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| Red "Alex" Coque Feathers, $195 |
Leopard "Nella" Calf-hair Clutch, $350 |
Turquoise "Saundra" Ostrich with Bamboo, $250 |
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| 1. | love the alex bag, i may purchase this - J from NYC, June 09, 2007. | | 2. | Designer's Note: The Alex bag's name is Alice. - Tracey Vest from CA, June 10, 2007. | | 3. | Great accessory pieces and conversation starters! - Andrea from CA, June 11, 2007. | | 4. | Continued great luck Tracey! You go girl! (Just keep going and going...) - Joi from NYC, June 11, 2007. | | 5. | What can I say...........FUN & FABULOUS!!!! I always get compliments when I carry my Brown Alice and Black Kerry purses. - Marla from Nashville, TN, June 11, 2007. | | 6. | Love You, Tracey! I'm very proud of you and your Outstanding Artistic Contribution to society- and more importantly our family! Keep up the work- by the way Jade and Angel are your next namesakes! PS- Chaka's my female Rott! Any ideas? - Glenn from OH, June 11, 2007. |
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| I have always made things for myself and other people as gifts and then
started selling them. I would either do my version or create things I wanted but
could not afford or find. I was taken with Vogue magazine, and still love old
movies and they way people used to dress-up wearing gloves, purse, hat, the
whole shebang especially for evenings. I am really bummed that people don't get
gussied up so much anymore. Right now I am branching out to shoes, jewelry and
hair accessories. I usually wear things myself and gauge the feedback and then I
will ask friends to wear them around and tell me what happens. My bags are
usually a big hit with males and they are great conversation starters. I have
talked to the nicest folks in elevators, movie lines, grocery stores or even
airports.
I use the unusual for everyday, as it is fun to carry my bags. One of my stores
said they make people smile. I would say the feathers, they are so pretty, girly
and flirty but unless your a showgirl or its Halloween people might stare if you
wear a boa or headdress, but a purse works. I like to mix things other people
might not put together, a crazy floral lining in my leopard bags, rhinestones
with beat up leather...I will pretty much wear any of my bags with my jeans. My
customer is pretty much anyone but not for the faint of heart or someone who
doesn't want to be noticed. She is fashion but not "label" conscious.
I always wanted to do something creative but not sure what and how to get
started and plain old AFRAID. " I can't do this" I didn't study traditionally, I
dabbled in fashion school, but I have functioned on instinct. In high school, I
failed sewing even though the garment came out, I just didn't follow the
directions. When was laid off after the internet whirl and while job hunting I
figured I had nothing to lose. I was afraid I wasn't doing it right, but I was
more afraid of starving. So I sent bags to different magazines and one contacted
me and I just have been making it up as I go along. So I guess I got lucky, if I
waited until I wasn't afraid I may never have actually jumped in and now I can't
imagine not doing this.
Oh I think nightmare stories just go with the territory, like everyone, I have
lots of them, but nothing specific pops in my mind right now but they are
usually very Lana Turner in the moment with some sort of lesson to be learned. I
have made things for me, only to wear it have it be a hit and then not be able
to find my materials...that has happened more than once on occasion.
My biggest accomplishment is I got here making it up as I go along and what I
call "half a shoestring." It's not so devastating when I get what I call rejected
.....my first Feather purse, the brown coque feathers, that is 5 years old was
recently referred to as a "work of art".... so much for "I can't do this."
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IHDA Nominee: Best Handmade Handbag
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What is your name? |
Tracey Vest |
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Where are you from? |
Connecticut |
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Where do you live now? |
Los Angeles, CA |
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How old are you? |
Been in the industry... |
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Do you have a design background? |
No. |
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Do you still have a day job? |
Yes, I am currently a receptionist. |
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What year were your bags born? |
Officially, 2002. |
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Bag brand name: |
Tracey Vest |
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What is their retail price range? |
$75 - $350 |
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Where can a shopper buy your bags? |
www.traceyvest.com |
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For more information, contact: |
www.traceyvest.com |
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Designer Archive:
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