Newsfeed Sign-Up | Handbag Correspondent | Designer Registry
     
TODAY'S DESIGNER BAG TRENDS CELEBRITY BAG WATCH JOBS & SERVICES HANDBAG AWARDS 2010 ALL DESIGNERS TIPS

CHARLES
L.
THOMAS

The Simply Dee-Vine Shirley, genuine Italian patent leather, shoulder satchel, $309
The Simone, Cameo Satchel, Genuine Italian leather and imported mirco fiber, $269

The Paprika Shirley, From ''The Spicy Shirley Collection,'' Genuine Italian leather shoulder satchel, $289
The Simply Dee-Vine Shirley, genuine Italian patent leather, shoulder satchel, $309 The Simone, Cameo Satchel, Genuine Italian leather and imported mirco fiber, $269 The Paprika Shirley, From "The Spicy Shirley Collection," Genuine Italian leather shoulder satchel, $289

Comments: [post a comment]

1. The Simply Shirley is DIVING!!! It looks better than any label. - Miranda from NYC, January 23, 2007.
 

I’m originally from Wilmington, Delaware. I then lived in Vancouver B.C. before settling in San Diego, CA. I’ve been sewing and designing ever since my early teens. I trained and became a professional ballroom dance instructor and designed ballroom dance costumes alone with teaching dance for several years. The challenges I had to overcome designing and constructing glamorous and elaborate costumes taught me valuable lessons in the art of combining style, quality, durability, beauty, form and function that has translated into the kind of handbags I design today.

All of my handbags are constructed with the highest quality genuine Italian leathers I can get me hands on and also like to combine them with rich luxurious fabrics or high quality micro fibers imported from all over the world. I’m inspired by classic glamour and sophistication personified by such glamorous and timeless greats from Rita Hayworth to Audrey Hepburn. What makes my handbags so unique is that I very detail driven and I try to create a balance between beauty and function. All of my designs are made to last and to be user friendly while exuding glamour and elegance. For example I don’t cut corners and I only use high quality durable micro-fiber liners inside every handbag I create with just right amount of pockets. I also use high quality hardware on the inside as well as on the outside. The end result and a durable and well “finished” creation that women will want to use over and over again for years to come.

One of my most popular designs “The Shirley” has become kind of the cornerstone of my style.  It was one of the first handbags I designed back when I started over two years ago and was extremely popular then and still my most popular bag to date. I’ve just launched the 5th.version of this great bag called the “Spicy Shirley Collection” November 1st. and there’s already a waiting list forming for it. These colors are so rich and the leathers used on them are just amazing. There are like butter!

My biggest nightmare story would have to be the development process of the Raquel handbag.  It took almost an entire year to perfect the structure and the shaping. I lost many nights of sleep with it. When it just perfect I think I slept for a week.

Starting my own line of handbags for me was quite simply the next step in my life to express my vision and to share my experience with women who were craving for another option. By listening to what they really want and hopefully I feel that I can make many women happy one handbag at a time. I think the greatest achievement for me on this wonderful journey is the amazing and talented people I have met and to be walking down the street and to see someone carrying one of my handbags and they bought it a year ago. It’s very humbling and satisfying at the same time for me. It lets me know that I am doing a good job and in some small way making someone’s life a little better.

 
What is your name? Charles L. Thomas
Where are you from? Wilmington, Delaware
Where do you live now? San Diego, California
How old are you? 37
Do you have a design background? Yes.
Do you still have a day job? Yes.
What year were your bags born? 2004
Bag brand name: Charles L. Thomas
What is their retail price range? $119 - $350
Where can a shopper buy your bags? www.CharlesLThomas.com
For more information, contact: www.CharlesLThomas.com

Designer Archive:

September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
Show more...
More Designers:

September 01, 2010 - Lill - lilla oszvald
August 24, 2010 - Christiane Barbagallo - Christiane Barbagallo
August 20, 2010 - Kathleen Tucker Handbags - Kathleen Tucker
August 18, 2010 - Momma Couture - Rashmi Budhram
August 16, 2010 - Jenny N. Design - Jenny Nguyen
August 13, 2010 - Noriko Design - Noriko Fukada
August 11, 2010 - Lily Zane - Lily Zane
August 09, 2010 - Adrienne - Adrienne Grahn
August 06, 2010 - morelle - Katie Grigoratou
August 04, 2010 - Fiaz Co - Kathy Salas
August 02, 2010 - Renée Cascarina - Renée Cascarina
July 30, 2010 - TEICH - Allison Teich
July 28, 2010 - BAGSLAG - Lee Sylvester
July 26, 2010 - NAUTANKI by Carina - Carina Advani
July 23, 2010 - Pink Koala Design - Katrina Griffis
July 21, 2010 - Kristena Witherspoon Designs - Kristena Witherspoon
July 17, 2010 - CATHY - Cathy de Leon
July 16, 2010 - jlouise - Janet Fichtner
July 14, 2010 - mony's - Mona Harake
July 12, 2010 - Rives Parker Handbags and Accessories - Darlene Rives-Parker
July 10, 2010 - A Woven Life - Elkie Soto
July 08, 2010 - Joe's Brand - JoElynn Welsh
July 05, 2010 - Unique Crochet Collection by Inna - Inna Bubnov
July 02, 2010 - Kahri by KahriAnne Kerr - KahriAnne Kerr
June 30, 2010 - Cyclodelic - Amy Fleuriot

Email Sign Up | Designer Registry | Join Our Team | Ask HBD101 | Contact Us | Advertise With Us

Copyright (2006-2010) Handbagdesigner101.com. All Rights Reserved