Bryna Nicole Handbag Revolution

I’m a big fan of handbags and I love to see local San Francisco designers design high quality, unique pieces. I met Bryna Nicole through a mutual friend and I instantly became a fan of her handbags. I can recognize her bags at any store from a distance. I think that it’s the shape but mostly hardware that is really making it look so different than what it is currently available out there. If you look at her collections you’ll see lots of metal accents that definitely make a statement.
I applaud Bryna for following her dream and making it come true.

Below you’ll find Bryna’s new Fall 2010 collection and if you are interested in becoming the owner of one of those you can find them on Bryna Nicole website, Shop Style, Ideeli and at your local stores. Please check Bryna’s website for more information.

Bryna was also kind enough to share her experiences with me and allowed me to interview her. Here is a recap of our brief conversation.

Before you start reading let me know who is your favorite Handbag Designer?

1. What made you decide to design handbags?

I was working as a stylist at a local boutique and had clients who were dying for a less brand-oriented luxury handbag and there were none out there at the time, so I decided to go to fashion school to learn the business.

Why handbags and not clothes?

Sizing is intimidating for someone who didn’t even know how to sew! Handbags were also where I saw an opening in the market.

2. What is your inspiration?

I’m inspired by all sorts of things. What my friends and what I need in a bag really comes to mind when sitting down to create a new shape. Functionality and style is always the most important.

3. How would you describe your brand? And what is different about your brand?

Vintage-inspired luxury with modern details. I try to use really unique leathers and textures throughout the collection and there is a very special attention paid to the smallest details like zipper pulls, lining fabric, and stitch size.

4. Who is your favorite handbag designer and why?

Miu Miu’s bags are always amazing. They use the best textures and combine things in ways that others would never dream of. They maintain the highest standard of luxury while still making a young, fun and functional bag.

5. What do you love about your job and what you don’t like so much?

I love that I am my own boss. I could say this is one of the challenges as well. I don’t have to answer to anyone but myself and a lot of times that is the hardest things to do! It takes a lot of self-motivation but luckily I love what I do and when I see a woman walking down the street with one of my bags, it’s the biggest reward.

6. Describe an average day of a handbag designer?

Oh jeez. It can be completely different every day! I work out of my home, so the first couple hours are usually answering emails and tending to any urgent things that have popped up since I went to sleep the night before. I usually have a couple designs in the works so some time is spent working on finalizing the detail sketches. Lots of counting: inventory, orders, prices, hardware quantities. Always making sure I have enough pieces for the upcoming production. Sometimes I have a meeting with a boutique or a trunk show or shopping event. A lot of times I’m travelling to NY, LA or Vegas – and most days I try to save an hour to take my puppy to the park .