Posts with tag Purses

We recently caught up with Cynthia James, designer of the new line, JamesCyn handbags. We were pleasantly surprised to find an uber interesting and passionate woman who is not only a handbag designer but a former ballet dancer, costumer, choreographer and world traveler. Her rich background weaves itself, literally, into her amazing bags.

Sky high wooden platforms, wedges that are more artwork than they are shoes, bold colored purses in the shape of lunchboxes, big bauble necklaces in bright blue and pink -- the Just Cavalli show in Milan Fashion Week truly had some amazing clothes, but the little details stole the limelight.

We love all of the amazing independent designers out there. In order to find out more about just what makes all of these creative types tick, we present to you an ongoing segment called Indie Designer Interviews.

We'd like you to meet handbag designer Lesia Griffin of 144 Collection. Lesia creates one-of-a-kind custom handbags and accessories as well as limited edition bags in a variety of eye-catching prints and styles.

The mother daughter team at JULE handbags, Julie and Lori Ellis, have come across the perfect collaboration. Their unique abilities (Julie creates while Lori perfects and produces) have allowed them to open the door to a new niche in handbags – customized bags for brides to be.

By sending the pair a fabric swatch, they can create a one of a kind handbag for that "something new" on a bride's special day. For bride's that have tirelessly searched and exhausted all bridesmaid gift options, a JULE creation is also a unique gift that can be made to match each girls personality.

And if you're not a bride to be or bridesmaid? Not a problem! The team has a line of handbags that range from chic champagne hobos to bright, energetic clutches. Our favorite? The Starlette.

Check out the gallery to see more JULE handbags.

We love all of the amazing independent designers out there. In order to find out more about just what makes all of these creative types tick, we present to you an ongoing segment called Indie Designer Interviews.

Today's featured indie label is Fugsly, a quirky handbag and accessory company based in Glasgow, Scotland. Designer Nicole creates one-of-a-kind pieces and happily takes on custom orders to help you create a truly unique finishing touch for any outfit.

It is unclear whether we have seen a bag collection quite as beautiful or one caused such "hysteria" as Gucci's new fall collection. The brand's newest handbag collection is heavily influenced by the Middle Ages. It features gorgeous animal prints, sumptuous tapestries, and mysterious and royal colors like grape, gray, and chocolate. Each bag is also adorned with a Gucci crest.

Has Medieval Times ever sounded so sexy?

We love all of the amazing independent designers out there. In order to find out more about just what makes all of these creative types tick, we present to you an ongoing segment called Indie Designer Interviews.

Today's interview is with Kate Garey, a designer, artist and crafter based in the UK. If you like quirky and cute, silly and girly, you'll love Kate's handmade purses, wallets and cosmetics cases.

We love all of the amazing independent designers out there. In order to find out more about just what makes all of these creative types tick, we present to you an ongoing segment called Indie Designer Interviews.

Today we'd like to introduce you to custom handbag and accessory designer Theresa M. Goodwin of Sakura Urban Studio. We love her leather poppy wristlets, pouches, necklaces and bracelets, not to mention all of her other fabulous designs!

Well, it beats spending time on a decades-long waiting list for an iconic Kelly, doesn't it?

New York blogger Karyn Bosnak drew our attention to a new feature on the Hermes website which shows you how to make your own Hermes bag, just like the real thing. The only downside? You have to make it out of paper... a fun craft project, perhaps, but not likely to withstand the first rainy day of summer.

If you'd like to make something a little more substantial (but only a little more substantial), why not try your hand at making a bikini?

We recently caught up with Sarah Johnson, the head buyer for LunaBoston.com, an online boutique that features a fabulous selection of handbags from modern and emerging designers like Olivia Harris, Jenny Yuen, and Treesje. We asked her what she looks for when shopping for new young designers to carry, and found out what trends she thinks will be hot for Fall 2008.

We love all of the amazing independent designers out there. In order to find out more about just what makes all of these creative types tick, we present to you an ongoing segment called Indie Designer Interviews.

Today's interview is with handbag designer Joanna Baker of Jobie Boutique, a line of handcrafted bags perfect for women of any age. Joanna creates hobos, satchels, wristlets and cosmetic cases using high-quality, classic materials such as leather and suede paired with cotton canvas in timeless prints like paisley and houndstooth.

