SML Bags is a combination of classic style with a modern, urban edge. Shana’s inspiration consists of vibrant, abstract textiles of today and the sleek lines of vintage handbags. Ever since her first bag was made from a 1950’s curtain found in a thrift store, her love of fabrics and accessories has fueled her imagination. Each bag has it’s own special characteristics; no two are identical. All bags are handmade by Shana with a variety of durable fabric, in Brooklyn, NY.
Trish: Where did your love of handbags begin? when did you start your own line?
Shana: I noticed I had a problem when I had no more room to my vintage handbag collection! I have always loved handbags but it began in college when I made a bag out of a vintage curtain. It was an amazing pop-art print and I wanted to display it on myself rather than on a window.
Trish: When did you start your own line?
Shana: Officially, it started in the Fall of o5 but I was always making bags prior to that. it began as a hobby but I started getting requests from friends and friends of friends and it just grew into SML Bags.
Trish: Where do you turn for inspiration for your designs?
Shana: Fabric, texture, and color are my main inspiration. The clean, fluid lines on vintage shapes is always exciting for me as well. If I see an unusual fabric I know I have to buy it then and there. I’ll always find a way to incorporate it into a collection.
Trish: Is there anything you steer clear of when designing handbags?
Shana: I always try to use sturdy, durable fabrics and leathers when designing my bags. I steer clear of fabrics that don’t withstand being carried around all day.
Trish: How do you see your company in the future?
Shana: I want to start a sister company to SML Bags. I will always keep and operate my handmade line of bags because I find so much joy in it, however, I can only produce so much myself. I would love to begin another line of bags, leather carryalls and clutches that I’m not capable of producing myself. I’ve been looking into manufacturers right here in NYC who can help me with that. My aesthetic of bold colors and rich leathers would be part of this lines as well- no boring bags here!
Trish: What does your average day entail?
Shana: Well, I still have a part time job (the life of living in NYC!) but I’m grateful that that job entails me being in fabrics stores all day! If I’m not at that job, I’m in my studio, in Brooklyn, working on my bags which I look forward to everyday!
Trish: Describe your personal style?
Shana: I don’t really have a name for it but I love mixing vintage finds with modern. I have a thing for 80’s print blouses with great jeans and boots!
Trish: Who are your fashion icons (past or present)? Do you think they influenced your personal style?
Shana: I don’t really have one in particular but I admire any woman who has a fashion all her own. A woman who’s not afraid of trying something new and who dresses around her handbag! I know this may be cliche by now but the character Carrie Bradshaw had that outlook on fashion and I loved it!
Trish: If you had the choice of any designer in the world to work with/for, who would that be?
Shana: Ahh- too many but I’ll name a few… Marc Jacobs because of his amazing use of color, Devi Kroell for her rich, textured leathers, and Betsey Johnson for not taking fashion too seriously.
SD: Do you have any current fashion accessory obsessions?
I’m currently obsessed with trying to find the perfect pair of boots!
Trish: When you aren’t designing, what are you up to, any other things you are involved with you want to shout out?
Shana: Well I may be doing some shows coming up for the holiday season. At those shows I generally will give a portion of my procedes to Sloan Kettering for breast cancer research. This year I will do the same so check my site and see where I’ll be and come and see me!
www.smlbags.com
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This is a very nice article! Interesting and nice to hear from a designer. Love the photo too. Classy and almost a western feel to it. Glad to hear she is using quality material and leather too! Here’s to hoping someday SML will be a household name in the fashion world!
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