give people some insight into this organizer.
This is the yellow Ikat organizer from the Temperley collection. The Ikat design is based on ikat fabric, which you can
click here to read more about. I happen to have some ikat fabric from Indonesia, which I used as the backdrop in these photos.
The Ikat is a clutch-style zip-around binder that you can use as a combination wallet/ organizer. It has removable compact size rings so that you can use it as your planner during the day, then remove your planner and use it as a clutch/ wallet for evening.
Something I didn't notice until Rebecca Jay pointed it out to me is that the decorative button on the zip tab points into the side of the clutch when it's zipped closed and held as normal.
The only way for the button to be visible when the clutch is zipped shut is if you hold it so that the zip pull dangles.
In the Filofax press photos the Ikat binders are shown with the zip at the top right corner of the binder and the decorative button showing. But in order for this to happen, the binder would have to be partially unzipped. A small detail, but if you are considering buying this binder you might want to be aware of it.
Below is a detail of the decorative button on the zip.
The zip pull, outside edges and inside panel are faux patent leather. The plastic flyleaf sticks to the faux patent leather panel when opened.
Here is a detailed view of the faux patent leather panel.
Behind the panel are numerous card slots and pockets, allowing you to use this binder as a purse/ wallet.
This sample did not come with the Temperley pages, but included a week per page diary and A-Z tabs.
According to the writeup provided by SlamPR, the Temperley Ikat binders come supplied with:
~Temperley for Filofax designed front sheet and handwritten note from Alice Temperley
~Illustrated 2013 calendar block pages
~Illustrated star signs and Chinese Zodiac years
~Birthday pages
~To do lists
~Addresses and contacts
~Luxury black paper tabbed indices, with gold embossed text
~Luxury black paper A-Z indices, with gold embossed text
~2013 week on one page diary
~Black ruler with gold print
~World map
They also come with a card that warns you not to get the Ikat fabric wet or the colors may run or transfer to other fabrics. This binder did not come with the warning card, but I've seen photos of them online from retailers.
The gold rings are compact size, which means they hold personal size pages but the rings are smaller than those in a personal size binder. The rings are attached to a plastic card that slides out of the binder, so you can remove your pages and use the binder as a clutch.
Here is a side view of the rings on the card, removed from the binder.
Below is an interior view of the binder with the rings removed. The pen loop at the right is elasticated fabric. Aside from the faux patent leather panel, the rest of the interior is fabric.
One of the issues with the removable rings is that the card slides around easily when turning pages, opening the binder and any handling. To find out why, I took a closer look at the insertion slot.
The rings card does not fit snugly into the slot, allowing the rings card to move around easily during use. This could have been prevented by using a fitted slot for the rings.
The rings on this sample open and close without gaps, which is good news. I've heard last year's Temperley binders had problems with gapping rings and many had to be returned.
Here is the binder open with the rings and pages in. For those of you who look for a binder that lays flat, I can tell you this one is not completely flat immediately but does stay open fine. I don't know if it would eventually lay flat with use.
One major issue, in my opinion, is that the zipper is hard to zip closed around the corners of the binder. It catches and requires some coaxing to get around the curves. The fabric gaps around the zipper, and to get it shut I had to pull the fabric taught behind the zipper.
This happened at the top curve too.
I don't know if the zipper would work more smoothly after some use.
The Temperley organizers are available on the
Filofax website and are limited-edition.
Many thanks again to Filofax and SlamPR for loaning me this binder to review. At this time I still have this binder and am happy to answer any questions about it.
Wow, I'm amazed at the number of practical flaws in this product...you'd think the up-market designer would be a little more careful; that ring-card and its loose fit is downright ridiculous. Furthermore...how in heaven's name would this be a useful clutch bag for a night on the town? Anything held inside (i.e. once the rings are out) would fall out, surely.
ReplyDeleteThis looks worse than the Apex in terms of design...at least the Apex could serve its target market, whereas everything about the ikat looks wrong.
