Hello!
I have been excitedly waiting all week to let you guys in on my latest project. I have been working on my bridal collection and classic collection, which I mentioned in last week's post. I have been doing some custom designs outside of my normal collections, and I really enjoy it. I like to think something that separates my purses from other purses, is that mine are made with love. Every fabric is hand picked and the leather feels so genuine and luxurious. I spend a great deal of time, perfecting every detail so that the future owner feels the love and care put into each bag. I think when you are making a purse for someone you know that's an easier thing. It's like baking a cake for your sibling, versus a total stranger. I won't make you wait any longer, in my attempts to try and connect better with my customer I am embarking on what I like to call, "The Cleanse." Each week I am going to create a purse that one of my friends will love and also interview them. I made shirts and purses for my friend's birthdays as I was growing up, and there really is a special kind of love and labor that goes into those gifts. This all came to me over the weekend, along with all of the details for a perfect purse for my friend, Rebecca. I was driving and suddenly imagined a turquoise button, black fringe with gold splatter paint, a hard stamped "you are well-loved" filled in with gold, and of course mustard yellow lining with a mustard yellow lace pocket. I was so excited at this idea of making something beautiful for the people I love that I almost began it when I arrived home at 3am. Here we go!

The Cleanse: week 1
Rebecca and I have been friends about a year. We met a couple months after I moved here, when we both worked at Savannah Bee Company. I was so excited to hear she loved Death Cab for Cutie as much as I did, maybe a little more. I thought her earrings, which were huge turquoise spheres with feathers, were something that belonged in my own closet. We really became good friends this past winter and we have been roommates since February. She has been such a blessing to meet, when I moved down I never expected that I would make friends with someone so funny, sweet, and fun. We have way too much fun, whether it be grocery shopping or going to the beach. In the past few months I have definitely paid attention to her style and was confident I could make a bag she would love.

Overall I would say this was a successful first week, Rebecca loved the purse. She was amazed by how "her" the purse was and how every detail was her favorite colors, and shapes. One thing that became very apparent when I was working on this is people tend to have their own chosen forms. The purse I create called the "Gatsby" is my ideal style lines and silhouette. Whether I am drawing or designing a dress, I am always drawn to very curvy, loopy, and organic shapes. I thought about Rebecca's jewelry and clothing and I realized she prefers hexagonal shapes. You can see these details on the shape of the purse, with the bottom having angular shaping. The flap for the purse was an echo of 1960's fashion, which is definitely an element of Rebecca's style. The button almost exactly matches a signature ring that Rebecca always wears.

The Interview:

1. What is your favorite accessory?

-Probably a necklace or rings. A plethora of rings.

2. Where would be your dream vacation?

-Oregon, but generally I would like to conquer america before I leave the country.

3. What is your favorite color?

-Pea soup, green/ teal

4. What is your favorite quote?

-This quote is probably my fave because every time I re-read it, it inspires me to re-evaluate or simplify things going on in my life. I know this quote is used frequently, but no one beats ole' Jack.

"Be in love with your life. Every minute of it."

-Jack Kerouac

-It's so simple, but it boils down to the core of what truly matters: making a life your proud of.

5. Who is your hero?

-I don't even care what people think about this, but Andy Samberg is totally at the top somewhere. Nestled alongside him in my heart would be Ben Gibbard. His creative lyricism continues to inspire and amaze me.

6. What is your favorite activity?

-Sleeping, I'm too lazy. I don't know how I haven't been picked out by natural selection by now.

Have a lovely week, and always remember, you are well-loved.

-Gianina

White Beetles & Splatter Paint Fringe (7/3/13)