I started my company about 3 years ago in response to my growing frustration with disposable fashion. I wanted to create bags that were useful and stylish, but not trendy. The materials I use are recycled, and by this I mean I buy nothing "new." I use vintage fabrics and buttons that I find at antique shops, garage sales, etc and use dead-stock leather (left over from a large handbag company no longer in business). I am inspired by the beauty of the fabrics that i find and I hope my designs highlight that.

My target audience is a hip woman whose concern for the environment is going to hold her back from dressing well. There are lots of ways to incorporate our eco-friendly attitudes into our wardrobe without compromising style. My customer loves to find something unique, to score that special bag the represents her style...and because my bags are made in limited edition batches, she's not likely to ever run into someone carrying the same bag.

Since I was very young, I always worried about the environment and how much trash the human race produces. After a brief career in documentary filmmaking, I decided I wanted to do something that I would be truly passionate about. I wanted to work with my hands in a design field, yet do something positive for the environment. I had started hearing the term "green" design and began researching designers working with recycled materials. I decided on handbags as the product I'd make because I had been making them for fun for a couple of years. I was intrigued by taking this hobby to the next level and creating something women would wear and cherish for many seasons.

All of my bags are manufactured locally in Brooklyn, NY. The factory that I use has been in business over 57 years. NYC has a rich manufacturing history and at one point was the largest manufacturer of handbags in the world (in the 1960s). I come from a Brooklyn manufacturing family...my grandfather started a Greenpoint, Brooklyn door factory in 1927 and it is still run by my family to this day. Supporting this sector of the economy is something I feel is important as a local business-owner. I'm not against turning old factories into condos, I just would like more businesses to consider manufacturing here instead of over-seas. In addition to the economic benefits, keeping manufacturing local greatly reduces your product miles, thus is much kinder on the environment. Not to mention I really enjoy the direct interaction I have with the people who make my bags!

Please don't even get me started on design nightmares!!! There are so many! Since I don't have any formal fashion training, making patterns and samples used to take me ages and turn out completely horrible. When I think of all the hours wasted working on designs that never made it out of the starting gate, I have to laugh.

I am passionate about eco-fashion and building this business has connected me with some really talented designers who are producing gorgeous clothing and accessories, while remaining environmentally responsible. Seeing the growth of eco-fashion these past few years has been thrilling and I find it to be a very supportive sector of the fashion industry. I just helped organize a fashion show here in NYC called Project Earth Day (www.projectearthday.com) where we brought together 20 environmentally friendly clothing and accessories designers. One day soon, eco-friendly fashion will seep in to the mass culture and the majority of shoppers will think about this stuff when they make a fashion purchase, just as they now do with food.