Filofax really need to stop making things that look as though they've come out of a Christmas cracker. If you want to charge a premium price you have to offer a premium product. Though we can joke about the fashion crowd being shallow and susceptible to the old Emperor's New Clothes con, they really aren't stupid and will not recommend tat for fear that their own reputations would be tarnished.
DeleteI *do* hope you're right Ray - in all sorts of ways!!
DeleteI don't understand why they didn't send you the temperley inserts???? They have defectively sent you an ugly version of the Pennybridge to review??!! Xx :)
ReplyDeleteAnd for the record.....
DeletePennybridge normal retail price £35, £33.25 from our favourite retailer.... Wipe clean exterior, but with fixed compact rings...
Ikat £45 as described in the review
Finsbury Compact retail price £48, £45.60 from our favourite retailer.... Leather exterior (in 5 colours) and internal trimmings with some textile facings, fixed compact rings....
I think I would prefer to spend an extra £0.60 or £3 if you must...
As they say in the computer trade no one got sacked for buying HP... the Filofax equivalent is the Finsbury....
Strange you should mention the Finsbury - I've just this morning got mine out to 'play' with....my FF Time Management dividers just don't look right in the brown Kendal and I'm contemplating trialling a couple of set-ups over this last quarter of the year (and with my impending return to work tomorrow).
DeleteThe Finsbury really is a workhorse of a binder....no frills, no bother. My only criticism is that the 'leather' really is stiff, and it makes the credit card slots hard to access. Otherwise, no complaints.
Effectively not defectively. Damn autocorrect :) xx
ReplyDeleteAutocorrect or Freudian slip?
DeleteHaha ;) xx
DeleteLaurie, could you take the rings insert and try fitting it in an internal Flex pocket please?
ReplyDeleteAnd in an A5 flex if you happen to have one?
DeleteHi sorry guys, I don't have a Flex in any size.
DeleteI saw the Ikat 'in the flesh' while browsing CO. I thought it was an odd concept.
ReplyDeleteBy day, I have no need for a FF with such a large wallet attachment that the FF component is so reduced that it is unusable for my needs. By night, there is little space for a powder compact and lipstick with the FF section in, but take it out and you've lost your diary (to note down a hot date).
Personally, the colour and pattern do not work for me as a bag or as a FF. I felt that shiny patent bits made it look cheap. Having examined it 'in the flesh' I returned it to the shelf and purchased something else.
Sorry FF but I shall not be buying one.
That truly is ghastly. It just looks like a Pennybridge that's been covered in fabric that somebody's nicked from a bus seat. I'll pass thanks!
ReplyDeleteSo....a patterned cloth binder/wallet/purse/bag that isn't colourfast. That's really going to work well in the British climate. Genius....
ReplyDeleteYes, that aspect does seem quite poorly-conceived, doesn't it?
DeleteI'm sure the fashionistas will manage to get it to their chauffeured limousines without damage....
DeleteWell their servants will be holding an umbrella over them so they don't need to worry. Haha.
DeleteNow, where can I find me one of those................
I´ll start by saying that I have worked in fashion for yeeeears before I had my son.
ReplyDeleteSo here goes... the design concept is faulty by just starting with the fact that it´s astoundingly ugly. Who the ?&%" designed this, anyway!?! Who in their right mind has used ikat in ages? Aside from aqua or orange- colored pillows perhaps 3-5 years ago. Ikat as a concept is even more passé than chalkboard paint in interiors.
The quality is poor to the point it makes me forget that I´m supposed to be pacifist and stuff. IF they were supposed to market this for the aforementioned " fashionistas " then where is the leather here? The whole point of a clutch is that it´s touchable ( because you are carrying it in your hands ) and because it´s smaller than a tote, the cost of a fine leather is bearable for a customer. Besides, clutches show signs of wear so fast it´s ridiculous. The only clutches that are made in plastic and canvas (like this stupidity is) are usually marketed for young girls who don´t have the deep pockets for the leathery stuff.
GAAAAHHHH! The level of the design faults and Serious Ugly make me all ticked off here.
