Show Us Your Purse
■ Who? Stella Vittorio, president/chief atelier of Stella Vittorio Collection
■ Location: Stella Vittorio Collection Atelier design studio inside my home
■ Handbag: Stella Vittorio Collection Sonia shoulder bag
■ Are handbags status symbols? Yes, a handbag is much the same as any other item an individual purchases. Like a car, jewelry and fashions, a designer handbag says one is successful, confident and enjoys investing in high-quality goods.
■ What does this bag say about you? It says I pay attention to details.
■ If someone found your bag and looked inside, what would he or she think of you? I'm creative.
■ What's the most important item you've carried in your bag? My cellphone. It gives me immediate access to family, friends and business associates.
■ What's the strangest item you've carried in your bag? Professional-grade upholstery sewing machine needles
■ Tell us about the first special bag you owned. It was my mom's handbag. My sister and I found it in storage. It had that '70s look, which I love. My sister and I would fight over who was going to get to carry it.
■ Knockoffs: Love 'em or hate 'em? I don't love them or hate them. But, I would be very disappointed if someone were to make knockoffs of my collection that I have spent years developing.
■ Image is ... allowing each person to project their identity through fashion and accessories.
■ What's in your bag? 1. Swatch samples (for future handbags and accessories), 2. Earrings (I keep an extra pair in case I forget to put some on.), 3. Sketch pad (to sketch inspiration for a new design), 4. Thumb drive (So I can easily exchange information, files and images with others.), 5. Review-Journal resource store and garage sale listings (where I go to find belts, leathers and other items to recycle for handbag projects).
