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Nelle is a Finalist! Independant Handbag Designer Awards

Monday, April 28th, 2008

Imagine my surprise when I checked my voice mail this morning and discovered that my bag was selected as a top five finalist in the Handmade Handbag category of the 2008 Independent Handbag Design Awards. If my clutch wins its category my bag will be featured in a window display at Henri Bendel and I will be invited with the other 5 winners to hold a trunk show at the legendary department store. Every time I think about this my heart skips a beat, it has been a dream of mine to have my bags at the store - shriek! Breathe….

Above is the clutch that is up for the award, it is a part of my 2008 Nelle Day Collection which will be available on-line the second week of May. It is the only 100 percent fabric bag in the Handmade Handbag category, which is amazing!

Designer Inspiration

Thursday, April 17th, 2008

This week I took 3 days off to spend some QT time with my business plan. I am 75% of the way through with it and have myself so excited about the future of Nelle!

While researching for the bp I looked up Alabama Chanin, the latest reincarnation of Natalie Chanin’s original Project Alabama business model. Project Alabama was a grassroots fashion label that had quite a bit of success in the industry. Until a year or so ago all of thier pieces were made by local seamstresses and artisans in Florrence Alabama. Natalie’s business partners decided that they wanted to expand the business and have started production in India, Nancy decided to jump ship and stick to the founding principles of Project Alabama - Keep it local. Click here for the full story on Alabama Chanin.

I have always planned to keep my production local if Nelle ever decides to expand on me. So it was thrilling to learn even more about how Chanin’s production model works and how the slow design movement is starting to gain more attention in the national media. Slow design is defined as; Design for manufacturing with local/regional materials and technologies or Design that supports local industries, workshops and craftspeople. Chanin proved that a company can be profitable while not falling victim to the bottom line and the temptress mass production.

Accessory and clothing design can be about so much more when you invest in your community. After learning more about the slow design movement and reading a bit more about Chanin’s success I feel that my plan to keep production of Nelle goods local can do three amazing things: Provide work to talented crafts people, keep production in the united states, and most importantly create beautiful pieces made by the loving hands of local talents that may have otherwise been unused.

A New Nelle Clutch for Spring

Sunday, March 23rd, 2008

If you haven’t figured it out by now I have an absolute love affair with the clutch. The bigger bags, though both practical and functional, don’t excite me quite like a great little clutch. Maybe its because it lengthens the arm, or perhaps it’s that you need a certain bit of grace to maneuver about with one in your hand. Don’t get me wrong in today’s multi-tasking rat race a girl needs a big bag to make it through the day, but the simplicity that a clutch represents can be refreshing. This could be the reason why a majority of my work involves clutches and evening bags or it could be that they are just so delicious to create. Each time I design a new piece it is like creating a tiny little cake full of secret ingredients that will tantalize someones style palette.

I came up with this a few weeks ago. Recently I had come into a large amount of ribbon and was inspired by no other than Christian’s ruffle looks on the Project Runway finale. Something about them just seemed to dance and they really excited me. For me design is 2 parts inspiration, the ribbon and Christian’s looks, and 1 part reinterpretation - how do I make this my own. My work is generally symmetrical and I’ve been told a bit Art Deco - this new clutch illustrates that. I have yet to come up with a name, and have a hard time naming my clutches. I should just throw a naming part and invite all of my gal pals over for a brainstorm….. Sounds fun, time to start planning.

A Trip to Heaven

Sunday, March 9th, 2008

It has been a week since Cameron and I returned from our trip to San Francisco. What an incredible city! The weather was gorgeous an we enjoyed everyday that we were there. I like to joke that we ate our way around the city, with all of the excellent restaurants I don’t know how you couldn’t. At night we stayed at the Hotel Adagio and our days were spent walking around the city, riding the cable cars, and spending time in the wine country. Below are some token shots from my trip. Take note that Hayes Valley is an excellent place to shop for that indie designer piece.

Without the Flowers in My Hair

Thursday, February 21st, 2008

On Saturday I am headed to San Francisco for 8 days of relaxation. This is my first time to the city and I have to say I am so excited to be going. Cameron and I have a laundry list of recommendations that we are eager to tackle, but secretly I am hoping for a little rest too. A few must stops we have been instructed to make are; the Slanted Door at the Ferry Building, Muir Woods, Saulsalito, Alcatraz, Britex Fabrics, Rose and Radish, Point Reyes, and Golden Gate Park. So much to do and that is just the beginning of it. I have to say that the designer in me can not wait to check out the indie design scene, I hear it is fab. I also am completely giddy about The Chinese New Year parade we get to see the first night we are in - what a spectacle that will be.

Tonight I am packing and planning - I have to keep telling myself to pack sensible shoes, but alas all of my best looks require a heel which will not do on the streets of San Fran. How do women get around there - amazing, I will have to scope out their footwear while I am there. Unfortunately I have not had a chance to make an enormous travel bag for the trip, so I am bringing a cute ugly carryall from target. It kills me that I am not carrying my own bag! Such a shame.

I will update the blog with my San Fran experience when I get back. In the meantime if you want recommend something please do , I am all ears.

Lela Rose - Oh what a dress

Monday, February 4th, 2008

Can I say DIVINE! What a dress for that oh so graceful walk down the aisle.

New Nelle Wedding bags are here!

Sunday, January 20th, 2008

Using simple and sublime detail the new Nelle 2008 Wedding Collections’ statement making pieces blend seamlessly with any brides color palette. Inspired by the stark yet beautiful Minnesota winters, I used hand dyed silk charmeuse in shades of cream, white, brown, coral and black. Ombre’ ribbon and vintage brooches compliment the silk charmeuse to create the perfect accessory for a brides special day.

My new bridal collection will be available for order within the week. Please keep in mind when ordering that brooch styles will vary from bag to bag as all brooches are one of a kind or in limited supply. Brooches are subject to change, however they will be the same size as brooches represented in the product samples and will be made up of clear rhinestones and metal.

Fall head-over-heels for these cherubic wedding clutches

Sunday, January 13th, 2008

Over the weekend I whipped up a slew of these little bundles of joy. I started by dying plain silk charmeuse with a non-toxic dye and vinegar solution. Than created the pattern for the new clutch and started sewing. These clutches were a joy to make and the ombre and grosgrain ribbon detail turned out just lovely. I am head over heels for these little guys and know that they will make a perfect accessory for the fashionable bride. I think I will call these new little clutches cherubs because they are cute, compact, and have a number of “rolls”. More to come throughout the week. Cherub clutches will be available for order on-line beginning Monday, January 21.