The only good thing about this enormous lump of monstrosity is the fact that the rings are golden- I like that. But then the rings don´t work well either because they are not sturdy obviously and also if this... thing is supposed to be trendy of fashionable, it might be very good to know that white metals are generally used during this decade. Yellow metals were a thing of the 90´s and 2000´nds. It also is a classic and I like yellow gold but the whole concept here is just so thoroughly faulty that I can´t even.
Pardon me while I go gently caress the September issue of Vogue just to get over all this Serious Ugly.
Well put.
DeleteAnd to add to the ( if it is even possible ) insult of retinas around the world... IF the whole idea behind this... thing was to be fashion forward then what Filofax should have gone after was all things equestrian, manor- house with a whiff of 20´s. Colorways are dark teal, rich plum and chocolate brown. Slacks are high- waisted, with deep pleats ( plus fours have been reported to be seen ), boots are riding boots etc. Leathers in bags, boots ( because the shoe of the season is a boot ) and accessories are lacquered, high polished leather. Leather patterns- if some are used is usually crocodile. So the visual arena in the whole is very luxurious, very proper, very classy, very upscale etc.
DeleteNow, having that said and looking at this canvas & shiny plastic thing couldn´t be further apart.
Even my son told me sternly that the clutch above " is a hoax. It can´t be Filofax because it´s just so horrid. " And he is 7.
I rest my case.
Icclewu, I'm going to be recommending to FF that they employ you as their fashion adviser in place of whomever devised the Temperley debacle, when we meet them :)
Delete(Only joking, Steve.......)
You know, the very idea of a Filofax clutch in itself is golden. But... why mess it up so profoundly? Let´s imagine something like a Holborn personal with zipper as a starting point to this idea. Add a little space in terms of thickness, add a divider inside to prevent your dairy from busting all over the place when you open the zipper up and reach out for your phone, keys or whatever. Remove those timetravellerish contrasting stitches ( which were fantastic in the 70´s and 80´s but the space- ship for those decades departed eons ago already ) to more subdued hues, add a sturdier zipper so it can weather the constant opening and closing and add leather to support the zipper while opening it up etc. I mean, it´s not blitherig rocket science! Thicken the leather up, add some lacquer even if to make it more durable ( if this is not done with dyejob and sturdier fixative in the dye ), stronger zipper supported by leather, enough of space to allow few must haves and a system to keep diary from opening at will. In the end, it all comes to finishes and quality of leather. A clutch would and should be Filofax´s domain by nature! What gives yo?
DeleteSo WeirdRockstar, would it be safe you don't like it then....LOL...I totally agree with every word you have just said...and if filofax had any sense they would be offering you the job for the next seasons filos
DeleteWell, I have to disagree on a couple of points. At least here in the US Ikat is very on trend for pillows and furniture. Rarely do I visit an online furniture store and not see Ikat fabric covered chairs, ottomans, pillows, drapes, etc. I wouldn't say its the rage, but has been featured regularly over the past year or so. Now, I will say that the Ikat fabric they chose is horrid. Those color combos are just awful and as you said, why would you put Ikat on a wallet or a binder accessory? Throws, pillows, small chairs, bedding is one thing; Ikat on a wallet is something else entirely. As far as the gold rings, those don't bother me. Gold jewelry is very much 'back' and spotted regularly in online fashion blogs. But the gold rings do not work with this Ikat fabric; it just looks gaudy. The gold rings might work better with a rich buttery equestrian tan or russet color binder but not with all binders of course. Franklin Covey made spiral bound planner covers for their spiral bound planners and then came out with the rings on the cardboard (actually it was vinyl) to slip into one of the cover's slots if you wanted to add papers to your planner. The slip in rings idea was great except they never stayed put either; when you opened your planner cover they typically slid around and it was very annoying! I had one cover that made for a tight fit but most of the covers did not. I understand and like the idea of being able to remove the planner section but if it is sliding around that would drive me nuts!
