Handbag | Accessory Company
second of two semesters
My obsession is handbags. I have a tendency to change the bag I carry daily depending on what I'm wearing or even my mood. I have been known to change my bag according to the situation I am in. For instance, if I am going on an interview, I am going to bring my classic black leather tote, but if I'm going out into Boston for the night, I will be carrying my small and compact wristlet. I feel as though the bags we carry really define our personalities and likes while at the same time reflecting the situations we are in. My at-one-time small collection of handbags has grown into an obsession, and seminar will allow me to explore this obsession.
I want to create something useful and real. I was taught how to sew and craft at a young age by watching my mother, and I enjoy using my hands to make things. With these ideas in mind I plan to create a line of handbags and accessories based on the customers' personalities and likes, expressed the the use of fabrics as well as my own ideas on design. The pieces will focus on quality, design, function and originality -- after all, who wants the same bag as their best friend's? I want to create a small boutique-like company for these handmade designs, and will build a website through which the products can be displayed and ordered. The website will help in promoting the product, and also be a place to express the companys objectives. Every aspect of this company, from the handbag itself to the specific threading on its tag, will reflect the brand's detail-oriented identity.
Seminar will give me the opportunity to exploit this idea. My peers' input will act as my customers' feedback. Since my company will be primarily based on my customers' personalities and satisfaction, the contributions from my peers will be useful in the many stages of building my brand. Seminar will also give me more time to devote to my obsession, creating an end product that I am satisfied with.
There are many handbag and accessory companies, take a look at my closet. Certain companies have different aspects to them that I both like and dislike. I love high-end manufacturers (Coach, Louis Vuitton) provide you with the small details, dusters, authenticity branding, packaging that reflects the brand, etc. At the same time I like some of the originality and quirkiness of small brands (L.A.M.B.). I plan to combine the aspects of both ends of the market in creating my own brand. The brand will appeal to a broad array of audiences, since the designs will rely on my customers' personalities and likes. I want each of these pieces to be something that I would want and maybe even have trouble parting with.
Over the summer I plan on experimenting with different fabrics to get a feel for them, as well as research companies where I can get different supplies. I have been introduced to a few different designers that cater to the same market, and I will try to find out how they are successful. I have started to look at basic patterns at local fabric stores, I feel altering existing patterns may be a good starting point for me until I feel more comfortable with the materials to create my own. I also want to start developing some sort of questionnaire that I can use as a basis to obtain a sketch of my customer's personality.
Some of my ideas may change while pursuing this project, with this in mind I want to remain open to options that may better express my ideas. This is something that I really want to devote a lot of time into and make my own; seminar will allow me to do so.
date : 12 May 04
Corinne Back
Eric Bailey
Dave Blank
Brian Cannon
Nathan Hayward
Paul Kinchla
Curtis Levesque
Meghan O'Connor
Nicole Pivirotto
Brian Savignano
Matthew Sexton
Luke Shover
Ron Theriault
completed projects (fall semester)
Dave Blank
Kerriann DiLeo
Rene Dolabaille
Ben Jenness
Hedwiga Kulig
Joseph Lambert
Chung-heng Liu
Nicole Pivirotto