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Rhinestones, glitter, Mom’s old jewels, felt, ribbon, wrapping paper, glue, scissors, flowers, sequins, pipe cleaners, you name it I had it on hand in my big art box. I was a little girl and my love for fashion and merchandising came early for me.
I loved watching my Mom get ready for her nights out with my Dad. Fur wraps, fancy dresses, glittery earrings, fresh manicure, and dramatic make-up; I was fascinated by her glamour and enjoyed watching her get ready. She would tell me how she loved watching her Mom get ready too and about the gorgeous clothes she would wear. Although I dreaded the part when they said I had to watch my little brother and make sure he was good while they were out on the town.
I always made the most of babysitting my brother by convincing him to play my favorite game, Retail Store. I had a jewelry and purse store while he sold He Man and Star Wars figures. Oh mine was not just any store, you had to get buzzed into my store. I had signs with photos of famous faces, hangtags with pricing, and of course everything was perfectly placed on risers covered with velvet. I was in 3rd grade when we began playing this game and although my brother moved onto the music industry, I truly never stopped playing retail store.
So how did I start making purses?
I knew I was creative, but I did not realize that my creativity would turn into a business one day. I made clothes, painted on t-shirts, decorated any lampshade that was still untouched, rhinestoned my shoes, restrung old jewelry from my Grandma’s jewel box , re-painted all my frames pink, placed feather boas on my hairbrushes, and on and on.
Now it was my turn to get ready on Saturday nights (well really Wednesday thru Saturday to make up for all those years I could not go out-wink wink). The black dress, high heals, glittery make-up, chandelier earrings, and a terribly boring black purse. That where everything was about to change.
It was scrounge time. I hit my Big Art Box. Out poured the flowers, the glue, the feathers, the rhinestones… all of it. I sat and created what would become my signature handbag covered in pink and crème roses all over the bag. It was amazing how instantly I felt girly, pretty,sexy and flirty. All the things women love to feel. I got all of this from a bag? Yes. And out the door I went hit the famed Sunset Strip where I met friends for dinner at the Mondrian Hotel.
I received so much attention from my new purse and people were freaking out over something that I actually loved doing. Create.
The rest really is a chain reaction of setting up shop on the floor of my apartment gluing away on my newest canvas, PURSES. I began with flowers all of all kinds, roses, daisies, hydrangeas etc staying up late watching MTV insomniac theater and making my new line. I have incorporated all the things I love about fashion such as luxurious fabrics like satin and silk, and fun sparkly things like feathers and crystals into my line.
I'm thrilled to have received such a great response for my purses from celebrities, store owners, and great customers alike. I love knowing that women collect them and can't wait to know what I will do next.
Starting on the living room floor in 1999 and growing to a where I am today makes me realize that...Oh I have no idea. I just hope you enjoy my bags! |
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