DeleteI'm really hoping and praying that Filofax do not go into a third season with Temperley designs. After the disaster of the Affair and Guinea, it was thought impossible for there to be a worse design this time time round. Well congratulations you have done a fantastic job of making one of the most gaudiest (if that isn't actually a word, I like it so will continue to use it) Filofaxes ever.
ReplyDeleteI would never be seen using this, and wouldn't even buy my daughters one. Filofax sunk to new levels when they brought out the Apex, but after this design I believe the Apex will be smiling a huge sigh of relief. Xx
:)
Actually, thinking about it. Imagine returning home after a big night out. You reach into your Ikat clutch bag to find your house keys. You would think you we're hallucinating when you look at it
ReplyDeleteEither that or your drunken friend had just been sick on it.
DeleteHahaha. You wouldn't know either way!!!!!!! Xx
DeleteMaybe the idea was to make the Apex look good, so someone would start purchasing Apex's again..just a thought...expensive way of doing things mind..
DeleteActually the fabric is a living representation of a humdinger of a migraine in my humble opinion??!!! Wonder if Alice Temperley is a secret migraine sufferer???!! She has my every sympathy if so....
DeleteI don't know, I kind of like the fabric, I think it would look great as a saddle blanket for my horse!
ReplyDeleteThat is so funny. I in fact have a red, black and white saddle blanket that looks very similar. It looked great on my grey horse and I liked it very much.
DeleteThere are nicer Ikat fabric designs than this, I am sure and as for colour staining everything bright yellow.... that's put me off it straight away.That's why I rarely cook with turmeric!! Stains everything in sight. By the way.... I am more than miffed with my Finsburys this morning. My black and Aqua A5s are starting to show wear and tear on the back of the clip strap....where the Filofax rests on the desk... only tiny, but nevertheless there and so highly irritating. Have moved my Filofax contents to the A5 ink Cuban this morning .....hoping it will take the strain of daily use better... but the ring size is much smaller.... so not as functional as the bigger ringed Finsbury. AUDIBLE SIGH....unemployed, so cannot afford a black A5 Malden to replace my aqua Fins with (black Fins not as worn at the buckle.. so bearable as an info binder now...) unless of course I receive an A5 black Malden for free just for being such a trendy Wendy of a fashionista..... what you mean the thermal mountaineering socks and baffy track suit at my home laptop is not fashionista enough!!!???!!!!
ReplyDeleteYeah... that's fugly.
ReplyDeleteMy guess is that Alice Temperley had nothing to do with the design. She just put her name on it. This looks about as practical as the Chanel-handbag-made-out-of-a hula-hoop that was on the catwalks recently. Or the Jill Sander paper bag handbag (made out of...er...a paper bag) which cost 200 pounds. If the IKAt is a joke I'm not laughing. How stupid do they think Filofax users actually are?
ReplyDeleteThis really did fall out of the ugly tree and bounce off every branch on the way down. Rock star.
ReplyDeleteIf equestrian is in, then my EBay acquisition of an A5 in Italian bridle leather must be high fashion :) Seriously, though.....the difference in the two products is Si far apart, you would think they were made by different companies. If they want fashion, why not go for Paul Smith? He has already done Filofax in the 1980s.
Cheryl, I actually looked up the word Ikat and didn't realise the amazing prints that were out there, I thought it was a made up word or someone's name.. so why on earth they chose this colour combo I do not know.. I thik sometimes some prints don't transfer well, you need the size of a cushion or a blanket to appreciate them fully.. To be fair the gold binder is the best bit..I agree doesn't work in this combo.I did see an elepnat print and that might have worked...
ReplyDeleteI agree that it seems odd that Filofax is trying to target a fashion-forward crowd and then produce such an ugly binder. Yes, ikat is supposed to be on trend, but I agree with previous comments that the equestrian or 20s would have been a better fit with the Filofax aesthetic. Filofax should look at what Mulberry and Coach are doing with their planners and notebooks and create something classy - only not so expensive!
ReplyDeleteThe ikat material that you have behind the Ikat is just gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThe Ikat Filofax itself is nasty. Doesn't look a thing like the ikat cloth - it looks like bad bus upholstery.