I worked with a woman making handbags to market her wares through flea markets, movie costume sets, and direct marketing to stores. In 2008 I began my own line of elegant, edgy purses and eveningwear with not-so-subtle hints of romance, 50's glamour, and intimate boudoir inspirations. I hope to market my line to sophisticated ladies on a national scale and perhaps even globally. The appeal of my purses to Bostonians so far has been very rewarding.

Every piece I create is a unique, one-of-a-kind item. I use remnants, last-run lots, and vintage materials, including, when I can, the hardware and trimmings, and have even used disassembled kimonos and dresses. I was inspired by a friend who decided to open an eco-friendly clothing store before being “green” was trendy. Based on the slow reception to her store, which she opened in Palm Beach, FL, I saw a need for very high-end, eco-conscious purses to cater to a discriminating audience.

I was on a trip to the Dominican Republic and was enraptured by the passion of the artists I met there. During a rain storm I ended up shopping at the local mall and found shelves full of beautiful, handcrafted clothing and purses. I bought about 4 purses as inspiration pieces and when I got home I dusted off the sewing machine and got to work. I was so excited by my first purse that I began cutting and sewing and soon had a table full of them. I get really excited over each piece but I look to my friends as inspiration. Each piece is named after a real Bostonian that has their essence within the design and color scheme.

Every purse has a matching, one-of-a-kind evening skirt. I began to get tired of showing up at parties worrying that someone had the same dress as me. Worse yet, my photo was in two magazines within the same month wearing the same dress to two different events! I was so inspired by the success of my purses that I turned to skirts as a way to explore my potential as a fashion designer. Plus, now I can be confident at every event I attend and pose for the photographers with a clear conscience.

I guess I have a good eye for design, according to my peers. I do not use a pattern, and I have made every purse and skirt without measuring. I am so focused on the attention to detail that I am not opposed to spending extra time on each piece to make it as perfect as I can. This philosophy can be very time-consuming. The Cici skirt, which has a handmade ruffle from last-run Italian silk (worth $100+ a yard), took me four extra days to complete. But it was worth it – it is one of my favorites.

I have made numerous business contacts through this venture, most notably a group of ladies that I have now partnered with to provide high-end fashion shows, trunk shows and fashion-focused events throughout Boston. CAGE Couture (Catherine, Amy, Gail and Emma) brings to Boston a unique, boutique, shopping environment with our own special sophisticated style. Every show is also a benefit where we give a portion of the proceeds to a worthy cause, including locally, The MS Cure Fund and The Children’s Trust Fund, and nationally, the American Heart Association.