| The Modern Unity brand was started in 2007 by
co-founders (and sisters) Vicky Cagliola and Michele Gresh. This partnership is
a unique combination of a Business and Design Acumen. Our backgrounds are very
diverse. Vicky’s background is in business and management, with an
undergraduate degree in Accounting and a Master Degree in Business
Administration. Michele’s experience includes Design (Creative and Technical),
and a Bachelor Degree in Fashion Design from Philadelphia College of Textiles
and Science (now called Philadelphia University). Our launch season was Fall
2008 which was very exciting.
The materials we use for the Modern Unity line are unexpected woven fabrics
and interesting leathers. Fall 2008 Designs are linear and classic. Spring 2009,
in contrast, is all about softer lines and contoured shapes. Our handbags are
made in Manhattan by one of the best manufacturers in New York City. Quality is
an integral component of the modern Unity bag. We are striving for a universal
target audience who is (as in with Coach bags- women of all ages carry the bags
because they are trendy, yet well-made) interested in a quality, fashionable,
functional bag.
The most interesting and awesome feature about our bags, which makes us
unique, is, that our bags are modular. This means, you get a medium bag, an
adjustable strap (may be worn as a cross body or shoulder strap), a wallet, and
a wristlet strap (a dust bag is also included). All pieces may be interchanged
to make a different bag (both straps have clips on them). When a Modern unity
bag is bought, the consumer gets all pieces of the bag(s). There are at least 4
configurations for each set; cross body medium bag (cross body strap + medium
bag), medium handbag (wristlet strap + medium bag), wristlet (wallet + wristlet
strap) and cross body wallet (wallet + cross body strap). If you leave all
straps off of the Mimi bag, it even becomes a clutch. Our customer has the
flexibility to change their bag from work to play. This is where the name,
“Modern Unity” comes from. We also believe the gargantuan bags women carry
around today has got to affect their heath adversely. Our bags are smaller, and
with the cross body strap, distribution of the weight of the handbag is more
even. We have a philosophy that the larger the bag, the larger the temptation to
carry more stuff. We believe in “keeping it all simple”.
I thought of this concept about 10 years ago. The timing was never quite right
to launch my own line until now. I got inspiration my hair stylist’s “tool
belt”. All of the Hair Designers at my salon wore a little cross body strap,
which held all of their tools. The pouch was very small, but it served a purpose
for them. I thought it would be great to have a bag, which could be clipped to
the strap, and be interchanged with other bags. That is where the rough draft of
my idea came from. My business partner was ready at the same time I was, so we
felt we should go for it.
We are proud to say we are currently showing our bags at Showroom New York.
Showroom New York is a non-profit organization, which launches up and coming
Designers. And, all Designs must be made in New York. The work Showroom New York
is involved in, is the preservation of “Made in New York”, and the Real Estate
called the Garment Center. As more production moves overseas, the number of
factories in the garment center are also dwindling. I feel this is a great
cause, because it helps struggling new designers, and preserves the heritage of
the Garment District,………. and I think that is very interesting.
Because we are only working on our 1st and 2nd seasons, we really have not
had any “nightmares”, per se. It can be an on-going nightmare to get everything
that is needed at the right time for sampling and production. My greatest
achievement is, that instead of saying “I’ll do it later”, or “I’d be crazy to
try my own business”, I have taken a chance to fulfill my dream of independence
and happiness, while doing what I love on a daily basis.
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