The handbag that started it all!
Several years ago I was sitting at a hair salon looking through some high fashion magazines, when I came across a handbag for $2000.00 I knew I could not afford that. So I thought I would design my own handbag. I had always loved leather, horses and all that cowgirl stuff. So I sat down on the floor of my bedroom and began to draw a pattern. This was the first of the series. This handbag is a beautiful 4oz. Indian tan leather. I was amazed at the reactions I received. I was stopped at garage sales, fancy restaurants, designer stores, Macys, horse shows, you name it, I was approached and asked for this bag Who's is it they'd ask, where did I get it and so on. Well it was a lady I met at a Liz Claiborn outlet who questioned me about the bag and encouraged me to start production, then four ladies at a Macy's makeup counter approached me and said they loved this style, they called it "classic". I thought could it really happen? I put it back in the closet and started carrying a Dooney and Bourke, I loved it but no one approached me!

Two years later I was going to the casino with my boyfriend. I told him "I am going to carry this purse I made and if anyone stops me again, I am going to pursue what is meant to be."

We entered the casino found a table and sat down to play blackjack. The lady next to me was chatting with the dealer, it was her birthday so I wished her a happy birthday, she said thank you and proceeded to tell me she saw me on the escalator carrying this bag and she said she wanted to chase me down and ask me about it. I turned to my friend and said you know what I have to do now. I didn't quite know why everyone loved this bag, afterall it wasn't lined or real fancy. But when I designed it I knew I loved it and I was proud to carry it. Since then each handbag I design I carry to see how it wears and of course to see if I get the attention. So far I have been approached with every handbag I design and carry.


Kay West
Designer