Fortune Cookie Wristlet, Black & White Silk Blend, $38
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Fortune Cookie Wristlet, Olive Rabbit/Lambskin Leather, $105
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Woven Ribbon Crescent, Black Grosgrain, $99
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| 1. | Welcome to Handbag Designer 101! - Karen Meyers from GA, March 17, 2008. |
Story:
My Mom (Dawn Culver) and I have always been true
fashion adventurers. We always knew that one day we would venture into the
fashion industry full-time. Starting at an early age of five, my Mom taught me
the joy of sewing – a family hobby passed down from her mom and sister. Prior to
starting ACLynn, both of us spent a great deal of time traveling all over the
world with our jobs. With our hectic travel schedule, Mom working as a Quality
Executive for JCPenney and myself as a Marketing Director in the technology
industry, we found ourselves carrying several different bags and totes to
accommodate all of our belongings. With the strict carry-on regulations with air
travel – we always lived by the motto “If it doesn’t fit within the carry-on
restrictions then it stays at home”. Well it is hard to be fashionable with the
function you need if you are following that rule! So in 2005 we finally decided
to take the plunge and turn our favorite hobby into a business – thus the
official launch of ACLynn, a company that focuses on delivering a line of
handbags and accessories that are fun, fashionable and functional.
We are based out of Atlanta, Georgia, and our mission is to offer high quality
handbags and accessories with functionality that is not in your face. Meaning –
the functionality is hidden. Each of our bags serves a purpose – be it a tote
with over 8 interior pockets – each with a defined function or one our wristlets
that allows you the ability to use both hands while keeping your bag attached to
you at the same time. And just as important to us is quality - each piece is
individually stitched or woven, and personally inspected for quality and
durability. We also change a series of our fabrics and styles every season to
ensure our products are always fresh, new, and distinctively in fashion.
However, one style that has stayed the same the over the past seasons – and was
the product that started the company is our Fortune Cookie Wristlet. The bag is
shaped like a Fortune Cookie and is the perfect accessory for any occasion. The
Wristlet is available in a number of fabric options – everything from silk to
rabbit to python. In addition, it is the right size to hold all your necessities
– cell phone, lipstick, small wallet, etc. It is also the perfect travel
companion – folds nice and neat into a suitcase or even a larger purse so that
you have a smaller bag to use when you reach your final destination. However,
the pièce de résistance is the heart-warming fortune sewn inside! Each Fortune
Cookie Wristlet has a unique Fortune sewn inside – for example, “The Journey
Through One’s Handbag is Always an Adventure”. Our customers love this touch of
whimsy! And the icing on the cake has to be packaging – each Wristlet comes in
an ACLynn branded Chinese Take-Out Container – the perfect “Gift to Go”.
So after spending a bit of time over the past year doing the due diligence
necessary to protect the Fortune Cookie Wristlet’s design with trademarks and
design patents we are finally focusing on accelerating the growth of ACLynn with
our flagship product. Each bag has a bit of whimsy. It is typically hidden –
being a fortune saying in the Fortune Cookie Wristlet or the fun and flirty
lining fabric in other bags. We like to have fun and we wanted to be able to
communicate this in a small way within our bags. It is so fun to watch someone
open one of our bags and immediately smile because they did not expect to see
the fun color/prints of the lining or better yet the kitschy fortune sewn
inside!
I don’t think we have had any major ‘nightmares’ to date. However, manufacturing
has been tough for us. We are trying to keep the majority of the production in
the US – at the same time keeping cost down and quality up – and have the
ability to scale with our growth. This is challenging. When we think we have
finally found the right partner – something goes awry. This is a challenge that
I think we will continue to run up against as we continue to grow – however,
being proactive has kept us ahead of the curve so far (knock on wood!)
Our biggest achievement is actually starting ACLynn. Both of us had great
careers that we left to follow a dream. All the kudos we have received since is
just confirmation that we made the right decision. Besides, Mom and I are having
an absolute blast working together and are very excited about the next year that
is ahead!
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Designer Archive:
Other HB101 Articles:
May 09, 2008 - English Retreads - Heather English
May 06, 2008 - OPAMA Designs - Patricia Hamilton
May 05, 2008 - Hydralis: FINALIST BEST STUDENT MADE HANDBAG - Lissa Kooijman
May 02, 2008 - Grey Sunshine: FINALIST BEST STUDENT MADE HANDBAG - Dana Van Daele
April 30, 2008 - Fufulinda's - Marion Renee
April 28, 2008 - Kage Handbags - Kristin Holstein
April 25, 2008 - littleoddforest / LOF - Lynda Lye
April 23, 2008 - Simple Sweetcakes - Mackenzie Hendrickson
April 21, 2008 - Cosa Monna Leather - Guadalupe Salais
April 18, 2008 - maxine orange - Maxine Orange
April 16, 2008 - Dorit Handbags - Dorit Berger
April 14, 2008 - Laura Matthews Designs - Laura Matthews
April 11, 2008 - Gadino - Hilde Palladino
April 09, 2008 - Erica Dylan - Erica Wallengren
April 07, 2008 - Marcela Calvet - Marcela Calvet
April 04, 2008 - Simbiosis - Julia Bravo
April 02, 2008 - Pumpkin Primrose - Sarah Steel
March 31, 2008 - Tamara Handbags - Tamara Lord
March 28, 2008 - D'BOUR - Adelya D'Bour
March 26, 2008 - Yaari Toya Bali - Ni Made Toya
March 24, 2008 - Jenny Yuen - Jenny Yuen
March 21, 2008 - Accessory Niche - Shara Brown
March 19, 2008 - Missco Girl - Elizabeth Lee
March 17, 2008 - rian handbags - Julie and Rian Berry
March 14, 2008 - Creations By Miguez - Miguez Tabora
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