Recession, schmession. We're not tightening our belts for any looming economic downturn.

Er, rather, we're not tightening the straps on our handbags.

When it comes to handbags, some of us seem to live in an alternate universe where there is no such thing as "budget." Forbes has picked out this (and next) season's "It" bags - those bags for which we won't be shy about taking out a second mortgage on our homes.

Why haven't I heard of Carla Braccialini? I walked by the store in Soho and did a double take. Their window was stocked with bold, bright, matching patent leather shoes and bags. It was so cool I had to stop in for a gander.

Look at this stuff on their great flash site! These lines don't even include the bright red and multicolored items I saw in their window. Look at the classy Looney Tunes stuff! I can't believe I just said that!

I'm a big fan of all of the amazing independent designers out there. In an effort to get inside the mind of the indie designer and find out just what makes all of these creative types tick, I present to you an ongoing segment I call Indie Designer Interviews. Today's interview is with the designer behind Oh So Retro, a line of fun handmade handbags, wallets and accessories.

Tell me a little about your work. I'm Adrienne, a seamstress turned designer hailing from Winnipeg, Canada. As my chosen business name implies, I am a fan of all things vintage and retro from furniture to dishes to textiles and books. I collect a little bit of everything and am always on the look out for vintage stock to incorporate into my designs. I do all of my sewing on a vintage Singer sewing machine from the 1950s which can prove challenging at times but things were made to keep back then. I try to incorporate that mentality in my own designs, to create something that is visually pleasing yet still functional enough to use everyday.

How did you get started running your own business? I started Oh So Retro back in 2004 as a vintage clothing boutique. I had been sewing my own clothing for years before that and took that knowledge into my reselling business by altering vintage clothing and doing custom sewing jobs. I began making matching bags out of the salvaged fabric from floor length gowns and much-too-small tweed skirts and soon enough the bags started outselling the clothing! I knew I was on to something good, and worked on creating my own line of bags and accessories. I was selling well from my own website and did some local consignment but things really took off for me once I started selling on Etsy.com. I'm really happy to have found my home on there.

Who are your favorite designers? The Vintage Zoo does some amazing things with her own brand of vintage + handmade clothing. Nice Face makes the cutest tunics I have ever seen. SRB Designs by Miss Bohl designs the most gorgeous clothing. I want everything.

What are your top fashion & beauty must-haves? It`s hard to be fashionable in the winter, but I try! Right now I`m loving skinny jeans and tunics paired up with bolero sweaters for a little extra warmth. I love flat shoes and I have an amazing pair of mary jane flats from Stops And Starts. I've been using a lot of extra large shoulder bags and still wear my over sized Jackie O sun glasses. I`m very simple when it comes to make up, just a touch of mascara and lip gloss. I use a great lip gloss from The Plaid Mushroom. Thanks to her I've not had chapped lips once this winter!

Know of a favorite independent handbag designer that you'd love to see recognized and rewarded for their work? Let them know about the open call for entries for the Second Annual Independent Handbag Designer Awards, sponsored by Handbag Designer 101. The categories for this competition are Best Student Made Handbag, Best Handmade Handbag, Most Socially Responsible Handbag, Best Green Handbag, Audience-Selected Handbag, and Best Handbag in Overall Style & Design. There are some great prizes up for grabs for the winning designers, including a free booth at the MAGIC accessories tradeshow in Las Vegas this August, an apprenticeship with the Henri Bendel accessory design team and more.

Okay, okay, so chances are that you're probably not a handbag designer, but maybe you're just a lover of purses? Handbag Designer 101 is still a great resource you can use to read interviews with up and coming bag designers, stay up to date on the latest trends in handbags, chat about your handbag must-haves, get your celebrity bag watch fix and find out about handbag related events and deals.

Speaking of deals on handbags, I just got word from my friends at Accessory Bug about their special discount offer for spring. Get 10% off on any order through April 30, 2008 by using coupon code spring08 at checkout. They've got the infamous "I'm not a plastic bag" handbag in four different color choices, plus a huge selection of clutches, hobos, totes, wristlets and other accessories.