Handbags

Exclusive interview with Bunny Fayne of Circle & Square

 in Bay Area Fashion / General Fashion / Handbags / Jewelry / Local Designers / Shopping  tagged circle and square sf / interviews / online shops by

Bunny Fayne is the founder of Circle Square; which happens to be one of the hottest boutiques in San Francisco. Circle Square, which is located on tony Presidio street in San Francisco, offers new and emerging designers which are highly sought after by celebrities and Fashionistas alike.  Circle Square also happens to have been the winner of the 2011 Bay List “Women’s Accessories” category! Bunny took the time to talk to me and share with our readers her inspiration and forward-thinking vision.

Cathy: What inspired you to open a shop dedicated to new designers?

Bunny: In no particular order…A respectable fear of failure. The desire to use whatever gift I have for seeing unique ways to interpret individual style. The breaking of rules is a very liberating thing, it allows you to make mistakes…the talent… comes in knowing which ones to use. And lastly… I’m a little crazy.

Cathy: What do you feel the must-have trend for summer is this year?

Bunny: Lace, Patchwork Designs, Chokers, Bibs, Big Earrings, Cuffs, Clutches, Shoulder Bags,Gemstones, Jewelry with Quotes, Retro to Minimalist.

Cathy: What have you found to be the hottest selling style this season for jewelry and for handbags?

Bunny: In Handbags: Fringe, Tribal, Stripes, Bucket Bags. In Jewelry: Drop Earrings, Bold Cocktail Rings, Statement Necklaces, anything with Feathers….Birds Beware!

Cathy: Is there one color that customers are flocking to this season?

Bunny: We live in San Francisco so Black Rules…but vivid jewel tones: Emerald, Rubies, Amethyst, Sapphire, going from water colors to desert. Metallic is Huge.

Cathy: What types of items do you have in-store that are not featured online?

Bunny: Prive Cashmere Vests, they are “Haut Eco” since they are parts of previously committed elements that are redesigned and Neckpieces made of 100% Egyptian Cotton, miniature curios, woven together to create a beautiful Necklace – Did I mention Pearls?

Cathy: How do you find so many amazing emerging designers?

Bunny: Various and sundry sources i.e. Fashion Indie, SFIndie, trade magazines such as Accessories, WWD, Schools, The Academy of Art, Fidm, going to student shows and constantly asking and reading everything pertinent to it! Always searching and listening. And of course, Cheap Luxury Handbags Store!

Cathy: Do you have designers that are high in demand from your customers?

Bunny: Without question: Susana Speidel, Adriana Castro, Aki Kano, Dareen Hakim, Jeanine Payer and David Heston.

Cathy: Do you have anything you would like people to know about Circle and Square that I haven’t touched on?

Bunny: I have such a warm spot in my heart for this Store…it takes on the personality traits of each person who shares that love for it. If the Store were a person…it would be described as possessing great Flair, Intelligence, Character, Charm, Independence, Style, but mostly… a Sense of Humor. We laugh a lot around here. “Living your Passion is what makes you Authentic”.

Circle Square has a website where shoppers can find some of the latest and hottest items of the season. Shoppers can also order over the phone if an item they are looking for is in-store and not online. To learn more about Circle Square, please visit circleandsquaresf.com. 

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Photo: Bunny Fayne-Founder of Circle Square

Photo courtesy of Circle Square

Olivia + Joy handbag designer Blanca Lesser

 in General Fashion / Handbags  tagged interviews / olivia + joy / spring 2011 by

Olivia + Joy is a hot handbag design brand created by Blanca Lesser. The line of handbags is animal-friendly and incorporates on-trend designs without the logo and the high price. I had the honor of interviewing Blanca Lesser on Monday April 18, 2011 and I instantly found her passion for bringing high style and quality to the consumer at an affordable price to be inspirational.

Blanca Lesser strives to create on-trend designs that will withstand the test of time in both style and quality. The best part? All of her handbag designs are under $100! Her amazing designs such as the Perfection Satchel for $88 and the Bella Zip Cross Body for $68 incorporate all of the handbag runway trends while making the styles practical for everyday use.

To learn more about Olivia + Joy, please visit Blanca Lesser’s website at oliviaandjoy.com.

To read my full interview published on Examiner.com, please click here.

*Special Thank You to Blanca Lesser for taking the time out of her busy schedule to speak with me. Her designs are amazing and her passion for creating “The Look for Less” is inspirational.

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The Lady Bag for fall

 in General Fashion / Handbags / Trends  tagged fall 2011 / runway trends / satchels / winter 2012 by

The “Lady Bag,” or top handle satchel, was a huge handbag trend for fall 2010. When the spring 2011 runway collections hit the catwalk, the top handle satchel was nearly absent; minus the classic designers who keep the style in their collections regardless of the trends du jour. While Hermes and Christian Dior showed Lady Bag styles for spring, most designers such as Roberto Cavalli and Gucci opted for the trendier, 1970’s inspired shoulder bag with a long strap.

Consumers and Fashionistas everywhere were not ready for the classic yet trendy “Lady Bag” to fade into the background for spring, so shoppers continued to purchase the handbag style and store buyers happily stocked shelves with the satchel. Due to the demand for the classic top handle satchel, designers retuned the style to the runways for fall 2011; as if the handbag had never left the catwalk.

Almost every designer imaginable featured the top handle satchel for fall 2011 on their runways in New York, London, Paris and Milan. Some designers such as Christian Dior, featured the style with a detachable cross body strap to add versatility to the style. Gianfranco Ferre and Nina Ricci showed the classic silhouette with one top handle while Hermes and Christian Dior showed double handle totes for fall.

Whether you purchase the double or single handle style “Lady Bag,” the handbag is a classic and perfectly on trend for now into fall. The best colors to look for when purchasing a top handle satchel are neutrals that will last the test of time such as shades of Ivory, black, brown and navy. Happy shopping and stay fabulous