Arm Art

Bag it up, ladies! The Tri-State is hopping with haute couture handbag designers! Some have decades of experience while others are new on the satchel scene. Keep reading as we chat with three local handbag designers about their inspirations, innovations, and passions for purse fashions.

 Erin Biel, Designs by Paolo

The doctor bag-inspired handbags that the Designs by Paolo brand is now known for was inspired by actual doctor bags.

Its parent company is Professional Case, Inc., a family-owned and operated business founded in 1974, with its entire product line produced in a 7,000 sq. ft. factory near West Chester. Professional Case is a custom manufacturer of leather doctor bags, medical cases and other handcrafted products serving the medial community. Recognizing business potential outside of the medical community - with a booming handbag market and growing demand for high-end bags - Designs by Paolo was launched in February of 2007.

Designs by Paolo new spring and summer designs

The first Designs by Paolo bag designs were a fashionable version - with more color and vintage flair - of the Professional Case doctor bag. Today, Designs by Paolo has several designs ranging from their classic doctor bags and folios to travel bags, totes and wristlets.

"The Designs by Paolo brand was created due to the overwhelming response we received from women who wanted a handbag that was designed and manufactured in the style of a traditional doctor bag," says Biel. "We are so proud to be a Cincinnati based company that actually manufactures its own designs. None of our bags are imported."

Since launching, these haute couture handbags (which typically range from $149-$299) have found their way onto the pages of Lucky Magazine and Southern Living, in films such as Mel Brooks' "The Producers," and on the arms of several Hollywood stars, such as Paris Hilton, Julianne Hough and Tia Carrera.

Although Designs by Paolo does not have a typical retail storefront, they welcome visitors to visit their factory and recently-expanded showroom to view inventory that may not be available online. "You can not only shop from our extensive inventory with many one of a kind items, but you can also choose from our unique leathers and fabrics to create your bag and express your individual style," says Biel. "We recently began allowing our customers to tour the factory, when they visit and we are happy to host private shopping events for groups of 12 or more."

To custom design your bag, book a tour, or learn more, click here.

Sarabella James handbag

Jannis D'Alessandri, Sarabella James

While Sarabella James officially launched in 2010, the first designs were created more than a decade ago.

"While shopping in 2001, I had a clear vision of a handbag nestled in the back of my mind and just couldn't find anything I liked enough to buy," she recalls. "Frustrated, I decided to sketch the vision into a pattern form, cut it out and teach myself how to sew it all back together somehow."

D'Alessandri made several bags for herself that fit her vision. She soon found that, when she'd wear her handbags out in public, women would often stop to ask where she got her bag. She later made a few for friends and family. Turns out, they too were stopped with handbag admirers.

At the time, though, Edgewood KY-based D'Alessandri was a busy mother of three and she loved her bags too much to let them go. "Every time I'd finish a bag, I'd love it more than the last and wouldn't let a darn one go," D'Alessandri laughs. "I made bags and more bags until I had almost 50. I decided it was more fun to lend them out to family and friends and hear their stories when they returned the bag." So, she shelved her dreams of being a handbag designer and focused on raising her kids.

Fast forward to 2010, D'Alessandri attended a large textile show in Los Angeles, and happened to be carrying one of her handbags while browsing the textile vendors. To her surprise, her bag again attracted attention. But this time, it caught the attention of high profile designers, buyers, and fashion industry professionals.

By chance, D'Alessandri met and began to share a vision and business partnership with a small manufacturer. Soon thereafter, Sarabella James (named after her three children) was born. D'Alessandri had one requirement though: no mass production. She wanted each handbag to be proudly and meticulously handmade in the U.S., with no two alike.

Today, she imports textiles from around the world – France, Italy, England, Germany, India, Thailand, Hong Kong and South America just to name a few – and she produces posh purses (which range from $180-$859) in a variety of sizes:

• Slouchy Hobos, Bucket Bags and Pouches
• Structured Satchels and Totes
• Pudgy Petites
• Worthy Wristlets
• Charismatic Cross Bodies and Clutches

D'Alessandri recently launched a new website – sarabellajames.com – and started a Facebook fanpage. Handbags are available for purchase online, private trunk shows and at public showings listed on her site.

Belle Grotto Couture Handbag

Kathryn Allen, Belle Grotto Couture Handbags
On her most casual of days, Kathryn Allen's grandmother would still wear a strand of pearls. "My grandmother, who cherished all things beautiful and stylish, was my inspiration," says Allen. "As a child, she impressed her love of fashion upon me and that love has endured with me."

That sense of style and love of luxury in Allen's blood is what ultimately inspired her to launch Belle Grotto Couture Handbags earlier this year. "My business was conceptualized in the second quarter of 2011, matured to production of my first luxury handbag in the fourth quarter of 2011, [and] Belle Grotto Couture's electronic boutique went live to the discerning public in February 2012," says Allen.

Belle Grotto Couture handbags are handcrafted in the U.S. by a fourth generation craftsman. French piping, hand-painted edges, and custom-dyed thread to ensure stitching matches the leather flawlessly are just a few of the luxurious little details you'll enjoy about a Belle Grotto Couture handbag.

Allen says her bags are patterned from custom styles that she develops, as she personally selects each color, exotic skin, hardware and interior component of every Belle Grotto Couture handbag. "Some traditional and ageless, others trendy and hip," she adds. "[We] utilize the finest quality exotic skins, leathers and furs that are inspected and hand-selected for each handbag."

Allen says her price points start at $650 for smaller bags, such as the an ostrich clutch, and extend to upwards of $6,200 for items such as the crocodile kelly style handbag.

Design inspiration comes from all directions, says Allen, from style icons to both past and emerging trends. "I draw inspiration from past trends and see new possibilities for future designs that are innovative and fresh," she explains. Allen says her two role models in the fashion industry are Tom Ford - for his elegant and edgy style - and Coco Chanel – for her determination to succeed and her perseverance to overcome obstacles.

To learn more about Belle Grotto Couture Handbags, visit bgchandbags.com or become a fan on Facebook.

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