Edited by Rebecca Alexander on
FI: What was your inspiration when creating this handbag?
CB: My muses for this design were my students who are little fashionistas in the making and some fierce spectator pumps I had recently seen in a fashion magazine. The pumps reminded me of some my grandmas had worn back in their days as flappers when the 20’s were Roarin’, thus the Retro. Bringing that style a modern twist by adding the faux stones gave it the Metro. I think the faux stones could be in opaque onyx or chalk white. I had actually drawn a couple of design ideas, but time after time people picked this one as being “HOT!”
FI: Have you always wanted to be a handbag designer?
CB: I have always wanted to be a fashion designer and certainly handbags are part of that. I have designed and made clothes for myself, friends and family as well as jewelry and handbags. My mom had also wanted to be a fashion designer and she taught me many things about art and sewing and style. I am currently learning as much as I can about shibori (stitch shaped resist dye) so I can make my own custom fabrics. As a middle school art teacher, I have put my fashion design skills to use making costumes for school plays and musicals as well as doing backdrops and special effects. Two other art teachers in my school corporation, Liz and Libby, also have that fashion urge and we have collaborated on designs for textiles and fashions.
FI: How is fashion a part of your daily life?
CB: Isn’t fashion a part of everyone’s daily life? My dear hubby Mark is very tolerant of the overflowing
closet and the projects that sometimes take over the living room. He is working on building me a steamer for steaming my dyed silk yardage. My niece Mallory is my fave shopping companion as she is brutally honest about what looks fab and what looks flab. I love to cook too and I think food needs to look good as well as taste good. You need to surround yourself with beauty to have a beautiful life. As Coco Chanel said “Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”
FI: Describe your style?
CB: My style is very eclectic. I don’t worship one particular style. My style is what makes me feel good
that day. I like to mix pieces from different stores and designers with my own designs to put together my own look. I consider myself a BBW and I am so thrilled to see stores like Maurices offering plus
size clothing that not only fits, but looks good and makes me feel good. Now if we can get some of the hot designers to recognize the BBWs and their wonderful curves…
Vote for this bag at maurices.
Rebecca does not like biographies. They are stupid and she would rather spend her time editing the site. Which she does with great vigor.